Bloody Paintbrush

Chapter 4

"Hey... what are you doing?", Eri said, shaking. "What is he to you?", Tallie said with a dead expression on her face. "Who?", Eri asked, confused. "Oh, don't play dumb," Tallie said, leaning in towards her face. They stayed in that position for approximately five minutes, until Eri pushed Tallie onto the floor.

"Oh, my gosh! I'm so sorry!", Eri said, rushing to help Tallie. The fall brought Tallie back to her senses.

"No, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me," Tallie said. "Did I hurt you?", Tallie asked, worryingly. "...No, you didn't." Eri said still shaken up a bit.

"You smelled like alcohol when you leaned in. Were you drinking?", Eri asked. "Yes. I was," Tallie said, disappointed in herself.

"Let's get to class," Eri said. Tallie looked up watching Eri leave the restroom with a downhearted look on her face, expecting Eri to ask about her well being.

Tallie followed Eri out a few minutes after. As they are walking the halls, an administrator noticed that they are not in their class and stopped them from walking any further.

"Where are you two supposed to be?", He asked. "Ms. Johnson's," Both Eri and Tallie responded.

"Why aren't you guys there right now?", He asked. "Because we were using the restroom," Tallie responded.

"Both of you? At the same time? I wasn't born yesterday you guys were skipping," He accused. Raising one hand he yelled, "Detention."

"Ugh! This is so unfair!", Eri scuffed. "I'm sorry. This is my fault," Tallie pinned the blame on her.

Eri looked up at Tallie noticing how the situation was effecting her.

Should I say something? What do I even say?! Eri thought to herself. Eri decided it's best to leave her alone and keep walking to the detention room.

Once Eri opened the door, she noticed two people. She then scanned the room and noticed Silas all the way in the back of the room taking a nap. Eri walked up to Silas sitting next to him leaving Tallie all alone.

"Hey, you," Eri said startling Silas.

"Well, well, well. I never thought I'd see you in here," Silas said, surprised. "I'm in here by accident," Eri said, with an annoyed tone.

Tallie walked up to Eri sitting next to her interrupting the conversation.

"Hey. Who's this?", Tallie said with a blank expression on her face. "I'm Silas. You are?", Silas responded following up with a question. "I'm Tallie. Good to meet you," Tallie answered.

There was an awkward silence for a few minutes, until Eri broke the quietness. "Are you in here often?" Eri asked, chuckling under her breath. "Occasionally. Yes." Silas said, in a wisecracking tone.

Eri noticed how Tallie looked bothered and unamused, so she tried to talk to her lighten up the mood. 

What should I even talk about? Eri thought to herself. Before Eri could think of anything to talk about the bell rang signaling class is over, including detention.

Tallie was the first to walk out. She quickly grabbed her stuff and left the room moody.

Eri ran after her.

"Hey!", Eri said in a breathy tone. "Are you late for something?", Eri asked, chuckling.

"No. I just didn't think you'd realize me gone," Tallie said, with an attitude.

Eri walked up to her slowly then softly brushed her hair leaving Tallie breathless.

"What are you doing?", Tallie asked, flustered.

"Are you okay?", Eri asked, staring in her eyes.

Tallie pated her head and brung her close to her chest. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Tallie broke the silence.

"Yeah," she said, with a light smile.

"Let's walk to class," Eri said, looking up with a grin.