Bloody Paintbrush

Chapter 8

A few minutes pass and Eri is still in the stall while there are a line of girls outside who need to use the restroom.

The administrators heard about all the commotion and one of them busted inside the ladies restroom.

"Young lady, get your butt out of that stall." She demanded. "No. I need another minute." Eri said in a muffled tearful tone.

"If you're going through something personal we have rooms for you to work out your stuff but there is a line of girls outside the restroom needing to do their business." She explained.

Eri took a deep breath picked up her stuff and walked out of the restroom.

As she walked out, she noticed all the girls giving her stares. Eri looked away and kept walking with her head down. The administrator leaves the restroom a minute later and informed everyone they can now use the restrooms.

"If you need me to escort you I can do so." The administrator offered. "Of course, thank you." Eri said with a grateful, but blank expression on her face.

Eri walked in the room placed her stuff in the corner and laid on the carpet floor on her back looking up at the ceiling.

Trying to sort out her thoughts and feelings Eri stayed in the room for about 3 hours.

In total, 4 hours and 30 minutes pass and Tallie hasn't seen or heard from Eri ever since the rooftop incident. She started to worried and skipped class to look for Eri.

"Why do I have to get so attached?!" Tallie said to herself slapping the palm of her hand onto her forehead.

As she's wandering through the halls, she spots Silas and walks up to him.

"Hey, have you seen Eri around?" Tallie asked in a tearful tone. "No, I haven't. Is everything alright?" Silas asked. "Yeah, I just need her help with something." Tallie replied hesitantly. "Your acting skills suck. Tell me what's up." Silas demanded.

"I'll see you around okay? I got to go." Tallie said wiping the palm of her hand on her forehead while speed walking through the hallway.

Tallie decided to make her way to the principals office.

"Hello, how may I help you this afternoon?" The lady at the front desk asked.

"Good afternoon, I was hoping you could help me find a student, Eri Heart." Tallie asked twirling her fingers.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but we can't give you information on students. That's classified information. If you're looking for them try talking with their teacher. Have a nice rest of the day!" The lady at the front desk answered.

"Thank you." Tallie said bluntly while rolling her eyes.

Tallie kissed her teeth while she slid her hand across the hallway wall walking in slow motion.

I don't really want to go to class... Tallie thought to herself. She walked past her class and went up the stair case leading up to the rooftop.

Once Tallie reached the rooftop, she laid on the floor on her back and fell asleep while looking up at the sky.

The bell rang signaling class was over. The bell woke Eri up from her slumber.

Damn, how long was I out for? Eri thought. Eri grabbed her stuff and left the office.

While she was walking down the hall Silas spotted her and ran up to her.

"Hey." He said. "Oh, hey." Eri responded. "Where have you been?" He asked worryingly. "Why do you care?" Eri snarled. "Excuse me?" Silas asked raising an eyebrow.

"I've got to get going." Eri said turning her back on Silas.

Silas grabbed Eri's hand as she was leaving and pulled her close to him forcing her to face him.

"Let me go! I have somewhere to be." Eri stated.

Silas dragged Eri to a room and locked both him and Eri in. He stood in front of the door blocking her path.

"What is your problem?!" Eri yelled. "Damn it, Eri! You can't just go missing and expect no one to worry!" Silas snapped.

Eri's eyes widen while slightly blushing. An unfamiliar emotion washed upon her. It was like that warm feeling she's felt before, but it was more weakening.

"I wasn't the only one worried. Tallie as well." Silas said.

An emotion of guilt and a little feeling of relief splashed onto Eri.

People care for me. Eri thought to herself as her eyes sparkled.

"So, you're not going to tell me where you were?" Silas asked while approaching Eri slowly closing the distance between them.

"I'm sorry I worried you guys. I'm fine now. Thanks." Eri replied slowly backing up. She backed up until she hit a flat surface behind her.

Silas walked and pinned his arm against the wall. He leaned in towards Eri's face.

That's close. Eri thought while trying to avoid eye contact.

Silas gently place his fingers under Eri's chin forcing her to face him once again.

"Look at me." He said.

Ugh, he knows what he's doing to me! Maybe I should tease him a bit... Eri thought to herself smirking in her head.

Eri leaned in closer to his face making eye contact. Silas immediately pulled away a bit.

Shit, I was not expecting that. Silas thought to himself coving his mouth to cover up the fact he's flustered.

Eri intentionally giggled to signal she's laughing at him.

"Aw, I'm sorry I scared you." Eri said in a sarcastic tone winking at Silas.

Eri left Silas speechless and completely flustered. "Cat got your tongue?" Eri laughed while sticking her tongue out.

Let's make this interesting... Silas thought to himself with an attractive evil look in his eye.

Silas leaned in Eri's ear and whispered. "Your cat." He backed up and winked at her leaving Eri completely shocked by his words.

"You're so red." Silas said laughing at Eri.

"You can't go around saying stuff like that!" Eri yelled.

"I'm leaving." Eri said storming out.

"I win!" Silas yelled as Eri placed her hand on the door knob.

Eri ignored Silas and rolled her eyes as she walked out of the room.

While leaving the building Tallie spots Eri and runs up to her drowning her with questions.

"Eri, hey! Where have you been?! Are you okay?! I've been worried sick!"

"Hey, Tallie. I'm sorry. I'm okay, don't worry. Thank you." Eri responded to the questions.

"I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I swear from now on I'll control myself." Tallie stated.

"I appreciate that. Thank you." Eri said. "I got to go. See you tomorrow, okay?" Eri added.

"Yeah, yeah. See you." Tallie said.