Stay With Me

Hot Room, Cold Eyes

Hot Room, Cold Eyes

The room was far too hot. That was the first thing I had noticed when I walked into Home Economics. The second thing I had noticed was that both Tobias and Krista were in this class. 

Next, I noticed that Caleb was in here too. 

The tables were the type with high stools, the type that I had always struggled to get up onto - I imagined Krista had the same problem.

 Each table had four stools around it. There was a work station for every pair. Tobias and Krista sat together on one side of the table. Caleb was opposite Tobias, on the same table. 

Since I didn't yet know anyone else, I walked to their table. It took me a minute trying to hoist myself onto the stool next to Caleb, who seemed to be trying to upset the cheerful boy across the table from him with his thunderous glare. Tobias smiled at him, as if he didn't notice the cold anger in Caleb's eyes, was directed at him. 

Turning to my neighbour, I smiled as best as I could in the first lesson of the day. "Hi, Caleb, are we gonna be partners?"

He met my eyes, but rather than the smile I expected in return after the friendly conversation last night, I got only an empty expression. The corners of my mouth quickly turned down, defeated. 

I thought he would be different today.

Better.

Our eyes still locked, my blue-green ones questioning, his green-brown ones expressionless. I silently willed him to smile at me, to break the growing tension around us. I wanted him to say something irritating or and teasing. Or just to speak to me. Even if the words weren't nice ones. To show some sign of emotion other than this... emptiness. 

Say something, Caleb.

"Oh my gosh, I love her accent! It's adorable! And so... English!" Tobias squealed excitedly, unaware of the tension between Caleb and I.

Krista rolled her eyes, "Oh, really? Did you think she was French, Toby?"

"Tobias! How many times!"

As they continued to bicker, I put my elbows on the table and rested my head in between them, feeling light-headed. It was so warm, I could feel my hair on my neck, tickling me, irritating me. Sticking to my skin. I could here my blood pumping in my ears, my  heart thumping against my ribs. I rested my forehead on the cool table, but that soon heated up under my warm skin. 

I sat up, suddenly. "Guys, is it always so hot in here? I feel kind of sick."

Tobias looked suddenly worried. "Yes, even when the ovens aren't on, sweetie." He leaned over the table and put his hand on my forehead. "Golly, you are very warm!"

"I'll leave and get a drink in a minute."

Tobias shook his head insistently. "No, honey-bear. Go now, while we're supposed to be listening to the demo." He gestured to the front of the glass where the grey-haired teacher was cooking, unaware that half the class weren't even looking her way. "Go, my little red-squirrel, get out while you still can!"

I warily got off my stool, hanging onto the edge of the table, and shuffled out of the room. Through the door, down the stairs, through two more doors. 

It was only my second day, and I still had no idea where I could get water, other than the cafeteria. 

What about that vending machine I saw yesterday? Yeah, I'll find that.