The Garden of Eden

Chapter 8

I went down to the breakfast hall early in the morning, scanning my eyes for Theo. When I didn't see him, a small pit in my stomach started to form.

What did he do?

I shook my head of all the possible ways he could have gotten himself in deeper trouble and headed to class.

I sat on edge for the rest of the day, and by the time my last period rolled around, my unease had turned to worry, and my thoughts were spiraling again. But only when a knock sounded on the door of the class did I really start to panic.

"Ms. Chantelle, will you come with me please?" A short, stocky man said.

My eyes widened and I began gathering my things. Eyes followed me out the classroom, and my cheeks started to flush. He walked me down the hall and my heart raced a mile a minute.

They're going to expel me for sure.

The man opened the door of an empty classroom and I looked inside to see Theo, sitting at a desk grinning like a fool.

A feeling I couldn't explain went through my body at the sight of him, and I told myself it was because he was missing all day.

He leaned back in his seat, seemingly unbothered by the man questioning him loudly. I chuckled slightly and he turned towards me, finally noticing my presence. One look and his face dropped from it's previous smugness.

Different emotions seemed to appear on his face all at once. Surprise, worry, confusion, and a bunch more I didn't catch.

He turned back to the authority figure in front of him and said, "Why is she here, I told you she didn't have a part in this."

"I know you did," he responded. "But ratting people out was never a problem for you before, so obviously this girl you want to protect did something."

Theo glared at the man but didn't say anything, letting him know he was right.

"Well then, we'll leave you two here. Better get started soon, you have a lot of work to do."

The men shut the door behind them and I just stared at Theo, wide eyed. He tried to avert my gaze, but I moved closer, making him look at me.

"Aww, you actually look sorry, I guess you've been practicing." I mock.

I was mad that he dragged me into this, and mad that he could be so stupid. He rolled his eyes and got up from the chair, walking toward the closet.

"Oh, come on I was joking, don't tell me you're going to hide from me all night." I called after him.

But instead he pulled out some supplies and set them down, taking the chance to look at me again. Turning back around he headed to the closet for a second round, and when he came back the somber face that once was had turned into a mischievous grin again.

I sighed and said, "Oh no... We just got in trouble, what are you planning now?"

He looked at me and somehow that grin I'd come to hate grew.

"Something... much more fun than cleaning." He said.