Waiting in the shadows

In the Shadows part 3

In the Shadows part 3

 
Robert had turned away from the soccer game when he saw his ex walking over in the park. First he could not believe what he saw. Slowly he made his way to the fence of the field, until his face connected hard with the steel fence. He was so angry about what he saw over there, that he didn't recognize the pain flooding through his forehead. He saw Kat sitting down next to that loser...what was his name? Right, Darren, that damn queer. Ro's f's fingers grabbed the mesh of the fence hard, his knuckles went white. He clenched his jaw, seeing the obviously happy, flirting, Darren with his girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, but no matter if they were not together anymore, he never wanted see that fucking Darren around her. He let his forehead rest against the mesh, eyes never off of Darren and his ex. Suddenly, one of his mates appeared behind him.

"Hey, how about playing the game to the end?" asked a slightly confused Daniel to a too quiet Robert.

"That damn fucker..."

Daniel listened to Robert's angry, grumbled reply. He followed Robert's gaze over to the park, and realized that he must have meant Darren. He saw Kat as she jumped up and waved goodbye to Darren. Daniel smiled .

"What are you angry about? Just because Kat talked with someone other than you? I thought you two were not together anymore...!"

Daniel was cut off by an annoyed Robert, who turned around.

"That queer has no right to flirt with her that way. Someone should make clear to him, that it's better for him to stay away from my friends."

Daniel backed slightly away from the deadly anger in Robert's eyes. He seemed to be really mad over Darren's seemingly harmless chat with Kat. He shrugged when Robert went quietly back to their mates to finish the soccer game and followed him, risking a last glance at the small figure under the tree.

Week passed by for Darren without having any trouble like he had the first day with Robert. Darren was relieved over that. It seemed that his second semester became better than the first, where every day he though of just quitting college to search for a job. One day when he sat alone having his lunch again, Kat dropped by and seated herself next to him.

"Hi, there," her voice was soft, but with a hint of pure happiness.

Darren took a look at her. Today she didn't wear that flowery dress again, instead she put on some tight blue jeans and an even tighter top. But still she just looked cute. Darren knew, that he must be a real weirdo, not to get attracted to her, when of course most of the other guys in the cafeteria couldn't take their eyes off of her.

"Hi, whets up?" Darren asked in a low voice, finishing his lunch.

It was good thing he did that, because in the next moment, Kat dropped all of her literature stuff, and nearly threw it in front of Darren. She smiled, insecure.

"Well, I've got a few questions about the book we are supposed to read for tomorrow. You know...um...what's the name of it...?"

"Faust by Goethe, you mean?" Darren was surprised. He couldn't help but frowna bit. Why did this girl take literature, when she wasn't even able to remember the books they needed to read? But hey, he mentally kicked himself, not everyone is like you, having nothing more to do than stick their head into some boring book. Instead, they have friends, which are much more interesting. Somewhat disappointed Darren looked away from her, deep in thought. When Kat finally answered.

"Yeah, right. I don't like Goethe. He always writes in such a heavy way! I barely understand the whole meaning of this book anyway...that's why I'm here. Maybe you can give me a short explanation?"

Darren grinned, he didn't understand the whole meaning himself, but he was entirely sure, that he understood a lot more than Kat. Not that he assumed her to be stupid. nNot at all. There are always people, who are bad at one subject, and really brilliant in another.
So he took her book and went threw some passages which she didn't understand. He explained and she wrote it down in with handwriting he was sure she wouldn't be able to read later on.

But he went on. Darren was glad that this book wasn't a long one, because by now he had a dry feeling in his mouth because of all the speaking and explaining. They sat nearly a half an hour going over it all. When they reached the last paragraph, a somewhat frustrated Kat looked at Darren.

"That's it? That's the ending? It's stupid! Where's the final conclusion? Shouldn't there be one?"

Darren frowned again, visibly. He took a slightly annoyed tone and this time he meant it.

"That's not stupid. Literature can never be stupid. It ends without a conclusion, because there is a second part! When you finally read the other book, you'll understand it."

Kat did not look very interested.

"Not good. When am I supposed to read it? I won't do that, for sure."

Darren nodded. Better, he thought, otherwise she would come again and make him explain the meaning. Some people just shouldn't read a book, he thought ironically. But no matter how disappointing it was, to explain a book to someone, who didn't actually really care, he enjoyed the time. Maybe because then he didn't feel so avoided and alone.

Kat seemed happy anyway, when she packed her things together, thanking Darren for his help and went off as fast as she had appeared. Darren then decided to go off too. He had a little time left till his next lesson, but he needed some silence. The cafeteria was for sure too loud. He took his tray into the dishwasher, and took one quick look back to where he sat, making sure he didn't leave something behind. His eyes moved to the corner window, where the sports team usually sat. He backed away a bit when he saw Robert's angry brown eyes staring at him. What was wrong? Darren didn't know, so he turned around to leave the cafeteria, not aware of Robert following him. When he was in one of the more empty halls, rough hands grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him backwards against the wall. Darren found himself face to face with Robert. Again.

It was now that he realized that Robert was good a head taller than he was himself. He had to look up to meet his eyes, something he didn't like, especially when he already felt small and weak.

"What did you think you are doing, little filthy crap?"Robert's tone was full of anger and hatred.

"I...I don't undertsand. What's your problem?" Darren asked, a little bit toocourageously, he thought, when he found himself pushed a little more against the cold wall.

"I'll just say this once, got it? Stay away from Kat. Never ever dare to flirt with her again, like you did before, and today!"

Darren smiled icyly. Wow, this freak really believed that he was after Kat, funny somehow. But it didn't feel funny any more when Darren again was thrown against the wall. His back began to hurt and his mind wanted to fill with dizziness. He blinked it away and nodded towards his attacker. He knew he had no chance, so why get in deeper trouble than necessary. Darren saw a content smile appear on Robert's face.

"I'm glad that we understand each r sor so well." He spat out and let go of Darren, who searched for support on the wall. He heard the voices of the other mates of Robert, who turned to go back around the corner.

"Man, Robert, where have you been? Need to practice, forget that?"

They didn't recognize the small figure huddled against the wall, who turned around to go off, not caring to look at the small group of guys. So Darren didn't see the worried green eyes looking after him, unsure what to do...

Daniel stood there with his friends. Although Robert hadn't said where he was or what he did, when they searched for him, Daniel was sure he knew already. When he saw Robert, his view also wandered in the direction he came from. He saw Darren's small figure standing there. He seemed to be in shock before he moved away. Daniel knew then, that he and Robert didn't have just a small talk in the usual way. Daniel assumed that Robert again tried to intimidate Darren because he'd had contact with Kat.

Somehow it hurt Daniel to know this, to know that Darren was threatened like that. But wait, since when did he care for that black haired guy that much? He didn't know, and he didn't wanted to know at all! He should think more about college and exams, Daniel mentally told himself. Or maybe it would help to get laid by some nice girl instead. Yeah, that was it. That was right, he needed a girl so he wouldn't care that much for a mann. Dn. Daniel began to believe what his mind told him, and was content to go along with his mates to the sports yard for practice...

Tbc...