Chapter 5

Unknown

MIKA

Little Bird. His laugh. It has been his damn laugh that has disturbed me at night and during the day; I wake up thinking about her, knowing that that innocent smile will never be because of me. And when I realize how ridiculous it is to think of Fissher’s brat, a disconcerting hatred digs deep inside me. The little bird has come out more restless than I expected judging by his submissive appearance. Maybe it’s the rough genes he has from his brother. Of whom, by the way, I have not heard anything after putting him in his place.

-I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT! -Ashley enters my room with one more of her tantrums

- Is it true that this Michelle is stuck with Chase? Turns out yesterday was an interesting day. Since my best friend moved to the suburbs because of his parents’ separation, has ended up living in some cramped apartments with a hell of an elevator.

He got stuck in it with the girl he’s been eyeing since years past; Michelle Wallas, the same clumsy one I ran into at the convenience store.

“Relax, Ashley,” I suggest, laying an arm across my forehead. I already put it in its place.

“What did you tell him?" Ashley sits on my bed. By not answering he seems to get irritated-Mika!

“I told him she was dead…” I reply, sitting down, remembering a little encounter we had in Jackson. She’s not the type of girl to talk back, so I guess that’s enough to make her walk away.

“Do you think…she likes Chase?” I’m not sure if she likes Chase; but I am completely sure that after what happened in the elevator their relationship will change. Chase has probably told her how he feels and she begins to change.

Of seeming… or so it has given me the impression after rejecting me.

“How could I fall in love with someone like you?” Fissher brat dared to spit that out of her mouth, how dare she? Someone like her… I should have said that, not her.

“I don’t know, Ashley.” I get up from the bed, tense. Now let me get dressed, I have to go to Jackson. ASTRID Friday. The good thing about James, in a way, is that he stays out of things that don’t concern him. What I’m trying to say is that you haven’t asked a single question about what happened between Mika and me.

Thus, I have not had to deal with tormenting questions and puzzling answers. However, their restless and cautious looks have not been far behind. Neither are Mika’s, who has been beside herself for the rest of the days, acting like she doesn’t exist. I know it doesn’t mean I’m safe from his clutches, but I think I must have an iota of hope.

-Did you see the huge poster they put up for

“The Homecoming Dance”? Megan asks me. We met in history class. Sitting next to me and with an open book standing on the table, she pretends to read about the

“Economy in the 50s” while checking her blog notifications on her cell phone. -No what happens? I scratch the back of my hand. The subject of the dance does not do me any grace.

“Well, apparently you can bring someone from outside the school… You could bring someone.” A mischievous smile graces his contoured lips. I cluck my tongue shaking my head.

“You know I’m not one of many friends, Megan.” She rests her head on the table and looks at me.

“Who are you planning to bring?” He shrugs, indifferent. Surely a loooong line of guys wants to invite her. “I’m waiting for a certain person to invite me…” He purses his lips.

-. You probably don’t know who I’m talking about.” He laughs softly. He straightens again and confidentially brings me closer to my ear, covering the side of his lip with his hand. James Cooper-steps aside. We both check to see if Professor Mittler has noticed our talk, but apparently not. It’s no wonder Megan likes James; I’ve said it before, a lot of girls are crazy about him.

-You like? I ask to confirm. Megan nods, blushing.

“A little…” He takes a deep breath, moving his shoulders. He’s cute, kind, charismatic. He is the ideal boy. The ideal boy, huh? Honestly never thought of James Cooper as someone to fall in love with. From the first moment I saw him in freshman year, he never physically caught my eye; I always admired his facility to please everyone.

“I…” I look at Megan. She looks at me strangely-I could suggest that she invite you. -Really?! He exclaims calling the attention of Professor Mittler, who gives us a disapproving gesture. We both look at our notebooks embarrassed. After the teacher looks away, Megan looks at me. “Would you really do it?” -Yes, why not? -I shrug. -Thank you. After a nutritious lunch -or that’s what they want us to believe

-I’m about to look in my locker for the Language notebook. Professor Marshall has a reputation for being quite strict and direct, I wouldn’t want to be humiliated in front of the whole class for being late like all the boys are. I put the password of the locker and open it; It’s still the same as last year, with the same stickers of dogs, stars, photos of my parents, mine and Patrick’s, and the mirror glued to the background. I’m surprised to see through the mirror the smiling face of James behind me. I jump from my post, closing the metal door with a firm slam.

Turning around, I find him with his arms crossed and the playful smile on his lips fading. Something tells me he’s going to ask about Mika. I can’t help but feel a churning in my stomach. -Four eyes.

“James…” I look around. For some reason I feel like I’m cornered. Of course, the feeling is completely different than with Mika

- What are you doing here?

“I’m watching you,” he confesses. You know? You should make your password more hidden. I mean, I was walking to old Marshall’s class and I saw you, you put in the locker password like no one cared to know it.

“Well, no one seems to care what the password is,” I chide. James narrows his eyes, looking at me suspiciously.

“What do you want James?” I dodge his gaze by turning my head in another direction.

“Let’s see…” I cross my arms. He raises his head as if he has a cloud of ideas above his head, just like a cartoon-I want a new car, a laptop,

A Dalmatian puppy and that someone accompany me to the dance. I widen my eyes, almost forgetting about Megan.

“It’s funny, because I wanted to ask you about that.” James parted his lips, somewhat stunned. I take a deep breath before speaking, for some reason I feel like the

“Doctor Heart” who matches couples for Jackson. I have a friend who wants to go to the dance with you and

- James’s laugh startles me, causing me to fall silent instantly. I look at him questioningly without knowing the reason for his laugh.

“You don’t take hints, do you?” I raise an eyebrow. By “someone” I meant you, Astrid. A burst of red invades my face. It’s the most unseemly proposal I’ve ever been asked. It never crossed my mind that someone asked me to go to the dance, much less someone like James Cooper. It sounds as crazy as in the movie Carrie.

-It’s a joke? James shakes his head smiling. -Is not true. I want you to come

With me to the Homecoming Dance. -Why? James takes a deep breath scratching his head.

“Well, because you’re nice.

-Smile. It’s the weird smile I’ve seen him put on. I don’t know if it’s because of the strangeness of the situation or because he really plans something. I bite my lip. The bell to enter classes rings, making me even more uneasy. Flashing through my mind is Megan’s face, her heartfelt “thank you,” her offer to take pictures, and how excited she was when I told her I’d tell James about the dance. I can’t do that to Megan, go with the boy she likes when I agreed to tell her to go with her.

“I can’t go to the dance with you,” I blurt out, shaking my head. Go with Megan; She is cute and very nice, surely you will have a good time with her. Besides, I’ll be busy taking pictures. James swallows hard, frowning. -OK. I’ll go with her,” he says, nodding repeatedly. .

-. If you think it’s best, fine.

-I-I’m sorry… MIKA I’m surprised by the level of ignorance of people to the point of not being able to leave things where they belong. It always happens in Jackson, at home with Ashley and here in the convenience store. However, I am even more surprised by the fact that that inept Fissher keeps appearing before me. While I see some magazines arranging them in their place, I watch out of the corner of my eye as he scrubs the floor with a broom.

The only part that has not been able to clean has been where I am. He has avoided all physical contact and being alone with me. It is not a novelty, after what happened on Tuesday. I put one of the magazines in its place. On the street in front of the minimarket, a familiar face looks at me with frustration. I recognize her right away: she is Michelle Wallas, the other stone in my shoe; the girl for whom my sister has come entered me

Room in the morning to ask me for explanations. I smile at her, but she lowers her head in embarrassment. However, I am surprised to see her enter the store and stand resolutely before me. -LISTEN WELL, MIKA!

-she screams like a madwoman, pointing at me as if that would intimidate me- I won’t let a perfect boy say that I’m dead, much less you. You have no right to because I didn’t do anything to you.” He takes a deep breath.

“And I’d like a drink, please. I clench my jaws tightly. What does this brat think to come and talk to me like that? Chase has given him too much confidence to do it, but I’m not like him, who lets a girl treat him like a rag. Oh no.

“Who is this crazy woman?” The manager asks, surprised. Crazy, of course. I walk over to her and grab her wrist, dragging her out into the little alley by the convenience store. An alley where it transcends the smell of shit, literally. I try to calm my instincts and manage to corner her against the wall.

“You’re…” I swallow the words, because it’s not worth calling her about something she won’t understand. You are a brave girl. Not even my mother would treat me like that.” I look at his shocked and scared face. Or you’re really crazy, but I don’t think so. Anyway, I didn’t think you were that naïve. I wasn’t thinking of killing you, just making you suffer, Michi.

“I wouldn’t want to get my hands dirty with someone else.” I brush aside a strand of her hair.

-Why? –“Why do you say…? His question came out similar to that of Little Bird who, for a moment, think I’m talking to her. But not. I smile looking at her suspiciously. What I’m going to say is a symbol of madness, but it’s a way to find out what really happened between her and Chase. You want Chase for yourself, but he belongs to my sister. Here’s the thing: My dad and Chase’s dad have made a

Business and to confirm that agreement, Chase and my sister are getting married. It sounds absurd, but it is a good way to consolidate deals. It has been done for a long time. It seems to me a ridiculous way, but effective, especially since it does not concern me. Love marriages have ended over the years… ASTRID After the disturbance with that girl, Mika has returned as a rabid dog. Even the manager has not spoken to him, nor has he forced him to work. The member of Los Tres has remained leaning on one of the walls of the minimarket, with his arms crossed. None have even wanted to get close, because little by little within the week, they have realized the uniqueness of Mika McFly and his strange behavior. If the manager had wanted to kick him out, he would have; but Mika always has the world in the palm of her hand and, surely, that girl did not. I think that explains why there is no

Put a finger on me these days.

-See you next Monday!

-I say goodbye to my co-workers with a sign and I leave the minimarket through the back. It is full of cardboard and disposable things that are left over from the dumpsters. The night is particularly darker than normal, so the alley to the street looks like hell itself. I cross it almost trotting; However, instead of calming the tension of the night, Mika’s slim, erect figure with slight hints of light makes my hair stand on end. He’s leaning on the hood of his car.

I stand a few feet in front of him and, without warning, lower my head fearing another one of his outbursts. I walk down the sidewalk ignoring his presence and he seems to ignore mine, like he’s avoiding me like we’re complete strangers. I wake up just before the bus passes the stop where I have to get off. My body feels tired. After

After what seems like a long week of dealing with tensions with a certain person, I come home to have to put worries and secrets aside for at least two days.

“Astrid, Patrick called,” Mom informs me with Boo sleeping in her arms. He’s been calling you but he said you weren’t answering. I raise an eyebrow. During the trip home I have not heard my cell phone. I look in my pockets for the electronic device, but I find nothing. I look in my backpack, taking out everything inside, but I can’t find it either. The only thing I find inside, out of the ordinary, is a cell phone more modern than mine. I take it in my hands, hiding it from Mom so she doesn’t ask questions that I can’t even answer myself. I look at the cell phone in more detail discovering its logo and brand. I almost drop it just thinking that I have such an expensive cell phone in my hands. -Something wrong? Mom asks. I shake my head hiding the iPhone behind my back.

-N-no. I’ll go change clothes…” Before he can say anything, I go upstairs to the second floor, locking myself in my room. How do I get this into my backpack? I only find one valid hypothesis: Mika. I dial my number.

“Hello, Birdie,” Mika answers. His voice sounds even more annoyed over the cell phone. I hope you like the social experiment that I will do with your little device of yesteryear… Do you know what is called “textual sex”? I guess not, but don’t worry, when Monday comes you will know what it is. What do you mean by that? My heart beats a thousand per second. I have no idea what to say or do. I have been petrified, with the iPhone in my hand.

“Wh-what do you want from me?” I ask the air, not intending for him to hear. It was the only thing that occurred to me to say; however, it does. A mocking laugh is heard from the other line

. – Have fun. I want you to be the fly in my spider web – he replies

1 The little bird that sings inside my cage. What do I want from you? Want it all, little Fisher. His hateful words make me flinch. What have I done wrong to be treated like this? I know the question will end up unanswered, because nothing is what I have done to receive so much hate from a person. I was always someone who went unnoticed most of the time and now I have caught the attention of the most unlikely person.

“Don’t do anything… please,” I implore. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it- The call is over. He has won.

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