Lies Like Love

SEPTEMBER: LEO

Leo was late for Biology again. Tuesday’s double lesson was something he was finding it difficult to get excited about. He strode down one of the many long corridors, thinking how the school was like a long-tentacled creature and how maybe he’d go diving in the summer, see how things looked underwater, when he came face to face with Audrey.

‘Hey,’ he said, and she stared at him and blinked as if he was the last person she’d ever expected to see again. He couldn’t help smiling – she was the kind of girl who looked as if she needed smiles. Sue was right, friendly was good.

‘Are you lost?’ Leo watched her, wondering.

‘No. I was just looking for the nurse’s office,’ she said, and then blushed like before.

‘Oh, well, it’s down there.’ He pointed back the way he’d come.

‘Thanks.’ Audrey began to move again. Leo found himself following.

‘Are you ill? Do you need anything?’ It was only polite to ask. He couldn’t have her wandering off and then passing out somewhere.

‘No. I’m all right.’ She pulled her sleeves down over her hands as she spoke, chewed a fistful of cardigan and then stopped, looked at him, and walked on in the direction he’d indicated. Leo fell into step, forgetting Biology, and Audrey glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and her mouth twitched, just a tiny bit, the hint of a smile. Gotcha, he wanted to say, but that would be annoying and he was sure he should say something else instead, but all he could think was that her hair was the colour of moonlight and that she didn’t so much walk as glide. Obviously those observations were not appropriate, conversationally speaking. Obviously she did not want to talk or be escorted or anything.

‘So, yes, well, it’s just up there,’ Leo said eventually, as they reached another corridor and it snaked before them, long and white and empty.

‘I got it. Thanks.’

‘No worries,’ he said, and stood and watched her float away.