Day 9; Crazy
(Wendy / Christophe)
It's always nice spending time with him, in an odd way. He itches me in a way I can't really explain. Everything he stands for is everything that I do as well, except I'm for a bit more. The little things. For example, I do believe that freedom of speech is a beautiful thing and it has the right to be utilized as much as any other natural right, but the crude idioms that flood out of his mouth are nothing short of unnecessary. Sometimes they do make me laugh, even when I really wish they didn't, but the breach of my personal code of conduct is worth seeing the smile that comes over his face the second he hears me crack. It's like our compliment to each other, in an odd way. We're an odd pair.
We've been sitting in the school for a while now, the school day officially having ended hours ago. I stayed so that I could focus on what needs to be done here before the fundraiser without distractions. I found him lying with his arms crossed under his head in the center of the auditorium streaming profanities at the sky. We made eye contact for a second before he turned his head again and continued his personal monologue. I set my clipboard down by the door and went to sit next to him, not knowing for sure if he'd let me. He didn't protest. He talked as I looked around the room. There's so much to be done here.
"Being stuck with ze stupid loud beetches at this school for eight hours a day makes me crave a cigarette like a fucking-"
"Since I've found you here, you should know that the benefit is in two days. You could be a part of it with me. It'd be a big help."
I continued to let my eyes wander around the auditorium, making plans in my head for certain spaces until the silence was thick. I met his eyes, a look of disdain gracing his face. I kept talking.
"I know you can't stand everyone but you're the only one that remotely cares about the cause. Having your help could make a huge difference. The problem isn't getting people to come, it's getting them to care about the cause instead of the free food and music. So?"
He sat up, staring at me. I could see him weighing the pros and cons of accepting my offer in his head. He rolled his eyes and reached into his back pocket, pulling out his lighter and cigarette case.
"You are too smart. I don't know why you waste your time with ze's idiots."
"It takes more than one to really make a change."
I watched him go through the motions, his occasional glances at me both a way of asking for permission and a dare for me to challenge him. He put the lit cigarette to his lips and took a long drag, holding it before letting the smoke drool out of his mouth.
"Zis is what I like about you, Wendy. You don't care about ze stupid things like pride or credit."
"I just want to make a difference for the better. I like that you can't say no if it means something to you. We're pretty alike, Christophe."
He leaned towards me, leaving a kiss on my cheek.
"I should have done it before ze smoking, my apologies."
I smiled. He could be sweet. I raised my arm and motioned to an area of the room.
"I'm thinking that'd be a good place to have the food."
He laughed, puffs of smoke leaving his lips, and motioned to a different area.
"Why not over zere?"
"Yeah, maybe. But then it's close to the door and people might feel like it'd be okay to grab food and then leave."
"Fucking Eric would try to sneak plates out to bring to his tea party back home."
I grinned and knew that he caught it. We sat like that for hours, making plans and cracking jokes.
