Weak Threads

Chapter One

"Nemo Me Impune Laccesit."

Each word flowed inside Sylvia's head. It kept running through the depths of her thoughts and it never stopped.

It was a fine afternoon at the cafeteria. Unlike other schools, St. Claire High had its cafeterias at the rooftop and undergrounds. The rooftop was a vast area and it had a magnificent view of the town, Baywood. The rooftop was usually crowded with rich students who preferred to buy teas and Salami salads than face the lunch lady in the underground despite of the free food.

Sylvia Van Dorschner sat on her usual place with her usual companion, Kelsi Cruz. On their tables were cups of Chamomile teas and California Maki wraps.
Instead of grabbing a bite from her wrap, Kelsi spent the time tapping letters on her phone screen.
All Sylvia could do was stare blankly to the surface. She forced her eyes not to close and tried to remain awake.

She sipped a small portion from her tea and stared at Kelsi's cup. She could tell that the tea's only purpose was to soak Kelsi's dry upper lip. She hated reminding her always to drink tea instead of sodas.

Kelsi gasped and covered her mouth. She laughed and shook her head while she stared at her phone. Sylvia curled her napkin with her fist as she observed Kelsi.

"Maybe you should stop being the dumb blonde stereotype sometimes."

Kelsi placed her phone on the table and stared at Sylvia's dark brown eyes. Her smile faded away and she knitted her eyebrows.

"Are you still bothered about Gertrude or are you having nature's call down there?" Kelsi asked with a tinge of annoyance.

Kelsi pursed her lips and crossed her arms. Sylvia shot Kelsi a glare and took a sip from her cup of tea. She put the cup down with a thud.

The Gertrude Thing

Oh great, why did it even happen?

"I swear if Ezekiel and Chesney find out about thi-"

"They won't if you won't tell," Kelsi assured.

Sylvia cleared her mouth and noticed their friends, Ezekiel and Chesney appearing from the doors.

Ezekiel Thomas turned his head to look at the seat on the corner. He shook his head and smiled. He nudged Chesney Curtis on the shoulder and pointed at their friends, Sylvia and Kelsi.

Chesney followed Ezekiel after winking to a random asian girl who was in her way to the door.

As they arrived to their table, they immediately sat on the remaining seats and exchanged glances.

Sylvia's heart hammered vigorously. She reached for the cup but instead of grabbing it for a drink, the cup fell and spilled its contents. Sylvia slid her seat back to avoid the spill. Chesney grabbed the napkin and wiped the table. He placed the cup back to its position.

Ezekiel placed his chin on his palm and exchanged his looks from Sylvia to Kelsi. He could tell something was up. Kelsi refused to look at anyone and pretended to tap some random letters on her phone screen. He could see it from his peripheral vision since Kelsi was seated on his left.

Sylvia who was seated on his right kept on murmuring something in a different language.

Chesney eyed the blonde on the next table and smirked. The blonde girl giggled and told something to her friends that made them giggle as well. Sylvia knitted her eyebrows and grabbed her tea cup. The tea cup hit Chesney's head. Chesney broke off from his gaze and rubbed the back of his head. He looked at Sylvia and shook his head.

"I appreciate the fact of your distaste with flirtationships but you should appreciate how much I fancy it too," Chesney stated. He buried his face with his arms and yawned.