The Outside Lines (boyxboy) - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Nathan's POV
I was worried about Noah when I realized he hadn't shown up for school yet after his outing the day prior. His friend, Taylor looked just as worried and confused as I was. From what I remember he's never been late to school, well aside from that time when he barged in through the front entrance of the school looking as sick as a corpse. He had to be sent home. Several of the students here felt bad for him. Let's just say, he ended up with a lot of get well cards. I wanted to be one of them but we all know how that is.
He eventually showed up and was confronted and attacked by Chad. I wasn't there in person I just heard about if from passing gossip. If I was there I probably would've beaten Chad's ass, or tried to at least. I did arrive on the scene just as Noah and Taylor had their falling out though. It was heartbreaking to watch, they've always been really close. Noah blamed her for revealing his secret, she didn't really seem guilty though. She was really upset with Rebbecca for the whole situation as well.
A few days passed and I spent most of my free time checking out the assortment of clubs at school. They were all pretty cool aside from some of the people there. They just avoided me like usual.
I was still undecided on which to give my free time to though.
On my way back to my locker after school ended I noticed Taylor going up to and talking with random people. It piqued my curiosity. I trailed near, eventually catching part of a conversation.
"He's always been nice to you, why wouldn't you want to help him out?" Taylor questioned, getting noticeably irritated at the girl in front of her. With all of the bits and pieces I eventually gathered from her conversations it seemed like she was recruiting for a plan, one to get back at Rebbecca?
After her unsuccessful attempts she flung her arms to her side in defeat and spun towards the glass doors of the school, notably upset.
After a moment of hesitation I remembered that if I wanted to befriend anyone I'd have to make the first step, so I called out to her just before she reached the exit.
"U-um. Excuse me?" I stuttered, calling out to Taylor. She turned around to meet my voice. A confused look overtook her face, one that wasn't unfamiliar to me. Nerves crawled across my skin like a winter blizzard just burst through the doors.
"What... is it?" She asked looking back and forth in confusion.
"I'd overheard you talking?" I stated, but it came out more so as a question.
"Yeah, and?" She asked.
"It sounded like you needed help with something, something about Rebbecca?" I inquired, hoping she wouldn't leave the conversation midway like Noah did. She narrowed her eyes at me.
"Would I be of any use?" I offered.
"Why should I trust you? What do you have to gain from this?" She questioned, eying me in suspicion.
"Well uh, Noah seems like a really good guy. Rebbecca had no right doing what she did, revealing something that personal and all." I explained, standing awkwardly. "I personally have a reason to target her as well." I added. I didn't want to go after Rebbecca for my own sake, though I just said it hoping to convince her.
"You really want in?" She asked after a moments thought.
"Sure." I nodded, placing my hands in the pockets of my rugged jeans.
"How can you just agree without even knowing the plan?" She asked, almost annoyed.
"I trust you." My reply seemed to catch her off guard.
"That's not the issue here." She shook her head with a sigh. "Whatever. Here's the plan." She began speaking in a hushed voice. "Tomorrow after school I'm borrowing my dad's pickup truck and packing it full of fireworks. I'm going to set them off in front of Rebbecca's house. But I need someone behind the wheel while I do so, that way we can make a clean getaway."
"That's pretty mild for you. I thought you would've went with something more... destructive." I poked, picking up on her and Noah's tendencies over time.
"This may very well blow holes through her windows, so it's pretty destructive if you ask me." She replied with a faint smile. "If you're still up for it tomorrow then meet me after school in the parking lot around six." She informed. I nodded, and with that she took her leave.
I quickly jogged to the final bus hoping I hadn't already missed it. Thankfully I didn't.
After reaching my stop I stepped off into the summer night's air and walked home. I entered the front door of the silent building and sat my bag on the dinner table. I finished up some school work while I made pasta for mom and I. I ate, exercised, showered and went to bed. I sang along to the old eighties music playing on my radio as I drifted off to sleep. I was adamant on improving at it. For some it comes naturally, but I'm one of the many who have to work for it. I have made strides over the past couple of months though.
Morning arrived and I set out for school. Today is the day Taylor and I are going to set off the fireworks. I'm pretty nervous about it but I was excited to step out of my comfort zone.
I arrived at school and headed for homeroom. On the way I spotted Noah wandering the halls like it was a forest full of monsters and beasts. My heart ached for him. He really didn't deserve to be in this situation. I wanted to walk up to him and give him a hug, but how weird would that be right?
I sat my backpack on my desk, pulled out a book and laid back in my chair. I arrived early so it gave me extra time to read. I already finished my school work last night so I didn't have much else to do. As time passed the room started getting a little more busy with the groups of friends settling into their seats and chatting away.
"It's a shame Noah turned out to be gay. I thought he was cool." I overheard someone in a near by group say.
"Yeah, honestly he was a lot of fun." Another voice followed.
I lowered the book from my face and turned to them. "So what, just cause some's sexuality doesn't match your own you can't be friends with them?" I asked sharply, not just catching the two in the conversation off guard but everyone in the room. The expressions on the people's faces paled with guilt and fear, like I was about to beat them to a pulp or something.
The teacher arrived and was confused as to why the room was silent enough to hear a pin drop. She just eyed us oddly before sitting at her desk. She began taking attendance and I continued using my newly discovered voice instead of the ol' raise of the hand.
Those that were in my homeroom often snuck peeks at me all through the next several classes. I doubt they realized I was aware of it.
I trekked to the cafeteria to get an apple to go with my homemade lunch. The line was abnormally large today. It almost made me think there was some kind of amusement ride installed in the school overnight. When I reached the front, not in the queue but as an observer, I noticed that Kassandra, the lunch lady was alone in the kitchen today. Normally there was another. Marley I believe her name was.
"Again, I'm really sorry you guys." Kassandra began to speak, in a heavy Spanish accent. "My partner in thyme had an accident and had to go to these emergency room, so lunch is falling behind today." She apologized in between huffs of exhaustion.
"Mind if I lend a hand?" I asked her after a moment of thought, hoping I could be of some use.
"Uh-" Kassandra started, distracted. "Please, but only if you have any experience in the kitchen." She said, still not turning her attention away from her work. She was a bundle of fluster trying to stay on top of everything. I pressed my hand at the edge of the counter and hopped over.
I asked what she needed done first. She pointed in various directions, listing things that needed finishing. I took an old hair band from my back pocket and tied up my lengthy hair, keeping it out of the food. After about five minutes of chopping and preparing the ingredients Kassandra asked for she finally turned to face me. She jumped, tossing her spatula sky-high before freezing up like a manikin, eyes wide at who was behind the counter with her. I guess I probably was the last person she expected.
Just as I caught the spatula from the air I noticed we had quite the audience. The once vacant and dull expressions on the students faces were now captured in confusion and intrigue as they watched us hastily prepare their lunch. At first I didn't know why they were so fixated on a struggling kitchen duo, then I realized it was probably cause they weren't expecting someone like myself to have any culinary knowledge.
We hurried as fast as we could, serving as many people as possible. In the end we managed to get to everyone, but at the expense of my own lunch time. The bells rang signaling us to or next classes before I had the time to down any of my homemade pasta. That was an outcome I was prepared for though. I went in knowing this might happen so I wasn't bummed about it. I was more so pleased that I got to help everyone out, even if they were checking my food for poison in the end.
Kassandra thanked me continuously until I finally stepped out the door. I didn't mind it, I would've stayed longer to be sung praises, but I didn't want to be late for my classes. I tossed up a wave and jogged off.
School came to an end. I mucked up science, and excelled in english. Normally I would've struggled with both but I've been reading so many books and magazines over the summer that I think it might have helped. They weren't particularly interesting, I just read them cause I could. Just the other day I read through half of a gardening guide. Ever since I took up reading as a hobby earlier this spring I pretty much just read through whatever I can get my hands on.
Taylor wasn't going to be ready for at least another couple of hours so I took the time to check out some other clubs and after school activities. I eventually stumbled upon the logic room. Apparently it's supposed to include everything from checkers to debate. There seemed to be a pretty big match going on between the club. I could hear cheering even before I reached the door. From what I've gathered, Damian, another big name on the school grounds and some other club member were in the middle of a heated game of chess with a pretty sizable and enthusiastic audience. Damian is known for being a brainiac. The way he uses his mind is enthralling. I found myself getting sucked into the match like every other soul in the room. I made sure to keep distance between myself and the rest of the crowd hoping not to disturb anyone. If they saw a big, violent, intimidating man standing behind them they'd likely make a scene. I didn't have the best view in the room but the game was still visible.
Damian ended up taking the victory to no one's surprise, though there were a few close calls, leaving everyone on the heels of their feet. There were people rooting for both sides. The underdog, and the undefeated. Neither of them lost their titles today. Who knew watching wooden objects duke it out on a kitchen tiled battlefield could be so captivating?
I spent the remainder of my time reading through a book that was a little more interesting than usual. "Saint of The Sewers" was its title. It told the tale of a notorious man who ran the underground. It's supposed to be based on a real story, but the scenarios and characters in it were like something a deranged twelve year old would come up with.
What sounded like hundreds of stampeding dinosaurs approaching me snapped my attention away from the book. A large black pickup truck pulled into the school parking lot. The door popped open and out came Taylor. Her appearance did not match that of the truck. It was almost like seeing a model driving a monster truck. I thought it was pretty badass though.
"Get in, quickly." She nudged her head over in the direction of the passenger side. "We don't want to draw too much attention to ourselves sitting around."
I found that ironic seeing she was the one operating the hulking vehicle like a mad woman. That engine made the one in Chad's car seem like a toy. I replied with an irresistible response of silence. I sat up from my seat and put away all of my loose belongings before walking over to the truck.
I stepped in and placed my bag in between my legs. She stared the trucked and pulled out of the driveway.