Flaws

Chapter 9- Beauty Is Subjective

Chapter 9- Beauty Is Subjective

Spencer and I got to school late on Monday after breakfast. He had turned up at my doorstep at 7:30 like it were our established routine, croissants in hand. I hadn't mentioned his Dad and neither had he, but I thought it was probably for the best. I wasn't the type to open up about my family, so how could I expect him to be any different?

I hugged him goodbye and walked into first period with a nervous ball of energy in my stomach. Lana would get on my back about Spencer making me late, I just knew it.

"Sorry I'm late" I said to my teacher.

He frowned and looked at his watch. "You're fifteen minutes late Olivia" He said disapprovingly.

Catching Lana's displeased face in the second row, I stopped myself from heaving an annoyed sigh.

"I'm sorry Sir I got stuck in traffic" I said.

"I thought you walked to school?" He asked and my heart sank. I opened my mouth to reply, but was distracted by the door opening. Chris walked in confidently, and on seeing both me and him were in trouble, rushed to defend me.

"It was my fault she's late Sir: I asked her to help me with something" Chris said.

My eyes widened. Why was he defending me?

"Is this true Olivia?" My teacher demanded.

I made a mouth like a goldfish. "Yes sir" I spluttered.

"It won't happen again Sir" Chris assured him with his most charming smile.

"Make sure it won't" Our teacher said but with less steel in his voice than before. Chris really had everyone wrapped around his little finger, and I wasn't sure if I was as immune to him as I wanted to be.

He nodded to show we were dismissed and I hurried to my seat, an uncomfortable silence falling in the class.

I sat down in my usual place beside Lana, huffing slightly in embarrassment.

Books smacked down on the table next to me, and I jumping in surprise, looked up to see Chris was standing above me.

"That isn't your seat Chris" I said in the most bored tone I could muster.

He smiled slightly. "I'm aware" He replied, pulling the chair out and sitting down beside me.

I didn't say anything, but I felt my muscles tense in response to his close proximity.

The teacher called attention to the class and set us to work. I was staring the worksheet we had been set when his eyes scanned my face.

"Did you enjoy the party?" He asked.

I didn't look up. "Yeah I did thanks" I said casually.

He wasn't put off. "Did you go Lana?" He asked her politely.

She jumped slightly in her seat, looking at him with a haughty expression before answering.

"No I had a family thing" She said still looking faintly embarrassed. I knew she was lying, but I made no expression of skepticism. I was simply glad she hadn't immediately told me off for being late. Lana hated people who turned up late.

She wasn't looking at him and there was a trained look of indifference on her face.

"Oh that's a shame" He said kindly. At the genuine note to his voice, she had to look up. And what she saw made her face screw up with shock.

"What happened to your face?" She blurted. Her voice had risen in volume despite herself, and I could feel the invasive interest of the people behind us.