Libby and Matthew ✘

THREE | CAN YOU JUDGE SOMEONE BASED ON ICE CREAM FLAVOURS?

[ this chapter is dedicated to @emblyn_rose thanks for the comment in the last chapter <3 also the picture above is of the adorable Seth ]  

When I finally get to the primary school, I'm greeted by Mrs White and the head principal, Mrs Holloway. 

"We could've just called your grandmother Libby, there's no need for you to drop class," Mrs White says.

"I'll catch up later, is Seth okay?" I ask turning the focus back on my brother. "Did you find out what the other boy said?" I continue, turning when I hear the door open.

"Libby!" my brother shouts as his runs straight into my open arms, I notice the puffiness under his eyes.

"Seth, what happened?" I ask as I hold him tight against me in a bear hug. His innocent blue eyes stare up at me, unblinking and he shrugs.

"Seth," Mrs Holloway says more urgently. Seth looks over at her then tucks his head under my arm to hide. Mrs White smiles sadly at me as she looks up at the clock on the wall beside us.

"I have to be getting back to class," she says as she picks her bag off the floor. "Seth sweetie," she says bending down to Seth's level beside us. "Remember to apologise to Markus, and if you ever need to talk to anyone I'm always here," she then looks up at me.

Seth still hasn't moved, his head still hiding from sight. I nod my own and watch as she disappears out the door. I turn my head to Mrs Holloway who was watching Seth closely, like any minute he would tell us what Markus had said but he doesn't.

"Well I think it would be best if Seth has the rest of the day off to.." she trails off looking for the right word. "Cope with what's happened, I'm sure it was indeed an accident which won't happen again."

"Yes Mrs Holloway, I'll be sure to have a word with him later about this. Thank you," I say as I turn Seth around to face me. "Have you got your bag buddy?" I ask him and he nods his head before looking back down at the floor.

"Have a good day guys, and we'll see you back here tomorrow Seth dear," Mrs Holloway says behind us as we leave the room. I grab Seth's bag from the doorway and put in on my shoulder, carrying two bags isn't as hard as you may think. Seth reaches up and takes my hand with his small one, and I smile sadly as we walk towards the doors.

"You okay?" I ask him as we walk outside where we are greeted by the bright sunlight.

"Yeah." I glance down at him, he's awfully quiet. The poor boy, what must he be thinking in that head of his. My brother looks up from the ground and is about to take a step to the left, towards our house when I stop him.

"You know what, how about we go and get some ice-cream instead. It'll be our little secret," I say as Seth finally smiles and nods his head.

"Yay! I promise I won't tell anyone," he says, I quickly bend down and wipe his eyes with a spare tissue I had on me. With that done, he takes my hand and starts running up the path with me behind. I try my best to keep the two bags from falling off my shoulders while we run, now that is a challenge I tell you.

- - -

"Here is your strawberry milkshake, and the banana swirl," I say as I hand over the items. "That'll be six dollars," I add as I take the money and hand the change back over.

"Thank you, darling," Mr Thomas says smiling as he takes the items over to his grandkids, Ben and Sally.

"Have a good day Mr Thomas," I say, waving at the kids who wave back before heading out the door. I glance over at Seth who was sitting at one of the booths doing some colouring in and finishing his ice-cream. He still hasn't talked about what happened at school, but I don't want to force him to talk so I wait.