Divided Mask

Chapter 14: Alarm bells

"Wren," Carter was above her head. "you need to go to school." She shook her head at him. "Roxanne will start a man hunt if she finds out you're not attending class for another day."

"How'd you figure that?"

"Assumption based off of what I've heard."

"Fine. If I have to deal with that bitch."

"Tournaments tomorrow, focus on getting yourself there, alive and well." His smile had brightened, unbeknownst to Wren who begrudgingly sat up.

The radio blasted around them, bouncing the inside of his car around. Wren drummed along on her leg. Still she lacked any freedom in speaking the in car. She wouldn't that's where it all went wrong.

"You're very quiet. And yes I know you don't like car rides." She glanced at him, trying to show she was listening. "My eyes are on the road. I promise."
"Nervous."
"Okay fair." He rested his one hand on her knee. His eyes still pinned forward. She sighed, tired and not ready to face the school again. Her mind swirled, she knew she had some pent up anger building. "We're here. Take a breath little bird. I'll pick you up later. Just shoot me a text."
"Thanks," she mumbled barely looked at him. She threw her bag over her shoulder. What would wait inside.

She put most of her books away in her locker. Marcus poked his head around her locker.
"Hey Wren!" She waved at him, his smile fell slightly. "Are you okay?"
It's been a long few days.
"Let's make it a good day. We'll conquer Mrs. Bard's class and then be home free." She nodded, they walked to the nightmare classroom. She paused, the thumping in her head loud. She may have been developing a migraine. Wren sat in her seat, Marcus by her side. "Aren't you excite for our next tournament? I am so ready to actually use weapons."

Me too. Hand on hand is boring. Plus I got ahold of mini smoke bombs. I'll have to make sure they're not prohibited .

"No way! That's so cool."

"Quiet down, Marcus." Mrs Bard barked from her desk. Class hadn't even begun. Wren rolled her eyes "I know the combat students are excited but some of you really need to focus on this test we're going to have."

Wren exhaled, she'd have to ace this one too. That would keep her grade in the 85% range. Despite the claim of her struggling in the class. Mrs. Bard gave her the paper. 

"Eyes on your own paper, you have till the end of class." She repeated, as if she hadn't already said that during handing the tests out. Wren scribbled in the answers quickly, the test did not feel hard. The easiest it had been all year. She finally got stuck on a question, she stared at the ceiling her mind running blank. Mark's word sinking into her head. How he let her just leave. He'd obviously wanted it this way.

"Wren, hand me your test. Considering you can't listen and keep your eyes down." Wren stared in disbelief. Her mouth hanging open, her head pounding. Carter's previous remarks echoing in her head. She could not take more selfish behaviour. Her anger quickly turning to rage. "Did you hear me? Bring me your test." Wren felt her control slipping from her grasp. One more dumb demand. One more remark. "Now Wren." Wren stared tearing the page down the middle. Mrs Bard's mouth fell open. "Wren how dare you disobey me." Wren grabbed her desk with ease, ignoring the sting that plagued her back. Her mind was foggy , she'd scream. She threw the desk at the wall, narrowly avoiding a classmate. Her arms shook, no control left. A few kids screamed around. She stomped to the front of the classroom. Mrs Bard stood meeting her . "Stop now." Wren grabbed at her collar, basking in the silence and the glory that tingled in the back of her mind. Forcing her backwards, her other forearm comfortably on Mrs Bard's neck. Fear ran through Mrs Bard's eyes. "Stop. Please." Wren pushed harder. She would kill her. She punched the board beside her head. Furry and guilt already snaking its way back to her. Words finally leaving her lips.