The Things We Share

Chapter Six

"Uh..." I looked up at Hughe as he stood on my front steps.

"Warren asked me to pick you up. He isn't coming to school today." Hughe seemed indifferent about the whole ordeal. His posture was rather slouched and his hands were stuck fast inside his pockets.

"Oh. Sorry." Well, now my morning routine is a little put off. I guess I shouldn't complain though, Hughe did have to go out of his way to pick me up.

Hughe shrugged and nodded slightly, "So are we going to get going or..?"

My stomach grumbled quietly, but I nodded. "Just let me do something real quick..." I closed the door and quickly walked into the kitchen.

I frowned when I took the toast out. Of course on the day I can't eat it isn't burnt. With a begrudging sigh I threw it away and then hurried up the stairs to brush my teeth.

"So you and Warren are getting pretty close, huh?" Unlike Matt, Hughe played his radio loud and proud, making it a little difficult for me to hear him over the lyrics of a Bruno Mars song.

I shrugged, "I guess."

"You guess? I mean, you guys are pretty much inseparable."

"Except for at lunch. He doesn't have the same lunch period as me."

"He doesn't have a few classes the same as yours, but he does have the same lunch period as us."

"Huh? Really? Why don't I ever see him around?" I turned to face him in my seat.

"He used to sit with his sister outside. He probably still sits there." I watched Hughe's jaw reset, probably causing him to ground his teeth together slightly.

"I never knew Atha." I commented quietly.

"You were missing out. Warren was a lot more fun with her around too."

I sighed and turned around. Of course. Folding my hands in my lap I internally declared that I had officially figured Hughe out. It wasn't too hard at all.

"So you liked her, huh?"

I never got an answer. I don't think it was even necessary.

"Rodrick.... Right?" I slowly looked up at the female standing in front of my science table. Her honey brown hair went well past her shoulders, a few ends twisting and curling giving her a slight bed head look. Her blue eyes were nothing like Matt's, they looked more like a cyan blue than his deep ocean colored eyes.

What was more disturbing about this female was that I didn't know her. I had never seen her around. So that means she was new. That also means she would be sitting at my table now.

Our Science room had lab tables that sat three, unlike the usual two person table. My other partner was standing by the door, chatting away with a few of his friends.

"Could I have the outside seat? I hate feeling surrounded." I blinked, being brought back to by her voice. Slowly I moved over for her, moving my things over also. Great, now I am going to be sandwiched between two people. "Such a gentleman." The girl flashed me a pearly grin before taking a seat. I looked away, feeling my cheeks hit up from embarrasment. "My name is Cordia." I nodded slightly, still not making eye contact. "So do I call you Rodrick or Roddy? Or, how about Rickki? Aw, that's cute." She giggled slightly.

"Rods doesn't talk much." Finally my second lab partner took his seat and flashed Cordia a happy grin, "I'm Gustave, but you can call me Guss."

Cordia and Guss continued to talk, mostly about random subjects. Even though the bell had long since rang the teacher was distracted by another as of the moment.

"So... What about this Atha Joyner chick that died last week?" Cordia's voice got quiet as she leaned forwards.

"Uh..." Guss focused more on me, but I paid them no mind.

"Like, what about her older brother? Is he like, super depressed?"

"Cordia... Uh... This isn't the best topic..."

"Huh? Why not? I'm not like, bashing him or anything. I'm just curious."

"Stay here a week and you'll know everything you want to." I finally spoke up, sketching a few circles down absently on my page.

"So it talks." I could hear the grin in Cordia's face, but I didn't bother to respond, I just shrugged slightly.

The rest of the day was uneventful, and the following day even more so. Up until Science class again. Once again Matt didn't show up, and once again Hughe was the one to pick me up. Bruno Mars was playing on his radio again, so I've come to guess he was listening to an album.

Morning classes were as usual, and no one really bothered me.

But once I sat down in Science Cordia was right back at it. She sat down and happily greeted me, which I only nodded in return.

"So... I heard from a few girls that you and Warren are all buddy-buddy now."

My shoulders stiffened slightly.

"I guess one depressed person compliments another."

I turned away from Cordia and began to dig through my bag. For the rest of the class period I was contemplating leaving. Not just the class, just to check out for the day.

Maybe I could go see Matt. Maybe sending Hughe was a sign like: "Hey, I really need your help right now."

I sighed and leaned in to my palm. Guss leaned over, "Hey Rods, would you do me a solid and switch spots with me?"

I blinked slightly but nodded. Cordia was busy whispering to a girl at a desk next to ours, so we easily switched without her knowing.

She didn't even notice until she finally whipped around, "Hey Rod—" she froze and her mouth made a small o. She was quick to recover and instead started talking to Guss.

I sighed and just kept quiet. I was so leaving after this period.

"Rodrick, how many times do I have to tell you, you need an eighteen year old or up to check you out, and you are clearly still seventeen."

"But Mrs—"

"No buts. I've learned my lesson with letting you out without proper babysitters." The lady waved her finger at me slightly, "Don't think I can be fooled twice by your 'please's and 'thank you's."

"Yes ma'am." I sighed, "So can I just sleep in the library or your office?"

"Why are you so eager to get away? Did something happen? Is someone bullying you?" Her tone got aggressively louder. One thing this school was good about was trumping out the bullies. How unrealistic, right?

"No ma'am, no one new is bullying me." I grinned at her and she slowly smiled back. "I'm just tired."

"Well, I'm sorry but I don't think—"

"I'll sign him out."

My posture straightened, but I kept my gaze strictly forwards.

"Oh," the woman before smiled and nodded, "Just as long as you take good care of him Cordia."

"I will, don't worry." She joined my side and flashed her pearly grin.

Well damn.