Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

chapter 29: 'Those eyes'

"Kpow!"

The sound echoed through the classroom.

For a second, I couldn't believe I'd actually done it.

Michael stood frozen, one hand pressed against his cheek, staring at me like I'd just grown a second head.

"What was that for?"

He sounded genuinely stunned.

Of all the possible reactions I could have had, slapping him had somehow seemed like the most reasonable option.

My classmates were already staring at us.

I needed to make them think the exact opposite of what that ridiculous message on the Wall of Truth had said.

If possible, I wanted to erase the last thirty seconds from their memories entirely.

Michael's face had been dangerously close to mine, which, unfortunately, wasn't helping my case.

So I'd panicked.

And slapped him.

"Sorry," I mouthed.

He just stared at me.

"Aww, they're even having a lovers' quarrel!" someone shouted.

"But why would she slap him if she likes him?" another person asked.

"They're probably fighting," the first person replied.

I froze.

Apparently, my brilliant plan had failed spectacularly.

I stood up.

"We are not having a lovers' quarrel!"

The classroom erupted in laughter.

I pointed at Michael.

"And you! Stop sitting so close to me!"

I grabbed his chair and pushed it several inches away from mine.

Michael blinked.

"Doyin-"

I ignored him and stormed out of the classroom.

"Wait!"

I heard him call after me.

I kept walking.

I was not stopping.

---

I walked straight to the school chapel.

After wandering around the school for several minutes, I finally found the one place where I was almost certain nobody would bother me.

The Chapel.

Longford High was a predominantly Christian school. Our principal was even a venerable in one of the more influential Anglican churches in the area.

Almost every student was Christian, so everyone understood the reverence expected inside the Chapel.

It was probably the quietest place in the entire school, competing only with the library.

The students could shout, play, joke and generally behave like they had never been taught manners anywhere else, but the moment they stepped into the Chapel, it was a different story.

There were strict rules about maintaining the place too.

The Chapel wasn't usually open during the day except on Sundays. During the week, students could sometimes come in at night to pray before evening prep.