Work In Progress
(Untitled)
Chapter 1
"I hate this building, Jess. It's cold, smells funny, and the flies are insane." Jessica Stein laughed at the expression on Samantha Dike's face. The corners of her perfectly drawn lips were turned down in a pout, and her sparkling hazel eyes looked furious.
"Oh, come on, Sam. It's not that bad." Of course Jessica knew why Sam was so opposed to the new school building. It replaced the old one, the one that just happened to be across the street from Mark Winters. Mark and Samantha had been going out for a while, but he was bad news. He'd dropped out of school as soon as he could, he'd been in jail at least four times, and he could almost always be found smoking a joint. But Sam loved him. Or at least claimed to. When school was in the old building, Sam would always find a way to sneak across the street. Every moment she could get away would be spent making out with Mark under the big oak tree in his backyard. Now, she barely ever saw him. And it was breaking her heart.
Samantha turned to her petite friend. "You don't understand. I have to see him, Jess. If I can't hold him soon, I'll just die."
"No, you won't. You're better off this way. Believe me."
"Sure." The frown on Sam's face told Jessica she wasn't convinced. But there was a slight twinkle in her eyes as she glanced at her watch. "I gotta go, Jess. I'll see you later, OK?"
"Sure, Sam. See ya later." Jessica stood in the hallway, looking after Samantha. She was worried about her. Sam had never acted like this before. Usually she was smiling and happy. Her biggest worry was which party to go to on Saturday or which dress to buy at the mall. Jessica sighed. She had a feeling she was losing her best friend. And there was nothing she could do about it. If only there were some way to get Sam's mind off Mark...
Jessica's worries flew from her mind as a couple of flies darted past her face. "Well, Sam was right about one thing: the flies in this place are crazy." Jessica watched as the flies moved to the ceiling, where at least ten others had already congregated. "What's with them?" Her face bore a slightly puzzled expression as she slowly walked to her sixth-period class.
*****
Sam glanced around, then ducked around the corner. "Sorry I'm late. I hope I didn't keep you waiting long."
"Nah. Not long at all." The words came out a whisper as Mark's chiseled face moved closer to hers. Sam giggled softly as her lips met Mark's in a warm kiss.
"We can't keep doing this, you know."
"Why not, Babe? I got nothing better to do." Mark's face edged closer for another kiss.
Sam put her hands on Mark's chest and pushed him away gently. "Mark, I'm serious."
"Man, I hate when you get like this."
"I'm sorry. But you know I hate lying to Jessica. She's my best friend! And if I bring home a report card that's anything like last year's, my mom's gonna hit the roof. She's already suspicious of me; she knows I'm hiding something. It's only a matter of time before she finds out."
"Oh come on, Baby...she won't find out. Don't you love me anymore?"
"You know I do."
"Aren't I worth it?"
"Of course, Mark, I just--"
"Then there's no problem. I don't want to hear anymore, OK?" Sam's protests died in her throat as Mark kissed her passionately.
"Of course he's worth it," Sam thought as Mark's kisses grew more intense. "He loves me, and I love him. That's all I need to know..."
*****
Half an hour later, Mark watched Samantha's back as she walked down the hallway. He couldn't believe his good fortune. A few kisses, and she was like putty in his hands.
Mark paused. Someone was watching him. He could feel eyes drilling a hole in the back of his head. Slowly Mark turned around. There was no one behind him but an elderly janitor.
"Beware," the old gentleman said with a wink. "July third will be the fall of you."
Mark laughed softly. "What a loser," he muttered under his breath. "July third? But the mere mention of the date stopped Mark short.