The Numbers on Our Arms

Chapter 7

Remi: Hey, I'm setting up a club. Come to Room ****

Seraphina opened the door to the classroom to an immediate squeal. Remi charged towards her and hugged her tight.

"I didn't realise you would come now."

"What's this club your setting up?" she asked.

"We're calling it the Safe House. It's for students to come and feel safe at."

"We found some old boardgames in the storage and there were some cards and books too," Blyke replied.

Seraphina glanced around and saw that Isen leant up against a desk and Arlo stood away from the rest of the group with a piece of paper in his hand.

"We finally figured out our start date!" Remi stated, addressing Isen. "First meeting is next Monday after school! Oh, how's the advertisement going? Do you need anymore information about the club."

Isen melted. "Oh yeah, about that the ad probably isn't happening. I'm now fired. I'm no longer head of the Newspaper and I'm probably banned from taking a step in there."

"Really?" She turned to look at Arlo.

"Don't look at me," he responded. "I'm not the one in charge anymore."

"John sure works fast, huh?"

"Psh, only when he wants to. Sure took his time with the Joker situation," Blyke said. "Still can't believe he left his soulmark uncovered."

Oh, that's how they found out. Why hadn't I thought of that before?

"Remi, this part of the flier seems unclear," Arlo said. "You should probably clarify it."

"Oh, let me take a look." She ran over to him.

Blyke sighed. "So Cecile is head again, I assume."

"Yeah, John just busted in and kicked us all out, like it was nobody's business." He cupped his hand to his face to whisper.

"All of you? You mean Seraphina too? I thought they were good friends," Blyke said.

"No – just me and Arlo. Seraphina managed to seduce him or something so that he didn't get angry at her."

The coil that wrapped around her heart tightened as bile rose up in her mouth. She was being ridiculous, wasn't she?

"Wait, really? Weren't they dating before and this Joker thing?"

"I'm not sure they were dating."

Seraphina dropped the book in her hands.

"You know, I can hear you loud and clear!" she said.

"EEK!"

"I thought this club was all about relaxing. How are people supposed to feel relaxed when you're openly gossiping about them?"

Isen smiled whilst sweating bullets and Blyke frowned.

"Hear that Blyke?" He elbowed them. "Quit gossiping so much!"

"Sorry..."

She turned around and left.

That evening she met John out in the park. John half-smiled at her.

There was a feeling in her heart, like a shard of glass. Why am I doing this? You know what he did.

She closed her eyes and sighed. You know why you're doing this. It's the only way. Didn't he want to spend time with me anyway?

"So, are we going running or not?" He gave a side-eye.