Divided Mask

Chapter 2 - Who's hiding

She hastily got up and left before her dad was up. It was quite early to head to school but it gave her time to fiddle around with her gauntlets they were hidden in her sleeves.

It was nearing 8 and she was waiting for a while and recieved a text from her dad a few minutes earlier
Dad: Are you safe? You were gone before either of us were up
Wren: I am. I left to get to school early
Dad: okay see you after work, love you
She put her phone away. Entering Mr Rutherford's room.
"I'm going to take a guess, Wren?"
She nodded. Placing her bag down.
"Why do you have the mask on?"
It feels safer, I guess
"Safer? From what." He was really pushing
Everyone.
"If it makes you feel more comfortable I support you." He smiled, "I'll go let your other teachers know."
Thank you.
"No problem. Just make sure you can fight as well with that on." He left the room. Students filled the room.
Mr Rutherford separated the room began the lesson taking them to the gym.
"Okay before you spar. Remember we are tracking energy, if yours goes low stop. Or I will stop it myself."

Wren was paired with Marcus another strong student.
"Ready Wren?" He asked preparing his sword and shield. She nodded appreciating that he wasn't judgemental.

He lunged towards her. She dodged using her amo to propel herself away. She shot at him a few bullets got close but didn't land.

He slashed at her. She was too quick for a sword. That's how she won was being fast. She did punch at his jaw he stumbled back.
She looked at the energy bar he was slightly lower. She had to out play him. He slashed again. She blocked with her gauntlet. She knocked the sword out of his reach and tackled him.
"Okay, Enough kids." Mr Rutherford intervened. Wren helped Marcus up from the ground. She passed his sword to him
"Thanks, and good fight. You're still to quick for me. Nothing's changed."

"Take off that mask." Mrs Bard said as soon as she laid her eyes on Wren .
Mr Rutherford said he had told my teachers in advance. What's wrong with it?
" I am your teacher right now. I don't care what Mr Rutherford said. It is a distraction."
No one else is distracted.
"You have two options, one take it off or two you leave and I see you after class."
Wren almost took off her mask. But saw the classes reaction. Some were ready to laugh. Percy had caught her attention. She pleaded with her silently.

Wren walked out.
Mrs Bard called after her, " you were much better when you were younger. I'd take a look at yourself. Your mother wouldn't be happy."

Wren would have to explain to her dad why she would be home late again, yet he didn't know about the mask yet.
Wren: this teacher hates me, I'll be home late. Explain later
Dad: again really? Fine, Wren I just want to make sure you're okay. You normally don't cause trouble.

How could he think she did this. That teacher couldn't stand her it wasn't her fault.
She shot at a punching bad. The sand fell out of it. She started to miss shots as Mrs Bard's words sunk in.

"Wren?" She heard Percy's voice. She turned her head. "Why wouldn't you just take the mask off?"
I can't, it just, it's safe Percy
"Safe?" Percy faced dropped her mouth slightly open, "Why won't you come to me? I thought we were friends."
Wren was shocked where was this coming from? Of course we're friends. What are you implying?
"I am implying that we are not longer friends."
Wren room a step back, dropping the notepad. Misfortune must be her super power.

Minutes had passed since the bell rang. She finally went back to the class. Mrs Bard stood with am eager expression.

"Welcome back Wren." She smirked closing the door behind Wren. "Take the mask off before I take it off of you."
Are you threatening me?
"No, just take it off dear." She smile grew. It was creeping Wren out, power tripping bitch.
She shook her head. There's no way I'm being distracting
"Fine be difficult." She grabbed a stick flicking the mask up off Wren's face. "Why won't you show your face? Wasn't I your favourite once?"

Wren could barely believe what was happening.
"Or are you scared your face may kill someone else? Innocent in your mother's case, yet she still died."

Wren couldn't handle her words anymore her head sunk down and tears escaped her.
"Lift up your head. Don't be a coward." Mrs Bard taunted.
She looked up trying to wipe her tears. They were falling quicker than she expected.
Mrs Bard smirked and threw down a stack of paper. "I want this done for tomorrow, have a good evening."

Wren slid the mask back down. Covering her features again
"Will we be doing this everyday considering you won't take that mask off?"
I guess we will.
Mrs Bard almost looked shocked, "I pleasure having you alone again."

She gathered her things quickly not fast enough unfortunately.
"Wren why are you still here?" Mr Rutherford tapped her shoulder
I have to go.
She faced the note over to him not realizing tears had spilled into the page. Mr Rutherford noticed and looked closely at her. Despite not seeing her face change he could feel how bad she was feeling.

"Wren you know my door is open. Talk to me if you need." He said making direct eye contact.

Music blasted through her headphones, she was mentally preparing the lecture she was in for.

She opened the door her dad almost in view watching the tv.

"What in the world do you have on your face?" He asked her immediately
A mask. She showed him
"Clearly why is it there? Is that why you got in trouble?"
Well kind of. That teacher Mrs Bard was mad because I had it on calling it a distraction. I asked how and she gave me two options. Take it off or leave. As I left she said something about mom.
"So you disregarded her? Wren you're better than that."
It makes me feel safe
"You disrespected her. We parented you better."
Thanks bring mom into this again.
"She's going to get brought up. Get used to it." She looked around and spotted a drink on the table. Drinking the only time he will is when Roxanne isn't around.
Sorry dad.
Finally he stopped, and looked back at the tv.

She went into her room working on the pile of paper Mrs Bitch had supplied.
The sky had gone dark. A knock came to her door. She turned and expected her dad instead Roxanne.
"Hey Girl, dad briefly told me what happened."
He didn't even listen to me.
"Then tell me what happened"

I put on the mask, obviously. And that power tripping teacher got mad and kicked me out. I just wanted to know why my mask was distracting.
Wren's breathe was stuck in her throat. More tears fell. She couldn't help it, her mother was a sore subject despite her constantly thinking about her.
"She had to have said more. You don't upset easily"

After class she used a stick to flick my mask up and said some unteacher things. She began to say I must have been scared of my face because I killed my mom and then I would kill someone else. And Percy just left she just flipped a switch. Please don't say anything to dad. I can't put more on him.
Wren silently sobbed on her desk. She felt ridiculous.
Roxanne hugged her and promised not to say anything to her dad.