Harper Lee.
"You really tipped him off!"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Did you see the look on his face when you started defending the 'goodness of the world' and all your benevolence crap?!"
"..."
"Ooh! What about your face when you have realized what you'd done? Your mouth was hanging open and I tried not to laugh like it's my last day to guffaw!"
"Shut it, Meggara." The blonde said through gritted teeth, having enough of the mild teasing. Her companion glared at her for the utterance of her name, then continuing to laugh heartily, making the blonde sighed in defeat.
They were walking on the pavements of the University. Their dorm was just a few blocks away and they weren't that late, so a walk in the open fields of the Uni was exceptionally relaxing, not to Christine, that is. Some students were eyeing at her in the most unusual and wretched stares they could muster. Apparent to her friend's demise, Meg had felt Christine's shuffling and trying to hide herself on Meg's petite frame.
"Wow, it looks like you're the newest flame around here. The spontaneous events of yesterday were really carried off like a wildfire not ready to be extinguished." Meg glanced behind to see the fawning Christine.
"I noticed." she lowered her head so that her sunshine hair framed her face and out of the sights she didn't want to see. She clung on to Meg's shoulder for support and balance, not wanting to have any mishaps for the hungry eyes staring at her, waiting for her to do something that could shame her reputation, once more
They've reached the stairs leading to the double doors, into the madness that soon waited for Christine Dubois. Her friend sensing her distress, held a loving hand to her shoulder, "Everything's fine." Despite doubts in her own words. Christine nodded idly and they proceed ascending to the dreaded staircase.
"Are you purposely walking slower?"
"No."
Meg sighed in fatigue, "You are. You don't have to worry Chris, I'm here, and you should really want this day to end, so come here and don't walk like you're an extra from the walking dead! You've barely reached the fourth step!"
Christine groaned; each step was making her heart shake, and not a very good one. It took more minutes to straighten and calmed herself; you should be proud of standing up to your beliefs! Founding new courage, Christine walked faster and when she reached the top, she pumped her fist around for her victory, yet her friend wasn't sharing her celebration; Meg was looking horrified, she was holding her phone and from the way her head moves, she's rereading some text. Before Christine could ask, Meg looked at her seriously, eyes stopping the threatening saline. "Charlotte texted and she said Anton got into an accident!"
Her eyes rounded with worry and question, "What happened?"
"Car crash-"
"He doesn't have a car-oh." Christine nearly smacks herself for her slow-wittedness and obtuse mouth. She embraces her best friend, seeing she's crying already. Meg was trembling as her emotion let it all out by her tears. "Go to him," she gently whispers.
Christine brushed Meg's jet-black hair by her delicate hands, the young woman was visibly distraught and her tears didn't mind to stop. After many consolations, Meg indicates to nod at her, "You're right," she broke the warmth embrace, eyeing her friend earnestly, "What about you? Aren't you coming?"
"I'll catch up later. Besides, he's your boyfriend; he needs you there more than anyone else and Today's Friday, another day of Mr. Grouchy-pants to humiliate me. I would willingly not show up in his class and visit Anton, but the yesterday's case does make me his number one target for revenge." She laughed in raspy humor. Christine gave her another sisterly embrace before Meg tearfully thanked her and descended downstairs.
Meg waved her hand up, signaling her goodbye and scurried off.
Christine sighed with a smile, and then turning around to face the dreaded door, the frowned returned. Breathe in, Breathe out, -good, everything is fine, that's what Meg said, some of us have worst timing, think of Anton!
She firmly holds the knob, Maybe I shouldn't have come here. She shook her head, No, stupid! You need to pass his requirements for you to graduate!
Christine's lips turned to a firm line, you are a Dubois! You can do it. She hesitated on turning the knob, you are a Du-- "As much I like to stare at your lovely ass, I'm late and open the goddamned door already!"
Shock, she whipped her head and turned to face the perverted creep, "Joseph." she lazily regarded.
"Darling Christine" he smirked, showing off his malicious teeth and disgusting eyes that could undress you inside his perverse mind. Christine did not return a smile, instead she opened the door without looking inside and gestured him to go first. "Uh-uh," he waggle his index finger at her, "Ladies first."
Christine rolled her eyes. He's no gentleman, and I'm not that stupid to believe you. She didn't want to stay longer and with him, so she entered first and not long before she felt a mild pinch on the back of her skirt, her buttocks! Immediately, she jerked her head; sending him daggers with her ferocious eyes, and her right hand had already plunge to his way and aimed towards his repulsive face, earning a loud, crisp, deserving slap!
"Bitch!" the perverted leech hissed while cupping his reddening face, from the strong force or sheer embarrassment. Christine shouldn't have to retort to his unworthy verbiage but the need to slap him cross her mind again. She stepped further to where he was and raised her hands, forming it to a clenched fist. "Wha-" He couldn't even register what was going to happen and the last thing he felt was the disconnection of his nose.
Christine turned her back on him, brushing off unnoticeable particles on her shirt and walk as if nothing happened. However, it did occur at the very entrance and students hanging by the hall had seen it all. Once again, their eyes fixed on hers, like a prey takes its victim.
She eyed them without any indication that she gives a damn about them, Joseph Buquet and his now broken nose.
Christine would have gauged their eyes out with her ballpoint if she wasn't in her formal shirt. That would be bloody and icky; it'll be hard to wash them...
Clutching her shoulder bag, she walked with bravado and not a crap she can donate to those jerks. Let them stare! The throbbing ache on her knuckles, the hand she mightily struck Buquet, was now retaliating her actions -still, she did not regret. She hasn't punched a guy like that since her 5th grade. The last was Lawrence Frodival, a typical bully who would pull your hair, call you absurd names and steal your lunch; well, he got what he deserves, a knuckle sandwich from a furious, little Christine. Now, Joseph got the slot next to him.
She turned to another path on the left. Only a few more steps and doors to reach the cursed room of her always-scowling Professor.
She's the one who questioned Mr. Yllet...
Really? She got some guts...
After that the guy practically shoved everyone out of his room and barricaded himself...
Yeah?
Yeah.
Wayne said that she works for the CIA...
No, her parents worked for the CIA, dumbass...
No! Jessica informed me that she used to sing on Broadway...
Others said that she had already graduated and she was force to study again because of some case she didn't solve...
Macy said she's to be betroth to some aristocrat...
Really?
I think it's the De Chentelle guy..
The counsellor?! Philippe?! Dude, he's twice her age...
The younger De Chentelle, stupid!
Oh! Ramon-oh wait... was it Ramin? Ralph?
Raoul! The hot guy from Room 324?!
Oh yeah!
How do you know all of this?
Well you know Jenifer right? Then her cousin's best friend who knew this guy named Matt then who had this girlfriend then that girl used to date Mason, that turns out to be...
Christine huffed in irritation, if they're going to gossip around, they should really tell the accuracy, but the gossipers' highest rule was; tell not the truth. Yelling at them wouldn't do anything Christine, It wouldn't stop global warming, and she sighed and walked faster until she couldn't hear their loud mouths on thin air. They weren't all true, just thinking about being engage to Raoul sent shudders down her spine. It's not that she didn't like Raoul, that's the case; she liked him like how a sister likes a bothersome brother. She can easily bring to mind when they were very young, they used to flick their boogers to each other, isn't that sweet? Christine chuckled visibly, adding more of the indescribable stares, convicting her every actions.
Although, the idea of her on Broadway was very much approve by her...
Just three more doors to pass by, and welcome to hell. Christine practiced her words and her heart felt heavy when the thought of apologizing. She honestly doesn't know her error on her part, she just wanted to voice out her opinion, isn't that what Law's about?
You naive girl, you questioned him, you exactly stood up your pathetic ass in the middle of his lecture, in front of his students and that little voice of yours actually argued with him. You deserve all this treatment.
Hey! You're the one who told me to say them...
Yeah but not out loud!
I can't stand him disparaging everyone - like what's his problem? He's been denigrating mankind; doesn't he know he is a bit part of it?
Christine certainly thought that she was going mad. Talking to her- arguing with her inner voice that was the antonym of her psyche. She couldn't be the blame, could she? She did correct him. At what cost? Losing her diploma or the guilt that was engulfing her?
Yes, guilt. She had known its presence once the words flew her mouth in the midst of their argument. Her professor, Mr. Yllet, was a very enigmatic man, perhaps too enigmatic, giving point to his surgical mask on the right side of his face. Many had the notion that it was a serious accident that made him to cover the consequence, others said it was acid. Maybe that's the main reason of his unwieldy antipathy of people-the mocking and pity. She would probably too if people were judgmental...-Scratch that, people are judgmental-. But not all deserve to his hate, there are innocents that are victims of enmity and poor judgments.
Should I apol-
She was now here.
She could feel the hollow presence surrounding the large door. Her wobbly hands were making it hard for her to simply hold the handle, its okay Christine, just open the door and be done with it, she pushed it open. Steady gaze, she looked around and saw none of her schoolmates.
The room was secluded. Raising her eyebrows if she weren't seeing right, Where are they? She looks at her wristwatch, 9:02 I'm not that late, popping her head up by the door frame, scanning the area. 9:05 was her class schedule and everybody would come in before the actual time, Professor Yllet made a great deal of punctuality, those who happens to offend it find themselves writing 8 papers, back to back, explaining the tardiness, even if it's a one minute late (She suffered it before, not suffering it again)
Huh, that's odd. He never dismisses his class...
Unless it's about the tragedy yesterday?
The guilt returned, only now she carried it like a piggyback ride, but she was not entirely happy.
Might as well transfer to a university and accept the title of 'Pervert Clobber' and 'Loud Mouth'. Christine was about to close the door, a sudden cold voice grabbed her attention.
It was arousing considering he'd just called her surname with a tincture of sweltering command.
She once listened to his lecture albeit not putting her mind into it because she was deeply listening to his rich voice. Her chin was resting on her palm and the dreamy look in her face caught his attention and she received 5 papers of explanation of slacking off and a lifelong guarantee of embarrassment.
"Are you only going to stand there, Miss Dubois?"
She snapped her attention and little red flecks covered her face. She stepped inside the dim lighted room before closing the door behind her.
Christine followed the enticing voice to where it led. All the while she was walking, she can't help but to be frightened and confound to what might be the outcome of this. Darn me and my repugnant nature. She was somewhere on the rows of chairs, then on the very front of the board to where he would stand up and lecture them. Wow, there are many, many students' chairs and only him and his voice to dominate everyone to listen, I feel so stupid. She was dumbstruck as she thought of yesterday; her on the back row on the right side, suddenly standing up and rectifying him the importance of honor and goodness, while they surely gaped at her. And him staring at her, without any hint of emotion.
She shivered at remembering his fierce eyes digging through her soul. She continues to walk further only to stop when her eyes caught the sight of his large table and a strong silhouette-his strong silhouette- from the farthest corner where no lighting could be detected. Her heart thundered.
"Closer," his voice beckoned. Not a dip of emotion.
She struggled for calm breathing before resuming her staggering march.
Its fine Christine, You and him are the only people here. He's not going to kill you because of what happened, she nervously laughed minus the tone, Or will he?
"Honestly, Miss Dubois, I'm not going to eat you alive. I only wanted to have a diplomatic conversation with you."
Oh.
Christine strides to his desk and stopping before she clash on to it. She could see his faint outline beyond the dark and his presence that still gave her shivers. Christine joined her hands behind her back; she almost looked like a young child being disciplined to behave. I've been very bad indeed.
"Uh," the words she'd wanted to say suddenly left her. Speak you fool! You initiated it! You've been practicing this! But alas, her mouth could only open then close.
His scorching stare made her invisibly trembled. Those amber eyes thoroughly searching the windows of her orbs, searching her. Deciphering her. Don't look at him dammit!
Finding solace on the tiles of the floor, Christine nibbled her lower lip and demanding her words to come back. It seems neither of them didn't want to speak. How ironic that the silence was purely deafening her. Have courage and be kind, she'd giggle for the choice of words to motivate her if she weren't just so serious about all of this. "S-Sir," Her lungs could have given up for her massive inhalant, "I am well comprehended of my actions concerning the feud yesterday and I... -I wish to apologize for my ill manner of the way I interrupted you on your lecture, but..." No backing out now, "-But I do not solely regret voicing my opinion. Little they may be."
"Ah, yes." He clasped his hands and settled them on his table; "Yesterday." his voice tickled her ears. After seconds of silence, "Are you aware of the punishment?"
She gulped despite her throat being dried, "Y-Yes. And I take full responsibility of my impromptu doings."
Is he smirking? The light traces of his lips tugs upward, impossible! He only smiles when certain utterances of music he seldom discuss, were to be a topic, his grin would practically light up the whole room, earning wide eyed shock. And now he's doing it.
Is he that so sadistic that he really wants to see her suffer from her punishment?
Oh god. There are no other people here and she's absolutely terrified of that kind of punishment! In her first year, sorority girls would blabber on about their nightly tryst to gain higher grades. Christine was clearly disgusted at their indiscretions and she will certainly be disgusted at herself. She looked to her left and to her right. No one! She regretted to close the door.
"You must be wondering to where are the rest of your colleagues, I've group them and sent them to a mock trial. You see, before all of you can graduate, I'll shall give you all a task to prove you are worthy of graduating and deserving to serve the law. But with your impertinence, I didn't conclude you to participate with them."
She blinked. This was the punishment? She couldn't graduate? Tears were forming and she refused to spill them in front of him. Reality is harsh. She couldn't speak, she didn't want to speak. This was worse than having sex with your professor! All these years of working on night shifts so she could pay her college tuition fees, and keeping her mind to stay awake during classes for FIVE years only for nothing?! She wanted to punch everything in her way.
She wanted to punch him and herself.
"-hear me?"
She shook her head. Erasing the dark thoughts inside her mind. She must have paid any attention to him. Why would she? She already failed his class.
"Are you listening?" his frustrated voice slapped her back to normalcy.
"I'm sorry." She scolded herself for sounding so meek.
He sighed gruffly. He would have to say it all over again, "Miss Dubois, now that I've gain your presence of mind. You're punishment is to work on this task-"
"WAIT. I'll still have to do the task? You mean that I'll still graduate?!"
"That depends on if you do it right. Now where was I? - You see there? That insolent habit of yours of cutting me off is quite vexatious. Ah, the task. You are to present me a PowerPoint of a certain story, describe the theme; moral values, character development and recite their 'goodness' you speak highly of every person." The last sentence was surely a very sarcastic remark to remember the events of yesterday.
Christine couldn't help but to stare incredulously at her ever so confusing professor. "That's my punishment? You're not that angry at me?"
"You are to do this alone and without any help, you'll find it ever so wearisome." his eyes scanned hers, "Angry? Oh no, where's the fun in that? I simply find you fascinating."
"What." Not even a question. Christine should've argue with him but remained dumbfounded, Fascinating? ME?, his face was dead serious, is he kidding himself? Just look at me! Sure she was extremely relieved to know that the very cold and bitter professor of the whole university actually deems her of fascination. Is he even talking about me?
"From the sound of your voice I take it you're surprise. The uttermost festivity of yesterday rendered me in awe by your brazen valor. I wouldn't tolerate a mere student doltishly cutting me off and lecturing me in front of my class, I will severely punish those who oppose me. But I was wrong; you're not just a mere student. You're a haughty, naïf, blunt student. And I admire you for that. An exceedingly rarity on my part; Surprise doesn't even cover It." she imagined him smiling, like he did earlier. A smile where there's no pain and darkness residing in them. He looks so handsome, mask and all.
Christine haven't enough time to see him quietly striding in front of her, just few paces, but modest enough to give her own personal space. "You entirely remind me of Scout." His voice was close and almost a whisper. Scout? Who's Scou- The cold feel of leather brushed against her hands?
Christine's face was redder than Buquet's nose.
He's holding my hand! Well, actually he's holding a book and he wanted her to take it. His gloved hands beckoned hers to accept the book-to which she did-and Christine smelled the scent of roses. He smells wonderful... Christine fumbled for the paperback and was about to ask when his balmy voice spoke again, "To Kill a Mockingbird." He even sound so unworldly refine when near. It should be illegal. "You have, perchance, read it?"
"I've known it but I haven't read it. Sorry." she hung her head, feeling shameful. She was a law student and she hasn't read the renowned book that law student should have read. It was an assignment for them when she was in her freshman year, to read the novel and make a critical analysis. Having no time because of her part-time job as a waitress by night, she guiltily copied Meg's and since then, she couldn't look at Professor Firmin's eyes without any improbity.
As if reading her thoughts, her professor shrugged nonchalantly, "Just don't copy from now, and understand? It is absolutely wrong to plagiarize. Think of the effort and idea of the maker only to steal it by some lazy individual. As a future lawyer; always tell the truth. Even though some people mock their profession, making it a constant reminder that all those who serve the law are liars. Frankly, some are and others aren't. And I can sense a quality in you that most people don't posses. Even I don't posses." He inwardly smiled so assuredly that Christine might have melted.
His words had done it. She no longer thought of him as Mr. Grouchy-Pants. Somehow there is goodness inside of him as she expected. Christine would likely ask the quality he'd said about her, but deciding it will be a subject for another day. She was sure they'll talk like this; not as a student/teacher parlance, but a connection of two adults discussing the values of life. Christine hugged the book on her chest with her two arms, guarding it like a rare blue diamond. She uttered an airy thank you and he nodded absentmindedly.
Christine slowly walked off and can't help the feeling of discontented.
Did she actually like talking to him? She remembered the coolness of his stance and his unfaltering voice. All the anger had gone-Now that she thinks of it, she never did resent him. Even for all those demanding projects and his harsh lectures, she didn't hate him like the way students should hate a finicky teacher. The days when she was in his class, she could only feel a certain respect and compassion for his distant self.
"One thing, Miss Dubois," she abruptly stopped upon hearing him. She was near by the door. She squinted her eyes and saw his silhouette now by his table, leaning and a hand on his hair. "I've heard you punched Buquet."
"News does travel so fast," she muttered under gritted teeth, "Yes I did and I'm not apologizing for that, Mr. Yllet."
His laughter boomed the large room and Christine thought that it's most definitely an angel's bells turned into a sacred voice. He's ever so confusingly surprising, "Nor do I have to do anything about him. I must say well done. Apparently your boldness is not only capable of your mouth but also to your fist."
Christine took that as an undetermined compliment.
She tilted her head sideways, "Thanks?"
The cold, metallic handle of the large door caught her unawares as her mind wasn't focused around her. She visibly shivered and opened the door; the thought of him alone crossed her mind. It is utterly sad to be alone. She looked at her shoulder, then to him. His glowing eyes indicated that he's looking at her, just as she was looking at him.
"Mr. Yllet? I-"
"Erik." He softly interjected.
His name. He wanted me to call him by his name, "Erik," it felt gratifying, "I promise, I won't fail you for giving me this chance."
"I know, Miss D-"
"Christine."
She knew that he smiled for the whole room seems lighter. "Christine, I know you won't."
UNKNOWNYMUSE:
THEY MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OOC.
IT'S BECAUSE I WANT THEM TO BE ADAPTABLE IN OUR OWN MODERN SOCIETY.
IN LEROUX'S BOOK: CHRISTINE IS NAIVE, INNOCENT, AND TERRIFIED AND HAS AN IMMENSE PITY FOR ERIK. SHE'S NOT THE CORROSIVE TYPE TO PUNCH BUQUET. BUT I WANT HER TO SOMEHOW RELATE US IN OUR ACTIONS.
IN THE MUSICAL: CHRISTINE IS STILL NAIVE, SCARED, YET SHE FEELS COMPASSION FOR ERIK.
AND IN KAY'S BOOK: WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THEM ;) I THINK MISS KAY WAS A PHAN SHIPPER.
IN EVERY CHAPTER, I WANT HER TO PORTRAY THE HUMAN EMOTIONS OF DEALING ALL THE CHALLENGES LIFE CAN OFFER.
I DON'T WANT HER TO WALLOW IN SORROW AND THEN CHOOSING TO RUNAWAY WITH RAOUL. (READ THE BOOK IF YOU DIDN'T GET IT)
AND I VERY MUCH WANTED HER TO LOVE POOR ERIK! WE SHIPPERS ALWAYS FIND MANY WAYS FOR THEM TO FALL IN LOVE (MOSTLY ON CHRISTINE'S PART) IT'S CALLED FANFICTION FOR CHRIST SAKE! SO DON'T ARGUE WITH ME BECAUSE OF HER UNLIKELY ATTITUDE. I DON'T PREFER HER TO BE WEAK AND KILL HERSELF BECAUSE OF ERIK'S UTMOST LOVE FOR HER (READ THE BOOK!)
FOR ME, I WILL EVERYDAY CHOOSE THE SCORPION.