But even if Lauren had drowned in her own tears, she still would have to go to school the day after.
So, the next morning, she drags herself out of her bed. Luckily, her eyes aren't red and thick, because she doesn't think she could have had it if someone had asked her about it.
She quickly changes into her clothes and starts to walk to the place where the girls usually have breakfast.
Lauren is glad to see that the dead Cranks in the corridors have been put away – those maniacal eyes are definitely one of the most horrible things she has ever seen. The thought that one of those Cranks could be her father or mother still haunts in the back of her mind. They wouldn't even recognize her by now.
The sound of quiet talking makes her look up. Two boys – one with brown hair and one blond boy – come out of a corridor on Lauren's right.
She doesn't know the brown-haired boy, but the other one is familiar: it is Newt, the boy who was sitting in front of her in the classroom yesterday. Though he seems to be cheerfully chatting with the other boy like the terrible things from yesterday never have happened, Lauren can see the marks of fear and worry on his face.
He looks pale, and he has got rings under his eyes, as if he hasn't slept last night. There is a blue-coloured bruise on his jaw where the Crank has hit him.
Lauren remembers the surprise she felt when Newt attacked him, that sudden explosion of a mix of courage and foolishness.
That Crank hit him because he tried to protect his friend, that annoying Asian.
Lauren feels a sudden wave of anger boil up inside her. If she could do that moment over, then she would have slammed that fire extinguisher into the Crank's head, instead of standing and watching.
She doesn't know where that thought comes from, but she is sure that she would.
The three teenagers keep walking, and all that time, Lauren is very aware of Newt's presence. She catches herself on the fact that her back is straighter than usual when she is walking. It's almost ridiculous.
She tucks a curl of her hair behind her ear – she doesn't have her hair in a ponytail today, and the loose locks annoy her – and listens to the younger boys' talking, which is just too quiet and too far away to hear what they are saying.
When the silent speaking slowly disappears, Lauren turns around, surprised. Newt and the other boy have turned into another corridor.
Lauren shrugs and continues her way to the breakfast room.
Sorry, rather short chapter, didn't really feel like writing today.