Half Dead World: Book One from the Apocalypse Tales by Adrienne Hargrove (little readers txt) 📗

Oh, crap now I have done it. Mr. Daxter’s face is instantly enraged, mottled with purple and red splotches. I think he might actually stroke out.

“Miss Hollock, one more word out of you, and you will spend the rest of the semester in the behavior modification program, then you can test your theories about just how violent we have become.”

I clamp my mouth shut and literally bite my tongue to keep in any further remark. There is no worse fate for a teenager than the behavior modification program. It is like a prison during school hours. Most of the kids in the program are violent, future rapist, and murderers. Occasionally a regular kid gets stuck there because they ticked off the wrong person. It never ends well for those students. There are virtual teachers, and guards, but it would be extremely unlikely to get through a semester without being assaulted.

“All right everyone back to the review, Miss Hollock has wasted enough of our time.” Everyone obediently turns back to the front. Everyone except for Jackson, he is staring at me with a furrowed brow like he is trying to figure out just how crazy I am. I arch my brows, and give him my best, what are you looking at stare in return. He flashes me a quick smile and turns around to the front. My heart stops beating for two beats, then slams against my chest in a pounding thud so hard I can’t stop myself from rubbing over the spot at the top of my rib cage. I sit in class for five more minutes oblivious to everything but the sound of my breathing echoing in my head. The bell rings and as I make my way to my next class, I contemplate my earlier prayer and try to decide if Jackson smiling at me is a sign from GOD. I walk, unaware of my surroundings, having an internal conversation with GOD. Nope, nope, nope… that can’t be the sign, maybe I would have settled for that before, but I was specific Big Guy. If you exist, and created all life, and there is an afterlife, I want to see proof. Show me an angel or let me walk on water… something…anything that can’t be misconstrued as a coincidence.

As I turn down the hall to get to my current events class, I am startled by the touch of a warm hand on my upper arm. I turn to see Jackson smiling at me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, but I called your name three times.”

I stare at him willing myself to speak, but my mind is completely disconnected from my mouth and I can’t seem to come up with anything. SPEAK DAMN IT!!! He’s going to think you are a complete idiot.

“Uh earth to Haven, you in there?”

“S-sorry I’m just… I was just daydreaming I guess.”

Jackson chuckles under his breath. “No worries. I just wanted to see if you were okay after the way Mr. Daxter threatened you with behavior modification?”

My eyes widen a little and I can feel my cheeks burning. “I’m fine, Mr. Daxter, just infuriates me beyond reason. And when I lose my temper, I have no filter and say stupid things.”

Jackson’s face turns serious as he pulls me into an alcove between lockers he leans in close and whispers “Either way, you have to be more careful. You can’t let people know you’re a believer.”

My whole body is charged with excitement at the closeness of him. I pull my head back slightly to look in his eyes “Why?” I ask more than a little confused by his sudden seriousness. “Religion isn’t illegal; we just can’t talk about it at school. Personally, I think Mr. Daxter was way out of line. I should probably report him.”

Instantly Jackson clutches my arms and whispers furiously “Whatever you do, don’t do that! Trust me, keep your beliefs to yourself or you’ll make yourself a target.”

I close my mouth which has been hanging open. Give a slow nod of my head and say “Ooh-kay” I ease away from Jackson. “I’m gonna head to class now.” I say slowly and calmly.

Jackson rolls his eyes. “Oh Please, Haven, stop looking at me like I’m a lunatic. Surely you are not that naïve. Look, why don’t you come to my house for dinner tonight - I will explain things.”

I back away a little more, even though my hormones are fighting me, my brain is screaming run fast from the beautiful boy who is clearly nutter butters. “I… I don’t think I can; I have a lot of studying to do, maybe some other time.” I start to turn away, but he grabs my wrist stopping me. He steps close enough that when he leans in and speaks low, I can feel the warmth of his whisper on my neck, and I can’t stop the slight shiver it gives me. “Haven, I promise I’m not crazy. I just want to hang out and get to know you better, and if you’re desperate to study, we can do that too.”

Damn, there is no way my brain is winning this one.

“Alright but my dad is going to have to drop me off, I wrecked my car last week.”

“Oh… well I can come pick you up if you want?”

“No that’s okay, my dad will make an excellent witness as to my last known whereabouts. You know just in case crazy people break promises regarding their sanity.” I laugh as say the words, but in all I honesty, I am still a little apprehensive.

Jackson arches his eyebrows giving off an air of superiority, but he can’t quite keep the corners of his mouth from a smile. “I’ll see you at six, Haven.” I nod my head in confirmation just as the bell rings.