Free sample of Gravity's first chapter

Gabriel Black maneuvers quickly, keeping to the school walls like a rat trying to escape before he’s cornered. The memorization of the school’s alcoves, the bell timing between periods, avoiding the halls and stairwells that carry the most traffic are more than a way for an introvert to avoid people—they're survival tactics. He perfected the system to protect his personal space from being violated. Bumping into another person is a mistake his mind can’t afford, no matter what his body craves from such a clash. They will obsess over him if they’re too close for too long. They will lust after him if their shoulder grazes his. It doesn’t matter if they’re a boy or a girl—the monster inside has no preference.

Gabriel must take every precaution to keep from being noticed. Yet, his notorious black Ramones hoodie is just about all that people recognize. It helps to cover his black hair and obscure his face. There isn't a day where he's not wearing it. Blending into the background as a dark, blurry nobody in high school is not what a typical teenager wants to be remembered as.

Gabriel isn’t typical.

He has no choice but to bear the labels given to him and try to stay invisible or he’ll ruin someone's life.

He sits in the last row in homeroom just as he does in every class. He’s the first to enter the room and the last to leave when the bell rings. The hallway is a battleground of fleshy mines. Like a soldier, he must try to make it to the safety of the recess beside the water fountain before his body collides with another. Sometimes a quick overlapping of his personal space and another student is realized, but the classmates that feel his aura by accident, don’t see him. He swiftly disappears before an impression is made.

He takes the long route to study hall, making a quick stop at the boy’s bathroom where the last stall’s removable ceiling tiles keep some of his textbooks and supplies. His locker is unfortunately located in one of the main arteries of the school. Stashes like this are a preventative measure—no one's usually around.

The boy washing his hands doesn’t give him a second look and leaves quickly. No boy wants to be in the bathroom alone with the Ramones guy.

Gabriel’s the last to arrive in study hall. With his hands in his pockets and his hood up, he doesn’t look at anyone and sits in the back of class. There’s no one to worry about in back of him. He only has to worry about the other sides and how close they are to his vicinity. His acute awareness of his surroundings is as natural as breathing.

A slightly warming sensation heats his right arm, warning him—the kid next to him is a little too close. Gabriel slowly uses his feet to inconspicuously move the desk a few more inches back until the warmth leaves his skin.

The second bell rings and his hood falls back before Mr. Hopkins mentions it. He can never shake the anxious feeling of being unveiled like a museum exhibit, but he keeps his head low to avoid eye contact.

His textbook and homework are out. First period study hall is the only time to do it. If he doesn’t do it now then it will never get done. He reaches into his backpack for a pen and takes one from his supply of unopened pen boxes. He’s overly prepared because getting caught without a pen or textbook means he will have to borrow from someone else, or worse—he’d have to share. Going over one textbook between two students is like breathing one another’s breath before a kiss. It overwhelms the senses where the lesson doesn’t matter. For the other student, curiosity about Gabriel peaks. He doesn’t need that kind of attention. Being inches away from another is like teasing a starved vampire with a bleeding virgin. Touching will only lead to sinful actions. After class is over, an obscure area of the school would be occupied with perversions, Gabriel himself couldn’t foresee performing, but the monster inside hungers for it when it's prodded. Bodily cravings do not seize until quenched.

Once he didn't have a pen—fingers grazed—never again.

“Hey, Ramones!”

Gabriel’s green eyes lift off his paper and look up to the girl sitting in front of him. Her blue eye stare and she’s actually smiling.

Mr. Hopkins is grading papers and doesn’t pay any mind. Gabriel sets his eyes back down.

“You have a pen I can borrow?”

Without looking at her he reaches into his backpack and pulls out a pen and hands it to her, but he lets the pen drop to the floor before her fingers invade the thin space between them. He doesn’t have to look at her to know what it looks like. Gabriel isn’t trying to be an asshole. He has no choice but to play the part.

Sorry. The simple word would Band-Aid the situation if he can only say it out loud, but that would mean he’ll have to talk to her. He’s not in the mood to start conversations that will draw attention. Making friends is impossible, so why would he even try.

She grabs the pen off the floor. “Um...thanks.” It sounds like her pretty smile is gone, but Gabriel doesn’t lift his eyes to confirm it.

Another glare prods him, taking his attention from the work that will pass the time in this God forsaken school. His eyes lift to see one of the infamous bullying goons that made a name for himself by ritualizing beating up of an individual target for a week. Gabriel has been under the radar for years, but now a drop of a pen has ensured an impending beat-down.

Fuck.

Gabriel mouth dries as Eric Anderson inauspicious smile curls. His followers turn in their seats to witness the stunned face of their next victim. Gabriel doesn’t give them the pleasure and leaves his stoic mask unchanged.

The clock on the wall confirms the elongated torture of the apprehensive atmosphere. Homework will have to wait. Planning to leave this school will prove to be most challenging. He’s witnessed Anderson and his crew parading the halls with their victim, carrying him off to God-knows-where to do God-knows-what. The idea of a group of boys setting him off makes him perspire. Being the center of attention, even for this moment, is causing his heart to race.

He habitually places his hood on his head. He will keep it on as long as Mr. Hopkins doesn’t notice.

The bell finally rings and the plan is in place.

Anderson’s minions rise from their desks slowly waiting for Eric’s signal.

Gabriel shoulders his backpack. The others move into position as he rises from his desk.

“Mr. Hopkins?” Gabriel hates being a pussy, but asking for a teachers help is the only option here. The band of assholes has him cornered.

“What is it Mr. Black?” Gabriel makes his way past the sneering teeth and fuming eyes.

He makes eye contact with Mr. Hopkins. The man just stares, as the gang gets closer.

“You have two minutes Mr. Black. I suggest you speak before you’re late for your next class. I’m not signing a late slip.”

He hears them approaching from behind. If they leave the room and wait for him, he’ll be caught outside.

"Well?" Mr. Hopkins brows lift.

Gabriel darts out the door and into the crowded halls. The clamor of desks and chairs behind him pumps fear into his veins. Grazing shoulders and knocking over students, sets his craving on high.

His hood peels back. Eric and the others are laughing. Everyone in the hall is looking at him.

“Where are you going, Ramones?”

“Do you ever wear anything else?”

“Yo! Get that kid!”

The halls are thinning; a sign that the second bell is about to ring.

He turns a corner and hides in a janitor's closet, he once used for fornicating.

The bell rings and screeching sneakers stop at the door. Gabriel holds the handle. One of the bullies rattles the doorknob, sending their energy trickling up Gabriel's arm like an electrical current.

“Emo boy! I know you’re in there.” One of them kicks the door. “Come out and take it like the faggot you are.”

The handle rattles and his grip tightens. He can’t let them in for their sake.

One of the teachers voices calls out their names. The shadows under the door leave except one.

“I’ll get you asshole. I’ll make you eat every single one of those psycho pills If I see your face again. You hear me?”

Eric’s shadow leaves and another approaches with clacking heels.

“Mr. Anderson, get back here!”

The female knocks.

“Hello? Who’s in there?” Gabriel lets go before he feels her energy. The door opens.

Light blinds him and a female figure stands before him.

Gabriel scurries away from the door, his back knocks into the shelves behind him, sending bathroom paper tumbling beside him. The teacher’s face stares down at him. Gabriel’s hands are shaking and his eyes are watering. What does it look like to her? He places his hood on. Don’t look at me.

“It’s okay. You can come out now, Mr. Black.”