The Red Fox: A Romance Read Free

events in the cafeteria he had hardly looked up. Even in the hallways between classes he had kept his head low, and silently prayed to the gods he wouldn't bump straight into Berkley.
    Five minutes after the class had started she arrived.
    “ Leaf, you're late—again.”
    She didn't answer the teacher. Jay watched her walk to the back of the class and plunk herself down at the vacant desk next to his. He looked up at the teacher. A balding, middle-aged man with bad teeth. The way he was grinning was just plain creepy. What was he so proud about?
    When the final bell rang, the whole class burst into a rapid scurry for the exit. The room was quickly vacated, except for two students.
    Jay remained seated. So did Leaf. He turned to her, and said, “I'm really sorry about today. I was told it was the Art room, really.”
    “ And,” she asked, “Did you see any Art there?”
    The question shocked him. “I—I saw a—”
    “ A Red Fox?”
    He leaned back in his chair. His cheeks exploded brightly.
    “ Yeah, a Red Fox.”
    She stood up. It seemed that she was about to leave when she paused. Someone, or something, had grabbed her attention outside. She shifted her gaze from the window back to Jay.
    “ And,” she asked, “did you see its den?”
    “ Sorry, what?”
    She drew closer and placed her right leg onto his desk, causing her skirt to climb high on her thigh, only inches away from her panties.
    “ Did you see where the Red Fox lives, in the bushes, in his hiding place?” she asked.
    Jay stared at the center of her skirt.
    “ Imagine it,” she said. “Picture it, dream about it—”
    She placed her leg back on the floor, and smiled, but the smile wasn't directed at him. She was smiling out the window. Jay turned to see who the recipient was. As he did, every part of him went numb.
    Leaf collected her things and left the room without another word. Outside the window Berkley was fuming like a bull, a wild beast with blood in his eyes. He tapped on the window, blowing his frustration between his teeth. He mouthed the words 'dead man' while running his finger slowly across his neck.
    Jay jumped up, grabbed his things and raced out of the classroom. Berkley burst into a sprint, racing around the building and up the stairs. He expected to plow right into his prey, but New Guy was nowhere to be seen.
    He pounded his fist into the nearest locker and exited the way he had come in.
    They stood in the dark, completely silent. She had pulled him into the janitor's closet as soon as he came out of the classroom. It was a tiny room, only meant to hold a few mops; they barely fit in there. At first she had placed her hand over his mouth. Once she saw he understood what was happening, she lowered her hand to rest on his shoulder. He had instinctively wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. The Red Fox was pressed hard against him.
    “ Do you think he's gone?” she whispered.
    “ I don't know. Is he a low, mid, or high level psychopath?”
    “ Mid.”
    “ Then I think we should stay in here at least a few more minutes.”
    They couldn't see a thing. They could only feel.
    Her hand was soft. Her body firm. Her breath warm.
    He felt her lift her hand from his shoulder and place it on his cheek. She slowly slid her fingers across his mouth and gently rubbed his lips; one of her fingers penetrated his mouth and rested on the tip of his tongue. Her other hand was on his waist.
    “ You're shaking,” she said.
    “ There is someone trying to kill me, you know?”
    But that wasn't why he was shaking.
    “ What was all that in the classroom?” he asked.
    “ An act. I just used you to get back at him. I didn't plan it, but when his stupid block head walked past the window and looked in, I couldn't help it. I had to make him pay,” she whispered.
    “ Oh, great.” Jay's legs were weak with fear. “Makes sure they use that quote on my tombstone.”
    “ He's a dirty cheat and a liar!”
    “ He's going to make my life