(unedited)
"Hey friend, why have you cocooned yourself in the library?" Marcus plopped down beside her lazily, removing his bag from his back. "For the fourth day in a row, might I add."
Can't help it, I just want to do well and be left in peace.
"Then I'll be your study buddy, until you find your peace." He opened his notebook, "so I do have a question, your old friend Percy." She sighed, "I know, just one question. Why'd she leave, that's not friend behaviour? I think you're a good friend."
The lack of conversation, or because of the mask. I can't remember. To be fair a good friend knows about their friend. We fight each other and you say funny things.
"So, because we don't know each other that closely you wouldn't consider yourself a good friend?" He laughed, Wren found the response odd. "You've been considerate, maybe trying to protect me but I don't care. I care so little about those former friends, we were friends before anyways. Come on you've met my mom." She was rather impressed, their friendship had been a few years ago, yet he spoke like he never forgot. It had meant something to him.
I hadn't thought that deeply I guess. Or I don't understand how friends work. Thanks for remembering Marcus.
"You make liking you sound hard. Anyways I'll stop distracting you. Mind if I play some music?" She shook her head, he put on some music. Filling the dreary library with some gentle music. The doors popped open and slammed shut. They shared a confused glance at each other. The all too familiar steps curled Wren's stomach.
"Excuse me, I can hear you are being disruptive." There she stood, a sneering grin on her lips. Wren put her head down, in no condition to handle this.
"To who? The thousands of books. My volume is on three. Wanna peak and see?" Marcus shot back. He was much more confident. Potentially seeking some payback, from what little he was aware of.
"If I can hear it then others can."
"These paper thin walls make that statement redundant. I can hear your heels more than the music." Fighting words, no doubt. Wren wanted to laugh but didn't in fear of punishment. Her eyes stayed fixated on the notes in her notebook.
"Marcus, I don't want to give you detention, just turn it off." She demanded. Marcus didn't move his hand.
"Detention for what? You don't normally hold back anyway." Wren shot him a wide eyed, "you give Wren detention for thinking everyday in class."
"Marcus with me now." Mrs Bard was not focused on Wren at all. She hadn't even looked at her, to Wren's surprise. "Wren, I'll see you later."
"Just let me join in later then. Don't waste my free period." He shot Wren a smile, she didn't give one back. Her face lost all of its colour. Of course she'd remind Wren. Her stomach further twisted.
"Marcus now." Marcus finally stood up, grabbing his stuff he followed her out. Wren released her breath, knowing Marcus shouldn't be dancing with the devil.
He eventually came back, his head still aimed high. His stride not breaking. "Hey Wren, I'm back." She nodded, he sat back down. "Just a slap on the wrist and she let me go." The bell rang interrupting him. "We should grab smoothies after you see Mrs Bard, I'll come with you."
She'll want to see me alone. But yeah sure afterwards we can.
"Too bad for her huh. I'll walk you, and then just wait outside if she won't let me stay." True to his word did he walk with her. Mrs Bard immediately tried to dismiss Marcus.
"Marcus, this is a private matter."
"Doesn't she just have to present something to you?"
"Marcus, I let you off, don't make me regret that. She'll meet you after." He stared at Wren, who tried to look as calm as possible. He looked back at Mrs Bard, sighing he nodded.
"I'll meet you in the library, warning music will be playing." As he left, Wren felt her heart rate increase.
I swear I told him not to follow me. I didn't say anything. I didn't let him know. I'm sorry. Mrs Bard's eyes scanned the note, a smile forming on her lips.
"Strangely enough I am feeling gracious enough to believe you. I'll take it easier than intended. I borrowed this from a friend." She pulled clamps and tightened them to her wrists, patches ran up her arms, a few placed on her shoulders. "Electro-stimulation, I wanted to test it on you. While I read your latest report. One mistake one pulse." The shock took Wren's breath away, luckily there wasn't too many mistakes, other than some grammatical errors. "Ah Wren, you forgot one last period. Sorry Wrenny." One last pulse changing shock ran up her arms, it buckled her knees. She ripped the patches off, leaving the room. Wren's vision spun a little as she stood up.
Awkwardly she made her way through the hallway, avoiding the sound of Mr Rutherford's voice. She couldn't face him, she'd break. He'd know and he knew he couldn't do anything yet. She found Marcus pacing in the library.
"I thought you'd never come at that rate." She shrugged, her arms aching. He definitely noticed her demeanour. "Next time I am refusing to leave." Now more alert, Wren furiously shook her head.
They arrived at a shop, Wren had come here before. She couldn't remember why. She just knew she had been here before. Marcus stopped, he looked at her.
"What do you want, I'll order it for you. " It hit her, they'd come here during freshman year and some of sophomore. "Or wait, can I try and get you what you used to get?" Nodding, they walked to the counter someone their age took their order. Batting her eyes at Marcus as he ordered, he took no notice to it. "Wren? will you tell me what she did."
You won't be happy, but I can tell you. She used some sort of shock therapy. I guess. But I told Mr. Rutherford, he is helping me. Well trying to, she seems to be able to hide anything she does.
"No way are you serious? I mean you wouldn't lie."
"Here you are, both smoothies ready." the cashier handed the smoothies over, winking at Marcus.
"Are you okay? Why would she do this to you. Why is she purposely hurting you so much?"
They sipped in silence, Wren occasionally talking about her new friend, promising he wasn't replaced. He laughed, pointing out he could hang out with the cashier. Wren acted heartbroken, feeling betrayed. Eventually breaking the act. Finally they went their separate way heading home for the night.
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WC :1,113
Little bit of a filler, but I wanted to expand on Marcus and Wren's friendship, before and after the accident :) gotta have a good friendship.
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Divided Mask
General FictionWren. Quiet infact silent. She hasn't spoken a word for nearly 9 months. She only saw flames in her words. No one could connect not that many tried. In the end she was left to the art of combat the only place she could stand out while not being see...
