Chapter Seven: Trouble At School
Erin strolled through the corridors of her new high school, St. Ignatius, noting its vast size compared to her previous school.
It had been a week since Luke had reached out to her, a surprising absence considering she had expected him to continue monitoring her behavior as the 'good girl.'
The mere thought of Luke led Erin to subtly bite her lip, acknowledging a mix of relief and curiosity at his silence. She pondered whether he had forgotten about her or was biding his time before approaching her.
Finding her way to her English class, Erin opted for a seat at the back to avoid drawing unnecessary attention that tended to trigger her anxiety.
The messages from Voight later in the day brightened her mood, eagerly anticipating their meeting after school, preferably away from the station for a more private interaction.
Erin retrieved her notebook and pencil upon hearing students entering the classroom engaging in various discussions about their plans. While she was occupied observing the room, a student interrupted her by saying, 'Excuse me.'
Startled, Erin turned to find a teenage boy with dark skin and a shaved head standing next to her desk. 'Yes?' she inquired. 'You're in my seat,' the boy stated, arms crossed.
Erin glanced between him and the desk, replying, 'It doesn't have your name on it.' As she confirmed that indeed his name wasn't on the desk, she noted that they were no longer in middle school where desks had assigned name tags.
Leaning back, Erin asserted, 'No, it does not.' The boy persisted, 'It doesn't matter if it doesn't have my name on it; I always sit here, newbie.' He reminded Erin, 'You've only been here for a week, so you're not familiar with the seating arrangements yet.'
Erin inquired why she had to move to another seat when there were additional seats available in the class. Despite the attention they were attracting from other students, Erin chose to ignore it, particularly when she overheard someone comment, 'This chick has guts talking to Michael like that.' Erin assumed it was a girl based on the voice.
The brunette was firm in her decision not to be coerced into relocation. When the boy provocatively asked, 'Oh, really?' while getting close to her face, claiming that she also had guts for talking back, Michael added with a smirk that she deserved to remain seated there.
With a confident smile, Erin acknowledged his remark. 'By the way, what is your name?' Michael inquired as he settled into the desk next to hers, gesturing for a kid who was about to sit there to move away. 'It's Erin Lindsay,' she responded, maintaining eye contact.
'I cannot believe that Michel allowed her to speak to him in such a manner,' murmured a blond girl, her blue eyes narrowed as she observed the conversation between the two.
'Someone is intruding on your relationship with Michel,' chimed in the girl next to her. 'Please refrain from speaking, Lisa,' Tish retorted.
'This girl will soon realize the appropriate way to communicate with others.' Tish stated firmly as she observed Michel's laughter. 'This woman, Erin, will quickly understand her position in this school,' Tish added, her blue eyes showing a hint of animosity.
· Lunchtime *
Erin walked to her locker to store her math books and retrieve her history book in order to avoid returning until she needed to gather her belongings for home. As she closed the locker door and turned around, she proceeded towards the cafeteria. 'Hold it right there, Newbie,' a female voice exclaimed, halting Erin's progress towards the cafeteria.
'May I assist you?' inquired the brunette, as she turned to spot the blonde from her English class, accompanied by two other girls positioned on either side of her. Despite sensing a confrontational atmosphere, Erin maintained her composure and focused her attention on the three girls, her arms clutching her history books.
'I will offer you a single caution regarding individuals with whom you should not engage in conversation,' Tish stated, advancing towards the younger teenager, whose hazel eyes locked onto the blonde standing in front of her. 'Know that Michel is my boyfriend, so it would be prudent for you to keep your distance from him,' Tish declared with a sneer.
Erin raised an eyebrow, unsure of the person she was conversing with in history class, but knowing that he was merely someone attempting to assert authority over her. 'I apologize, but I have the right to converse with anyone I choose,' Erin sarcastically retorted.
'Oh, you're mistaken. I am in charge at this school, which implies that everyone here is aware not to obstruct my path,' Tish declared as she forcefully pushed Erin against a locker.
'Consider this a warning,' the blonde sneered. As Erin prepared to push Tish away, Michel intervened by interjecting, 'Tish, release Erin!' This prompted the blonde to divert her attention towards her boyfriend, greeting him with a smile. 'Oh, hello, darling,' Tish said in greeting.
'I was just advising the new girl to be mindful of who she speaks to.' Tish asserted as she locked eyes with Erin, recognizing her vaguely but unable to place where she had seen the brunette before; however, she intended to inquire with her friend Terri, as the fair-haired girl was familiar with most individuals in Chicago.
Michel firmly expressed to his girlfriend, 'I am allowed to talk to anyone I please, and Erin is a pleasant person.' He observed Erin moving away from the locker and exchanging a glare with Tish. 'Shall we proceed to have lunch together?' Michel suggested, prompting his girlfriend to agree.
'Very well, Lisa, Reese, let us proceed,' she directed the other girls, who cast unfriendly looks at Erin before accompanying them to the cafeteria, leaving Erin alone in the hallway.
Erin, as Tish and the other girls departed with Michel standing in place, assured him, 'It's not a problem, Tish doesn't intimidate me.' They walked alongside each other, with Michel staying back after instructing Reese to inform Tish he would join them later. 'Do you have any plans for lunch?' he inquired, placing his hands in his pockets.
Erin declined the invitation to walk around, stating, 'No, I was simply going to roam until the next class begins.' She then inquired about Michel's plans, suggesting he should head to lunch to avoid upsetting Miss. Prissy. Michel assured her, 'She'll manage without me; I informed her I would meet later, but I have other tasks to attend to.' As they walked together, Erin, rolling her eyes, questioned Michel's motives, asking, 'So you are just following me for what reason? I prefer not to attract any trouble for talking to you.'
· Outside the school with Terri and Tish *
Meanwhile, Tish approached a young woman with dirty blond hair sitting outside with a group of boys smoking cigarettes. Tish greeted her, 'Can I assist you, Tish?' The girl named Terri looked up from her phone, curious about Tish's request.
Tish explained, 'Yes, I require your assistance with something.' After scaring off one of the boys, Tish elaborated, 'This new girl, Erin What's-her-face, is showing interest in my partner.' Terri listened with a raised eyebrow, prompting Tish to express her concern.
Terri inquired, 'What is Erin's last name?' as she disposed of her cigarette. Reese interjected, 'I believe it is Lindsay. Brown hair, hazel eyes, somewhat tall?' Terri sought confirmation as she recognized an Erin and needed to ascertain if it was the individual she knew.
'That description fits her,' Tish affirmed with a nod. 'She appears to be someone who ought to be apprehended. Will you assist me?' Tish inquired, accepting a cigarette from Terri.
Terri regarded Tish contemplatively. 'I will endeavor to help, but there will be a fee for my services,' she stated, extending her hand for payment.
Tish hesitated, expressing her desire to merely intimidate Erin into leaving Michel alone. 'Here, I have only $80 in cash,' the blond offered as she handed the money to Terri. 'That will suffice,' Terri confirmed.
'I will contact my associate to handle Lindsay,' Terri announced as she rose and walked away, leaving Tish to observe her departure.