Oreo Ice Cream

Chapter 4| Unusually Blue

Before you start: Tris's dialogues in the second part with Eric are omitted. This is an intentional attempt to avoid using offensive words coz I hate using them. Eric's a new character introduced to you guys. Hope you enjoy this!

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When we returned to the class, everyone praised me for coming up to help Josie. I smiled hearing them. Despite considering Josie a mere rude girl with too many freckles, cleaning her wound and helping her get her forehead bandaged was a part of humanity. I was sure Mum and Gran would be pleased when they would hear this.

"You did the right thing. I knew you would." Lee smiled as he patted my shoulder. I felt warm hearing his words. I was happier when I found Lucy praising me, "Did a quite nice thing after so many days, dumbhead." Though she considered herself the smartest and best among all, she was never kind to anyone. She once wanted to make out with Tris. That was when we were in the seventh grade. But I remember Tris cursing her in front of all and going away. I was angry with her that day but was happy for Tristan.

Looking out of the door, I found Tristan grinning at me before going back to his class.

It became concentrate on the rest of the classes soon after. My mind continuously went back to Josie, wondering if she was better or not. However, I well knew Tristan would be more careful with her from now.

~*~

At the canteen, I saw Tristan and Josie sitting together. Tristan was caressing her hands. I thought to go to them.

"Hey, how're you feeling now?" I grinned at Josie.

Josie stood up and held my hands, "Thank you, Flora. You cleaned my wound and got my forehead bandaged. I didn't get time to thank you for all this. Thanks." I looked around at the amused faces staring stupidly at me when Josie was thanking me. I looked up and saw her bandaged forehead. She was smiling. I glanced at Tristan, who was grinning at me, and went away.

After buying two patties, I went to the corridor and started eating them. My mind went back to Josie. God! Why couldn't I stop thinking about her?

I inhaled a few times deeply and closed my eyes, and gulped the patty down my throat forcefully.

No, Flora. You're still not confident about yourself in Physics. You've promised Mr Stewart good marks. Don't let him down. Breathe, Flora, breathe. Everything will be okay... only if you shut your thoughts about Josie and Tristan. Close their chapter, and focus on yourself more. Your life will be more awesome.

I almost jumped in fear as I felt a gentle push on my arm. I turned around and found Tris leaning against the wall.

"Oh, you! I was afraid!" I closed my eyes in relief.

"Easy there," he lifted the corner of his upper lip, "Well that was a hell of humanity. Like, seriously! Blood, eww. But now, I dislike Booker more. I mean, what's the problem with boys and girls together?" He rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Tris!" I said sternly, "I'd stop talking with you if I hear anything such again. Close the chapter, it's done."

"That's the real you," the dimple grew on his left cheek. A few girls stared at us as they passed by. I felt awkward standing by the balcony of our school with a guy after so many years.

Wait! What? A guy? No, Tris's my dear friend. He's not a stranger to me as I'm to him now. It's not awkward, it can never be.

"Hey," Tris snapped when suddenly Eric, the bad boy I've ever seen, came closer to us.

"Flora Summer, huh?" he smirked devilishly, "Hanging out with a guy? Again?"

Tris clenched his jaws as he said in a firm voice, "Eric, go away. Don't talk rubbish."

"Maybe, later? Not now! Let me see the romance, please?" Eric winced fakely.

"Eric..." Tris gritted his teeth.

I was getting annoyed by Eric. Why did he target me sometimes? Go to hell! Damn!

"The break would be o'er soon. Let's go." I whispered to Tris, who was still muttering curses to Eric under his breath.

"Wait, Flora! Going to make out with Josie's boyfriend?" Eric snapped from the back when we were about to leave.

My heart skipped a beat. I froze as I stood emotionlessly. Tris stopped and looked at me softly and then at Eric in rage.

Josie's crush? Or boyfriend? My lips quivered as I wanted to run away from everything this time.

" Or maybe fu-" before he could finish, Tris was upon him. Eric fell with a loud thud and cried in pain. Tris punched him with a tight fist several times in rage. He cried in pain loudly as Tris forgot everything and cursed Eric openly. I was surprised to hear Tris cursing openly after so many years.

"So he still does that!" My jaw dropped in disbelief.

The latter tried his best to defend himself from Tris, but my friend was stronger than him. Meanwhile, teachers and students crowded around them. The air got tensed. I froze and stood there with wide eyes before I ran towards Tris and tried to stop him.

"Wait, Tris, stop!" I tried to hold his forearms, but he was too much for me to get him under control. "Tris, please, I beg you, stop!" I cried. I knew Tris could go to any extent for people he cared. He got out of control when his protective side started roaring. The teachers tried to get the situation under their control. But Tristan was too much.

Finally, the school manager, Mr. Burnett, came in, "Tristan Asher!" his loud voice echoed in the tense corridor. My heart raced quicker than before. The chaos turned into pin-drop silence.

Tris finally looked up. The corner of his lips was stained in blood. His cheeks were swollen. Eric was still crying in pain.

"I said, stand up!" he came nearer. I moved aside, letting him go near Tristan. I looked afar and found Josie standing a distance away from us, Rose and Kerry behind her.

Tristan slowly got up. His fingers were bleeding, his knuckles bruised. Burnett grabbed his forearm and made him stand properly, "Tomorrow, you and Eric will come to school with your parents. I want to meet them. Sign your names in the office." Saying so, Burnett went away with loud footsteps.

Tristan stood there, his jaws clenched. His eyes were calm blue, but not like the usual ones.