Chapter 1: The Solitude

                                    

                                          
The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.
                          
-Mark Twain
                          
°°°°°°
                          
EDITH DUNCAN SHUT HER LOCKER QUICKLY, rolling her eyes and sighing angrily. 
                          
"Mr Stewart is such a creep. Did you see him taking pictures of me and Ellen?" she complained, turning towards Chance, her boyfriend at the time. 
                          
The quarterback nodded absentmindedly, dismissing her and pecking Edith's lips quickly. They didn't like each other that much. But the Queen Bee and star quarterback had to stick together. The teens were already used to playing pretend. 
                          
"You should report him or something, don'tcha know."
                          
"Ugh, no way. I need that A in Spanish or mum is so killing me."
                          
"You're already like super smart, babe." he laughed, waving cheerfully as his friends passed by. They wolf-whistled as Edith faked a loud giggle (Edith didn't giggle. She snorted uglily and ate with her mouth full) They were annoying. She was annoying. He was annoying "Just because you literally suck at Spanish, English and Geography doesn't mean you need that asshole, señorita."
                          
Edith rolled her eyes, not really annoyed because she knew it wasn't true and grabbing Chance's hand tightly she pulled him down the hallway. The taller teen put an arm around her shoulder. 
                          
"You're coming to Sally's party, right? This Saturday in the suburbs. We gotta show everyone how to have a good time." he laughed, biting Edith's earlobe affectionately. 
                          
"Ya, a good time. You just wanna make out in front of Reid-Reidtard."
                          
"I'm just jealous because he likes you, babe. He probably has a shrine of you or something, don'tcha know." Chance pouted. Edith would've found it cute if she didn't know him. 
                          
"He's a nerd. And another creep. You know you don't have to worry."
                          
"I know you used to like creepy nerds, angel. Before being a hot cheerleader."
                          
Edith rolled her eyes "I used to, but now I'm dating you and I have eyes for no one else."
                          
He seemed convinced. 
                          
"So you're coming?" 
                          
"I think so. Dad was bitching about something yesterday, but I think he'll get over it by Saturday, I guess."
                          
Chance's strong arms around her waist stopped her dead in her tracks. He turned her forcefully towards him, leaning in and pressing their lips together. Edith kissed the quarterback with a hum, feeling as his arms held the small of her back, massaging it through her uniform. Her own digits trailed Chance's hair, tugging at it gently. 
                          
"Duncan, Black!" Edith recognised the voice of her Physics teacher, Mr Taylor and her eyes widened "What are you doing? Go to class!" 
                          
Chance sighed and let go quickly "See you later, babe!" 
                          
Edith too turned around to go to her own class, but was stopped by the teacher's words. 
                          
"I'm disappointed on you, Duncan. Turning late to class, your grades are dropping, you're skipping the whole day..." he shook his head disapprovingly "You used to be my best student. What happened to you?" 
                          
Edith didn't know. She really didn't. 
                          
"Is it because of...?" he didn't finish the phrase. He didn't have to.