The Online Couple
By Matthew Rozier
Chapter 9
"What am I going to do with you," said the principal sternly. "Attacking my daughter in the girls' showers? What a disgrace! You both should be ashamed of yourselves."
"But, sir-" said Herve.
"No buts. No excuse can make up for what you have done. I'm going to have to suspend you both! First, I'm going to call your parents. They won't be too happy about this, will they boys?"
"No, sir," said Herve and Nicholas glumly. They both lowered their heads and looked at the floor.
"Thank you, Jim. That is all."
Jim marched out of Mr. Delma's office. "Kids these days, hmph" he muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, Sissi (who was wearing her normal clothes, by the way) had found Odd still cloud gazing outside. She sat down on the grass next to him. "Odd?" she said shakily.
Odd sat up. "Oh, hi Sissi," he said. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh, Odd!" Sissi sobbed hugging Odd tightly. Odd, a little surprised, hugged her back gently.
"Sissi, do you mind telling me what's wrong?"
"Not here, may we go to my room?"
"Sure thing, Sissi." He took her by the hand and they walked slowly to her room. Sissi plopped herself down on her bed and put her face in her hands.
"Sissi, what's wrong?" said Odd in a very caring tone.
"It's Herve. He and Nicholas attacked me in the showers."
"What? How? When?"
"I had just finished my shower and was getting dressed when they barged in. Herve grabbed me and said some things."
Odd raised his eyebrows in interest. "Was anyone else in there? What did Herve say?"
Sissi sniffed. "No, I was alone. Herve said something about staying away from you. That you were trouble?"
Odd bit his lip. "What ever gave him that idea? Is it because of my reputation as far as girls are concerned?"
"No, it wasn't that at all. He mentioned how you and your friends are always hanging out and snooping around. He thinks that you are up to something."
Odd smiled. "Doesn't everybody?"
"Well, yeah, I guess. But this was different. He's determined to find out your secret and he told me to stay away from you until he found out."
"And then what?"
"Nothing, I managed to escape him just then. That was when Jim got there. I had screamed a couple of times, Jim must have heard me. I'm so glad he did. I sure hope they get expelled for this." Odd didn't say anything. He took a moment to let it sink in. "Odd, I'm so scared. What if Herve is right? What if you are bad news, what if—" Odd gently put his hand on her lips.
"Sissi," he said gently. I would never do anything to hurt you." He removed his hand and Sissi looked down. Odd put his hand under her chin and lifted it and looked into her eyes, but Sissi lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze. "Sissi, look at me." Odd put his hand on her cheek and kissed her. "Sissi, I care about you. I'd never harm you."
"But—"
Odd put a finger on her lips. "Shh. No more."
Sissi hugged Odd tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Oh, Odd! I'm so sorry I ever doubted you. It's all so clear now, Herve just went crazy. He's jealous, though he won't admit it." She pushed herself back, leaving her hands on Odd's shoulders and smiled. "Hey," she said, "want to watch the clouds some more?"
Odd grinned. "You bet, frog face!" Odd touched Sissi's nose playfully and darted off. Sissi giggled and took off after him, beaming.
"Don't call me that, you creep!"
THE END