ECHO: Episode 2 // Chapter IV

The person in black took a step toward Gavin. “Stay away from Lindsey. Losers like you should know better.” Afraid, nervous, confused- Gavin was all these things at that moment, but he was also not one to easily reveal his emotions. He simply took a deep breath and looked into this person’s eyes.

His name was Juno. Like most students, Gavin knew of him. He was a popular guy at school – known for his bad attitude. Juno hung around a shady crowd that was involved in some less-than-academic activities. Maybe that was what led him to be expelled from their school, or maybe he was just an asshole. Juno now attended their rival school but he still had strong ties with his old friends. “You understand me, you little shit?” He wasn’t much bigger than Gavin but intimidating nonetheless. Black jacket, black shirt, black pants; he was like a menacing shadow, the kind that threatened you by swallowing all the light on a fair day. Gavin honestly answered, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” and continued to pack up his belongings. With that, Juno smirked and pushed Gavin hard against the lockers. “You know what…I hate fuckheads like you.” In the next instant, Juno’s fist was flying at Gavin. Functioning completely on adrenaline, Gavin dodged Juno’s punch and replied, “I could say the same.” But still pinned against the lockers, he couldnt avoid Juno's knee. It slammed him full force in the chest. Gavin collapsed in pain. One hand clutching his chest the other supporting his weight on the ground. He gasped for breath. On one knee, Gavin looked up and tried to recover from the blow. He wouldn't be able to face this guy...not in this shape. Footsteps approached. It was Mr. Marron one of the swimming coaches. Juno quickly kneeled down to Gavin and roughly patted him on the shoulder, "This isn't over." With that, he left the locker room. Gavin slowly got up from the ground, realizing how fortunate he had been. Ever since the dance, Gavin had seen a lot more excitement...including this last incident. "What does Juno want from me? Why's he talking about Lindsey," Gavin thought to himself. So many questions. He needed to talk to Lindsey. Gavin tried to take a deep breath but he felt pain when he inhaled.

The race had ended and Lindsey won. She would have preferred to stay in the water. In the water she could move freely; nothing got in her way. But, she eventually did climb out of the pool. She wanted to greet her friends and all the people that had been cheering for her. Normally, she would have been ecstatic to have won another race, but this time she held back. Lindsey couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed that Gavin didnt show up. "Maybe he didn't see the message on the picture," she thought. "Or maybe he didn't get the picture at all." What was it about that boy that made her feel so good? She had known him since elementary school, but they never talked. Ever since the dance, she felt a stronger connection to him. In actuality she did know why. There was a reason why she had been so thankful to Gavin that night and it wasn't merely for a dance ticket. Lindsey would have to tell him. She dried herself and walked to the locker room.

Moving slowly, Gavin headed towards the pool. He looked down and saw a few red drops fall to the ground. His right arm had a long cut along its length. "Damn." He must have scraped it against a sharp edge along a locker when Juno pushed him. Gavin didn't feel it now...but he knew that would change quickly. Two injuries. It could have been a lot worse. He walked to Mr. Marron's office and got some bandages to wrap his arm. "Cut it on a long branch." Yea..that was the story...lame..but the coach didn't ask any more of it. "Hey Gavin be more careful next time, alright?" Gavin nodded, "Yea...thanks." Just as he was leaving the door..the coach asked, "You still interested in being our photographer for the team? We need to get that arranged soon." It had been several weeks since he was offered the job. And it was the last thing on his mind right now. He just wanted to get to Lindsey. He simply nodded again and left. Speaking was still too much of an effort after his brawl with Juno.

Gavin walked out on to the pool deck. He found himself only to be greeted by a fresh breeze. He breathed it in with some effort. The air was reviving in his beat-up body. A banner on the ground blew past him. It danced across the pool deck and drifted onto the water. He walked to the pool's edge. LINDSEY IS NUMBER ONE it read. He picked it up, and put it in his pocket. He rubbed his wrapped arm and looked around. She was nowhere to be seen. She was veiled from vision like the breeze itself. Gavin began to think that they weren't meant to see each other that day at all; everything had been against them.

After a warm shower, Lindsey walked out of the girl's locker room while Gavin left the pool deck and walked through the door towards the exit. He saw a girl with wet hair and towel wrapped around her waist. They looked at each other, both surprised and pleased by the coincidence.

"Oh my god. Gavin, what happened to your arm!"
"Courtesy of Juno. I'll be alright."
"What...Juno was here?!"