Fire and Ice Chapter Three

Authors Note:  It's been over a year since I last took a shot at writing.  I stumbled across this old story on my computer and thought I'd take a stab at another chapter.  It's extremely rough, being that I'm out of shape here, (and it is also in a male POV) so be patient with me.  I know it is also long for a post, but all of my chapters usually are longer so this is to be expected.  Here we go :) 

Chapter Three

Mark 

Do You Realize?

                The first day of the last year of high school.  The only thing good about it was it ended.  I went into the school with an optimistic point of view but it was shattered during first period.  It just had to be her.  Of all of the people that dimwitted teacher could have picked to be my partner, why her?  I think that all of the teachers are in on it and it’s just some big joke between them all during lunch break.  They must sit there in their comfy chairs and hot coffee laughing about my misery.  Mr. Evermore must know what happened that day.  He probably saw the flash back in our heads the moment he called our names.  He’s a sick and twisted individual.

                I didn’t think it fazed her that bad.  Lily Frost has never confronted me about the accident all of these years.  I thought it was only me.  We never ran into each other at school because she was always so withdrawn, only talking when someone talks to her first.  Today was the first day we ever even talked.  Yet she knew.  She knew that I can’t use my power anymore and she knew me for who I really am.  Mark Phair, the pathetic excuse for a fire starter.  Mark Phair, a monster.

                It could be worse.  I could be the freak she is.  Not only is she powerless, but because of me, she is now physically skewered. 

                Not her face, though.  Luckily her face was untouched by my harmful ability.  This way, she can still live as normal a life as she can.  I have noticed she always wears long sleeve shirts which makes me curious as to what the scars look like.  If only I could see what she looks like under the shirt I’d be able to understand the magnitude of the damage I inflicted.  If only I could see under that shirt…

                I shake my head, knowing that thought can never be executed.  I am almost home.  The subway’s lights begin to flicker like they always do as it’s about to enter a platform.  I was fortunate enough to grab a seat today instead of standing uncomfortably close to the other swaying passengers.  As the subway approaches my stop, I think to myself that the day is almost over, and once the night begins, my life begins.

                I walk the rest of the way home.  This part of the city is nothing but small apartment buildings.  My mother’s apartment is just as beat up and shabby as all of the others.  When I walk through the large blue door, I can tell what time of day it is.  My mother is sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of a table with a glass of water on it.  My baby sister who is not yet a year old is standing next to her, both hands gripping the edge of the table for support.  It’s homeschooling time.

                “What happens to water when it gets really really cold?”  My mother asks.  Nothing happens for a few seconds, then my sister lets go of the table with one hand, reaches up and touches the glass.  The water in the glass freezes completely solid.

                My mother claps and cheers on my sister. 

                I smile.  “That is too cute,” I say as I walk across the room and greet them.

                My sister laughs and falls to the ground.  She stares up at me, begging me to pick her up with her wide, blue eyes.  “That’s right, Donella.  You’re too cute for your own good.”  I gently throw her in the air and catch her.  Her short, blonde hair flows around her face in the wind as she giggles.

                My mother sighs.  “Are you going out tonight?”

                I put Donella down near some toys that were spread around the floor.  “Of course.”

                My mother is that warm-hearted, over-bearing typical mother type.  I admire her to my very core.  She never once missed a school play or hockey game.  She was there in my life more than any other person I knew.  My mother was brilliant and amazing.  She always wears her tousled blonde hair back with a clip, letting some loose curls hand around her shoulders.  It was her signature hair style.  A day never goes by that she doesn’t wear that brown clip in her hair. 

                “Do you think going out on a school night is a really good idea? Mark, be serious.”

                “It was only the first day, mom.  Teachers never assign any homework the first day.  And I will be home early.”  I kissed Donella on the cheek and then move to my mother where I placed a kiss on the top of her head.  “No worries.”

                As we emerged through the door, I stood, transfixed by the scene.  First, the darkness comes abruptly and you lose your sight entirely.  Then, with the pulsing music comes the dull neon lights.  You follow the crowd to the dance floor where you let your impulses take over and all of the complications of the day cease to exist.  It is the perfect safe haven.  It is my sanctuary.

               In this particular club, there is usually a dj and the lights flicker and scan the crowd to the beat of the music.  However, tonight there was a live band in town that was willing to play.  This club isn’t exactly the spot to be nor did I want it to be.  There isn’t a long line out the door of underage people pushing their way to get in.  There aren’t that many high strung girls who thrive off of giving guys a hard time.  It is just a place where you can hang with your friends and just give in to the music.

              I was with my usual crew.  Caleb and Ben were at my flank scanning the scene.  These guys were my best friends since I could remember and have become the ultimate wing men.  If it weren’t for these guys, a guy would never hope to have a chance with any of the fine ladies at the club.  And let’s face it, who doesn’t like a few cute girls to spruce up the night?

              “I hope this band knows how to play,” Caleb says close to my ear.  It’s always hard to hear over the music at places like this but everyone seems intent on screaming over it anyway.  “I’d hate to have a night ruined cause of bad music.”

                I shook my head.  “I looked them up before I left.  They just played at the Coliseum downtown and they got great reviews.  I hear the lead singer is pretty hot too.”

               Caleb smiles and winks at me before jerking his head towards the bar.  It’s the best place to start the evening.

              After some drinks I start to become less optimistic that’d I’d be hooking up with anything remotely attractive.  The club seemed to be nothing but a sausage fest anyways.  It wasn’t long until I realized why. 

              The band had begun to set up as I was just finishing off my third vodka on ice.  It appeared to be just a couple of guys tuning guitars and testing microphones.  That was until the singer walked onto the stage.  A few guys in the crowed whistled and yelled some crude comments in her direction.  I could see where they were coming from, though I’d never be so vulgar.  She was beautiful. 

              At first, all I could think was that she was copper.  Her skin was so brown with a shimmer of gold that danced in the lights of the stage.  After I could control my own mind again, I saw that her hair was very long, straight and almost white.  But those weren’t the things that were able to keep my attention.  It was her tattoos.   Down the left side of her body, from her neck all the way down to her feet was a green vine that entwined around her body.  It was miraculous. 

              I’ve seen her before around the night club scene but I didn’t even consider she’d be a part of a band.  I had seen her a few nights before and I even tried dancing with her.  It was a foolish thought, I’ll admit.  I could never recall ever seeing her actually dancing with anyone in particular except for her circle of friends.  I had slowly danced around her for a while before I got close to her.  She didn’t seem to really take notice, while she was lost in the music, until she stiffened at the sight of me.  She walked away immediately before I could even say a word.  It was a harsh form of rejection and I wanted to hate her and call her a prude for it.

            The sight of her again made all those negative thoughts vanish.  I just wanted to be close to that creature.