One Bite

Five - Eliza

   "So, from which part of England are you from?" I ask curiously, twirling a loose strand of hair around my index fingertip.

   "London," she replies absently.

   My brow furrows slightly as I watch her. She looks nervous, on edge - as if not used to having someone talk to her. I feel sorry for her, must be hard being new. But what can I do? I have to do as Tom tells me, despite the fact that this girl clearly feels uncomfortable to have me in her presence. If I don't? Who knows what he will do this time round. It's never fun to disappoint him.

   "London? I would love to visit one day," I sigh. "It's always been my dream to travel."

   "Then you should," she offers, shrugging her tiny shoulders.

   I laugh lightly, but even in my own ears it sounds terribly fake. My voice even wobbles slightly. "I don't see that happening."

   "Parents?"

   I shrug but my eyes snap onto Tom across the classroom, to find him chatting away to his two friends, the two he is always with. There's Miles, who is definitely more than a little dorky looking. Dark, thick eyebrows with just as dark, puppy dog eyes. He's always making jokes - literally, always with the damn joking. Sometimes, I feel bad about being so cold to him, but I have to be like that with everyone - if Tom got an idea in his head that I was being too nice, I would suffer.

   Then there's Patrick. Tall, well built Patrick - star player of the basketball team, one of the schools top students - and incredibly gorgeous. It's all about that half smile that splays across his face, the hard jawline, slightly crooked nose - and those eyes. Warm, friendly - and yet penetrating. Every time I'm around him? My heart does a little dance.

   "You like him?"

   Her voice makes me jump slightly and I scoff awkwardly, shaking my head. "Who? What?"

   A little smile plays across her lips and for the first time, her eyes meet mine. I find myself smiling back, slightly surprised at the warm, teasing light in her eyes. I blink and it's gone, as if it never happened. This might not be impossible, but it sure is going to be difficult.

   "Do you like anyone?" I wink, flashing her a smile, trying to divert the attention from myself.

   She rolls her eyes, returning to tapping her fingers along the desk. "It's my third day."

   "So? No one catches your eye? At all?" I pry.

   Her eyes flicker. Just the tiniest movement - and I'm sure she thinks I don't notice it, but I do. I glance across at my brother and his friends. 

   "Nope," she sighs. "Can we just get on with our assignments?"

   "Sure," I shrug casually and lean over to look over the paper that she's spent so much time staring at throughout our discussions.

   I try not to think about how much this girl will wind up getting screwed over by Tom. I don't want to help him, in fact, I don't want anything to do with him, but every time I try to say no, it winds up bad. Very bad.

   In the past, whenever I've tried to say no to him, he's punished me. He has his ways. Sometimes, it's small animals - or people's pets, that he finds. When I defy him, he kills them. Sometimes, he takes it out on me; a slap, a punch - nothing where it will show; he'd hate to give away the game.

   Because that's all it is to him. A game, a bit of fun. To torture and torment me, like he always has and he always will. I feel like there's no escape from him. Ever.

   "Are you related to him?"

   I had been dreading the question.

   "He's my twin."

   "Oh my..." Her eyes widen. "I thought you guys looked a lot alike, but I didn't think that. I think it's the hair, you know? Yours is dyed, right? I mean, I don't know anyone with hair that pale, that's natural. It throws everything off."

   "I think that's the most I've heard you say," I laugh.

    She gives me a small smile. Maybe this could work, with a little nudge here and a little push there. She might start to come out of her shell more... she'd be devastated if she found out it's all a trick though, surely.

   "So, do you go out at all?" I ask.

   She shakes her head. "Not really, I prefer to stay in."

   "Hmm..." I pause and her eyes flicker to mine. "I'm definitely taking you out one night. My brother and I throw some crazy parties, so you'll have to come along to those."

   "I don't drink though." 

   "You don't have to drink!" I laugh. "You can just come, meet some new people, make friends and such. Don't worry, I won't abandon you or anything."

   She looks so unsure that like many times before, I feel a pang of sympathy. I couldn't imagine how she feels constantly - always on edge, uncomfortable, not knowing what to say. I feel like people who are shy or have difficulties in social aspects, are probably very comfortable in their own minds, it's just when other minds get involved that everything becomes tangled.

   "We're having one this weekend," I offer.

   "I'm supposed to be helping my mum with a lot of stuff still."

   "Well, talk to her. Surely she'll be happy you're making friends?" 

   "She'd be ecstatic..." she sighs.

   "Well come to our party then. I promise you'll have a good times, alright?"

   She nods absently and I peer over to where she's begun doodling on her notebook. She draws little cats - already the page is almost filled with them. Most of them look delicate, with intricate details, especially in the fur.

   "You like cats?" 

   "I prefer dogs," she smiles. "Both are fun to draw."

   "You're good."

   She flushes pink at the compliment. "It's just some stupid doodles." 

   "Still good," I laugh.

   "Well thanks," she replies bashfully.

   I nod absently, my eyes drifting back to my brother and his friends for the umpteenth time. Tom glances across at us, the image of complete nonchalance - but I know that glimmer in his eyes, that familiar little cruel sparkle... it's a tiny warning, a small threat. It's almost like I can read his mind.

   Do as you're told and you won't suffer. 

   It's gonna be a long day.