Soul Master

7. Amèlie

In the five years I have been in this school, I have been made to feel invisible, inferior and unknowable. Today that was going to change.

With Asha glaring down at me, I had already guessed he had seen my art, he obviously had questions. Questions I couldn't answer because I didn't know either. He pulled at me, and I tried to brush him off, knowing his outburst was because he was frustrated and probably wanted answers.

Mally's voice came through the door and I briefly wiped away tears. All that was going through my head was that today was my birthday, and nobody had said a word to me about it, not without me prompting them, and that all I really wanted to do now was get home so I could get my contract.

My mind returned at once when Mally addressed me. I wasn't leaving class. I pulled my arm from Asha.

I felt his irritation in the cold gaze he set on me, and I felt like I was to blame, I wanted to let him know I was happy, that we would be fine, even if I didn't believe it myself. I just wanted him to stop looking at me with so much sadness. I did the best party trick I knew, I clicked my fingers, instantly stopping time and motion. With the limited few seconds I had I looked up at Asha, I wanted him to see me smiling so that he might smile too, I wanted him, more than anyone else to wish me happy birthday, the way he had done with his friends in the past. I hadn't meant to show him my tears. I cursed myself for being to emotional.

3...2...1

Click.

It was like the moment was imaginary but we both knew better.

I sniffed, and wiped my eyes on the back of my hands, then looking up, I repeated what I had said in what I call the time blob. This time with my best smile, and no tears.

'It's my birthday.' My voice was loud, it was stupidly feminine and young. And when I looked around everyone including the teacher looked at me with wide eyes and slack jaws. I guess that kills at least one of the rumours.

Mally was the only one not surprised, he smiled back, his arms folded as he leaned against his table. 'Well now, that calls for a party.' He cheered, and a few other students joined him eagerly. 'Happy birthday.' He smiled heartedly and gave me a nod then turning my attention to Asha I smiled.

His face was blank.

He shook his head confused by my response. He made to touch me and I pulled away, it was a gesture that never really left us, knowing touch could transfer our thoughts and feelings so long ago. The gesture now was empty. He had nothing to share with me, except his disappointment in me, and that was visible enough each passing day.

He turned away and left, I felt myself relax.

Mally pulled up a chair next to me, the teacher somewhat shocked to learn I had a voice didn't seem to mind, he turned away after a few seconds and turned his attention to a student who was in the process of using their compass to mark the desk.

'So how about it?' Mally asked me his smile radiant, and breath like the fresh mint gum he had in his mouth.

'How about what?' I asked quietly, trying not to stare.

'A party?' he beamed, his hands reaching for the book Asha had dropped off.

I pulled it away and stuffed it in my bag. 'I dunno.' I answered. I didn't want to admit a party of one didn't really work.

He watched me for a moment then smiled. 'I get it.' He reached for my phone and swiped it open. 'No lock code, you are a good girl.' He mused.

I reached for it and he pulled away for a moment with a cheeky grin, before giving it back. 'I am having a party next week, the week before the end of year dance.' He informed me. 'Since you just broke your vow of silence, people are gonna try talk to you. When you want to make friends. Call me.' His smile was genuine. 'Do you know Darren?' He asked.

I nodded slightly, remembering the hot and flustered guy from earlier.

'I didn't hear you.' He teased pulling his ear towards my mouth.

'Yes, well, kinda.' I confirmed quietly.

'Hell yeah you do!' He cheered. 'Do you want his number?' He pulled out his phone and unlocked it with a pin before getting up his friend's contact.

'Umm.' Right about now is when Asha would have interrupted and taken away any chance of friendship. I looked around, he was gone. 'Okay?'

'Okay?' Mally repeated his voice full of playfulness. 'Are you asking me or telling me?'

I laughed then, and it made a few girls glance over at me curiously and then to Mally. I shut up, pursing my lips and glancing down.

He looked over at them and back to me. 'Don't worry, those feral bitches have wagged their tongues more than a lifetimes worth of bullshit. Don't hold back.'

'Sure.' I smiled more now 'Okay, I'll take his number.'

'That's more like it.' He offered me the phone and I added Darren's number to my list of six, wait, now seven contacts. 'Darren is gonna be so hyped to know you finally opened up. I kept telling him you could speak.'

I nodded along with Mally as he spoke all to cheerful, right up until the end of the lesson.

'So,' He said as we left. 'I know a lot of the time on breaks you sorta vanish but if we, I mean me and the lads, are in canteen, you should join us. A few of the girls join us too.' He offered. 'If you want drop me a text before to make sure I'm there to introduce you to them.' He shrugged and looked about. 'I'm gonna bunk the rest of the day so I won't see you until tomorrow right?'

'Yes.' I said nodding, I didn't really know what else to say, my birthday had gone from awful mess, to a geeks dream date in maths in such a quick time.

'Right.' He grinned, then leaving me to finish the rest of the day in a somewhat euphoric state, Mally left.