As We Burn

Nine.

"Is everything alright?" Ava asks, giving me a worried look. I swallow, trying to loosen up my tightening throat.

"Yeah, I'm just still feeling a little bit nauseous from last night," I lie. I am now fairly certain that the fires are acts of arson committed by the same person, someone who's been around me recently. The motive doesn't add up, though. What's the point in burning an abandoned farm house and Blaise's mansion? Unless perhaps they're simply a pyromaniac, getting off on lighting up. Another thing I am certain of is that if I can piece the two together, surely the police can as well. I remind myself it's their job to solve it and not mine before I get too wrapped up in things.

"What class do you have today?" I ask, changing the subject.

"Multimedia Reporting, you?" Ava replies.

"Digital Image Processing - seems a little boring, but that's probably best for today."

The two of us sit in silence for a few minutes, sipping our drinks and embracing the peaceful ambience of the quiet cafe - until it's broken by the sound of a group of rowdy jocks passing by. I look over as they laugh, swear, and cheer, while handing out some sort of flyer to passerby's. I notice they're all wearing purple and silver coloured shirts with the words LAURELWOOD LYCANS above a symbol of a grey wolf. I remember from what I read online that the Laurelwood Lycan's are Laurelwood U's moderately successful rugby team. At the front of the pack is none other than Mathias Avery himself, clearly some sort of team captain. His swagger drips of superiority, while his followers do their best to mimic it. I put my face down towards my mug, hoping they simply pass us, until I notice a few of the boys heading this way. They pass out more flyers to others in the café, and one of them gets handed to Ava. I glance over once more, and Mathias' eyes meet mine. Confusingly, he nods towards me as if we're friends. I look around to see if it could have been directed elsewhere, but the seats around me are empty. Does this mean all is forgiven? From what I've been told of Mathias, I doubt this is the case. It's strange, nonetheless. Maybe he truly does regret his drunken words, but it will take a lot more than a nod for me to excuse his past transgressions.

"What does it say?" I ask Ava, and she lays the sheet down on the table in response. The flyer says that there's an upcoming party this weekend to kickoff the Laurelwood Lycan's rugby season, with the address listed below.

"Seriously? A house party literally caught fire less than twenty-four hours ago, and they're already planning the next one?" I say, flabbergasted.

"That's kind of the norm around here, unfortunately. As long as it can be repaired or the person can be paid off to stay quiet, things usually get swept under the carpet - it's part of the reason why I'm becoming a journalist," Ava explains.

"That's terrible. I'm glad someone has the nerve to dismantle the system, though," I smile at her.

"Exactly," she says, flipping her hair behind her shoulder and checking her nails. I watch as the rugby boys continue down the hallway, Mathias' dark hair disappearing as he turns the corner. I notice the way other faces are magnetically drawn to him, their eyes following his every movement. I don't get it, really. I can objectively see that he's attractive, but in a very predictable way; symmetrical features, clear skin, charming smile. It's boring - unlike Crispen, with his hooded eyes, full lips, long lashes. Distinctively feminine and masculine all at once. Stop, I tell myself.

"Do you think you'll go?" I ask, biting my lip. I suppress the thought that perhaps Crispen will be there - I'm really not doing my best when it comes to not thinking about him anymore.

"Maybe. I mean, obviously the last one didn't go as planned, but I want to make a name for myself here. And the only way to get my intel is to become somewhat of a socialite," Ava remarks.