Beechwood Academy

chapter thirteen

When Duncan finally returned to his room later that night after spending the day with Wren and Susie, he found Daisy asleep in Sammy's bed while Sammy sat at his desk catching up on schoolwork. Curfew was yet to pass and the sun was yet to set but Daisy was so deep in sleep that he suspected she hadn't slept in days.

"Should I come back later?" Duncan asked, eyeing Daisy.

Sammy scoffed. "I wish."

Duncan let out a shocked laugh. "You like her?"

"You sound like a middle school girl, Duncan." Sammy mumbled with a grin. "I just mean she's good company."

"What kind of company?" Duncan pried with a teasing smile.

"You're such an arsehole!" Sammy turned around and smacked Duncan's chest causing the boy the stumble backwards and laugh. "I don't talk about the googly eyes you give Wren."

Duncan's eyes widened. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, please! You're a bloody mess when she's within two feet of you!" Sammy yelled with a grin. He was grateful that Duncan wasn't bringing up what happened at lunch and he was determined to keep the topic away.

"Yeah, well Wren isn't in my bed is she?" Duncan shot back holding his hand up and miming a mic drop.

"Touché."

"Are you boys done?" They both jumped at Daisy voice. Duncan giggled. "How long was I asleep?" Daisy stumbled out of Sammy's bed, Duncan recognized the sweatpants she was wearing but decided not to say anything about them.

"An hour tops." Sammy shrugged, glaring at Duncan and silently telling him to shut up. Daisy pushed past Duncan squeezed Sammy's shoulder as she left the room. Duncan turned to Sammy as soon as the door shut.

"I swear to god if you two h—"

"We didn't! Bloody hell." Sammy laughed.

"Just don't do it in my bed." Duncan added. Sammy turned around and threw his notebook directly into Duncan groin. Duncan dramatically fell over groaning.

* * *

Drama class was much more awkward than usual now that Rudy and Duncan knew that Miss Drake was over a hundred years old. The two kept catching Miss Drake watching them but as soon as their eyes met she'd either smile innocently or look away. They just wanted the period to end so that they could run to the library and speak in hushed voices about how or why Miss Drake was still alive.

"Rudy, do you think you could stay after class today?" Miss Drake asked as soon as their rehearsal was completed and everyone was chatting amongst themselves. Duncan and Rudy froze, stopping mid-conversation. Rudy just slowly nodded, knowing he couldn't come up with a believable excuse to get out of it.

"She probably just wants to go over the technical stuff or tell me when to turn on the spotlight." Rudy shrugged, desperately trying to hide the nervous flies buzzing around his stomach.

"I mean, what else would it be? Why do you look so pale?" Susie asked, eyeing the ginger. Rudy just shrugged and waved the question away.

"Ask Duncan that, you've looked like you're going throw up all day." Wren said, pointing at the Duncan.

"Yeah, maybe because Sammy tried to take away my ability to have children with a notebook." Duncan said, side-eyeing Sammy who stuck his head between his legs to hide his laughter.

"He — I'm sorry?" Wren asked, looking back and forth between the two.

"I barely hit you, ya wimp." Sammy swore, looking up to defend himself.

The bell sounded overhead, Duncan shot Rudy a look. "I'll wait outside for you."

"Yeah, alright." Rudy nodded and took a deep breath before turning to where Miss Drake sat at the front of the audience chairs.

The pale skinned woman looked up at him and smiled softly. "I wanted to speak with you and see how you're holding up. I know being back in this room can be hard for you."

"I'm fine." Rudy responded with a nod. He stared down at the floor, not allowing himself to look into Miss Drake's eyes.

"Have you heard anything about Jared's whereabouts?" Miss Drake asked. Rudy shook his head silently. "Why do you look so frightened, Rudy?"

"I'm not, I just can't be late to my study session with Duncan." Rudy said, turning to leave.

"What if I told you I know where Jared is, then would you be interested in speaking with me?"

Rudy stopped. His heart pounded in his chest as he turned to meet Miss Drake's eyes. "Jared's dead."

"He and Sammy met the same fate that night, you were the only one there that's really still alive. Jared chose to run while Sammy chose to stay. Sammy knows where he is, ask him and come back to me when you've got your answer." Miss Drake nodded a goodbye and gathered her things before leaving the room. Duncan ran in as soon as she walked passed him.

"What happened? Are you alright?" Duncan asked, examining every inch of Rudy's body for wounds.

"I'm fine."