Chapter 7 Tension

"Hi, Michelle. How were your first two classes?" Zeo said. He didn't know what else to say.
"Hi, Zeo. Did you hear what happened this morning?" Michelle said.
"Uh, no, what?"
"Mrs. Turough, your first period teacher, she use to have cancer, and now she doesn't."
"She doesn't?"
"No. She came back from the doctor. They said she was cured. In fact, healthier. It's amazing."
"So, she's better? Really better?"
"Yes. . . Zeo. Do you know something?"
Zeo flinched. He hadn't meant to give anything away. She seemed to know things about him more than what he had said. Was he that obvious, or was there some kind of deeper connection between them. That's how he felt most of the time. That they were meant to be together. To get to know each other.
"I'll tell you later," Zeo said.
"Okay." Michelle expected that. She went with him to his locker to grab lunch. She had money to pick up some food in the cafateria herself. So that's where they went next. James found them and joined them to each. He kept making talking about things Zeo didn't care about, like usual, and flirting with Michelle, which made Zeo very jealous.
The tingle in his chest was confusing. He suddenly had the most adorable expression, poking at his chest. James and Michelle looked at him.
"Zeo?" Michelle said.
"What's up?" James said?
"Huh? Oh, nothing. I'm okay," Zeo said.
"Come on," James said.
"Enough, James. I'm tired of your nosy attitude. Some things are just to dangerous."
"What could be dangerous?"
"Just drop it, James," Michelle said.
"Geez," James said. "Fine. Consider it dropped."
"Good."
They started eating, again. Zeo wasn't sure if he should talk to Michelle about the problem that was going to happen. The thought of inviting her out for a little date to talk about it would be perfect. So that's what he was going to do. When James wasn't around, though. He didn't want James to butt in on them.(Jan 5 2015)
So Zeo finished up his lunch, whispered something to Michelle, then went to his locker. He knew how that whisper must have looked to James. He didn't really care all that much, though. What he cared about was making sure everyone he cared about was safe. And if that included running away and living in the wild, then so be it.
He got his stuff from his locker and headed to his next period class. The information during the day didn't really stick. His mind was on far to many other things. So he almost didn't notice when the day was finally over. Until Michelle came into his classroom.
"Zeo. Something's really bothering you," Michelle said. "Usually I'd leave you be, but I care."
"Huh? Oh, Michelle. I'll tell you when we go out. Okay?" Zeo said.
"Okay. So I'll meet you at the burger shop downtown?"
"That would be perfect. I'll see you there? I have to stop at grandma's."
"I have to stop at home, too. So I'll see you later."
Michelle hugged Zeo. He blinked, but then hugged back. This was going to be one of the hardest things he's ever had to do. But now he knew what he had to do. To keep her safe. It was the only option. There was going to be no other way.
After Michelle let go, they waved and she headed off. Zeo finsished packing and jumped when James had actually snuck up on him. No one had been able to do that since he first started training at that horrible place.
"How long have you been there?" Zeo said.
"Since the hug," James said.
"And what do you want?"
"You've been really distracted all day. I wanted to see what was up."
"Nothing that concerns you, really."
"Come on. I thought we were friends."
"We are."
"Then why won't you tell me?"
"Because it's none of your business. Now drop it."
James' face contorted into anger. He didn't appear to like being told off. Must have thought he could get away with anything he wanted, and get all that he wanted. He was getting really annoying, but it was how he was. And even he Zeo didn't want getting hurt with the dangerous secret. So he had to risk making him angry to protect him.
"I'll see you later, James," Zeo said. He headed out.
"Yeah, bye," James said. He watched Zeo leave.(Jan 7)
Zeo got into his grandmother's apartment through the outside. He didn't want to risk running into any of his grandmother's friends. It was due for them to visit again. For times like that he kept his bedroom window unlatched. It worked very well for today.
He slipped into his room and put his back pack down. He got changed into a hoody and jeans before retrieving his wallet from his backpack. He put a thin chain on it. Connected the chain to his belt loop and the wallet in his back pocket. He poked his head out his door to see if his grandmother was there and no one else. There was a meeting in the livingroom. So he closed the door and snuck out the window.
Then he used the shadows to make it to the burger joint he was to meet Michelle at. She wasn't there, yet, so he stayed in the shadows to wait for her. It didn't take long for her to show up in a tank top, a hooded sweater, and track pants. She looked so beautiful. Zeo caught himself stairing before he realized he was still hidden. So he slipped out to meet up with Michelle.
"Hi, Zeo. Waiting long?" Michelle asked.
"Not very. You um, look very nice," Zeo said.
"That's good. Should we get our food?"
"Good idea. We'll talk once we have it."
"Alright."
They both went to the counter and waited for their turn to order. They got their burgers and went to sit at a secluded table where no one could hear them. Zeo was sitting very nervously, keeping an eye on everything and everyone.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Michelle said, breaking the silence.
"Huh? Oh. Right," Zeo said. Michelle waited patiently for Zeo to find the way to put it. "I think I should start with my past."
"Your past?"
"When I was a baby my mom escaped from this city itself from people who would hurt me. She got me to another country, safely. That's when the real trouble started, though. We were both taken to a secret facility, and that's where I grew up. Being trained to become a super soldier. With actual killing instincts. I know that probably scares you. I have to confess. I have killed before. My father was alive for the first ten years of my life and training. She taught me about the heart. Love and friendship. And encouraged me to escape and come to my grandmother. But my instincts of killing and defending myself are still strong. And I've almost hurt people since coming here. That's pretty much it, though. My boring life is full of death."
Michelle was very quiet. She listened to the whole story. She clearly didn't know how to take it, though. The awkward silence appeared to last for a life time.(Jan 14)
"And?" Michelle said.
"What?" Zeo said, baffled.
"Just because of how you were raised doesn't mean that's who you are now."
"That's nice of you to say. And it makes me really happy to know you like me."
"Of course I liked you."
"I like you to. And that's why I don't want you to get in trouble because of me."
"What do you mean?"
"Because he's dangerous," Michael said, finding them.
"Michael!" Zeo jumped up. He took Michelle's hand and put her behind himself.
"I'm not going to hurt you, or the girl," Michael said. "I was just wishing to get to know you better."
"You threatened me when you came to my school," Zeo said.
"You are a dangerous boy, Zeo. You should never have grown up," Michael said.
"Everyone deserves a chance to grow up," Michelle said.
"You might want to leave, girl. This has nothing to do with you," Michael said.
"I'm not leaving my friend."
"Then I will. But this isn't over yet, Zeo."
Michael headed for the door. Zeo watched him go, glaring a bit. He did a quick scan of the rest of the restaraunt to make sure no one else was there before turning to see Michelle. Michelle had watched the door, until she felt eyes. She turned to look at Zeo. Their eyes locked, until Michelle looked away, blushing. Zeo tried to look at her eyes, wanting to know why she seemed so embarassed.
"I'd better head home. But I'm going to give you my cell number," Michelle said, taking out a piece of paper. She handed it to Zeo. "Call me when ever. When ever."
"Thank you," Zeo said. He looked at the number. Before Michelle could leave, though, he grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. Michelle wrapped her arms around him. They hugged for a minute, but it seemed like a life time.
When they broke the hug, Michelle headed home.