Wolfblood

Chapter Eleven

"There's a zero tolerance policy toward vandalism," Mr. Jeffries says as he walks through the class, "If school property is not treated with respect then privileges will be withdrawn from the entire school."

Maddy looks over at Rhydian, unable to move her stare from him.

"The end of term disco is cancelled!" Mr. Jeffries loudly announces.

"Sir! You can't do that!" Kay and Kara shout.

Mr. Jeffries adds on, "Unless the vandal is found. So, if anyone knows anything - now's the time to speak up."

Jimi whispers things to Liam, pointing in Rhydian's direction. Kay and Kara both follow Maddy in staring towards Rhydian.

"Hey leek-boy!" Jimi calls, making Rhydian look up from his locker, "Is it true you smashed up the dark room on your first day?"

"I knocked some stuff over, what do you care?!" Rhydian replies.

"Where were you Friday night, Rhydian?" Katrina asks as she, Kay and Kara all stride over to him.

Rhydian turns to face them, "It's none of your business!"

"If you're innocent, why not tell us where you were?" Kay sniggers.

"Because I can tell you where he was," Jimi butts in as he watches Rhydian get even more frustrated, "I saw him skulking around the playground like a burglar!"

Maddy opens the double-doors leading into the corridor, slowly making her way towards the crowd. "Is this true?!" Katrina demands.

"Why pretend to go home - then come back?" Kara asks. Rhydian stays silent, clenching his fists as the dark veins appear, he quickly walks away from the crowd before he loses control.

Maddy barges past the crowd, following after Rhydian. "Hands!" She whispers as Rhydian looks down at his wolf-veined hands.

"Oh like you care!" He shouts as he folds his arms, hiding his hands, "You think it was me aswell!"

"Was it?" Maddy questions as they both carry on walking down the corridor.

"No, it wasn't!" Rhydian yells - his anger building.

Maddy calmly replies, "Ok. Well, I know you were there. I'd seen you at the window."

"Yeah, I got here. Looked in, saw you and your parents." Rhydian tells her, as he tries holding tears back.

"Why didn't you come in?" Maddy asks as they both walk through the next double-doors, stopping as they reach the other side.

"Just... You know, I'm not ready for all that..." Rhydian sighs.

Maddy bites her lip as they look into each others eyes, "Alright... I believe you."

"Thanks a bunch! Not that it matters, I'm just gonna get blamed for everything anyway!" Rhydian replies as he nods in the direction of the small crowd of people in the corridor.

"Not if we find the person who actually did it!" Maddy grins.

"How?" Tom asks after Maddy tells him and Shannon about finding the vandal.

"I don't know yet..." Maddy whispers, "But I'm not just gonna stand around watching the wrong person get accused!" She sighs, looking over to Rhydian - sitting at a table near the front of the class.

"If he is the wrong person." Tom comments.

"You might not trust him," Maddy hesitates, "But I believe him..."