Blaze

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Carlos came to school with a cast around his hand the next day. He spotted me in the crowd of students in a hallway and straight-up avoided me with a look of fear on his face. As much as it felt satisfying to have finally gotten my revenge on him, the shame came back again.

I entered the classroom to find Helena sat at the window seat. She saw me but turned away like she didn't know me. It hurt to see that. Seeing that I was coming towards her, she stood up and reached for her bag.

I caught her hand in a firm grip, not strong but firm. She looked up and we locked eyes. The few people who were in the class stared at us.

"Please," I begged, it was killing me, not knowing what was wrong.

She sat down and stared out the window. I followed, but instead stared at her. She had her own sketchbook open in front of her, with an unfinished design for a dress. Helena seemed to want to become a fashion designer when she grew older, from the numerous sketchbooks that were filled with her designs.

"What's going on?" I asked, it was a simple question, and its answer should've been simple too. But I knew that wasn't the case.

"Nothing." it was a simple answer, but I didn't believe that was it.

"Then stop shunning me. I know there's something wrong, I've known you for long enough to read you like a book."

"Well if you can read me then why don't you understand me?" she spun around, and the venom in her words cut deep into me.

It was true. I didn't understand her, even if I claimed that I could see through her.

"Maybe it's 'cos you're not opening up." I rebounded.

I saw the tears well at the corner of her eyes. I hated arguing with her like this, because in the end I would win even when I didn't want to. She stood up and stormed out of the class. I heard some of the girls at the back of the class whispering, I could hear them perfectly fine. When I whipped around and eyed them, they stopped. My anger subsided as someone tapped my shoulder.

It was a blonde girl with blue eyes and full lips. Much prettier than Helena, very honestly saying, but no one could ever replace her in my mind. Her name was Eveline, and she was Helena's best friend.

"Go after her."

I nodded and got up, sprinting out the door and into the hallways. She was nowhere insight, but if I really knew Helena well, I should've known where she'd be. The morning bell rung and I returned to the class. Helena didn't turn up for any of her classes. I ended up carrying her leather sling bag from class to class.

At lunch time, I ventured the school. I checked the bike stands, then the library, and finally the roof. For some reason the roof-access hatch was never locked. I climbed the rusting iron rungs that were bolted into the wall, pulling myself up and pushing the hatch open.

People rarely came to the roof, unless they were felt like being lonely. And even then, it was dangerous up here. There were no safety rails or borders at the side to stop someone from falling.

I found Helena laid on her back, reading a book from the library. She must've heard me come up, but pretended like I wasn't there. I sat down next to her and waited for a moment before speaking.

"You're gonna spoil your eyes." I chided.

"Aww, you care for me." she put on a snobbish voice, mocking what is said.

"Yeah, I do."

She closed her book and sat up. The noon sun blasted down on us.

"Haven't you gotten a heatstroke yet?" I checked my watch, "You've been up here for, what, four hours?"