An: Ugh, I told myself I wasn't going to respond to any reviews in the author's notes, as I feel it gives the wrong impression about the stories length (and let's face it I definitely don't need to be making this thing any longer), but this reviewer doesn't have an account and this needs to be said so it's going to be said.
Kirsty, you did not, in anyway whatsoever, waste my time with you review. And if anybody ever gives you a flak in response to a review like that then they don't deserve your time, or the opportunity you presented them to improve as an author. I went back, reread and fixed as many mistakes as I could find in chapters 1 and 2 because of you (and I still don't think I got all of them).
Thank you, is what I'm trying to say.
Here's the thing; while I love ff for its simply amazing community, as its nothing but support and well wishes, I do think we are lacking for reviews like Kirsty's. Honest, criticism. The ones that tell us you're good, but you're not as good as you can be, so here's how you get there.
Because you know what, she was right! There were a lot of glaring issues, and I hated that they made the story suffer. The thing is, when I'm editing I'm looking for sentence structure and story flow flaws. This means that things are getting rewritten a lot. Seriously I changed the originally written perspectives like six times last chapter. It's also the reason that a chapter gets posted when it's probably not quite ready, simply because I know myself, and I know that I will just keep changing and changing my writing forever unless I suck it up and just post the damn thing. Unfortunately this means that grammar suffers. But that's on me. And something I need to work on as a writer.
Anyways to everyone else who reviewed, thank you! You guys made me look like an idiot at work this month because every time I felt down I'd pull out my phone to read the wonderful things you wrote and then I could not stop grinning like a loon the rest of the day.
You are all to blame.
.
.
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Chapter 3
No one Understands!
The car ride to Kendo was proving to be one of the tensest family moments to date. The second Father had come to pick us up, Amber blurted out that she'd been suspended and that she didn't want to talk about it. But she was glaring at me, so it was made pretty clear to Father that it was my fault. I tried to meet his gaze, knowing how he hated it when I slouched, but just one look at the scowl he was sporting had my eyes shooting to the pavement. If it wasn't for Kendo I'd probably already be at home paying for this.
No one said a word the entire car ride, aside from Father grumbling about the extra stop. Usually I'd just walk to practice but with the awful weather and the need to keep an eye on Amber I decided to catch a lift today. I was seriously regretting that now.
My stomach kept bunching itself up in knots with every sharp turn Father took. He was seriously working himself up and if it wasn't for Amber being here he'd probably already be screaming at me. And I just knew that while I was at practice Amber was going to be ranting and raving to our parents about how unfair it was and how it was all my fault.
I stared out the window trying to calm down, it wouldn't do to show up a nervous wreck. Sensei Isadora had the uncanny ability to read people, and she'd already commented more than once on my apparent anxiety.
Amber was huffing next to me, and I was mostly ignoring her, trying to space out to help myself calm down when I noticed something in the rain. A ridiculous notion then popped into my head and before my logic center could kick back in I was already opening my mouth.
"Sir?" I said.
Father glared at me through the rear view mirror.
"You don't have to drive me all the way to practice. I can walk from here so you and Amber can head straight home". I held my breath, praying that he wouldn't start yelling about my ungratefulness or something. But then he grunted and pulled over, probably happy to be rid of me for the short while.
I quickly got out, grabbing my things and an umbrella. The Royce sped away before I'd even reached the curb, but I hardly noticed. I was already hurrying to catch up to the object of my distraction.
"Need a hand?" I asked a waterlogged Malory, holding the umbrella out to shield her from the weather.
She looked up at me with big rounded eyes her shock clearly evident. I couldn't help but smirk, knowing that I'd surprised her. Even though I owed her one, I still didn't like her. And yes, it was juvenile, but it was also a little cathartic knowing I'd unbalanced her.
But a moment later she came back to herself and scowled, "So…what, you're stalking me now?"
I rolled my eyes. Of course the first thing out of her mouth was something glib.
"Call it revenge for the day you just put me through" I said.
"Pfff, the day I 'put you through' I'm sorry but who save your pristine presidential butt today? Oh that's right, me. I take thankyous in the form of either cash or check, but gift certificates to Thinkgeek are accepted as well. "
I just gave her a look.
She glared at me, "…you've been hanging around Lysander haven't you?" she said shrewdly. But, before I could answer, she'd already turned around and began walking away. "Go on, get your immaculate official ass off to kendo or whatever. I can find my way home on my own, thankyou"
A car came speeding by. I noticed the large puddle of water just as the wheels hit it, throwing up a huge wave right towards her. Malory squeaked and jumped, throwing her arms up in a vain attempt to shield herself, but she needn't have bothered.
I was already there with the umbrella out and shielding the both of us. At worst, our pant legs got a little sprayed.
"Did you just squeak?" I asked, unable to keep myself from teasing her.
She just glared up at me, her cheeks turning a light pink from embarrassment. She huffed and began walking again, but she didn't tell me to get lost. So, seeing as that was as a good an invitation as I was probably going to get, I followed.
I held the umbrella over both of us as we walked side by side. We didn't say anything for a few minutes, and that was fine by me. I'm not really sure what I should be saying to her at a time like this anyways. But I did need to say something for what she did today. Thankyou maybe? It was the obvious choice, but common sense never seemed to get me far when Malory was involved. I'd already given her a formal thankyou when she'd found the keys for me today and I should do it again as it would be proper, but it didn't seem to resonate with her earlier and I don't think it will do any better now. But to give simple verbal praise about how much she'd helped me today kind of seemed like a sappy thing to say (which she would tease me for), while at the same time not being enough to say (which she would also tease me for). I still didn't like her, and I'm certain she still doesn't like me, so it's kind of odd trying to be amicable towards each other. But our usual biting banter wasn't exactly appropriate at this time.
So I opened my mouth, ready to just get it over with, when she started the conversation instead.
"Aren't you going to be late for practice?" she said, while looking at the pavement. She was trying to be casual. Smart move on her part, I could give her that. She was opening the conversation with a question that was in peaceful waters. I just needed to reciprocate, and keep myself from getting annoyed when she inevitably felt like being clever and said something to piss me off. But, if we're careful, very very careful, we just might be able to get through this without arguing.
I shrugged, "not really. I'm usually pretty early anyways." Alright, so far so good. Now for a simple question that I could ask her, "what about you? Any plans for the evening?"
She bristled beside me. "I've plenty to do" she blurted out. "Um, in fact I'll probably busy all night. You know with…baking." She picked up her pace a little, I don't think she noticed she was doing it.
I wonder if she knows what a bad liar she is. Oh well, not my problem or even my concern what she does with her free time. Like she said, no need to worry. Still, it was kind of rude to just brush me off like that when I was clearly trying to be amicable. Gods was this girl frustrating. I rolled my eyes and decided to be nice and play along.
"Do you like to bake then?"
"Uh, yeah kinda, really the only reason I know how to is because of…mom". Her pace sped up just a little more.
"Okay. Have you and your mom been cooking together for a long time?"
"What? Uh…yeah. Yeah, for like, forever. In fact, she's so excited about the kitchen at our new place. It's massive and has a big reach around counter, and, all the appliances are new, and…yeah"
"Well, good. I…take it you and your family are settling in well then?"
"Oh definitely. The apartments great! We've each got our own rooms and uh, there's this massive bathroom, and I've finally got space for all my books, so…so it's great!"
"Right…well, glad to hear it"
We fell silent again. Wow this was hard. I don't have any idea what to talk about, and apparently I was just making her feel awkward by trying. But I needed to do this. One more attempt:
"So….you like mystery novels huh?"
That seemed to do it, her pace slowed back to normal and she shrugged. "Bout as much as anything else I guess. I like books."
No surprise there, she always had one out at the start of class. Even when she was too busy competing with me to be reading, there was constantly a novel present right on the corner of her desk. I've never actually bothered to check the title of any of them, too focused on the obnoxious girl reading them I guess. But apparently we shared a few favorites.
"What else do you like to read?" I asked, still trying to keep the easy atmosphere but also a little curious.
Malory gave me a sideways look, "why?" she said slow and suspicious.
I rolled my eyes, "I'm not trying to start a competition with you Malory. I'm just asking."
She continued to look at me suspiciously but she did answer, "sci-fi mostly, and fantasy, historical fictions good too, but you can get a lot of pompous know-it-all authors who don't actually know a damn thing with those. Slice of life stuff is alright I guess, I've been forced to read a lot of those. Unfortunately they've also got a lot of annoying authors who try to be all philosophical but usually they just end up sounding like morons trying to shove their world views on you…what about you?"
She asked the last bit kind of awkwardly, but well, I guess she was trying too. We could do this.
"Well detective novels and mysteries obviously. Honestly I don't have that much time for reading. But fantasies okay too".
There was another pause in the conversation as we both searched for something to say.
"You ever read the Dresden files" Malory finally blurted out.
"No".
"Oh…well, there kind of like mystery fantasy stories. There pretty good. The main characters funny."
I nodded, "I'll give them a look".
There we could be friendly. She'd even recommended something she thought I might enjoy. Then again, this was Malory, so there's a good chance she was telling me about something awful in the hopes that I would waist what little free time I had on a senseless story. Well, actually no she wouldn't do that. Because than she'd risk looking ridiculous herself for telling me she liked the thing. Maybe I really should give those books a look.
We we're quite again the only sound coming from our trudging sloppy footsteps and the occasional car speeding by. A shudder ran through Malory's tiny frame and I suddenly became aware that she didn't have a jacket. Granted I didn't have a jacket either and I felt fine, but the gentleman's code forced me to ask:
"Are you cold?"
She looked at me sideways. "And if I am? S'not like there's anything you can do about it Blondie."
I took a deep breath. Don't get antagonized, don't get antagonized, I told myself.
"I was just wondering if you'd like to walk a bit faster?" I said evenly.
"Want to get rid of me that bad huh?"
"That's not-"
"Why are you helping me?" she suddenly stopped, crossing her arms and turning to face me full on. "If this is some kind of misguided gentlemanly thankyou crap you're trying to pull off, then don't bother. I don't need it".
"Malory, its poring. And yeah, I am kind of trying to say thank you."
"I swear if you try to bow to me again-"
"I was just being proper."
"How is that proper? Just because you bow and use a bunch of fancy words doesn't make it any more significant. Admit it, you we're just being faultless mister perfect, showing off what a noble do-gooder you are".
"That had nothing to do with it! Is it really so hard to believe that I'm just trying to be nice and walk you home?"
"From you? Yes! I don't want you to be nice to me. That's not how things work between us. You are not nice to me and I am not nice to you. End of discussion, there is no more, moving on". She turned on her heal and stormed out from under my umbrella, her soaked converse making silly squelching sounds rather than the resonate thuds she was probably going for.
"If that's true than why'd you help me today?"
Her spine stiffened and she spun on the spot, her mouth opened and closed like a fish a few times, "I…eh, that's….that didn't mean anything. It was just, with Lysander, and…and Amber…and… SCREW YOU!"
She turned again shoulders hunched and hands balled into tight little fists.
"Malory, Malory!" I ran after her and tried to hold the umbrella over her again. But she jumped to the side and when I moved with her she did it again. Gods she was infuriating.
"Don't bother, we're practically there" she said.
"That's not the point, would you just. Hold. Still!" we hop-scotched around each other a few times, as she absolutely refused to let me help her. I was starting to get pretty wet myself as I tried to reach the umbrella out over her and had therefor given up on keeping myself covered. It didn't help that every time one of us stepped in a puddle we threw up a splash coating the bottom of our pants with muddy water.
"Look," she shouted, still dancing out of my reach, "you want to say thank you. Fine, you just did. So we're square, I free you of any bizarre obligation you think you might have".
"I'm just trying to walk you home" I seethed.
"That's my building right there!" she yelled throwing her arms up to the side.
I blinked, surprised to see that the big tan building was indeed right there. We'd been circling around each other in its parking lot.
"…at least let me walk you to your door" I said, refusing to let her win the argument.
"What? No! It's right there!"
"Exactly. It's right there so it's no trouble"
"You're gonna be late for your stupid kendo and I'm sure perfect little top grade student wouldn't want to disappoint mommy and daddy, so just fuck off!", she turned and walked quickly away from me.
I felt my blood boiling. That. Girl. Had to be the most obnoxious, crass, pig-headed, foul, little bitch I'd ever had the unfortunate pleasure to encounter. I turned on my heal ready to do just what she said. Screw it, I was going to kendo.
But-
…But, she still saved me from expulsion today. I had no idea why she did, probably for some selfish reason that furthered her goals, but she still helped me. I sighed and turned around again to follow her.
She got to the buildings main door and yanked on the handle, only all it did was rattle in place. Malory groaned and banged her head against the locked door. It allowed me time to reach her and hold the umbrella over her again.
"GAH!" she shouted, turning and flattening herself against the plexiglass, "what is wrong with you? You can't come in!"
"I just. Want. To say. Thankyou." I grit out. If I could just say this properly, than I could get the hell out of here and I wouldn't have to worry about her anymore.
"Haven't we been over this all ready? Gosh prez I knew you were behind me in brains but I didn't think you were that slow"
"Were you born this obstinate or do you have to work at it?" Shit. I didn't mean to get nasty, it was beneath me. But dammit if she wasn't asking for it.
"Actually, it's a gift" she said all false sweetness, "and I save it, just for you".
You know what, screw it, and screw her. "Ah so you're saying you save up all your little childish tantrums just for me? Wow I'm so honored".
"Gah! You think you're so perfect don't you! Well I've got news for you button-down, you just wait until midterms!"
"Oh please, you haven't even started studying yet. Too busy running around pulling irresponsible pranks with Castiel, and getting mixed up in ridiculous problems with the school".
"You don't know that!"
"Actually I do Malory, because every time you do one of your rash immature stunts, guess what, I have to file the paperwork. I mean really, staking out the school for a ghost? Sneaking up to the roof with Castiel on your first day? And do you really expect me to believe you behave any differently at home? Gods your parents must have ulcers from the amount of stress you put them through".
Her face turned beat red as her eyes bugged out in shock. "SHUT UP!" she yelled, and suddenly her hands where at my chest pushing me hard. It was more surprise on my part than any strength on hers that propelled me back a couple of steps.
Malory stood there fists clenched and teeth barred, "You better enjoy that top of the class spot now, cause come midterms your gonna have to explain to mommy and daddy how you got bested by the kid who's only been here for three months. Meanwhile I'll be out celebrating with my parents!"
I grinded my teeth, working every bit of control I had to keep my voice level. "Is that a challenge Malory" I asked.
"Bring it, blondie" she seethed.
"Fine."
"Fine!"
The door suddenly opened, nearly banging into Malory and startling both of us. The little old lady I'd met last week when I walked Malory home poked her head out. "Dearie, I thought I heard you" she said, "I'm afraid Mr. Biken forgot to unlock the door again, so if you see anybody trying to get in be sure to come open it for them. Oh hello there, your Nathaniel aren't you?"
"Uh…hello" I said, now feeling very awkward. It suddenly occurred to me what a spectacle we'd been making. My gods we'd been out here yelling like a couple of bad tempered hooligans. If my father found out about this…
"So nice of you to walk our young Rory home again," the old woman said, "would you like to come up for some cookies? I timed them so that they'd be done just as Rory was getting home" her many wrinkles crinkled as she gave me a pleasant grandma like smile.
"He was just leaving," Malory bit out, before stomping past the woman and inside.
I bunched my hands at the edges of my pants to keep one of them from coming up to rub awkwardly at the back of my neck. "Um, thank you for the offer ma'am but I'm afraid I have practice to get to" I gave her a quick informal bow, and turned on my heel to get out of there. I could hear her little old voice as I left commenting 'what a nice young man'.
I stomped through the lobby my shoes going schlop schlop schlop on the carpets. Two of the Agnilli boys and their youngest sister Adillina where playing pick-up sticks, and they all quickly jumped out of the way when they saw me coming. I made sure not to stomp on their game at least but I think my trailing wet jean bottoms might have knocked a few sticks loose. I didn't care.
"Bad day?" Old Mr. Whickam said as I passed him and Mr. Martel playing chess.
"Gahhh!" was all I answered stomping past them and up the stairs.
I couldn't believe him! He was just so, so…crap there weren't words for it! I couldn't stand him. Him and his oh so grown up maturity, and his gentle wonderful kindness, and completely, overbearing, never lets up perfectness!
I was so frustrated it took me three tries to unlock the apartment door. See what you make me do you bastard! I slammed the door behind me and started hopping around on one foot to yank off my soaked shoes, nearly losing my balance as I violently ripped them off.
I hate him. I hate him, and his words, and his hair, and his grades, and everything about him. I. hate. It.
I wrenched my backpack off, and the stupid fucking zipper would not open! I could barely even get a grip on it with my fingers so cold they couldn't grip anything and the metal being slick from the rain. Finally it tore open, it also tore off.
"ARGH!" I yelled throwing the useless metal nib across the room. My books and papers where then dumped uncaringly onto the kitchen counter as I shook the bag vigorously up and down, up and down, and even after it was empty I just kept going till it was banging against the counter, nocking papers and pencils everywhere, making thumping sounds as my hands started to pound the counter as well
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" I growled with each shake.
"RRRRRR!" I turned and threw the bag as hard as I could, clipping my elbow against the counter top and hitting my funny bone in the process. I didn't care. I just stood there seething as the bag plopped unsatisfyingly against the wall and fell to the floor.
Stupid. He doesn't know anything. Just because I'm not perfect like him didn't mean I was broken! I'm not! It wasn't my parents fault they couldn't handle me. So what if I stressed them out, they still loved me. They just had to do what was best for all of us! And it wasn't because I'm some kind of broken little freak!
I'm not.
"I'm not broken" I said out loud as if that would make it more true. But that was stupid, I didn't need to make it more true. I already know it's true. So it's stupid. It's just…all a bunch of stupid. "'Mm not broken" I mumbled again anyways.
I stood there for a few seconds just glaring pathetically at the floor. I'm glad Auntie wasn't here to see all that. With a sigh I went to pick up my backpack and shoes. They both would have to go downstairs to the basement so I could throw them in the dryer, but that could wait. Still, best to get them off the carpets for now.
I wanted to just curl up on the couch and glare at a book until the words started making sense and I could lull myself through reading. But that would mean soaking up the cushions and therefor Aunties bed.
I took everything with me to the bathroom and let it fall in a wet soggy heap on the floor next to the shower, I could at least wash my backpack off while I showered so that it doesn't smell like gutter water. I stripped my sodden clothes off and dropped them in the pile while I waited for the water to heat up, and waited…and waited.
Crap. The hot water heater was broken again. For a minute I stood there stark naked and shivering. On one hand I could put my soaked clothes back on, grab the tool box and head down to the basement to fix the heater. On the other hand that meant even more time spent looking and feeling like a drowned rat.
Aw, screw it, I've had way worse. I jumped in the shower letting out a small yelp even though I knew how cold it would be. I quickly scrubbed myself down, and did the same to my backpack while I waited for the conditioner to wash out of my hair. Thank the gods I keep it short.
Slipping on the wet tiles and banging my knee on the toilet as I jumped out I cocooned myself in a towel and simply stood there for a moment praising Auntie for her love of fuzzy warm fabric, even if it was an insufferable purple with happy yellow fringes.
I left my wet pile to be dealt with later and shuffled out of the bathroom. There was a plate of cookies on the coffee table that I hadn't noticed earlier. A note next to them read 'Sweetie, something came up at the hospital so I might not be home until tomorrow. Be sure to eat supper (a proper supper), and don't forget to water the plants in the morning. ~Agatha'.
I grabbed the plate happy to have an excuse to not visit Mable. It's not that I didn't like the old bat, I just don't really feel up to dealing with anybody right now. And I don't think anybody will want to deal with me either.
I went back towards the apartment entrance and opened the coat closet door. I walked straight into a hanger, nearly poking myself in the eye, just like I did every other time I came in here. I figure one of these days it will stick that I need to duck when entering. I shoved aside the few shirts and pants that I kept on hangers halfheartedly, my other hand swatting around for the light switch, and when I found it the Christmas lights that had been strung up along the corners flickered to life. I shut the door behind me and plopped my butt down on the small mattress that covered most of the floor, leaning back against the far wall. I didn't feel like digging around in my big tuppaware bucket for any clean clothes so instead I just shuffled further into the fluffy towel that was still draped around my shoulders. Stacks of books and a few cd's took up the rest of the floor space but none of them caught my interest at the moment. Not even the giant penguin poster that took up most of the ceiling helped my mood. But my eyes did catch my reflection in the small cracked mirror that hung on the wall.
I looked like complete crap, and I refused to acknowledge the puffiness around my eyes. Quickly I scrubbed at my face, I wouldn't cry because of that bastard. I refused.
Nathaniel didn't know anything. My parents we're gonna love it when I became top of the class. He'll see. And he'll just have to tell his parents that-
…
I didn't know what Nathaniel's parents we're actually like but the image of him explaining that he was no longer the perfect top student to a pair of teary eyed forlorn blonde adults didn't make me feel accomplished like it was supposed to. Instead it just made my stomach drop. I mean, I know grades are important to him, and I guess…there not really all that important to me. So does that mean he deserves them more?
I looked again at my face and made a scowl. Did I look like that when I was yelling at him? I remember his angry face, his eyes squinted and his lips pressed tightly together. Even when enraged and arguing with the girl he can't stand he still holds his tongue and keeps his anger from boiling over. Today was honestly the first time I've seen him be more than just irritated, or exasperated, or just plain tired with me. I really did manage to piss him off back there, and in true Malory fashion, I couldn't even remember what exactly it was I said. Words just came out, and I wasn't paying attention to them beyond seeing what kind of reaction they could get out of him. I know I insulted his intelligence, and…I'm pretty sure I insinuated that his parents only loved him based on that intelligence.
Which…I guess is kind of mean. But he was being mean too, so…so there.
I glared again at my reflection, then I took the mirror down and turned it backwards.
"Stupid" I mumbled.
Then balling up in the towel a little further I started eating Aunties cookies. I didn't really taste them though.
"Nathaniel! Nathaniel I give! I give! "
I stabbed Johanson one more time with the practice sword just as Dillons came charging at me from the side roaring like he was some mighty warrior from ancient folklore. I easily sidestepped him and smacked my wooden sword across his back sending him tripping with all his momentum. That just left Felicks, I heard him trying to silently come at me from behind. Turning and raising my weapon I caught his sword as he brought it down like an axe. I threw his attack to the side and tried to step in but he quickly backpedaled away from, nearly losing his balance but catching his footing and righting his stance just out of my reach. Of the three, Felicks was the only one who had any competence in Kendo. He raised his sword back to ready position and I did the same.
There was a brief pause, just long enough to suck in a quick breath and then he came at me. I saw where he was going, saw where his sword was going, and I saw where he was going to leave an opening. In a step and lunge, I ended it.
Felicks dropped to his knees both hands going to his rib cage, "owww" he groaned. I honestly hadn't meant to jab him that hard, but really what did the idiot expect running at me like that?
"Um…Nathaniel?" a hand lightly touched my shoulder.
I whipped around ready to defend against the next attack. Mica quickly back peddled from me both hands up in surrender. "I come in peace!" he blurted.
For a very brief moment I thought about attacking him anyways. Mica was tied for second best in our class, so I knew he could take it…probably. But almost immediately my logic kicked back in and told me how immature and senseless that would be.
I huffed, lowering the practice sword and yanked off my helmet, ripping out a few strands of hair that had gotten stuck in it. I still had a boundless boil of frustration stewing in my gut and I wanted to take it out on something.
"Are you okay?" Mica asked, cautiously approaching me but wisely staying out of immediate attacking range.
I opened my mouth to answer but a harsh curt voice called out from the side of the practice mats.
"Blondie take five. Now."
I sighed and turned to face Sensei Isadora. The nearly sixty year old woman stood tall with her feet apart and her arms crossed, her sharp hawk like gaze penetrating right through me. "Yes master" I said respectfully, holding my hands to my sides and giving her a proper bow.
Mica followed me off the training mats and to the side of the giant dojo where the bleachers where kept. They were mostly only there for performances but a gaggle of girls sat together in a huddle on one of the bottom sections. One of them suddenly jumped up saying "go get 'em Jeremy!" and clapping her hands. But then she quickly shut up and sat down when Sensei Isadora's eyes snapped to her.
This dojo was owned by a handful of courtiers and backed by several business men, and they loved it when people came to watch practice. That didn't stop my Master from exacting retribution when she felt that someone was interrupting however.
Mica and I went to the far side of the bleachers, away from the cheerleading girls, and hiked our way up to the top tier of seats. It was only practice so only three sets of bleachers had been extended from the wall, unlike during tournaments where this entire side of the gym was covered in spectators and all sixteen bleachers where drawn-out to compensate.
We sat silently for a few minutes drinking from our water bottles and watching Sensei Christopher try to instruct his pre-k class how to properly grip their practice swords. Usually I enjoyed watching the three and four year olds as they spent more time chasing each other around and playing with stuffing that came out of mat rips than they did practicing kendo. But today not even their adorableness could lift my bad mood.
"So…you going to tell me what's wrong?" Mica asked.
While I got along with just about everyone in class, Mica was the only one I would really consider a friend. Not that I could ever let my parents know that. With his sandy colored hair covered in beads and pulled back in dreadlocks and the piercing over his left eyebrow he looked more like a beach bum than an heir to a minor lordship.
"It's been a long day" I said, not looking at him.
We watched three of the children start an impromptu summersault race. None of them had much control over where they were going and one slipped of the 18 inch high mat while the other two collided with each other.
Mica let me brood for a minute, but as usual he didn't allow me to stew for long. "This about that Malory girl again?" he asked.
Just hearing her name sent my blood boiling. How dare she, how dare she insinuate that my parents only cared about me based on my performance. Yes, they cared that I got good grades, and yes they cared that I did well in Kendo, and yes, they cared that I always upheld the family honor and behaved civilized, unlike her the ridiculous, callous, insufferable-
"Do I need to get away from you right now because you're getting that face again" Mica said, already leaning an inch or two away from me.
"I don't have a face" I snapped
"Yes you do, you just keep it well hidden under the mask. But it's there. Scowling away."
"…sorry" I mumbled, looking down at my clenched hands and willing them to relax. "And how do you know what I look like under the mask, they completely cover our heads".
"I wasn't talking about the Kendo mask"
I didn't know what to say to that so I didn't say anything. We both sat in silence again. It was long past our five minute break but Sensei Isadora didn't look like she even remotely intended to call us over any time soon.
I sighed. "Yes, it's Malory".
"Did she call blondie again? Whys that bug you so much anyways, Sensei does it all the time. Hell I do it."
"I don't know, it just does. But that's not it, well, okay she did call me blondie again and that certainly didn't help. But that's not it"
Mica just watched me.
I took a deep breath and gave him a recounting of the crazy day I'd had. Starting with the principal yelling at me. I told him about Amber, and about all that wasted time on my Egyptian project, and about playing detective, and finally I told him about Malory's and I's argument.
"I just can't understand that girl" I said running a frustrated hand through my hair. "I was just walking her home, helping her stay out of the rain and she completely throws it back in my face".
Mica raised an eyebrow at me, "what's so hard to understand? She didn't want you to walk her home, it's that simple"
"No it's not. Nothing is simple with her! I was just trying to be a gentleman and be nice but apparently that wasn't good enough for her!" I threw my head back and took a chug of my water bottle to keep myself from grinding my teeth together.
Mica sighed, then looked me in the eye to make sure I was listening. "Okay, Nathaniel, how did you feel when she first started helping you look for your keys?"
"What does that have to do with her being pig headed and blowing up at me?"
"Just answer the question"
I shrugged. "I don't know…weird"
"Kind of awkward huh?"
"Yeah I guess"
"Okay so think about how she must have felt when you tried to help her. Weird and awkward I bet."
"That's not…it's different. I was just doing the right thing. And not because I want to rub it everyone's face that I'm all noble or whatever" I glared at the ground remembering Malory's accusation of me being Mr. perfect. I hated it when she said that. I wasn't perfect, far from it in fact.
Mica blew out a breath, "look, I only have your account of this girl to go off of, but from what you've told me it sounds like she doesn't like anybody helping her. She's more of a stand on your own two feet girl than some quietly suffering little Cinderella waiting for prince charming. And to have you, her rival, trying to fill in that gallant save-the-girl prince roll, well I bet that threw her for quite the loop. I know I'd be suspicious if I'd been in her position".
I didn't have an answer to that. Well okay I did, but everything I wanted to say sounded childish and petulant even in my head, so I kept my mouth shut.
Mica blew out a breath, "Sensei's waving me over. Don't forget to drink some water. And the offer to my birthday party this weekend still stands. I don't care if you have to stage an elaborate escape from the library, you're coming okay"
"I told you. Midterms. I have to study"
"Don't wanna hear it man. Your coming" Mica said, waving over his shoulder as he descended the stairs.
I went back to watching the children but I wasn't really seeing them. I guess Mica had a point. I'd been pretty resilient to Malory helping me today, and I still wasn't sure that she wasn't trying to play some kind of angle. But I'd honestly just wanted to help her and give a proper thankyou this afternoon. But if I was suspicious, it makes sense that she'd be too.
That's where the argument started but as for where it went-
I dropped my head already feeling a scowl coming on. After I smoothed my features back to normal and was certain I could keep them there I looked up again.
She didn't have a right to say anything about my parents that was true, but…I suppose that means I didn't have a right to say anything about hers either. I almost winced remembering her shrill voice when she told me to shut up. I guess I'd hit a sore spot.
I sighed. It was a stupid argument.
Tomorrow I'd apologize and maybe finally give her a suitable thankyou…maybe I'd start by telling her I had no ulterior motives. She wouldn't trust me, but she might at least permit me to finish speaking before she said something biting and snarky. Actually, it would probably be best if she does try to say something clever and crass, that way we can just go back to the way things were with our rivalry and it will all be okay…and I'll know that she's okay.
Confident in this course of action I stood to join the class as Sensei Isadora called us all for the usual end of lesson wrap up. But half way down the stairs one of the entrance door banged open and I felt my stomach drop to my shoes.
There stood my father, his usual scowl in place. My mind started trying to make sense of his sudden appearance. Why was he here, he never picked me up from Kendo.
Unless I was really in a lot of trouble. What had Amber been saying to him?
His eyes roamed the gym landing on me almost instantly. Like the rest of our family, father was well practiced at keeping his emotions hidden. To anybody else nothing in his demeanor changed, but I saw the slight squint of his eyes, and the nearly imperceptible tightening of his jaw.
My stomach would not be coming back out of my shoes any time soon.
"This day sucks" I said to no one in particular. Auntie hadn't come home last night and I being the horrible gardener that I am, had overwatered several of the plants this morning. Actually a few more than several, it was more like all of them. I hadn't noticed until the pots started leaking out their bottoms, soaking up the carpets.
Castiel chuckled beside me. "What's got your panties in a twist? It's not even first period yet".
I groaned, plonking my head down on the picnic table he, Lysander, and I were sitting at.
"I've go' gym f'rs" I mumbled into the wood. Amazingly they both understood me.
"Worried about messing up your pretty hair" Castiel said, placing one if his giant hands on my head and twisting it around messing up my hair. I just let him, not even bothering to lift my head. I didn't care, I'd felt sick this morning and I hadn't even bothered to brush it. It was too short to get all that tangled anyways. I also didn't feel like eating breakfast and my stomach was still twisting up in knots which meant gym was going to suck. "At least it's our short day" Castiel said, pulling his arm back. His words didn't help.
"Also with Amber suspended she won't be able to bother you this morning" Lysander commented. That got me to perk up.
"Oh yeah I forgot about that" I said. Suddenly my morning wasn't so bleak. It was still crappy but the next two hours wouldn't be spent in their usual Wednesday misery at least. Amber took a particular amount of joy in teasing me during gym. It didn't help that Mr. Boris hated my guts seeing as I'd been my usual charming self when I'd first met him. In hindsight I guess he was just trying to be nice and welcoming but seriously the dude was weird. Anyways, I'd been black listed in his class since day one and while I don't think he intentionally ignored what Amber was doing, there was still no way he'd be helping me if I complained. Not that I ever would, that would mean admitting I needed help with the pom-pom haired princess, which I didn't.
2 hours later I was regretting my earlier optimism. With Amber gone, Li, Charolette, and Capucine had taken it upon themselves to act in her steed and exact revenge. I was still picking gum wads out of my hair.
"Ow" I mumbled when someone bumped into my sore shoulder, "ow" and when someone hit my other shoulder, "ow", in fact my whole body was just a splotchy mass of bruises. Its official I hate basketball. The three witches took advantage of the class to chuck big orange balls at me from all directions. It wasn't that I was uncoordinated, or even all that bad at athletics, but when you've got three projectiles being hurled at you from various angles the fact of the matter is, you're not going to block all of them. Li kept tripping me, either with her legs or by throwing a ball at my knees. Charolette actually having some physical prowess, would hip check or flat out ram into me. Mr. Boris praised her for her competitiveness. Capucine can't throw for shit, but she still made out to be a pretty annoying little gremlin by sneaking around behind me and bouncing the ball of the back of my head whenever I wasn't looking. We were on the same team for gods sake!
So yeah, I may have, kinda, sort of, tackled her after the fifth time she did it. Mr. Boris had not been pleased, especially when I pinned her shoulders and hocked up a good loogie. Yeah, I had to clean the whole gym for the rest of class, and give up my fifteen minute break to keep cleaning, but honestly; totally worth it.
Especially now when I walked into chemistry and Capucine shot me a glare with one eye. The other she was still rubbing trying to get any residue saliva out of it apparently. I smirked at her. Totally worth it.
Li and Charolette also shot me a glare, more intense than they should have been, in fact they should be acting all superior seeing how they'd been giggling when Mr. Boris tried to ream me. I say tried because really I can't take anything that man says seriously. But what could I have possibly done in the five minute walk from the gym to the second floor science room?
They couldn't have found out about the couple of cheese whizzy cans I had hidden above the shower stalls could they? Every now and then I'd been poking the nozzles through the grates in their lockers and spraying everything inside down with hickory flavored goo, but neither of them are intelligent enough to have found out about that. And I knew it wasn't on Capucine's behalf that they were suddenly so pissed.
But then I caught Kim's eye, and she nodded her head at the two and then gave me a wink.
Having friends. Was. Awesome. I can't believe I've never tried it before. I smiled at her as I took my seat at the front of class. Pulling out my science journal, textbook, and my current novel I set it all out on the table. Now that I was in a better mood I really wanted to read another chapter in my book, but I probably should go over my notes before class started, especially because my lab partner was-
"Good morning Malory"
And there goes that good mood. I peeked out of the corner of my eye up at Nathaniel as he set his fancy expensive book bag down.
"Morning" I mumbled at the table, quickly grabbing my notebook and flipping it to last week's notes. I stared down at the neat little writing and only kept myself from fidgeting through sheer willpower. Nathaniel sat down neatly next to me, unclasping his book bag and pulling out his own notes.
We sat in complete and absolutely awkward silence for the next five minutes. Well awkward for me. Nathaniel looked as calm and composed as ever every time I glanced at him out of the corners of my eyes. Oh dammit he was sitting up straight while I was hunching over like a hag. Okay okay I could fix this. Don't straighten too fast it will look weird. Just casually lean back to look over your shoulder and say something to Iris, and when you come back forward just make sure you don't slouch. You can do this. Casual, casual!
"So I'd like to apologize" he suddenly said.
"Huh?" I jerked in my seat half way to turning around when my head quickly snapped back to him. Okay so this was the opposite of casual.
"For yesterday" he said, crossing his hands on the table and looking down at them. He took a breath and turned those golden eyes on me and I felt myself gulp. "It was insensitive of me not to consider how you must have felt about my help. Also I should not have attacked you so verbally. And I assure you none of what I'm doing now or what I was trying to then has some kind of catch. I just want you to know that I was wrong and that I apologize." He said it all clearly and evenly spaced, none of his words stringing together, and no uncomfortable nervousness in his tone at all.
I was still twisted around half way in my seat and looking at him over my shoulder.
…"Huh?" it was all I could say.
Nathaniel sighed. I don't know if he intended to say something more or just ignore me now that he'd said is peace, but then Mr. Humbelburg came waddling into class all nervous and squealy voice as usual.
"So sorry I'm late class!" he said hurrying his oversized girth to the front of the room, his rotund belly managing to bump Lysander's notebook off the table as it bounced by. "So sorry!" he said quickly, just like he did every morning when he inevitably nocked into someone or something. There was a reason I called him Mr. Bumbleburg behind his back.
He got to the front of the class and turned to us twiddling his fingers, "well, uh, welcome back students. I, uh, I hope you all did your homework this weekend", his voice went an octave higher before he coughed and settled it back down. "Let's see now, um, we, we were…" He looked to the black board and his tiny little eyes behind his coke bottle glasses darted around the equations on it. He got even redder and it was obvious to me he didn't remember what it was we were studying or what we were doing today. He never did.
"Mr. Humbelburg do you think we'll need gloves for today's experiment" Nathaniel said. Leave it to the student body president to save the teachers ass.
"Ah yes! That is correct Nathaniel" he said pointing at the boy, "If you will all form an orderly line at the cabinet, only one person per table is needed". Mr. Bumleburg said trying to seem as if he were in charge as everyone jumped from their seats and all but ignored him.
"I'll get them" Nathaniel said.
A shuffled and kicked my feet a little after he left. I still felt really off from his apology. What was I supposed to say back? I'm sorry too? But I wasn't…I think. Well okay, yeah I had gotten kind of mean, and I'm guessing that's at least playing a part in my twisty stomach, but that could just be because I'd gorged on cookies last night. Really I'd been a lot meaner to people before and none of that had ever bugged me, so why would it now?
Crap he's coming back. I hurriedly started arranging the lab equipment that was already on our table so that I didn't look like I was slacking off. Nathaniel sat back down and handed me my glasses.
I took a deep breath. "Thanks" I said. There, that wasn't so hard. Maybe if I just pretended nothing happened this would all be okay! ... I could dream at least.
Mr. Bumbleburg was already scurrying about the classroom worriedly as people started lighting their Bunsen burners. I lit ours while Nathaniel grabbed a beaker and opened the hydrogen peroxide. Wait a minute, why was he measuring out that compound? This experiment didn't call for it.
"What are you doing?" I said, grabbing his wrist to stop him.
"The experiment" he said, it sounded like he wanted to add a 'duh' onto the end of that.
"Then why are you using hydrogen peroxide, we don't need any" I said, trying really hard to keep my own 'duh' out.
"Ummm, yeah, we do. That's what the H2O2 stands for. It's not water. That part comes later."
I felt my eye twitch, "I know what its chemical compound is and I know the H20 comes later. But you're mixed up, it's not H202 it's Hg2+"
"Why would we need any mercury, that's ridiculous. And why did you turn on the Bunsen burner?"
"Because that's the experiment we're doing prim-press!"
Mr. Bumbelburg waddled back to the front of the class, seemingly a bit more at ease. "Now if you all do the experiment properly" he said, "you should get a nice bursting effect".
Nathaniel and I both turned to each other at the same time, "See!" we said, making Mr. Bumbelburg jump at our insistant voices.
"Malory, I'm not messing up this experiment for you" Nathaniel said, "Did you not do the homework. It outlines the chemical equation."
"Uh, exactly! And I know there's a lot of H's in it, which apparently confused you, but I guarantee there is no hydrogen peroxide!"
"What are you two gabbing about?" Castiel asked from his seat at by the window our left, leaning around Lysander to look at us.
"He's/She's got the wrong equation!" we said at the same time.
"There's math in this?" I heard Iris asking.
Nathaniel stood up, stepping around our table and Mr. Bumbleburg and grabbing a piece of chalk.
"Look, you see this" he said writing out a brief equation involving Hydrogen Peroxide and Potassium Iodide. "The hydrogen peroxide is decomposed by the iodides ion, that's what causes the oxygen to form so rapidly. Right Mr. Humbleburg?" he looked to our teacher who still stood there.
"Um, w-well I suppose-"
"That's all great" I said standing up myself, "only we're not using either of those!" I walked to the blackboard as well, Mr. Bumbleburg quickly jumped out of my way and then shook his head back and forth between us with wide round eyes. I grabbed a piece of chalk and wrote down my own equation. "See!" I said, "It's the heat that causes decomposition in the mercury. Right Mr. Bumbleburg!"
"It-it's not bumble its-"
"What are you talking about? Where did you even get that equation?" Nathaniel said.
"Me! Where'd you get yours? Did you just pull a random one out of the book?"
"It was on the blackboard last week, if you had actually bothered to pay attention you would have seen that. Right Mr. Humbleburg?"
"Ah, well-"
"The blackboard equation was just an example Blondie. The equation we were supposed to use was on page 265, right Mr. Bumbleburg?"
"I, um-"
We both looked right at him, as did the rest of the class. I was certain I was right. Mr. Bumbleburg was gonna say it was my equation in two seconds and then I could stick my tongue out at button-down and everything would be back to normal.
Mr. Bumbleburg stuttered, taking small uneven steps backwards, until he bumped into Nathaniel's and I's table, "I don't, well you see, I uh, I-it's just t-that, well b-both of you, I…um…
I DON'T KNOW OKAY!"
Everyone jumped as our typically stuttering quiet teacher shouted at the top of his squeaky lungs.
"I don't know!" he said again, "I don't know any of this stuff. I barely passed my own high school chemistry. I didn't even make it through college. My mother got me this job! I just take my lectures right out of the book, and pray that nobody notices! I don't remember what we did last week. I don't know what I told you to do for homework" he wailed.
We all stared at him wide eyed and gob smacked as he literally started sobbing, throwing his belly and arms across Nathaniel's and I's table and things. Note to self, burn all of that. But then he turned around focusing his little walrus eyes on Nathaniel and I. "AND you two! You had to go and be smart. You couldn't just leave well enough alone and be normal uncaring teenagers!"
"Mr. Humbleburg Nathaniel said carefully, standing up straight and taking a cautious step towards our teacher, "I understand that you're under a lot of stress. But perhaps it would be best if I took you to the teachers' lounge to-"
"Nooooo, you don't understand" he moaned, "none of you understand!" he whirled around facing the rest of the class, nearly clipping Nathaniel when he swung his plump arm around. "You with your perfect young adult lives, you don't know what it's like! You don't know what you all do to me! Like you!" he said suddenly pointing at Violet. The poor girl starred back wide eyed like a little rabbit. Don't move Violet, it can't see if you don't move! "Always with the doodling" Mr. Humbleburg was saying. "The never ending doodling, it's like you just want to rub it in my face that you have a talent! And you two" his eyes darted between Rosa and Lysander, "the fashion this, fashion that. It's all, will this look good with my hair, and what color laces should I use. And I know what you think of me. You think that youre better than me because of my khakis! You don't think I can pull fashion off! Well I can, I can be just as-just as- just as HIP as you can! And YOU!" he pointed at Iris, "why does hair have to be orange?!"
"I-what?" Iris stumbled out.
"Your hair." He said taking a few lurching steps towards her "It's so bright and orange. Every time I turn around I think you've somehow managed to set yourself on fire!"
"Okay" Castiel said, slowly standing up, "as much as I hate to agree with Prez maybe we should get you to the teachers' lounge, with a nice cup of coffee-"
Oh crap. No Castiel don't mention the coffee machine in the lounge, its-.
"NOOOO!" Mr. Humbleburg said whipping around towards the red head. "Don't you see? It's broken! It's been broken, just like my life." He grabbed his face and started sobbing again. The whole class exchanged several looks, some of us shrugging, some trying to sink beneath their tables, some just starring in petrified shock.
Castiel swallowed and tried again, "Um, maybe-"
"And you" Mr. Humbleburg jumped up and pointed at Castiel, "you're the worst of all, why can't you come in late to my class?!"
"…what?" Castiel said completely dumbfounded, I think we all were at this point.
"Oh don't play coy with me! I know you come late to all the others teacher's classes, that is if you come at all! But no, you're nearly on time here, making me look even worse! Don't you have the decency? Can't you at least come in after me?"
Nathaniel looked over his shoulder at me and our eyes met, our very shocked confused eyes. "Is Castiel getting berated for being a halfway decent student right now?" he asked.
"Yeah, I think he is." I said, "So…we've officially entered the twilight zone I guess"
"AAAAHH! No shut up! I can't- I can't do this!" Mr. Bumbleburg shouted. He turned towards the big open windows and quickly wobbled towards them like a charging hippo.
Crap was he going to-
"Castiel stop him!" Nathaniel shouted, running after our teacher.
But Castiel was closer. He jumped around his table and wrapped his arms around Mr. Humbleburgs giant belly just as the man took a leap at the window.
Castiel must have stopped him because Mr. Humbleburg only got half way out, his size filling up almost the entire frame with his sausage legs kicking as he tried to wiggle his way out.
"He's too big!" Castiel said, unable to get his arms around our teachers many layers of fat.
"Then grab his shirt" Nathaniel said, reaching for a leg just as Lysander went to grab the other side of Mr. Bumbleberg.
"No I mean" Castiel started saying, then he let go stepping back. Mr. Humbleburg didn't budge, "he's too big for the window".
Mr. Humbleburgs legs kicked fruitlessly a few more times before he apparently gave up and went limp.
"Oh…um" Nathaniel regarded the massive body in front of him, with obvious confusing on what to do next. The three boys looked at each other over our teachers butt. They glanced around at the rest of us, then once more at each other, then as one turned back to our teacher. Lysander grabbed his chin, Castiel scratched his head. Nobody said anything. I don't think any of us know what to at this point.
Finally Nathaniel let out a long suffering sigh and took charge. "Lysander, grab a leg" he said, "Castiel get a hold of whatever you can to help yank him through". Together it took them four big tugs to pull our teacher back through…and he was sobbing.
His arms shot out grabbing hold of a startled Castiel's shoulders. Poor Castiel looked back at the man wide eyed and completely flabbergasted. He kept a hold Mr. Humbleburgs forearms, probably worried the man would make another swan dive attempt. But Mr. Humbleburg just kept sobbing, falling to his knees at Castiels feet, "why doesn't she love me?" he moaned, "the only light in my life and she rejects me. Do you think it's my hair?" he said looking imploringly up at Castiel.
"Uh, I don't know, maybe?" Castiel said.
Wrong thing to say apparently as Mr. Humbleburg let out a great wail and buried his head in Castiels stomach.
After a pause, Castiel awkwardly patted his back "uh, there…there" he said, "plenty of fish in the sea, right? Um…"He gave Lysander an imploring look, but the singer just raised his hands in a 'what do you expect me to do' gesture. Nathaniel was pinching the bridge of his nose and shaking his head.
But then seeing as nobody was paying attention Mr. Humbleburg suddenly shoved Castiel away, causing the boy to land on his butt with an 'oof'. The walrus jumped up and barreled past the boys nocking Lysander down as well and skirting past a startled Nathaniel before he could grab him, and then he came…right at me.
I jumped back in shock but he just shoved past me and I only fell against the blackboard. Nathaniel reached me and froze, and when I looked up I saw why. Mr. Humbleburg had grabbed the fire extinguisher from under his desk and he was pointing it right at us.
"None of this would have happened if she hadn't shown up!" he said, jabbing the nozzle at me. "She's the reason you started acting the way you do!" his eyes flicked to Nathaniel but the nozzle still pointed at me. I knew it didn't hurt. Logically, there was no way the foam could hurt. But logic had sort of flown out the window ten minutes ago in this classroom and I really didn't want to test if it still applied to the fire extinguisher.
"You two with your brains! It all would have been fine if you hadn't started trying to best each other and show me up! It's not my fault I'm not that smart! Why do you have to remind me?! It's not fair!"
"Mr. Humbleburg…" Nathaniel said cautiously, holding his hands up in a non-threatening gesture.
"SILENCE!" he shouted, flipping the safety tab off.
I had just a moment to suck in breath of air and then something was wrapping around my middle and yanking me back. Nathaniel turned me around and bent over me, my back to his chest and his back to Mr. Humbleburg, just as the fire extinguisher went off. I squeezed my eyes shut expecting it to be cold or fizzy, or…something.
Only nothing hit us.
I opened my eyes just as a white foam covered Mr. Humbleburg went streaking past us, towards the window, and out the window this time, the foam making him slippery enough to wiggle through.
There was a moment of stunned silence.
And then chairs were scraping back as everybody jumped from their seats and rushed to the windows, myself and Nathaniel included.
We all watched as a foamy Mr. Bumbleburg rolled himself out of the giant Hydrangea bushes and went running across the lawn, waving his arms around, and alternating between maniacal laughter and even more sobbing. Mr. Faraize and the principal came rushing out of the front doors, our principal shrieking "Milton! What are you doing!" She turned to Mr. Faraize, "stop him!"
"W-what!? How?"
"I don't know, just stop him!"
So then Mr. Faraize started chasing around Mr. Humbleburg and trying grab a hold of one of the chemistry teachers flapping arms.
Mr. Boris came out the gym doors, and with more screeching from the principal, (who was now acting like an anxious Mexican jumping bean on the front steps), he too gave chase. A confused Jade stepped out of the green house and nearly had a conniption when he caught sight of the Hydrangeas. More windows we're opening and the noise of a hundred muddled conversations began filling the air. Mr. Humbleburg took this as an opportunity to start shouting at everyone about whatever oddly perceived flaws he felt we all had.
"Well" Castiel said as Mr. Boris lunged and wrapped his arms around the chemistries teacher's legs bringing them both to the ground, "enjoy this Prez because it will be the one time I ever compliment you". He slapped his hand on Nathaniel's back, "way to go, you sent our chem teacher into a nervous breakdown. I don't think anybody could have pulled this off but you two" his other hand landed on my head and ruffled my hair. The thing about Castiel; this was actually a compliment for him.
He went back to his table and grabbed his things, obviously please that he could go home even earlier today. Slowly everyone began to shuffle away from the windows and follow suit as Mr. Humbleburg was half led half carried to a bench, the principal shrieking at him the whole time.
Nathaniel and I looked at each other sideways. I know I wanted things to go back to normal between us, but crazy insane ludicrous Sweet Amoris High normal was not exactly what I meant. Oh hey look the paramedics are coming.
Beside me Nathaniel groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose.
I don't know if it was the familiarity of that gesture or just the stress of the whole situation finally catching up to me but I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Nathaniel glanced at me, his eyes questioning what I could possibly think was so funny. I shrugged in a 'what can you do' manner, before a few more giggles escaped me.
Nathaniel let out an exasperated breath and shook his head, but just before he looked away I caught the trace of a smile on his lips.
.
.
.
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AN: Soooo…would you believe I was shooting for five thousand words on this chapter? (She said 50 thousand characters later.)
I only intended to have the walk home, the fight and a bit of their inner turmoil. But I really didn't want to end on a sour note. Even though Drama is one of the story tags on this, and trust me there's going to be a lot of that later, I still would like to keep this in relative 'feel good' waters for now. So I added the chem class and nervous breakdown bit...and I just realized that I consider a mental collapse to be considered feel good. Hmm…
Anyways, I would just like to say that emotions are hard. Important but hard. Writing the fight between Rory and Nathaniel was pretty difficult and despite taking three or four cracks at it I still don't like it. The writing needs to flow but at the same time arguments are anything but smooth and when you have a character like Malory, elegance has already gone out the window. But I'll admit it was good practice so even if it's not all that great I'm still proud of it.
Also, randomness: if you all notice, I am now writing 'gonna' with that O. I did check on google how to spell it, and it said with an O but that technically gonna's not a word. So I also asked a friend of mine who majored in Latin and minored in English (real quick, can we all just celebrate this particular friend who found an actual job that's not teaching using that degree?) and she said that while technically yes it is O, language is also ever evolving and because of the way we pronounce the O as a U it can also be considered acceptable to spell it as gunna. Because…English that's why. But upon further contemplation I have decided that while gonna looks weird to me I think that gunna looks weirder to a lot more people.
And one more thing Kirsty pointed out: I literally sat on my bed giggling when I realized that I've been spelling Mr. Faraize's name wrong. But come on he has a silly name, and he is silly person. Quite frankly I think we should just call him Mr. Frizzlepants. I mean he's kind of like a cat, you know that awkward one that your friend has, that is really clingy, but it keeps tripping over itself as it tries to do graceful cat things. Like when it's coming over to you for cuddles but then you move and it's like retreat, and then it flops all over itself trying to run away. That's what Mr. Faraize is like. Actually you know what, this is a thing now. Mr. Firaize well henceforth be Fr. Frizzlepants in the author's notes.
Next chapter will be less heavy as these two goofballs clumsily skirt around each other trying to properly apologize for their behavior. They're good kids, they're just idiots. Blessed, absurd, intelligent, idiots.
Thank you for your time, and I hope you have an astounding day!
