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Chapter Ten
"He cannot see me."
"How do you know this?!"
"Because it is."
"Then why is he saying there is a monster following me!?"
The pitch of her voice rose frantically, albeit hushed, and the girl was pacing in the small walkway of the privy she sequestered herself in. Syn appeared as soon as she demanded. The specter took in Jessica's furious poster impassively. Little humans were emotional.
It was just as curious, although declined to reveal why. If BB could leave the confines of the main house, perhaps the child might come in search of It. That might be a worthwhile test with interesting results, Syn mused.
"He is touched."
Jessica scowled at her reflection in the mirror, eying the creature behind her standing beside the toilet. She hissed, "What is that supposed to mean?"
The reply was minimal, "He can sense things others cannot."
"What, like ghosts?"
Syn turned toward the high window and straightened, the motion lengthening the already tall shadow into something like a snake. Jessica looked away from the mirror and focused on the door leading out to the kitchen instead.
"I've told no one about you. I can't, and here is this," Jessica waved at the door emphatically, "kid, who in all his creepiness, tells me that he knows. He knows!"
"He knows nothing." The affirmation was flat in the girl's head, and it was in this moment that Syn realized she was frightened. And why not? The unknown always frightened humans.
"I can't talk to anyone about this, Syn," Jessica slumped against the counter and closed her eyes, "I'm alone."
The specter turned to her. The immediate sense of isolation was not uncommon amongst other Holders, It observed. The burden that many of Its charges felt was thrust onto them created an antagonistic relationship with the spirit at first. Even those willing, or even eager, to accept the Book were initially unwilling to acknowledge the awareness and responsibilities that came with it. Her family all had similar personalities in the end. It understood how this would be no different.
"It is a lonesome burden," Syn conceded, causing Jessica to glance over. The specter bore into her with Its gaze as It finished the thought, "You will carry it for the rest of your life."
Her eyes watered but no tears slipped, and the girl gave a sniff before resolutely leaving the lavatory. Syn's stare followed her out the door and down the hall toward the kitchen before It resumed watching the back garden.
Jessica returned to the library after a rather long absence with the promised crackers and jam. The boys were nearly finished with the first round of chess when she finally appeared in the doorway, a forced smile donned as she met eye contact with BB. He was sitting in one of the chairs entirely too big for him with his knees drawn to his chest. Andrew was biting his thumb in thought as he concentrated on the board pieces, mulling over a way to get out of check and turn the table on the other boy.
Syn observed from the edge of the doorway just beyond the girl as she entered the room and set the tray to one side. BB continued to look right past her at the entry, even after A triumphantly sat up in his chair and declared victory over his queen.
"Check, B!"
The boy turned back to the table and mumbled, "I'm tired of this game."
Jessica snickered whilst grabbing a cookie, pondering over the board, "You could still win, BB."
The child glared at her, his red-tinted eyes flashing before returning to his gaming partner, "I don't want to play anymore."
The mood shifted before Jessica even realized it, and the youngest fidgeted in his chair. Andrew pinched his brows together and pouted, "Are you alright, B?"
Dramatically, BB pushed his chair out from the table, causing a couple pieces tip over and fall to the floor. The scraping of wood echoed in the space as the child hopped onto his bare feet, more loudly declaring, "I don't want to play!"
Both of the other children were startled, and Jessica, genuine in her concern, leaned over in an attempt to touch the boy's shoulder, "It's ok. You don't have to play."
Andrew's eyes widened and he was about to speak when BB recoiled from her, a livid expression coming across his delicate features as he stared the older girl down. Jessica immediately pulled her hand back and glanced to the other child for guidance. A growl was released from BB then, low and feral before he backed away from the table and scuttled to the doorway, only stopping to briefly peer up to the right corner near the ceiling. Syn slowly turned Its head to him just as the child turned up to nothing and then ran down the hallway.
"Jessica, are you alright?" Andrew piped up after what seemed like minutes of silence. He already retrieved the lost pieces of the board and began resetting the match. He spoke hesitantly, as though he was worried the scene was not yet finished, "You look quite pale. I promise, he's not always like that. It's just sometimes he gets very competitive. He doesn't like to lose."
Syn met Jessica's pallid, shaken form and they both knew why BB stopped at the doorway, but not the reason for his tantrum. The girl let out a breath and returned to her friend. They played quietly for the rest of the afternoon.
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Weeks passed and Syn's quiet roaming of the school persisted. The being would catch conversations wherever It went, stopping to observe the nature of the discussion, the particulars of the people involved, and the commotion that ensued. Most of the campus was filled with normal children. The privilege amongst them was lost on the creature, for all It had known was the generations of upper class families associated with the Lamberts. Behind closed doors, however, any notion of class disappeared into the background of adolescent melodrama. Parents who just did not understand. Crushes and love interests. Music. Makeup. Very little having to do with studies and a lot to do with budding sex.
"Do you think he likes me?"
"Don't be ridiculous! Of course he likes you!"
"Get a look at that."
Collective nodding, "She's fit."
"You think we might sneak out to the rave next week?"
"And risk a bollucking from Roger? No thank you."
Amongst the adults of the establishment, there was more mundane discussion around lesson planning, holidays, and family. They originated from all over the world and appeared to know each other from years of living on campus together. There was a special area designated for the teachers at meal times, separate from the students, and a wing all their own for living and recreation. A few even had regular visits from their families, particularly parents with young offspring of their own. The adults also tended to use the grounds more than the youngsters, including the gym and the music hall, which was used to play the occasional movie considered too mature for the students.
"Have you seen the new text book for human anatomy?"
"I heard there was some talk of dissecting a cat next year by the board. Can you imagine the children?"
"Some might be a little too excited."
A groan, "I know."
"Plans for holiday?"
"Oh the usual. We've booked a lodge at Engelberg for the New Year."
Collective nodding, "Just in time for a meter of snow. Be ace, I imagine."
"Want to sneak in a pint and watch the game this weekend?"
"And risk a bollucking from Roger? No thank you."
Jessica continued to ignore the specter when she could, holing herself up in the library for long hours on the evenings and weekends. It surmised she was struggling somewhat with the schedule, although she also appeared to take to her studies more seriously than the children surrounding her. No longer the teachers' pet, she had to work harder if she was to keep her personal and familial standards met. Syn also guessed she was not fond of the snark coming from her classmate, as benign as it was. Lawliet seemingly lacked a filter.
The boy had not made a single attempt to speak to Jessica since her return to Whammy house, aside from their moments in class when they were forced to be in contact. Syn understood that this bothered the girl for some reason. Perhaps she was upset that all the time they spent the previous summer amounted to nothing in the boy's mind. Or perhaps she was dreading the day they were required to work together on a class assignment. It was inevitable.
There was a brush of fabric and small huff at the table where Jessica was studying. They were assigned to write a paper on a famous psychologist of their choice, and she had chosen Mary Ainsworth. Aside being a woman in a rather male dominated field, her work on child psychology interested the girl. Syn mused that Jessica really wanted to read more on childhood disorders. If It hazarded a guess, perhaps she was drawing connections from her class to better understand BB's sudden outburst the other day. The specter noted the child was conspicuously absent as of late. Even his late night wandering ceased.
"Jessica."
The girl glanced up, placing a finger on the spot she was following. Her thin brows shot up as she responded, "Lawliet."
The boy stood slouched slightly against the table, his thin fingers tracing the edge near his hip. He was suffering an early growth spurt, nearly an inch taller since the start of the school year, yet quit small within the confines of his oversized shirt and trousers. He was going to be a tall man, Syn observed.
L's round, coal eyes shifted to the floor as he frowned. Something was bothering him. "I would like to invite you to play tennis with me."
It was mid October, and the leaves were starting to change. Although dry outside, the teachers were preparing to move the activity indoors for the winter months soon. Tennis, as it turned out, was a sport that Jessica actually liked. She was fairly good at badminton already, but tennis required more strength. So far, the course separated the boys from the girls, so she was paired with a girl named Bridget and they quickly became lunchtime friends. Syn took Its time to watch the children play. The game was silly, yet also distracting, as the creature often became consumed by tracking the balls as they flung back and forth across the net for the hour. Some of the students were quite good, and the ball stayed in the air for lengthy periods, all to Syn's delight.
Jessica mulled over the invitation, making a bookmark on the page she was reading and closing the book. She stretched in their silence, and the specter had to wonder if she was dragging out her response on purpose.
"Alright. I need a break anyway. I'll fetch you in fifteen, yeah?"
Lawliet said nothing and left the library in silent acquiescence.
Fifteen minutes later, Jessica stood outside the back doorway of the main house with her tennis racket in hand. She had to change into her sport uniform and suspected that her playing partner would do the same. She entered the house and called out, "Are you coming?"
Lawliet appeared in the hallway and headed towards her, his doppelganger following closely behind. Syn moved back into the wall and watched from the entry, questioning if BB would really follow them outside. The other child was dressed as he always was, a stark contrast to the more fitted uniform, complete with shoes, required for the sport. Lawliet looked disheveled and uncomfortable, as though the contact with the polyester material made him itch. Wordlessly, he walked past Jessica and headed toward the courts.
"BB, are you going to come watch?" Jessica offered with a tense smile.
BB, looked at the entry wall before meeting the girl's gaze again. He smiled briefly and nodded.
The trio made their way along the grassy path in silence. There were four courts, two of which were modified for other sports, such as volleyball and basketball, in which the Americans were fond to play. There were some benches to one side, and BB climbed up on one of them with an intense expression. Syn settled beyond him at the edge of the court to privately observe, interested in the unexpected attendee and his terse older companion.
Jessica turned to L and smiled politely, "So, how have you been these past several weeks?"
Lawliet blinked, and again huffed through his nose. Turning to meander to his side of the court, he mumbled, "I am fine."
The first serve was Lawliet's and Jessica returned it with ease. The boy barely managed to tap the ball, however, and his return squarely hit the net.
"It's alright," Jessica let out a chuckle and waved her hand, "You serve again."
He served again, and this time missed the return entirely. Syn shifted, amused by the predicament the boy found himself in. He was not very good at this sport.
They continued through the first game and then the second, each time little Lawliet often failing to follow through. By the end, it was clear the boy was unhappy about the outcome, squarely losing the match to Jessica.
BB's attention was rapt. A smile crept to the boy's face as the pair ended the game and ambled back to the bench he sat upon. He stared directly at L and said, "You failed to hit the ball."
L stood before the dark haired child and glowered.
"He just needs practice, B." Jessica stretched her arm and sighed. BB features spread into a grin at the other's reaction, holding his knees in closely.
"Yes," L's voice was monotone as he sent an icy glare forward, "much like you fail to read or to speak or to study or-"
"Lawliet!" Jessica snapped, her brows knit down harshly at the boy to her side.
"-to relate."
Each word was like a physical blow as BB's grin dissipated and his poster hunched farther into himself. Slowly, his eyes narrowed and a suffocating silence engulfed the trio. Syn shifted again to get a better visual gage of the boys as they continued to stare each other down in a private duel of sorts.
Suddenly, Jessica decided to step in. She jabbed at Lawliet's arm hard to get his attention, chastising, "Stop it! You're antagonizing him!"
Just as L glanced at her, BB was up and off the bench, ready to bolt back to the house. The girl shot out a hand to grab him, choosing instead to withdraw at the last moment upon seeing his recoil. The youngest turned, the vicious expression from the other week resurfacing as she tried to mollify him.
"B, you don't have to leave," The girl leaned toward the boy with compassion in her eyes, "Don't listen to him."
Ever so minutely, the child relaxed, twitching back toward the older boy still standing at the bench, still with a straight face, save a hint of malice in his dark eyes. Then BB looked up and out onto the court, right at where Syn remained silently observing before turning tail and stalking off toward the gardens.
How odd, the specter thought.
The moment BB was out of sight, Jessica turned her attention onto her tennis partner. Anger was evident on her petite profile, her cheeks tinting a faint pink as she spoke, "What is the matter with you? How can you say such things to him?"
L dismissed the oncoming lecture, "I only spoke the truth."
"You were being mean."
He faced her then, eyes focused and severe for how calm, even bored his expression remained, "You are trying to shame me."
Jessica blinked and straightened, her hands clenching into fists at her side. It appeared that the show of dominance was now directed at her. If only he understood how stubborn a Lambert could be. Syn barked out a laugh.
Jessica took a step toward the boy, getting just enough into his personal space that Lawliet could not help but subconsciously back away. Confidently, the girl made clear her thoughts, "You ought to apologize to him."
He still was not quite her height yet. L stiffened, and after a tense moment of silence, he finally blinked and looked back down at the bench where their rackets laid. With that, the girl backed off, scanning over her shoulders at Syn with her own quiet glare.
"Now," she began, facing forward again and eying her partner, "Care to tell me what your problem actually is? You have barely said a word to me since I returned, and suddenly you now want to take me up on a match. You have bad attitude and are obviously a poor loser, so just get it out!"
He clenched his jaw, his inky bangs falling over his eyes, "I'm not good at this sport."
"Oh come off it, Lawliet!" Jessica rolled her eyes and scoffed, "You can't be good at everything."
"My request for a tutor was rejected."
The girl shook her head and said, "You don't need a tutor, just practice."
L shot her a look, and Syn suddenly realized what his issue was. The boy did not want help. He wanted to figure it out on his own, in his own way. Someone denied him this method and that made him angry. Jessica was not moved by his withering stare though, instead peering up at the sky and pursing her lips in effort to keep from losing her temper.
"You should help him," Syn's voice echoed.
The girl closed her eyes momentarily before snapping her head over her shoulder at the shadow. Syn focused intently on the boy as he leaned over to retrieve his racket. He looked as if he might say something, but bit his thumbnail instead. He was debating, perhaps.
Jessica's sigh ended in an unladylike groan. She approached the bench to gather her own racket and ground out, "Meet me at the gym tomorrow after classes end. I'll show you a few techniques."
She did not even give L time to respond before she stomped away. Had she, perhaps she might have seen the pure astonishment wash over the boy as he watched her retreating form all the way to the student building.
AN: Thanks again for reading! In the anime, L is quite good at tennis, but I can just imagine that this probably didn't come easy. No one can be good at everything on his or her first try. This probably would not sit well with a child who is used to excelling, let alone being told 'no' when he is very much used to getting his way. This chapter is also entirely from Syn's perspective. I hope it worked out giving the audience a more objective third person perspective. Jessica has her childish, emotional bias, while Syn is far far more experienced. I like this style of story telling too because it will allow me to show conversations where Jessica is not the observer.
Please review? Thanks! Happy Reading!