Call Me Rumpel

Chapter Six

"You're welcome to use a store-bought pattern for this project, but next year, you'll be required to create your own. This excludes modifying..."

I'm trying to pay attention to Mr Crocker's instructions but as usual, my mind has other ideas. This time, however, it's not my ADHD affecting me.

My hand cramps as I hold my pen, my grip in danger of snapping the plastic in half. If it prevents me from reaching into my pocket and pulling out my phone, though, then so be it.

I wish Vincent Wu was dead. Care to make it happen?

Don't worry; I grant my own wishes.

I don't need to pull up the Rumpelstiltskin app to know what's sitting in my inbox. The messages are imprinted on the backs of my eyelids and have been all weekend. It's probably some stupid joke, the sender as twisted as Vincent himself, but the shudders still convulse through me whenever I think about them.

"Oh my God, did I tell you who Charlotte was caught hooking up with in the bathroom?"

I blink as Ari's peppermint breath washes over my face. She's leaning across the desk, oblivious to the irritated look Mr Crocker throws us.

I suppress a sigh, dropping my pen onto the desk. "Yeah, you did."

"But can you believe it? I mean, Charlotte and Iluka? Is she trying to piss off her mother or something? Talk about a downgrade."

"Um, no, I'm pretty sure she was with Preston all night," Jordyn pipes up, her eyes focused on the gorgeous sketch of the dragon costume she's been working on.

Keeping up with the gossip from Friday's party is almost as impossible as keeping up with Mr Crocker's lecture. I've already lost track of who hooked up with whom, which couples fought, and who'd made a fool of themselves by drinking too much. By the time I wrap my head around it all, there'll be new sordid rumours circulating the halls.

It's with mercy when the bell rings, urging Mr Crocker to wrap up his instructions.

"Alright, alright; remember, your initial sketches are due tomorrow and you should have your materials by the end of the week," he says, pinching his beaky nose as we race to the door.

I wave Ari off. "I'll catch up with you."

"What, why? Don't tell me you're still avoiding William."

"What? Of course I'm not."

Ari tilts her head, her eyes full of doubt. In truth, it is my plan to avoid William for as long as possible—it's the only solution I can come up with after my Friday night blunder—but right now, I have more pressing things to do.

Eventually, Ari rolls her eyes and skips down the hallway to catch up with Michael and Tui, who've emerged from a classroom further along. I wait until they're both out of sight before heading for the senior locker area.

Apart from the creepy messages, another request came through over the weekend. It's going to be harder to pull off than simply slipping a doctor's note into the recipient's locker like I'd done first thing this morning for Gabby, but it's not impossible. I'm glad when I see my target rummaging around in his locker and, bonus, that his friends are nowhere in sight.

"Luis?"

The brunet turns towards me, his brows furrowed. When he sees it's me, though, he grins, showing off his pearly white teeth.

"Hey Mishka, long time no see. How've you been?"

"Can't complain," I say, returning his smile.

It's a pity I have to do this.