A continuing distraction

The next day, Danny was early for school. Ronnie said she had the day planned for both of them. Whatever that meant. She made her way to the roof and Ronnie was there.

“Good morning!” she yelled.

“You sure are excited” Danny said with a smile.

“Why wouldn’t I be? I got the whole day planned for us. You ready?” she asked.

“Ready for what exactly?” Danny asked confused.

“The mall” she replied.

“What?” she asked.

“Don’t you know what the mall is?” she asked amused.

“I do” she replied. “But you mean right now?” 

“Yes” she replied shaking her head.

“We can’t! We have school”. How could Ronnie say that? Miss school? No way and she was baffled that she would suggest something like that.

“Don’t be such a goody two shoes. Live a little and have some fun” she said.

What did the human call her? Goody two shoes? She wouldn’t even think about it. She had done things that the human could only imagine. But she wasn’t going to argue.

“I’m not going” she said finally.

“Suit yourself. It’s not like I’m going to be gone all day. I’m going to come back during break” she said getting her bag. She was already at the door when Danny stopped her.

“We’ll be back by break, right?”

“Yes” Veronica said with a huge grin.

“Okay let’s go” she said following the blonde.

“Now you’re talking” and she led her to the back gate where a black motorcycle awaited the. “You’re pretty cool, you know that?” Ronnie asked strapping her helmet.

“Thanks” she said getting behind her. She was having second thoughts about this. Wasn’t she meant to meet Kieran?

She held on tight when she heard the engine. “Hold on, it’s going to be a wild ride”.

“You don’t need to tell me twice” she whispered and they were off. Danny trying her best not to scream.

A while later they were at the mall. Danny got off on shaky legs. Her hair was in complete disarray and so was her uniform.

“You’ve never been on a motorcycle, have you?” Veronica asked standing beside her.

“I’ve never been on anything that fast” she admitted.

“Oh well you’ll get used to it. Let’s go” she said leading her to the very big building.

Danny wasn’t sure what that meant, but she followed her.

“So what are we going to do?” Daniella asked when they were finally in.

“Anything we want. You sound like you’ve never been in a mall before” she said with a small laugh.

She had not been here before. Her mum always got what she wanted, but she wasn’t going to admit that. She just remained silent.

“How about we go shopping?” Veronica asked.

“Sure” Danny agreed.

Daniella suddenly realized that she knew nothing about Veronica. Well she knew her information, but Ronnie didn’t actually tell her with herself. She could read minds and saying all that stuff would freak her out.

“So Ronnie tell me about you” she said looking through a lot of racks.

“I’m Veronica Rodriguez and I’m your classmate. I’m eighteen and currently we’re ditching school” she said with a smile.

“Parents?” she asked.

“I got a mum, I don’t know where my dad is. It’s me, my mum and my bro” she said her smile not faltering.

“You seem happy” Danny stated.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked.

“Why don’t we do jewelry next?” Danny suggested.

“You don’t seem like a girl who fancies jewelry”.

“I don’t, but that ring on your finger says you do” Danny pointed out.

Veronica put both hands into her pockets. “It’s a gift” she said under her breath.

“It’s kind of weird. Well not weird, a little bit big-“.

“Danny focus on shopping” she cut her off and she still had that smile.

“Okay” she said a little bit confused. Well this was her first time hanging out with a human so maybe they were always like this.

They walked around the mall not actually buying anything. Was this what she missed school for?

“Hey you two!”

The two girls turned and saw a police officer. Veronica was annoyed, while Danny was just confused. ‘Why is he telling us to stop?” she whispered.

“Because we are meant to be in school” she whispered back the two of them backing away slowly. 

“What do we do?” Danny asked.

“Well we could….”

“Run!” Danny suggested grabbing her hand and the two of them were running.

She could hear his thoughts. He was still after them and thinking how he was going to take them in and go back to the donuts he was eating. Take them where exactly? She turned to see Veronica who was already panting. She would soon stop. There had to be a way to stop the stupid chase.

And it presented itself. “Emergency Exit” in bold red letters.

“What?” Ronnie panted out.

Danny pulled her to the side and pushed through the doors and they were out in the parking lots. They took shelter behind some cars. Danny ignored Ronnie’s panting and looked at the doors. The man in uniform looked round and sighed. He walked back inside and she turned to Ronnie whose face was red and was all sweaty.

“You need to join the track team. You didn’t break a sweat” she said still out of breath.

“That was scary and exciting” Danny said getting up.

“Yeah. Why don’t we get back to school I’ve had enough for one day” she said standing up.

“But we just got here” Danny whined.

“No we didn’t. We’ve been here for quite a while and don’t forget the whole ride back” Veronica said already moving.

“Can we get something to eat first?” Danny asked.

“Sure we can get some hotdogs and then school” she said ending the conversation. Danny skipped along hoping that they would do this again sometime.

They got some hotdogs not too far from the mall and got back on her bike and were on their way to school. They easily slipped in. Veronica seemed to be really good at sneaking around.

“Can you sit next to me in class?” Veronica asked.

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s just that I don’t feel comfortable” she said with a shrug.

Danny really liked sitting close to Kieran, but Ronnie was her friend. What was the saying? Something about girls before boys. Clara had told her before, but she couldn’t remember. All she knew was that she was meant to choose Ronnie because she was her friend and also a girl. Kieran wasn’t her friend, yet. And she wanted more than friendship from him.

She would get to that later. 

“What about the person next to you?” she asked.

“That’s the problem. You’re the only person I talk to and the person beside me he’s kind of a jerk” she said with a deep frown.

“So if I sit there, you think he’ll move?” 

“Yeah” Ronnie shook her head.

The only free seat was Clara’s. That meant the person beside her was Adrien. She didn’t want to deal with him today. “Why me? Why don’t you just ask the teacher?”

“The teacher doesn’t care. If he did he would have said something to stop their jokes, but he did nothing” she said and she looked hurt.

“But…..”

“Please Danny! You’re my only friend and you’re cool so you should have a way with words. And besides, he likes you”.

“No he does not!” Danny yelled.

“Woah easy” she chuckled raising both hands in surrender. “I was just joking”. 

“Good” she replied folding her arms.

“So will you do it?” she asked.

“Okay fine” she replied.

“You’re the best Danny” she said clapping. They headed up the stairs.

It was still break so only a few students were in the class. That included Kieran. She forgot she was meant to see him earlier. Well after school they could continue with their search. She sat beside Veronica and it was at that exact moment that Adrien walked in. He spotted her on his seat.

“I thought I told you before North that that’s my seat” he said standing in front of her with his hands in his pockets trying to be cool. It reminded her of Kieran. He was a big copycat. 

“Well Hunter everyone switch sometimes. And don’t you remember that we don’t have claim on seats” she really tried to keep her voice normal instead of quivering.

Adrien didn’t believe that she just said that. The normally soft girl who just went along with it finally had some balls. He liked it, but he didn’t like that her new found confidence was directed at him. He wouldn’t be able to stand it. His friends were here and he had gotten the attention of everyone.

He couldn’t let her have the last word. “Wherever Clara is she must have really rubbed off on you”.

“Don’t talk about Clara!” she snapped hitting her fists on the table.

“Did I hit a nerve? Or maybe it’s Clara number two who’s giving you that fake confidence” he said looking smug.

“No one is giving me any confidence. Why do you have to be such an asshole?!” she yelled.

“Better an asshole than a slut” he murmured and Daniella shoved him hard and he fell his arm making contact with the chair behind him.

“I am keeping this seat” she said and he just looked up at her surprised that she would do that and have that much strength.

His friends ran to him and helped him up.

“You must think you’re so cool” his friend said.

“Asher leave her alone” Adrien whispered. “I’ll take another seat, just take me to the nurse” he said. 

Adrien left with his friends without looking back. Daniella sat down angry, but very pleased with herself. Someone needed to teach him he couldn’t disrespect women.

“That was awesome Danny. I’m just happy I’m rid of him” she said with a huge grin.

“Thanks” she said.

“So can you tell me who Clara is?” she asked.

“She was a friend” Danny replied looking out the window.

“She’s dead?” Ronnie asked.

“No, just on vacation” Danny replied and the bell rung. ‘Saved by the bell’ she thought.

After school, she got her things from her locker so she could go meet Kieran. She hadn’t spoken to him all day and she didn’t want him upset with her. He was only giving her one chance and she was screwing it up.

“Danny!” Veronica yelled.

She turned to the blonde girl who was running towards her. “Yes” she replied.

“Want to go somewhere? I have the perfect place we can go” she said excited.

“I’d really love to, but I have somewhere I have to be” she said with a long face.

“Do you have to? I mean you can always reschedule” Ronnie suggested with a hopeful face.

“This can’t be rescheduled. I’m really sorry. Another time” and she ran off.

“Sure another time” she said and walked away.

Daniella ran to the clearing and when he got there Kieran was already with his bird. She couldn’t quite remember his name.

“Where were you today?” he asked.

“I had to take care of something and I couldn’t meet up with school” she lied.

“I don’t need to be a mind reader to know you’re lying” she said.

“I skipped school to go to the mall” she replied jumping onto Blaze.

He didn’t say anything and she had noted down not to look into his mind anymore.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” she asked.

“What do you want me to say?” he asked. “How you choose to leave your life is up to you” he said getting onto Blaze majestically.

“I really thought you’d be mad for me ditching you in the morning” she said sheepishly.

“I don’t really care what you do” he shrugged and they were off.

They sat in silence and it was really awkward. She wanted to say something, but Kieran had that don’t talk to me vibe. She just focused on the sensing and still came across nothing. Day two was a complete fail.

To be honest, she wasn’t really sure flying across the sky was helping them, but Kieran was more experienced than her. She really wished Clara was here. She’d know what to do.

“Why the long face?” Ronnie asked.

Danny looked up at her friend. She had come to the library because no one comes here. She just needed time away from everyone and their thoughts.

“Nothing, just thinking that’s all” she replied.

“You seem sad. Want to talk about it?” she asked.

“Not really no” she shook her head.

“I know what’ll make you feel better” she whispered.

“I’m not in the mood for skipping school”.

“We’re not skipping school. It’s something else” she winked.

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

“Shh” she placed a finger against her red lips. “Just follow me” she said making her way to the door. Danny didn’t have anything better to do, so she followed.

Seconds later she was on the roof with Ronnie and she already had something planned. She didn’t need to read her mind for that.

The other girl had her bag and it was filled with balloons. 

“It wasn’t easy to carry this. Trust me”.

“Yeah I can see that” Danny replied. “What are you going to do with that?” she asked.

“This” she replied and she threw it over her shoulder and it went down the roof and a high pitched scream was heard.

“Okay! That hit someone” she said walking to see who it was, but she was held back.

“If they see you you’ll get in trouble” she whispered.

“I don’t feel comfortable hurting people” she protested.

“Relax Danny. It’s just a harmless practical joke. Nobody’s going to get hurt” she explained slowly.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Yes” she replied holding up a balloon. “Now you have a go”.

Danny took the balloon filled with water. No one was going to get hurt and who could get hurt from a water balloon. She threw it not with a lot of force though. This time they were multiple screams.

“Should I throw another one?” Danny asked.

“You learn very fast” and she took more from her bag.

They had emptied her bag and had left before anyone could come up the roof. Yeah they were having fun, but that didn’t mean they could just do what they wanted.

Later, as she got her things from her locker. As she did so, Ronnie approached.

“Guess what happened today?” she asked all giddy.

“Well we threw water balloons at people” she replied.

“Yeah we did, but guess who it hit?” she asked a wicked glint in her eyes.

“Who?” Danny asked kind of scared.

“The head cheerleader” she replied clapping.

“I don’t know who that is” she replied honestly.

“And you were here before me” she stated dryly.

“I had more important things to” she replied and it wasn’t a lie.

“Which was?” 

She couldn’t tell what she was doing. She had read a lot of history and humans weren’t meant to know about their world. 

“Studying” she replied simply.

“Anyway you hit her and her squad is furious looking for the perpetrator. Well I always hated cheerleaders anyway. They think they actually rule the school and are at the top of the food chain” she said with a sneer leaning against the lockers.

And just then Kieran made an appearance. He didn’t look at any of them. He dropped his books and walked away.

“That’s the boy you keep staring at right?” Ronnie asked still looking at Kieran’s retreating back.

“I do not stare” she denied.

“Sure you do. You like him all that’s missing is a marriage proposal” she said.

“Maybe I do, but that doesn’t matter” she said closing her locker softly.

“Sure it matters. All you have to do is tell him that you like him. Let’s follow him” she said pulling her.

“No” she said standing her ground and Veronica stumbled.

“You sure have a lot of strength” she said turning around so she could face her.

“Why don’t we just go out? You said you’d take me somewhere remember” she said trying to deter her from whatever she was about to do.

“I did?” she asked confused.

“Yes you did. Now let’s go” she said.

“I think I said something about a club, but you sure you want to go on a school night?” she asked already making her way to the door.

“Club? Sure” she said following her.

As Ronnie opened the door Danny felt a sudden chill. She stopped in her tracks and her eyes turned black instantly. This wasn’t Stephanie’s energy. Hers was the one you felt during a snow storm or when it was chilly. This was a different chill. This was spine chilling. Downright terrifying and she had to follow it.

It was the exact same thing she sensed in Clara’s memory. 

Ronnie had noticed that she wasn’t being followed. Danny had disappeared. 

‘How did that happen?’ she thought pushing past the students trying to spot Danny’s unique hair.

Danny kept walking not caring if she hit people on the way. She could see a shadow moving against the locker. She thought maybe, just maybe that could be what attacked Clara. All she needed to do was catch it and she broke into a run.

The thing was going at a very fast pace like it could sense her to. She couldn’t lose it and she went on, until that shadow slipped under the boy’s bathroom. Her eyes turned back to normal and she walked closer to the door. She had to. For Clara.

Her hand touched the door and a very cold hand touched her shoulder. She could feel it again. Stronger this time. She spun around quickly and it was just Veronica.

“Were you going to ditch me?” she asked a frown on her face.

“No I wasn’t” she replied not knowing why she would think that.

“Sure looked like you were going to” she said with a scoff.

“I’d never do that” Danny said placing her hand on her friend’s shoulder. She needed to get in there, but she couldn’t with Ronnie here.

‘Kieran!’ she screamed in her thoughts. 

“Good, are we going now?” she asked.

She couldn’t leave now. She had to find Kieran so they could find what had done that to Clara.

Ronnie stood there waiting for an answer and it looked like Daniella wasn’t going to decide, so she would decide for both of them. She grabbed her by the wrist and she was already pulling.

“But Ronnie I-“

“Ronnie nothing. You were the one who told me about the club, remember?”

She probably shouldn’t have done that, she thought with a sigh. She let herself be pulled by the girl. There was no need to panic. She could just send Kieran a message and he would look…. Wait!

They were meant to meet today after school and she was already on a bike with the engines revving. She wasn’t so sure Kieran would be nice to her coming day and next thing she knew, she was moving.

She didn’t have Kieran’s number and she hadn’t perfected sending messages through the mind yet. She was torn honestly. Kieran or Ronnie? To be honest Clara wasn’t going anywhere and flying round with Kieran was wonderful, but that was just a waste of time. Besides Clara always advised her to cut back and enjoy herself when the opportunity presented itself. What’s the worst that could happen?