Chapter 2
Kayla left early on Sidero morning. Slightly depressed Aless watched her friend leave then trudged inside. Tomorrow would be Prota, the start of the week, though school wasn’t for two more days. The first two days, Prota and Deftero, were dedicated to athletics, artistic studies, and temple. For the next five days, Alessandra had school, Pumic through Hyaloc. The fact that there were nine days a week, seven of which, she included Prota and Deftero, were school days seemed completely arbitrary to Aless. Yet the Nᵫlgᵫn calendar had been used for over a hundred years, so it had to work somehow. As she began to cook her breakfast, Aless’s phone chirped at her. Snatching it up, she grinned at the sight of a digital message, or dm, from Danny. After a few dms, Danny called, claiming he wanted to hear her voice. They talked for over an hour, with Danny making Aless laugh a lot. When she brought up their date for the upcoming Hyaloc, Danny smiled over the phone, but wouldn’t tell her anything.
“It’s a surprise,” he told her teasingly. “You will have to wait.”
“I hate surprises!” Aless whined playfully. “I’m nosy. I like to know what is going to happen.”
“Too bad,” Danny laughed. “You are going to have to give up the controls for one night.”
The idea both thrilled and terrified Aless. She wasn’t a control freak or anything, but she hated the idea of someone else controlling her. They continued to talk for a little longer before Aless had to excuse herself to do homework. Once she had finished all her boring schoolwork, Aless stretched and groaned. Aless dreaded the idea of waking up early for school. Yet she was in her final secondary school year, so she could see the light at the end of the tunnel. If she made it through this last year, then next year would be college. Studying the large wall calendar that reached from floor to ceiling in the kitchen, Alessandra studied the thirteen months that compiled one year. They were barely in the Third Sun Month, which means she still had the Fourth Sun Month, the Large Moon Month and the Gold Moon Month until Solstice break. After the Dark Moon Month was over, she would return to school for the First through Third Sunless Month. Then finally, Aless would enter the First Moon and Sun Month and then graduate in Second Moon and Sun Month. Ten long months away. So close and so far. Studying the calendar made her depressed, so Aless went to eat dinner then sleep. Once she was safe in her bed, Aless messaged Danny good night and then went to sleep.
Waking the next day, Aless found her Prota to be an uneventful day. Deftero was similarly uneventful. The only troublesome part was at school on Pumic. Tyler had apparently not accepted that Alessandra was not interested in him. She managed to dodge him that day and on the following three days, Tachy, Palagon, and Okto. Her luck ran out on Hyaloc though. Hyaloc afternoon, Tyler cornered her in the empty hallway during lunch.
In her gut, Aless knew she wasn’t going to be able to avoid him as soon as she saw Tyler in their first class of the day. His gaze had been intense and fixated on her. Kayla, noticing, had let out a low whistle and said, “Girl, he has his hunting eyes on. You better hide in the girl’s bathroom until the end of the day.”
Of course, that wasn’t really an option. When Aless went to retrieve her lunch from her locker, Tyler made his move. Approaching Aless as she searched her backpack, Tyler posted his arms on either of side Aless’s locker. The soft jingle of his expensive watch told her he was there. Looking up, Aless grimaced. Leaning over her, Tyler smiled as she found herself trapped between the lockers and him. He wore one of his best outfits and his cologne wafted off him. She could tell he had taken extra care with his looks that day and was trying to come off as cool and impressive. Aless was neither impressed nor attracted to him.
“Aless, we finally have a moment alone,” he purred as he leaned in closer. “I am so glad. I was hoping you and I could have a private date tonight. No wingmen this time.”
“You do realize we were the wingmen last week, right?” Aless said calmly, trying to divert his attention.
“Not from where I was standing. We had that private little section of the theater and I was able to finally taste how sweet you were. I was just hoping that this time we wouldn’t have to worry about another couple. We could go see another movie or get something to eat, or just hang out at one of our places. Which do you prefer?”
Remembering what both Kayla and the delivery guy said, Alessandra straightened as much as she could. Shaking her head, she set her jaw into a stern position and narrowed her eyes seriously.
“I do not want to go out with you, Tyler. I do not like you like that, and I have no interest in any future dates. As it is, I have a date tonight with someone else,” she said matter of factly.
“Really? Who?” Tyler smile hardened and turned more into a smirk. He did not believe her.
“No one you know. He doesn’t go to school here.”
“When did you meet him?”
“That’s none of your business. Now excuse me because I want to get back to lunch.”
She shouldered past him hard and walked away without looking back. Aless could feel his eyes boring into her, but she refused to look back and give him that satisfaction. Once back with Kayla, Aless told her what happened.
“Good for you, Aless!” Kayla beamed. “He should get the message now. And if he doesn’t then he is dumber than he looks.”
“I hope so. It felt so uncomfortable having to talk that way with him. I felt mean.”
“You weren’t mean. You were being assertive and standing up for yourself. That is all some men understand. They don’t listen or pick on subtleties.”
“You are right. He didn’t listen last time. He wouldn’t have listened again. I guess its just easier when they are just total jerks to someone else. I never had any trouble telling guys to back off you in the clubs.”
“It’s always easier when it’s a stranger. We both have known Tyler for years, so it feels weird. I get it, but now he should leave you alone.”
Nodding, Aless hoped so.
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