This is going to be like any other story I have posted in the past, if you comment on here you will get a wall posting when I update regardless of why you commented. Suggestions and feedback are welcome. I do not need character suggestions so do not make any. As always, please enjoy the story. ---- Chapter 1 Part 1 Pov: Reed School is defined as "an institution for educating children" by the dictionary. I define it as a temporary prison that demands false interest to keep your parents happy. Whichever you go by, school doesn't matter, life experience does. The square root of a ridiculously large number is not nearly as useful as knowing how to pick a lock. I pick at the nude polish on my long finger nails, pondering these thoughts while Wes and Quinn discuss school with me. I could give them some long answer, but I just shrug noncommittally, they'll hang onto my every motion and word regardless of what it is. Their expression of admiration almost sickens me at times. "Reed, what're you thinking," Skyler's fingers wander their way through my tangled hair that I didn't bother brushing. His lips are close to my ear, he knows I'm tense about today. He knows that I'm thinking about much more than I say most days. For a moment, I consider giving him the real answer, that I'm pondering why I stayed in school and it's heading towards the gas money tucked in my bra. My lip slides through my teeth and I wiggle in my seat, my legs crossed. "I was thinking about how much I'm going to miss you," I answer slowly, looking up through my lashes at Skyler hovering over me. I'm rewarded with an easy smile and a quick kiss on the cheek. He's a great guy, well rounded and easy on the eyes. It definitely doesn't hurt parents adore his corny jokes and ability to make filler talk. However, there's an itty bitty fault, a chink in Skylar's all African American armor. I stand up and let Skyler take my seat. If I'm going to through this I need a moment. Stretching my arms above my head, a thin strip of my skin showing above my low slung jeans, I tilt my head towards the bathroom. My shoes make satisfying little taps on the tiles while I weave my way around tables to get to the bathroom. I trust Quinn is following me. She and I need to talk.
Part 2 POV: Skyler "Hey bro," Wes fist bumps me from across the table. His glasses are sliding down his nose a little. "What's shaking," I give a generic response to him, my eyes watching Reed and Quinn work their way to the bathrooms. "Not much, I'm sort of psyched to see what's going down," his eyes look at me, large and unblinking. I clench my hands into a tight fist, of course Reed didn't tell them. I open my mouth to offer a hint then pause, should I really do this? "Remember when we took stole everyone's clothes while they were showering and hung them from the roof," I grin a little and lean the chair back on two legs. "Yea, that was pretty sweet." I nod at him. This is sort of similar, I guess. Our headmaster, Doctor Bryn, takes the stage and stands behind the podium. I can barely see his head over it. "Good morning, Wildcats! It's our last official day of classes and I wish you all luck with your exams next week. Reed Whitman has your daily reflection," he hops off the side of the stage and takes his seat back with the small sample of nerdy freshmen who suck up to him. "God, he dresses awful," Quinn mutters as she sits back down. She's right, today Dr. Bryn is sporting a short sleeve plaid button down, off white shorts, a striped tie, and flip flops. I give her comment a little smirk and resume watching Reed walk proudly onto the stage. When she gets to the podium, she winks and I know it's for me, my heart clenches up in my chest. Her curly hair is now smoothed back and up in an elegant bun, her cheekbones dewy with makeup and her grey eyes twinkling. Her deep dimples are visible as she holds back that smile that fills her whole face and wrinkles around her eyes. Something is up. Everyone knows it by now. The mindless chatter had stopped. Everyone's eyes were on her, they didn't want to miss a second of whatever wonder was in store. Reed stands on her toes, gripping the wooden podium to lift herself high enough to reach the microphone completely. She sighs softly into it, "My quote is from J.K. Rowling, 'Mischief managed'." That's Quincey's, Quinn's twin brother, cue to do whatever technical stuff he's supposed to be doing to make this work. Reed is still standing on the stage with her arms crossed in front of her, leaning against the side of the podium when it starts. Everything goes black.
Christ this is excellent even with my critical freakin' eyes this is just wonderfully written. Never have I seen dialouge that flowed so well and so casually here. There's a really wonderful sense of...confidence from this character that didn't project stuck up as it tends to do. The description is so artfully done and the voice of the characters shines through so clearly. And the fact that no one gushed about anyones looks except for maybe a little at the end but still. Bang up job! Can't wait to see more from ya
This should be in our fangirling thread Cause I am most definitely fangirling over it UPDATE, MY ***** <3
Chapter 2 Part 1 POV: Reed I count to ten, waiting for confusion and feelings of "what the hell" to set in before I make my exit. Right now, in this brief moment, it's the calm before the storm. Everything and everyone is silent except for their constant buzz of their souls. Most of them will never let theirs show, too content to be a little Barbie bitch or too afraid of being judged. I leave my old iPod pressed against the microphone, letting it blare Pink Floyd. We don't need no education. We don't need no self control. My lips form a smile involuntarily and I start feeling along the wall for the exit. The floor is soaking wet by the time I find it and fling it open, glancing over my shoulder to see the chaotic, beautiful mess behind me. White spots are still in my vision, but I swear I see Mr. Winston grinning. "The old bastard does have a heart," I mutter as the door slams shut. It doesn't sound final enough for me, so I let out a scream of victory. Kicking off my shoes, I start the long walk to my truck. I glance around at the buildings and flawless landscaping. Whoever did all this work, has a passion for it. It's neat and uniform without being military-like. The colorful blooms of flowers look almost happy nestled in their planters. I pat the arch of the main entrance of the high school complex, looking up and squinting at the camera. Taking a few steps back, I stick up my middle finger and salute before walking past the arch into the parking lot. "Not really gonna miss this place, are you," Mickey spits onto the asphalt, leaning against the tailgate of my truck. "Go away. I'm leaving. If you're still behind my car that'll be a real shame," I dig for my keys and unlock the doors with my clicker. "Reed," his voice softens, losing it's cockiness. "I know you're going away and I thought I'd give you this." He presses a flimsily wrapped book into my hands, walking away before I can say anything. "Thanks...," I murmur and pop open my door with a screwdriver. I throw the book and my bag across the bench seat. With a small hop, I pull myself into the cab of the truck. As I drive away, I glance in the rear view mirror. Michael's leaning against the doors, staring after me with his intense, pale eyes. I shudder and peel out on my way down the school's winding driveway.