School was supposed to be an easy, boring time. A place to learn and make the trivial mistakes of youth. It was supposed to be a safe place above all else. As safety was a needed factor in a healthy loving environment.
But that notion was completely disrupted for Jamison Magnolia the moment he stepped into his third highschool in three years… Uptown High School was an absolute shithole, to say the absolute least on the matter..
That didn’t stop Jamison Magnolia from skulking down the hallway, trying to avoid touching anyone- ignoring the spiders crawling beneath his eyes -as he made his way to his homeroom class. Which was no easy task for the boy, as the hallway was jam-packed with other students going about their business.
People were scuttling about, talking to one another, pressing up against each other to the chagrin of the teachers- But all Jamison could focus on was the dusty white of the ground’s tiling and his worn out brown boots.
Jamison dressed simply. An old pair of worn out boots, faded jeans, a white t-shirt, and an old army jacket. The final of which he was quite glad he brought because it was somehow absolutely frigid inside… Despite it being at least ninety outside.
The South was weird like that. Blood ran hot while drinks ran cold. That was one thing he could appreciate- a nice cold drink on a hot day was great for the soul.
The sounds of the students in the hallway was maddening for the boy. Too many voices all at once- So much scraping and rattling- It was all just too much… So Jamison did the only thing he could do, which was to fish out his ear buds from his pocket and slip them into his ears. The next moment Jamison pulled out and put on a random song from a random playlist. He wasn’t sure what to listen to- but he had to listen to something.
Music flooded into his ears a split second later, drowning out the calamitous cacophony of the halls. ‘Gruppa Krovi’ by Kino began to play, bringing the boy a small sense of calm as he finally looked up, spotting the numbers hanging right next to the doors… He still had to find his class after all
Slowly he counted those numbers which hung on little blue plaques right by each door, ignoring the names above them
401… 402… 403… 404… 405… 406-
Got it!
Jamison quickly turned and entered the room, skirting the wall until he arrived at the last row of seats. Then choosing to sit down in the leftmost chair. Right next to the window and far out of the sight of the majority of people in class.
Why?
Because he hated the feeling of being watched, it made the bugs beneath his skin crawl even more than normal. So he tried to pick places where people wouldn’t look at him as much. Instantly rolling out the first row of five because the teacher would be there. The second, third, and fourth were also ruled out because then people would be looking at the back of his head. And the center was out because people could see him out of the corner of their eyes. Which left the corners. The right was out because it was close to both the door and the lightswitch, leaving the left.
It was an awful lot of thought for a seating choice, but Jamison couldn’t help but think through things like that… But above all else the boy just wished his twin sister was there. Jeanne always knew what to do. She was outgoing and friendly while Jamison was gloomy and withdrawn. She could talk to anyone with little issue- but Jamison could barely get a word out without stuttering horribly. If she were the sun- overwhelming and warm but harsh in a way only she could be -then Jamison was the moon. Cold. Distant. But ultimately gentle.
Gruppa Krovi picked up as Jamison placed his head down on the desk, wrapping his arms around his head a moment later. But the boy couldn’t help but tap out the rhythm of the song… It was one of his absolute favorites, he knew every word in both Russian and English.
Jamison let the world around him fade into blackness and dulcet tones. Time dripped on- seconds to minutes- minutes to an hour- an hour to the bell ringing, signaling the end of the class. Leaving Jamison with only himself, a room full of quickly vacating people, and a paper copy of the class syllabus… Something he would probably read later… It didn’t matter in the end because the class was history and he knew everything already. He’d technically already took the class, passed the final and everything- So he was just a warm body in a chair. The teachers cared- or at least tried too, but it was fruitless at the end of the
Once everyone was gone Jamison grabbed his bag, slung it around his shoulder, and shook off the feeling of ants crawling up his arms. And with a small but grim frown he exited the room, continuing to skirt the walls and avoid people- only receiving a scant few glancing and accidental touches from passers by.
In truth, Jamison hated school. He didn’t see the point in it- he already knew everything and there typically weren’t any people worth interacting with. Too much drama and mental work to maintain relationships. He would rather just go it alone until Jeanne inevitably shunted him into her friend group like she always did… She was good like that.
Jamison could handle issues, he was quick and hit like a sledgehammer. And Jeanne could handle people. She was sweet and personable. Things were easy like that. Easy to understand and compartmentalize. Easy to force things to comply with… The boy had enough scars on his knuckles to prove that he could handle himself. Didn’t mena school wasn’t a pain though. A real pain in the ass. Just like the bugs behind his eyes.
But, like most things in Jamison’s life- shit went south fast. And the boy found himself in front of a rather interesting situation.
One of his peers, a small boy with glassy green eyes and a mop of curly red hair, was being held by the collar and pushed against the wall by another boy. A boy who was quite frankly massive. Which was saying something because Jamison wasn’t small either. Standing at a proud six one and weighing in at one eighty. And from what Jamison could tell the boy was around six foot four and two hundred and fifty pounds. Which meant that he was looming over the scared looking ginger.
“H-Hey now- I-I-I didn’t mean t-to st-step on your shoes! S-Seriously m-m-man…” The ginger pleaded- just as the larger boy raised his fist, ready to deck the smaller boy.
“Oh naw. This ain’t personal kid, but I can’t have you steppin’ on my boots first thing… It’s a matter of respect, you see.”
Fuck it.
Jamison pressed on with a grim look on his face. He pushed through people until he was within grabbing range, and he did just that. Grabbing the larger boy’s shoulder and yanking him around. Stunning the larger boy long enough for Jamison to clock him in the jaw and watch him fall like a sack of bricks to the ground.
The ginger was left gawking for a moment as Jamison simply stepped over the unconscious boy. But, once again, Jamison’s plans were interrupted. This time it came in the form of the aforementioned ginger grabbing his hand.
“H-Hey! W-W-Wait up!” The ginger squeaked, falling into step right beside Jamison, still holding his hand.
Something began to wind its way up his arm- His fingers tingled- Every muscle in his arm began to tighten up.
“Let. Go.” Jamison hissed, causing the ginger to recoil slightly, letting go of the larger boy’s hand.
“S-Sorry… I just w-wanted to say thanks… That’s all… And-umm… U-Umm… I’m Valentine! Yeah! … Who’re you?”
Jamison breathed in, rubbing the feelings from his now freed hand, and sighed.
“Jamison…”
The ginger- Valentine beamed up at Jamison, “Well thanks! I-I r-r-really th-thought that guy was gonna d-do me in… Th-Then you came in! Knocking him out in just one punch… How- How didja do that?”
Again, Jamison sighed, “He just had a glass jaw, nothing special… Why’re you still following me?”
“O-Oh! Uhhh-Umm… My class is th-this way! They’re m-making m-m-me take an art cl-class…” Valentine squeaked once again, earning a tired look from Jamison.
“Alright, c’mon…. It’d be a waste for you to get jumped after I went and knocked a motherfucker out for you.”
Lyube’s cover of ‘Atas!’ started to play over Jamison’s earbuds as the two walked in relative silence to room 302, the art class. A shortish woman with electric blue hair stood by the door, welcoming students in, one by one. Giving them pats on the back and other such small pleasantries.
“Hello boys,” The art teacher said over the din of the hall, staring right at both Valentine and Jamison.
The latter of the two felt his skin crawl underneath her days, but all he could do was raise a single hand in greeting. Luckily, Valentine was more than prepared to return the greeting. Stepping ahead of his newfound ‘friend’ and beaming.
“Hello! Is… Is this Miss Short’s r-room?” His stutter was going to get annoying.
“Mhmm! Come on in honey,” Miss short said, returning Valentine’s smile.
Jamison did not smile as he walked past the two smiling idiots, once again skirting the wall until he got to the back of the classroom. Once again picking a seat in the back left, but his plans were interrupted by Valentine taking a seat directly to his left.
Damnit.
“Why do you have your earbuds in all the time?” Came the first perfectly clear sentence from Valentine, who was peering at Jamison with his massive emerald colored eyes. His gaze still made Jamison’s skin crawl, but it was to a lesser extent. Something that he was incredibly grateful for.
“Everything is too chaotic. Music isn’t. Simple as that.”
Valentine nodded, “I see… Misophonia is a sign in a lot of different things, y’know?”
Jamison shrugged, “High functioning autism,” He said simply as the next song on his playlist began to play. This time it was ‘Roads’ by the Blue Berets.
“Y’know… Th-That makes sense.” Back to the stuttering… “What are you listening to anyways? Must be pretty good.
“Old Russian song, called Roads.” Came Jamison’s clipped reply, right as Miss Short took her place in the front of the class. Smiling broadly at the assorted two dozen students who sat in loose groups.
Once again Jamison began to space out. He didn’t particularly care about what Miss Short was going on about, it was just nonsense about participation and the class’ syllabus. It was all a stuff that didn’t matter- to him at least. But Valentine seemed to be listening intently to the ten minute long speech. But after that the class were told that they could do whatever, class work wouldn’t start until the next day so the class could get to know each other.
It was an odd thing, but one Jamison was thankful for… Which left him with nothing but his thoughts… and Valentine. Who was gazing somewhat longingly? At Jamison. He couldn’t quite place what the boy’s expression was- But he didn’t like that he was being looked at in general. Doubly so for whatever weirdness Valentine had kicking around in his skull.
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“Jam~i~son! I have a nickname for you!” Valentine chirped.
“Mhmm?” Came Jamison’s droll reply.
“How does ‘Jams’ sound? I quite like it!”
Jamison rolled his eyes but offered no further protest. Mainly because he didn’t see a reason to argue. Valentine could call him whatever he wanted. That was the point of names after all.
“I’m going to take that as a yes!”
Time continued to drip on and the two boys sat in relative silence. Jamison had relented and laid his head down on his arms and from what he could tell, Valentine was drawing something. And he was pretty good from the glimpses Jamison had snuck.
Class ended and the two proceeded on about their business but Valentine broke off from Jamison in the hallway, “Gotta go to the bathroom,” He said in a singsong voice before skittering away.
Jamison shrugged and followed his companion, not because he particularly needed to use the restroom. But he was ever so slightly worried. So with soundless footsteps Jamison glided through the crowd of students to the restrooms, just in time to see Valentine trying to slip into the women’s restroom. Jamison caught the boy by the sleeve and smiled ever so slightly.
“Wrong one,” He said simply.
Valentine cocked his head to the right and gave Jamison a saccharine smile as he batted his lashes, “But I’m a girl, dummy.”
Jamison blinked, his grip loosened, Valentine turned and slipped into the bathroom. Leaving a slightly dumbfounded Jamison standing like an idiot for a few minutes before Valentine remerged, still smiling.
“Okie dokie! Lemme see your schedule for a second,” She said with an outstretched hand.
Once again Jamison shrugged, but he drew a small slip of tattered paper from his right pocket. Sliding it into Valentine’s hand. Who, rather quickly, opened it up and began to read. Going line to line trying to see what classes of their’s matched up.
“Well… We’ve got fifth period, lunch, and eighth together. So I’ll see you there, mkay?” She said with a smile.
Jamison shrugged and pulled out his phone, opening it and changing the song to ‘A View to Kill’ by Duran Duran.
“Yeah, see’ya,” Jamison said with a nod.
The two teens departed and went their merry ways. Leaving Jamison to head to his Spanish class, whereas Valentine completely disappeared. Not that Jamison really minded. He needed a moment to decompress and right himself for the rest of the day. People were hard to get along with, and took a significant amount of energy out of the boy…
After skirting around the crowds and earning a few glances of concern Jamison got to the Spanish classroom. A small, low ceilinged room with a scattering of desks about. Most of which were already occupied by other students. But luckily one near the back, directly parallel to the teacher’s desk. It wasn’t ideal, but it would have to do. Life was all about compromises after all. And no one knew that better than Jamison Magnolia.
Time continued on and Jamison remained a zombie as he went from class to class. Eventually getting to his fifth period English class. And a somewhat familiar mop of curly red hair could be seen in the back, sitting directly next to a chair on the back right corner.
Jamison smiled ever so slightly to himself as he ambled over to Valentine. Dropping his bag and taking his seat with a short exhale. Leaving the two to sit in relative silence as the class’ teacher took his position at the front of the class.
He was a tall and lean man with a face made out of chipped granite and a slightly crooked nose. A pair of piercing, deep brown eyes were set deeply into his school and slightly obscured by salt and pepper hair. His skin was pale and he looked somewhat out of place with his stiff posture and tight fitting clothes.
“Hello class,” He rumbled in a voice like a thunderstorm, “Welcome to English Three… My name is Duke Miller. You will address me as Mister Miller, or Mister S if it so pleases you. I have two rules. They are rather simple, and if you follow them you will have an easy time in this class.”
Mr. Miller grabbed a dry erase marker from the board behind and began to scratch out his two rules.
“First,” He rasped, “Is to be professional. In this class you will conduct yourself in a manner that is conducive to learning. You’re all juniors and this is a dual credit class so this should be easy. Get along with your classmates and listen to me- simple.”
Right under ‘Be Professional’ Mr. Miller scratched his second rule, ‘Do Not Lie’.
Simple enough.
“Secondly- you will not lie to me… I will not punish you if you are honest… Don’t complete your homework? Simply say so and pick up a fresh sheet to do. Late to class? Tell me why and proceed to your seat. We will have a talk after class, in private. Quite simple… Any questions?”
Not a single student raised their hand, leaving them all to nod in affirmation. Jamison had a feeling that he was going to like this class. He always did his homework, he wasn’t ever late, and most importantly he did not stand out. A model student by all means. But it wasn’t due to some innate desire to do well in school. Jamison didn’t particularly give a damn, he just didn’t want to trouble himself with bad behavior. It was easy to stay in line.
Valentine ghosted a glance over to Jamison and smiled, leaving the boy to nod. He could feel the ghost of a pair of hands trace their way across his lips. A fleetingly lurid caress that sent a shiver down the boy’s spine.
It was a constant. Not a moment went by that Jamison didn’t feel something crawl across, caress, or prod his naked flesh between his clothing. It was a constant circus of horrors that played its grim tune using his body as a stage.
Psychosis, that was what they called it-
‘Knights of Cydonia’ started to play over his headset, right as Mr. Miller leveled his gaze right on Jamison.
“You, in the back. What is your name, and why, praytell, do you have your headset on during my class?” Mr. Miller asked, a ghostly furious chill creeping into his voice.
But Jamison did not miss a beat and answered almost immediately, “I’m Jamison Magnolia, and it helps me focus, sir.”
Mr. Miller’s neutral expression shifted into a small frown, “What are my two rules then, Mister Magnolia?”
Jamison took a breath in, “First is to be professional. In this class you will conduct yourself in a manner that is conducive to learning. You’re all juniors and this is a dual credit class so this should be easy. Get along with your classmates and listen to me- simple… Secondly- you will not lie to me… I will not punish you if you are honest… Don’t complete your homework? Simply say so and pick up a fresh sheet to do. Late to class? Tell me why and proceed to your seat. We will have a talk after class, in private. Quite simple…” Jamison took a breath in, “Is that sufficient sir?”
Mr. Miller stiffened an almost imperceptible amount before a ghost of a smile traced its way across his face, “Very good. You may keep your headset in Mister Magnolia.” And with a loping, limping gait he strode across the room.
“Yes sir,” Jamison droned, looking over at Valentine with a dull glance.
Valentine was smiling at him with a dopey look smeared across her face. Which only served to burn a deep feeling of confusion into Jamison’s psyche… It wasn’t that he didn’t get girls- It was that he didn’t get anyone.
“But I must ask-” Mr. Miller’s voice broke through Jamison’s confuddlement, “Just what are you listening to?”
Without missing a beat Jamison rasped out a reply, “Knights of Cydonia, sir.”
“Carry on then.”
Jamison continued to kick back and listen to his music as Mr. Miller droned on about class procedures and whatnot. It was really just standard stuff that all teachers had to say. But it all tied back to the two rules of the classroom. Which was just fine with Jamison. He liked the simplicity of it. Though he couldn’t seem to get a read on what Valentine was thinking… That seemed to be a bit of a running theme with the girl.
The class ended some thirty five minutes later with the sound of the bell, releasing the students to go to lunch. Quite an opportune thing, because Jamison was going to eat whether or not he was in class or not. Valentine quickly latched onto his arm, sending an electric pulse of phantom pain through his arm. Causing the boy to hiss in pain.
“You okay?” Valentine asked, a concerned look spread across her face.
“Yeah… M’fine… Just let go wouldja.” Jamison mumbled as she let go.
And without another word the boy began to mosey on to the cafeteria, his stomach rumbling all the while. Especially as Valentine scurried on after him like a small sort of critter…
“Do you bring your own lunch?” Valentine paused for a moment, “Or do you eat the school food, because I have to warn you- it tastes like shit… But that kinda goes for all school food I think… Never been to any other place but here.”
“I bring my own. School food sucks no matter where you go.”
“Have you been to a lot of different schools then?”
“Eight.”
“That’s quite a bit, why do you move around so much?”
Jamison was silent for a moment, “Mom’s work… She changes jobs a lot.”
‘Paper Bouquet’ by Mili started to play, temporarily drowning out the world around him with its melodic sound. Luckily, Valentine didn’t say anything. Instead she adopted a rather muted expression for a moment before returning to her characteristic smile. But Jamison couldn’t help but feel unsettled… Though that didn’t stop Valentine from turning on heel and bounding off of where Jamison thought the cafeteria would be. Jamison followed, with them both staying near the edges, skirting by the lockers.
The two arrived in the cafeteria some few minutes later-
“Here we are! I normally sit with a couple of friends, c’mon!” Valentine said in a singsong voice, quite literally dragging Jamison to the far back corner of the cafeteria. Towards a table where two people sat, already beginning to eat their lunch.
The two who sat at the table looked almost identical- Causing Jamison to internally curse because he couldn’t seem to tell them apart. They were of a similar height with similar lithe builds. They even had similar deep gray eyes and jet black hair. The only difference between the two were the lengths of their hair. The one on the right had a pixie cut while the one on the left had a bob.
They were twins, that was Jamison’s guess. But he could only wait to be introduced as he neared the table, a thin frown drawing itself across his face.
“Jams, meet Eris,” Valentine gestured to the one on the right who gave a derisive frown, “And Ceres,” She gestured to the left one who gave a shinning smile, showcasing a set of pearly white teeth. Instantly, Jamison felt like he was being stared down by a predator- or a pair of them/, “They’re twins if you couldn’t tell.”
He could tell, and with a small nod he sat, “Jamison, s’a pleasure.” He drawled.
Eris turned her nose up slightly at the gesture, Jamison could feel tension rising. But as if holding a proverbial knife Ceres sliced through it with a happy grin, outstretching a gloved left hand, “The pleasure is all mine. Please, do ignore my sister, she doesn’t get along with strangers very well… Valentine and I are attempting to socialize her more. And you just happen to be the first step in that!”
“Fine by me.” Jamison said gruffly, dropping his bag to the ground and unclipping his lunchbox. Setting it on the table and opening it to reveal its meager contents. A single protein bar and a bottle of off brand cola.
Eris raised a brow at the meal and opened her mouth to say something- but she was cut off by a glance from Valentine… One which went unseen by Jamison due to the girl’s presence behind him. And with a small huff Valentine sat, drawing her own lunch box.
But before any of the four teens could say a single word more the lights went out.
A deep and oppressive blackness overwhelmed Jamison’s senses, and the resounding scream-shouts of panic quickly began to mount. The flinched, immediately clasping his hands over his ears to attempt to dull the noise. It was maddeningly painful. Jamison felt like every. single. cell. of his ear was trying to rupture. His ‘vision’, an expanse of nothingness, swam and a sharp ringing came up from all directions. The boy could do nothing but curl his neck and lay his head on the table as the cacophony of screams reached a crescendo.
Then the ground began to shake.
Trumpets sounded from every direction.
The windows shattered.
The screaming and shouting and general din somehow got louder.
And with a sickening pop! everything went silent.
Jamison felt his muscles give way and he went completely slack. Reduced to a mess of flesh and organs- A lump unable to move or respond to the environment around him. Locked in a ringing agony that permeated his entire being. Jamison Magnolia was in hell for just over five and a half minutes- or three hundred and thirty three seconds, he counted. He counted each and every agonizing second until he- through force of will alone- raised his head- Just in time to see a creature standing before him against a backdrop of light.
It was tall, abnormally so. With long, gnarled limbs that were composed of jagged contusions of bone held together by stringy muscle and far stretched dark flesh. It bore the form of a human, a misshapen one at that. Composed of dark flesh and with a head that was shrouded by a cowl of lichen like substance… The creature took a step forward, lifting a garishly long arm upwards. Running a grotesquely long finger across the boy’s jaw.
A frigidly burning wind pushed the lichen mantel from the creature’s countenance. Giving way to a bulbous face. Sharp, angular lines of bone shone just as clearly as the pair of beady, red eyes that bored down onto Jamison. Its mouth, if the orifice could even be called such, began to open. Though it was an unnatural process. As the bottom of the creature’s almost canine maw unhinged and split in twain, showcasing a host of teeth. But as quickly as it came the frigid gust ceased, re-cowling the creature’s face.
Jamison wanted to scream-
There was another sickening pop.
The creature was gone. Light poured in from broken windows and students seemingly came to. But Jamison was locked in a trance, his ears rang and he wanted to puke. Bile began to well up in his throat, causing the boy to retch and turn to the side in order to violently vomit onto the ground. And after he expelled the contents of his stomach he grabbed his can of discount cola, popped the tab, and drained the contents. Letting his throat burn as the liquid entered his body.
“Jesus fuck…” Eris swore, wiping a bit of blood onto her hand from his freshly busted nose. It appeared that everyone else’s muscles had given out.
Jamison ran a hand through his hair, feeling the sweat that had pooled across his brow. And only one thing came to mind.
“We need to go.” He declared, grabbing his bag from the ground and Valentine’s shoulder as he arose.
The twins jolted to their feet and Valentine was a half second behind them. But a scant few seconds later the teen’s- and the rest of the cafeteria’s inhabitants -departure was halted by the cartwaling of warning sirens. But that halting was only temporary, as the students- and faculty- began to run out of the cafeteria.
“Please wait a minute everyone,” Ceres said, cutting through the scuttling din of the cafeteria, “We’ll just get trampled if we leave now… While I don’t know what the hell just happened, I do know that panicking in such situations is not ideal. So please stay here for a moment.” She urged.
“Got it.” Jamison said robotically, standing around in silence, watching the students leave the cafeteria.
It was a slow, arduous process that took about ten minutes before the last of the teachers and students had evacuated. Leaving the four teens and a single teacher in the cafeteria.
It was Mr. Miller. Standing tall and proud in the almost empty cafeteria all on his lonesome.
The teacher then looked to his students, a grim frown was cut across his face as he addressed them all, “Well… I take it you lot have no other place to go.”
Jamison could go home, but his mother wasn’t there. She was gone for business and would be for an entire week. Her most recent job was rather demanding of her time. Which was fine with Jamison- he was just grateful that he had a mother who cared so much about him… She was the only one who really cared for him… No father, no grandparents, no aunts or uncles, and no friends… Just him and his mother.
Jamison didn’t know about the others, but by the expression painted across Valentine’s face was so obvious that even Jamison could tell she was distressed. Ceres and Eris had similar, but more pensive looks cut across their faces.
“You got a ride or sumn’?” Jamison drawled, rubbing his still ringing ears.
No one said a word for a minute. A whole minute. Sixty seconds with only the sounds of people leaving the building…
Going with him seemed like a bad idea. But did they really have a choice? Jamison had nothing better to do- but he didn’t know about the others.
“I’ve a mini-van, yes. Are you coming or not?”
With a sigh Eris stood, “Sure… Ain’t like anyone gives a damn at home anyways.”
The rest of the teens nodded in agreement, and in Jamison’s case- tired withdrawal. No one wasted a single second after that, the quartet grabbed their things and ambled up to Mr. Miller. Who turned on heel and began to limp out of the cafeteria’s side door. Something that no one else in the cafeteria took the liberty of using. Probably due to panic. But blindly the four teens proceeded to their future.