Midnight Synergy

When a midnight crime binds the school’s golden girl to the shy freshman she’s never noticed, the two unlikely partners in mischief discover some things that will change their world forever

After drama club, Bria sneaked into the gym because she liked the thrill of picking locks, the restless feeling she got staying out at night, being in places where she wasn’t supposed to-"and it was better than going home. However, when she broke in and her sneakers squeaked against the dimly lit wood floors, she frowned. She was not alone. Moment of glory officially ruined.

There on the bleachers was someone in her English class. He raked through his hair with polished red nails.. “S**t.”

She crossed her arms, jutting her chin. “I need the gym if you don’t mind,” she huffed. “Be a good little boy and get lost.”

Guy from English Class shrugged. He swiped at his face and took a deep breath. “F**k off, I was here first,” he snapped, but his voice shook. “Haven’t you ever heard of sharing?”

“Heard it. Don’t care for it.” He wouldn’t budge, and that increased her irritation. A nasty feeling welled inside and just as she was getting ready to ride his a*s about social order and such, she remembered. “Oh wait, I think I know you, aren’t you Jordan?”

“I think I’ll go ahead and leave now.” Jordan rose and tried to run away.

“That a*****e,” she fumed. Blood rushed through her body as she recalled her friends chatting about pulling a prank on a freshman. Her pressed her fists tight against her sides. Her shoulders clamped back, chest puffing out. “I’ll say something to him.”

Jordan paused. “No, don’t.”

The moonlight showed his puffy, red face. Bria was overwhelmed with pity and indignation. She sighed. They shared this space for a little while before Bria reached into her purse, pulled out some loose cigarettes. “Want one?”

He bit his lip, but he nodded. They sat on the wooden bleachers and swirls of smoke coalesced as they mirrored one another. “Why’d you come out here?”

“Secrets.”

“Were you going to meet up with someone else too?”

“If I told you that, I’d have to kill you, and I’d watch it,” she said, flicking her braids. “I have a black belt in karate.”

“I’d hate to be on your bad side.”

Bria chuckled. “Most people would.”

“But I don’t want your pity either.”

“Who says I pity you?” Bria grimaced. “I just hate a******s.”

“Did you hear something?” They exchanged gazes as the scream repeated.

Bria and Jordan ran towards the source, hiding among trees and shadow. Bria’s body broke out in shudders. There was a hard thud against her chest, heart pounding so hard it ached. She clamped a hand over her mouth to suppress her own scream. Blood covered the grass. When the girl stopped screaming, their English teacher-"Mr. Thorn stood above her naked body, panting. When Mr. Thorn glanced over his shoulder, Jordan grabbed Bria’s hand and bolted back towards the gym. “This night just keeps getting crazier and crazier.”

“What the hell just happened?”

“I don’t know.”

“What should we do?”

“I don’t know,” Bria said, her tone more tart.

“We should tell the principal.”

“And he’s going to believe us against Mr. Thorn?” Bria scolded. “Us who broke into the gym?”

“We can’t just do nothing.”

“We’re not doing nothing, just nothing for now-"until we come up with a plan.”

Jordan sighed. “I don’t like this.”

“That makes two of us.”

The next day, Mr. Thorn was not so warm. His eyes often cast a cold shadow over Bria and Jordan. He knew. They almost reached for each other’s hands when he would frown at them.

Everyone was shocked when the school’s snobby queen bee started allowing the shy nerdy freshman to hang around her. A lot of people thought he had something on her, but in truth they just had some mad synergy with one another-"synergy and secrets.

Author's Note

Photo by Susan Q Yin on Unsplash

Reviews

[Carrie]

Nice story, will it continue?

[RKB]

I'm not sure, but maybe one day. I'm so far removed from high school lol

[RKB]

but thanks for reading!

[Vera Grey]

Loved this. Loved the intense scene where they see what Mr.Thorn has done. Would love to read the next chapter.

[RKB]

Thank you for reading!

[Michael]

You write kickin’ slick dialogue. It moves at a breathless pace and keeps the reader with you out of shear anticipation for the next backhanded smart*ss retort. Nicely done. You’re good at this. Keep at it!

[RKB]

thank you! I'm always self-conscious about dialogue. Thanks for your feedback and reading :)

[Michael]

You are so welcome. I’ve always thought that if we write dialogue the way the conversation naturally sounds (if you were eavesdropping on an actual real-life exchange) then, you’ll pretty much nail it.