Chapter 4

"What do you mean he tried to kill you?" I ask. I had heard the whole conversation between Jaydelle and the Math substitute. I was spying on them from the corner of the southern hallway, behind Brennan.

"Uh, I don't know what you're talking about Landen," Jaydelle lies. "I've got to get to class now."

"Yes you do!" I argue. "You and that substitute teacher were just talking about it. Don't just stand there and lie to my face, again!"

"Listen Landen, whatever you heard isn't important okay?" Jaydelle says and begins to walk around me. "Just don't worry about me, I don't know how many times I've had to say that today."

"You were talking about how he tried to kill you, how is that not important?" I question, trying to keep pace with her. "And you can't just tell me not to worry about you. I don't want you to get hurt."

She laughs a little.

"Trust me, if I get hurt, I'm sure I'll survive," she says. "There's a lot about me you don't know Landen. I don't need some hum- some boy watching over me. I can take care of myself."

"But-" she cuts me off by walking into our math class. I don't get it. Why does she have to be so difficult? I walk into the classroom and quickly find my seat before the tardy bell rings. Then the sub walks back in.

"Good morning class," says the sub. "I am . I will be subbing in for just today." I hear a loud sigh from behind me and turn to see Jaydelle with her face in her hands. "Now I will be taking attendence." The sub begins listing off the names.

"Jaydelle?" calls, his voice with a hint of amusement.

"Here," Jaydelle says softly.

"Landene Peters?" he calls.

"Oh, uh present," I say. Then he finishes the attendence.

"Okay, today you will have an easy worksheet, you are aloud to have partners. You may begin as soon as you get your papers," says and hands the papers to someone to pass out.

I get my worksheet and quickly turn around to face Jaydelle. "Hey, partner!" I say.

"Ugh, fine," Jaydelle says and writes her name on her paper. "You do the first problem and I'll do the second." She then begins to do the work.

"So, how exactly did you two meet?" I question, completely ignoring the work.

"Uh, my sister," she says, giving up. She sits back in her seat and glares at me. "Anything else you want to know?"

"Did he really try to kill you?" I ask.

"Shh, you can't just say that out loud!" Jaydelle whispers loudly. "Gawd, and yes, but it's a long story."

"Didn't you tell the police?" I ask. "I mean, why isn't he in prison or jail or something?"

"The police! Ha, yeah right," Jaydelle laughs. I hear a soft chuckle from the front of the room and see the sub laughing softly. "They don't stand a fucking chance."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask. "I'm pretty sure their guns would stop him." Jaydelle starts to laugh a little again.

"It's complicated, nevermind," Jaydelle says. "See this is why I didn't want to talk about it. There's too much stuff you don't understand or don't know about."

"Well, I'm willing to listen if you're willing to explain," I say.

"No, it's too dangerous for you to know," Jaydelle says, starting to do the worksheet again.

"I don't care," I say. "I want to know what the hell is going on."

"Ugh, not right now, okay? Let me talk to my sister first," Jaydelle says and then stands up with her paper. I glance at the paper and see that it's already finished. She goes to the front of the room and hands it to . He smirks and she says something to quiet for me to hear.

"Well I would never!" says just loudly enough for me to hear. She comes back and sits down.

"Meet me at my car after school okay?" Jaydelle says. I go to say something but am interrupted by the announcements.

"Jaydelle Parker, will you please come down to the principal's office? Jaydelle Parker?" Jaydelle stands up and leaves the room.