Piercing Chill
Chapter 2

Iwas stripped away from my wonderful dream about Hugh Jackman by the booming ofmy alarm. I tried to grasp the remaining segments of my dream but they allperished into nothing. I groaned inwardly. I tried to block out the loud shrillfrom assaulting my ears using my pillows but the jarring continued. I pulled mybed covers over my head but I could still hear the distant cry of the alarm. Isighed in defeat, my alarm was perched on my dressing table on the other sideof the room. I had deliberately made this myself because I had a tendency ofhitting the snooze button a lot. However, one day I accidentally clicked thewrong button and slept in. My mum wasn’t home either to wake me up, I learnt avaluable lesson that day.

Iheard my door opening. I didn’t even bother to check who it was because I knewit was my mother. Besides, we were the only ones in the house at the moment.The ringing of the alarm came to a halt and I felt the duvet being pulled offmy body. My body shivered uncontrollably to the sudden chill that tickled itsway up my body. I cradled my body in attempt to warm myself up.

“Wakeup, honey. It’s time for you to get ready for school.” My mum’s soft voicesounded from the other side of the room.

Suddenlya bright light flooded my room. I could feel its intensity against my eyelidsin attempt to pry my eyes open. I slowly opened my eyes, to get used to thelight. Mum stood by the window trapping the blue curtain between a wool curtainholder. She twirled around facing me. She watched me with an amused expressionon her face. I’m sure, I looked horrible. I could see a few bits of hairsticking in front of my face. I smiled understandingly

“Good morning mamma.” I groaned beforeglancing behind her. The sun shone lazily. It was clear it wasn’t going to lastthe day.

“Get ready and come down for breakfast. Youdidn’t have any dinner last night.” My stomach grumbled in response drawing achuckle from mum. She exited my room before closing the door behind her.

Igroaned and dragged my cold feet to the bathroom. One thing I was grateful for.I didn’t have to go downstairs to use the toilet and bathroom there. I hadconvinced my parents to have my own ensuite built near my room. So theydemolished the room that was next to mine and built my ensuite. The remainderof the other room became my own study room. It was small but good enough forme.

Iwas surprised when I glanced at myself in the mirror. My usual warm brown skinlooked patched and pale. Dark rings shaped my eyes. My left eye was a bitdroopier than the other one. I looked terrible, my body felt sore. Aftergetting home last night, I had insisted on going straight to bed. Once I waslying in bed, sleep refused to claim me. So I stayed up with events of earlierthat night replaying in my head none stop. I had made up scenarios of what theman wanted from me until my head started to ache. That’s when sleep decided toclaim me into a dreamless slumber.

Isighed and turned on the water facet. I splashed some of the warm water onto myface. I instantly felt better. If this warm water made my face feel better, Iguessed it was going to do wonders to the rest of my body as well.

Aftermy shower, I quickly threw on some jeans, a pair of black flats and along-sleeved t-shirt. I could feel my shoulders protesting as I pulled theshirt over my head. My so trusted warm water betrayed me. I rotated my shoulderblade in attempt to ease the pain but that only made it worse. I winced when Iglanced at my shoulders in the mirror. Dark hand prints tattooed my skin. Hemust have grabbed my shoulders with all his might. Was this his way of brandingme? Who was he anyhow? Who did he think he was walking around at nightterrorising young girls? I quickly picked up the foundation sitting on thedressing table and rubbed some over the marks.

Iquickly thanked whoever invented make-up because they had just saved my lifefrom questions and glares from people. For some reason, I found myself bitingmy lip while thinking about the man’s enthralling cyan eyes. He had the mostbeautiful eyes. I shook my head in sudden realisation of what I was doing. Ishouldn’t have been day dreaming of some uncanny guy. There was only one thingto be blamed for this sudden attraction.

“Teenagehormones”

Inodded my head in agreement with my brain’s analogy before making my waytowards the kitchen. I picked my bag on the way and slung it over my rightshoulder. When I reached the kitchen, I was welcomed by the delicious aroma ofpancakes that mother was cooking. I hummed in reply to the sweet smell thatwafted into my nostrils. My mouth watered in anticipation. Such a raresituation for me. I’m usually not attracted to food but due to the hungercarrying on from yesterday, I couldn’t help it.

“Finally.”Mum sang when she saw me entering the kitchen. “Took you long enough.”

Ismiled at her before dropping my bag on the bar stool next to me.

“It’sa bit chilly today. I hope you’re wearing a lot of layers under there.” Muminformed with a small caring smile.

Iwas so tired, I hummed in reply. I made myself busy by arranging my lunch forschool. A simple sandwich with ham and cheese.

“Whenare you going to start putting veggies salad on that sandwich.” Mum laughedquietly. I laughed with her. She knew I didn’t like leafy vegetables becausethey always managed to make my sandwich soggy due to the water that remainedafter washing them.

“Since you came home yesterday looking likeyou just got attacked or something, I decided to make you something that willcheer you up. Pancakes!” She interrupted my thoughts and brought me back toreal life.

I returned the thoughtfulness with a small smile.If only she knew that I actually got ambushed by some red-eyed man. I resortedin not telling her what happened to me. Well, firstly that man warned me to nottell anyone and secondly, if I had told her she would have freaked out andordered the country’s defence force to search for this despicable man. I sent aquick prayer to God that I would never see that man again in my life. I sat onthe nearest bar stool, hungrily eyeing the pancakes in front of me. For a fewminutes I was going to forget about all my worries. Food was going to be mycomforter.

"Eatup, you have school in a few minutes." Mum informed me placing her apronon the bench next to me. "I will go and get changed and then I will dropyou off at school. It looks like it might rain."

She made her way towards the stairs, leaving atrail of Eternity, her favourite perfume by Calvin Klein. Idug into my pancakes covered in chocolate sauce and cream. As soon as thepancake piece with chocolate drizzle landed on my tongue, it melted against mytongue, letting all the sweet juice surround my mouth. It felt as if I hadn’teaten for years. Well not really, but you can understand how hungry I was. Iswallowed the piece of pancake and went for another one. In a few minutes theplate of pancakes was gone. I washed my plate and placed it next to the otherdishes to dry.

“I’m ready mamma!” I shouted, swinging my bag overmy right shoulder once again.

“Ok honey. I’m coming. Wait by the car!” Mum shoutedback.

I grabbed my black jacket on my way out to herSUV. She followed right after lockingthe door behind her. I could already feel the drizzling of the rain as I stoodin front of the porch.

You are probably wondering where my father was. Myfather was a chef and he travelled around the world for at least three monthscooking for celebrities. When I said celebrities, I didn’t mean Justin Bieberkind of celebrities, but rather the president of the United States kind ofcelebrity. He was renowned for his amazing cooking dexterities. He loved hisjob and every time he brought a souvenir for both mum and I. He usually got tostay for about a month at home before venturing into his life of cooking. Atthis moment I was missing him. I wondered how mum managed to stay put for thatlong without him by her side.

"You got everything?" Mum asked whilethrowing her purple jacket on.

"Yes." I replied with a smile.

My mum was right. By the time we arrived at thefront of the school, rain was furiously pouring down. I was sure by the timethe rain seized, mum’s car was going to shine bright like a diamond. I laughedat my silliness. I quickly kissed mum on the cheek, braced myself beforeexiting the car in full speed trying to avoid the rain from ruining my hair. Beingfrom an African background, my afro-textured hair didn’t comply with thisweather. I raced to the main entrance of the school and was relieved when Ientered the humid environment.

Igagged when I first took in a deep breath of teenage pheromones. I know, I wasa teenager as well but the smell was just too much to bear in these teenjam-packed hallways. It didn’t help either that rain poured uncontrollablyoutside. It probably added to the humid effect. I squeezed myself between thecrowd that flooded the hallways, trying not to keep myself in there any longer.I could feel myself becoming short of breath. Yes, I was claustrophobic. Thecrowd seemed to stretch the shorter my breath became. I could see the light onthe other side. I rushed through and lunged at the light.

Iwas caught by two arms before my face kissed the ground. I looked at the crowd,I had survived. I smiled and whirled around to face my rescuer. I almostchoked. A beautiful boy I had never seen before stood there smiling at me. Hewas about a foot taller than me or maybe a bit shorter than a foot. His eyes,radiant like the golden oak leaves in the spring weather. He was beautiful. Hiseyes matched his wavy, shoulder length ashy blonde hair.

“Areyou alright?” His silvery and fruity voice brought me back from my trance.

“Ohyeah.” I stammered before removing myself from his embrace.

“Good,because if I hadn’t caught you, you would have kissed your pretty face goodbye.” He laughed.

Iblushed at his words shy all of a sudden. I muttered a quick thank you.

“Noproblem.” He beamed, proud of his actions. “Were you running from something orsomeone?”

“No.”I waved my arms widely in front of me. “I’m a bit claustrophobic.”

“Ah.That explains it. Your face was so pale and your expression, you looked as ifyou’d seen Satan’s butt.” He laughed, a deep and colorful laugh.

Ijoined him at laughing at his joke.

Hepaused before asking, “What’s your name?”

“Mary-Kate.Yours? I don’t think I’ve seen you here before” I replied watching himcuriously.

“I’mCraig. I just moved here from Snag, Yukon in Canada.” He grinned.

“I’venever heard of it before.” I replied confused.

“It’sa small town at the edge of Canada. Not many people know of it, so don’t worryyour pretty self much.” He chuckled tapping my nose with his finger. I noddedin reply. “What’s your locker number?”

“320.Why?” I replied glancing at him for a brief moment.

Embarrassedprominent in his golden eyes, he spoke, “I’m not sure where mine is. I wasgiven locker 330.”

“Well,that’s close to mine. Come on new kid, I’ll show you where it is.” I replieddragging him by the arm.

Hechuckled before following my lead. “What grade year are you in?” He asked aftera short time of silence. Well not pure silence since people were shouting fromevery angle of the hallway.

“Twelve.You?” I replied glancing at him. He looked around my age.

“Same.”He retorted, a small grin forming on his lips.

“Whydid you move here while in twelve grade?”

“Myfather owns Italian restaurants across the country called Cibo Incredibile. You maybe familiar with the name,” I nodded,connecting the name with the big restaurant here in Amoris. “He came here tomanage the restaurant until I finish senior year of course. He wanted to have achange in scenery. He was getting tired of the freezing weather in Snag.”

“Butits no better here. Its always raining and freezing at this time of the year.”

Hechuckled in response, “It’s not that freezing actually, compared to Snag.Besides, my father likes keeping a low profile.”

Ismiled before turning towards his locker. “Here it is.” I motioned towardslocker 330.

“Thank you very much Mary-Kate. I appreciate it.” Hegrinned, showing pearl white teeth. I noticed one of his incisors overlappedthe other, but still, he had better teeth compared to mine. I had a few gapshere and there but nothing too embarrassing, as long as I was able to chewmeat.

“No problem.” I replied. “I will be by my locker overthere.” I motioned to my right. Only a few feet from his own.

He nodded before waving. I whirled around and made myway towards my locker. I quickly entered my locker combination and got readyfor the next class. I had art first. My breath was knocked out of my lungs whensomeone hugged me tight from behind. Her squeal trying to lift me off theground gave her away. As soon as she placed me on the ground she walked to theside to face me.

“Hey girl.” Tina, my friend sang before giving meanother quick hug.

“Hey Titi.” I teased her. She frowned at the littlenickname I gave her.

“Not fair. You know I hate that nickname.” She poutedbut regained her composure as if nothing happened. “Any who, who’s that guy youwere talking to?” She motioned behind me.

I glanced at Craig, he felt my gaze and turned towardsme. He smiled and I returned the thought. I broke the connection and turned myattention towards Tina’s blemish free face.

“His name is Craig and he is in our year.” I whisperedto Tina before noticing movement behind her. “And he is coming towards here.”

“OMG, really? How do I look?” Tina fussed, fixing herface and wiping of non-existent mascara residues from her face.

“You look fine,” I reassured her before turning myhead towards Craig who was only a few metres away.

“Hey.” He called out behind Tina. She whirled aroundto face Craig. He turned his gaze towards her. I could see admiration in hiseyes. Every guy always had that expression when they met Tina. “And you are?”

“I’m Tina.” She purred offering her hand towards his.

“Nice to meet you Tina. I’m Craig.” Craig returned thethought before turning his gaze towards me. “I have art first. What about you?”

“I have drama.” I could hear the disappointmentradiating from Tina’s words, “But Mary-Kate has art too.”

“Really?” Craig asked glancing at Tina then back atme. I nodded in reply. I could see beaming in his eyes. Did he love art thatmuch?

The bell suddenly rang sending Tina in panic mode. “Ihaven’t retrieved my books yet. I’ll see you guys later. Bye bye.” She rantowards her locker in the opposite direction.

“So which way?” Craig asked me as I closed my locker.

“This way.” I replied twirling around towards the artroom.

When we entered the room, almost everyone was seatedin their routine positions. I took a seat where I normally sat just likeeveryone else. Craig followed suit sitting next to me.

“Is there someone who sits here?” Craig questionedafter catching me staring at him. I shook my head with a small smile on mylips. “Thank goodness, because it would’ve been so embarrassing to get up andreplace another seat.”

I chuckled in response and turned my attention to mydesk. I had been shocked when he decided to take the seat next to me. No onehad ever wanted to sit next to me despite knowing every single person in thisclass since kindergarten.

After a few seconds every seat was occupied in theclassroom. The teacher, Mrs Jackson entered the room. Her frilly skirt trailingbehind her. “Hello everyone! Today we’re going to start a new project.” Sheannounced settling her mount of books on her wooden desk.

Someone at the back cheered. Everyone laughed at hisbravery.

“Ok ok.” MrsJackson motioned for everyone to stop using her hands before continuing. “Ithought that our next project would be a portrait of the person who is seatingnext to you. You’ll have to put some work into it after school as well asduring classes. You’re seniors now and I trust you to do the right thing.”

It was abouttime someone trusted us, I thought. I glanced at Craig grateful he transferredhere today, otherwise I wasn’t going to have a partner for this project. I smiledas Craig glanced my way and winked. I blushed from his gesture and quicklyturned my gaze towards Mrs Jackson.

“You’ll eachbe provided with two canvas to work from. I also printed everyone’s schoolphotograph so that it can be easier for everyone to recreate. I would alsoadvice you all to do a draft in your books before drawing the final piece. Comeup here and get your equipment and get started. Chop chop.” Mrs Jacksonfinished, clapping her hands.

I glanced at Craig at the mention of a school picture.He looked at me knowingly before winking, “I’ll provide you with one tomorrow.”

I flushed once again before joining the line that hadformed to retrieve equipment. I made my way back to the desk, my hands full. Idropped the equipment on the desk before taking my seat. Craig followed rightafter. I didn’t know what to do with myself this lesson. I didn’t have apicture of him to study before transferring it into my book. I fidgeted in myseat before glancing towards Craig. He was gazing at my school picture, a bigsmile on his lips.

“This is abeautiful picture of you.” Craig breathed before gazing back at the photograph.For the third time in less than an hour, I felt my face heating up. I thankedthe Lord for blessing me with dark skin that was able to mask the redness thatformed in my fellow white skinned friends.

“Thanks.” I whispered darting my gaze away from him.

“You can study me, right now. I don’t mind having abeautiful girl staring at me.” His voice smoky and his gaze scrutinizing me.

I cleared my throat before turning away. “It’s fine, Ihave studied you enough and I can wait for the picture.”

“Whatever suits you, however, I prefer studying thereal Deity before me than this photograph. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Youlooked amazing in this photograph but I prefer studying you now, with thenatural light highlighting your greatest assets.”

I was out of breath by the time he finished, I glancedat my lap trying to shake away the effect his words were having on me. What wasthis guy doing to me?

“I’m just kidding. About studying you now I mean. Likeyou, I already have everything I need to get started. In my brain.” He laughedbefore turning his gaze towards my photograph.

He was such a flirt. I mean with his blonde hair andamazing amber eyes. Any girl was stupid not to fall for him. He was probably aplayer too. Considering how quick he managed to get comfortable with me. Ishook my head. He was handsome and I couldn’t resist his charm. After all, I’ma girl. I shook my head again when I realised my teenage hormones were makingme think of stupid things.

Ihad completely forgotten about what happened last night until Tina mentionedthe bruises on my shoulders. How did she notice? I had tried my best to coverthem up with foundation in the morning and mum didn’t seem to notice. I lookeddown at my shoulders and I noticed my shirt had slipped from my left shoulder. Toavoid divulging about the red-eyed man, I lied that I had carried boxes on myshoulders at work. She didn’t look very convinced however she didn’t push it.

Itwas lunch time and we were in the cafeteria. I didn’t even know how the morningwent by so fast. I had separated with Craig after art and hadn’t seen him sincethen. Right now however, theories about why that man attacked me and made meleave without a fight last night, occupied my brain. I couldn’t shake away thefeeling of his chilly breath against my neck. I unconsciously rubbed my neck atthe thought.

Tinawaved her fingers in front of my face pulling me out of my thoughts."Hello - earth to Mary?"

"Oh,sorry. What did you say?"

"Isaid. Did you hear?" she said smiling really big.

"Aboutwhat?"

"Anothernew guy in school." She said bouncing up and down in her seat, like a fangirl going to meet her favourite superstar/dream boy.Her long and wavy auburn hair bounced against her shoulders, making her looklike a small child.

Unlikeme, Tina had flawless skin. There was no acne present on her face. Herheart-shaped face suited her very well, making her look like an angel. She wastall and had long legs that any guy would die for. Whereas I was a bit shorterthan Tina, with dark, unnervingly curly hair that went down just below myshoulders. My thighs were a bit on the thick side but they still added to mywomanly figure.

"Andguess what?" Tina asked pulling me out of my thoughts, again.

"What?"I asked popping an m&m in my mouth. To be honest I wasn’t interested in boys at the moment. Well I guess youcould say I was kind of interested in a certain man but I was sure he wasn’tthe one she was talking about.

"Heis from Yakutsk, Romania!" Tina shrieked in her seat. Her dark-greenbizarre eyes sparkling like a field of grass on a sunny day. "You know howyummy-some European boys are."

“Tina,have you already moved on from Craig’s love trance?” I teased her.

“Hewas all over you and I can see that he likes you. Besides, this new guy is wayhotter than Craig. He’s inhumanly handsome. He’s tall, has dark hair and hislean muscles are to die for. I mean, I only glanced at him from afar, but manthat guy’s frame is gorgeous. I wonder if he is going to come here for lunch.”Tina finished, darting her eyes around the room in search for this ‘dazzling’boy.

Isighed as Tina continued her gossiping. I really wanted to smile and gossipwith her about boys, but my mind was not in the game. She must have noticed howunfocused I was, because she asked if I was ok. I tried to smile, but my headunexpectedly began throbbing. My shoulders suddenly became hot and painful. Icould not grasp where this sudden sensation came from. I looked down at myshoulders, the bruises had a slight glow to them. However, they didn’t looklike handprints like they did this morning but swirls of gold. I gasped at thesight. I turned towards Tina, she seemed to be in her own trance. What was happeningto me? My stomach teased me and I could feel the food I had just swallowedslowly making its way up my throat. I swallowed it back before it splatteredeverywhere.

"I'mgoing to go to the bathroom, I don't feel so well." I choked grabbing myjacket from the table.

Itried to stand up, but dizziness flooded my vision. I grabbed the edge of thetable to steady myself and Tina was by my side in a second. I felt like all ofmy energy was being drained away from my body.

"Sitdown and put your head between your knees." Tina's voice was a little hardto hear, but I managed to catch what she said and did as I was told.

Aftera few minutes I was feeling better, but I still felt the need to throw up. Istood up again and this time I succeeded with the help of Tina. She helped meput my jacket on. We started towards the exit when suddenly the door opened andsomeone entered. I felt a chill go through me.

No,it couldn’t be.

Eventhough I couldn’t see who it was clearly, I knew it was him.

Ilooked up and met his deep, piercing blue eyes. He smiled, all whites wickedsmile that sent more chills down my spine and all the way to my toes. I feltlight-headed at the sudden shock. My vision became blurry. It was like the airin the cafeteria suddenly became too thick to breathe in. The room startedswaying in front of me and I could feel Tina shaking me and calling my name.Her voice was fading away. I tried to hold on to it but it was impossible. Icouldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.

Myeyelids became heavy and I felt myself falling but everything went black beforeI felt the ground.