(Susan's POV)
Everyone holds their breath as Evalynn and Mr. Jackson stare at each other. Seconds pass. Minutes. Trying to break it apart, I loudly slam my book down but no one budges. When that doesn't work, I scoot my chair closer to my desk and clear my throat.
"Sorry," I say as most of the class snaps back to reality. "What page did you say it was, Mr. Jackson?" No response.
"Is it really you, Liam?" I roll my eyes and let them land on Evalynn. She still sits in her seat, gazing up at Mr. Jackson with that stupid, lost look on her face.
He slowly shakes his head yet noticeably holds Evalynn's hands tighter in his. "No," he dejectedly lets out. "No, I'm sorry. My name's Dale Jac- I mean...Mr. Jackson. I'm your homeroom teacher..."
A single tear rushes down Evalynn's cheek and she slowly begins to lose it. "Not again, Liam, please! I can't loose you again!" Mr. Jackson gets onto one knee so they're at eye level and wipes her silly tears. "It has to be you! You have to remember me!"
The whole class watches with fascination as if it were some type of ludicrous entertainment. Mr. Jackson wears the saddest face ever imaginable and I can't help but feel a sort of sinking feeling in my chest. "I'm so sorry, Evalynn. I'm so sorry but I'm not the person your referring to...I wish I was though...I wish I was him so you wouldn't have to cry..." Jaws drop and soon my quick pity turns into pure hatred and anger. 5 minutes: that's all it took. 5 minutes and Evalynn already has the man wrapped around her finger!
"Don't make me throw up," I mumble as I turn my body to face the front of the classroom. Whispers are being exchanged behind me and I can't help but listen as I take out my lipstick and carefully reapply it.
"Have they met before?"
"The way he looks at her, it's so cute!"
"Wait until the board hears about this mess!" A huge discussion breaks out from this and I start to doze out until I hear, "God, just imagine how stupid Susan must feel!"
"BE QUIET!" I snap as I abruptly stand up and knock over my chair. Heads turn in my direction and my cheeks begin to burn. I stand as everyone, except for Evalynn and Mr. Jackson, stares at me until the bell rings. People gradually begin to pack up their things and pass to exit through the door, judgmental gazes plastered upon their faces. I deliberately avoid all of their eyes and watch as Mr. Jackson lets go of Evalynn's hand with a coy smile on his face. Evalynn just nods her head and they part, Evalynn fetching her things and walking toward the door. She catches me watching her and holds my eyes until she walks out.
"Is there something wrong, Susan?" Mr. Jackson now stands behind his desk, looking at me with a strange expression as he straightens a pile of papers.
Of course there is! I shake my head and put on my sweetest smile. "No," I casually lie. "I'm just feeling a little...out of it today...Sorry, I should really get to my next class. See you soon, Mr. Jackson."
"Alright, I hope you feel well soon. Goodbye, Susan."
I turn and bolt to the door. My hand reaches the handle and I eagerly scurry out of the room; a heavy sigh released once the door is closed behind me.
It's official: I hate her.
"Susan!"
Carly nudges me in the arm and points behind us. "It's your sister."
Irritated, I wipe the corner of my mouth with a napkin and and put my spoon down. "What do you want?" I say without even looking at Lucy.
Lucy sits herself in between Carly and I on the bench and looks me in the eye. Behind her, I see Carly staring me down with a rather annoyed look on her face. "What do you think you're doing? Lynn's waiting for you at your usual spot!" Sure enough, I look across the courtyard and find Evalynn sitting alone under the tall oak tree. "Go over there and talk to her!"
"Listen," Carly interrupts, making a very surprised Lucy jump. "It's Lucy, right? Lynn and Su aren't really on speaking terms right now so your sister is going to sit with me today. Actually, she'll sit with me everyday from now on. Why don't you go on ahead and tell your lonely little friend over there the details and leave the big kids alone, alright?"
My sister gets up and smiles at Carly. "I don't like you very much." All of a sudden, Lucy grabs my hands and starts to pull me with more force a girl her age should have. "You're going to talk to Lynn and work everything out whether you like it or not!"
Still in shock, Lucy practically drags me halfway through the courtyard as all the other girls watch. They all begin to whisper and point at the scene until I finally steady myself and shove Lucy off me. I must have been too rough because she falls to the ground and her eyes become glossy.
"What's going on?" I turn around and see Evalynn running towards us, making her way around me and getting Lucy to her feet. "Are you okay, Lu?" Evalynn holds Lucy close as Lucy cries into her arm. Suddenly, Evalynn glares at me and takes a step closer. "What's wrong with you? She's your sister!"
"Well, the brat didn't have to pull me!"
Lucy sniffles a little and looks up at Evalynn. "Sometimes," she barely whispers. "I wish she wasn't my sister...I sometimes wish you were instead." Evalynn opens her mouth to say something but no words come out. She looks at Lucy, then to me; the look of guilt is easily read on her face.
"I hate you," I spit. "I hate you so much, Keynes."
"Su," she whimpers in a pleading manner. "Su, please! I know you don't mean that! I know you're just angry but it won't-"
"You left me alone for months, you steal my friends, and you've turned my family against me! My own family! No words will ever be able to describe how much hatred I hold for you!"
"I haven't done anything wrong!" Evalynn screams. "All I've ever done is try to be a good friend but you're always pushing me away! I've tried to help you remember, I've tried to help bring you closer to your siblings, I've tried everything I could to bring you back! Don't blame me when it's actually your fault you're miserable!"
My hands begin to tremble and I have the sudden yet deep urge to punch Evalynn right in her face. "You have no right to speak to me like that, you inferior child!" Evalynn automatically turns pale and backs off.
"I-I do," she mumbles. "You're not a queen."
"But I am." Lucy and Evalynn's eyes widen hopefully and I realize my mistake. I begin to back away but Evalynn grabs my arm.
"You are?"
"Yes," I calmly reply. "And you never will be. You're just a sad girl who can only dream to be on top but in reality, you can never be the best. Face it, Evalynn, I'm better than you." I pull away and put on a blank face. "From here on out, I want nothing to do with you. Do you understand?"
"No!" Lucy shrieks. She runs up in front of me and grabs me by the shoulders. "You can't do this, Su! You two have been through too much for you to just throw it away! You're making a big-"
Someone pulls Lucy off me and I meet the empty eyes of Evalynn. "I understand." Lucy gawks at her with unbelieving eyes and she shakes her head.
"Lynn! Don't just give up! You have to-"
"I'm not giving up, Lu. Never...Listen, Susan. I promise I'll leave you alone but know this: Whenever you need a friend, I'll always be here. Always."
"I wouldn't count on it." I swallow and stare hard at Evalynn. "And don't worry, I'm going to the Dean's office after this to request a new dorm room. Oh, and you're off the archery team." She nods and guides Lucy and herself towards oak tree. I can't help but watch as they finally make it to the shelter of the shading leaves and collapse onto the ground, holding each other close as they cry.
(Lynn's POV)
"Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
I squeeze Lucy's hand tightly and pull her into a hug. "I think I'll be fine rooming by myself, Lu. I do appreciate your concern though." I wave to her as she makes her way down the hall and rounds the corner to her own room. I unlock the door and twist the knob, heaving out a sigh as I see Susan's empty side of the room. I throw my book bag on the surface of my desk and belly flop onto my bed. For the first time in my life, I feel...nothing. I feel...numb. I turn on my back and gaze at the ceiling above. "Help me Aslan...God..."
Thump. I sit up and scan around the vacant room to see where the noise came from. Next to my nightstand lies an open bible, pages gently bent against the floor from the fall. As I flip the black book over, I notice the first verse of the page and smile to myself.
"Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."
I reach over the edge of the bed and pick it up, smoothing the sacred pages out and hugging the printed words close to me.
I stay like this for the rest of the night. The lovely text kept close to my heart as I curl into a ball and think about Narnia and all the beautiful memories that lie with it. I close my eyes and try to imagine that I'm not alone, that I'm back home- back at Cair Paravel, back with Liam.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Allow me to re-introduce myself since most of you have probably forgotten me who I am: Hello, my name is JoAnne and I enjoy long walks on the beach and unicorns. But seriously, please don't hate me for not updating in forever! This chapter might seem a bit...weird(?) Forgive me, this Asian is rusty:p Allow me to be completely honest, I have no idea where I'm going with this- I need Liam back:( Uh well, I hope some people like this chapter despite the flaws and I'll try my absolute best to update more than I have been recently! Oh, and the verse used above is 1 Peter 5:7, just in case you wanted to know:) Anyways, I think everyone who's reading this right should know that I'm so, so appreciative of you! Review to make my life?
Much appreciation xx