Hunted

Act 3; Performance

Amelia always had a silent appreciation for how an entire theater was darkened and lights flashed only on the stage. That way, she didn't have to focus on the audience. She always had terrible night vision, so as long as she couldn't see any strange faces, she never minded being judged, even when she entered competitions. All that mattered was the music, her outfit being pretty, and herself synchronizing with the other dancers.

That evening was no different, though she was a tad disheartened at the fact that she never met with Antoinette before the show. Oh well. Maybe after. For all she knew, the French girl might already be in her seat. Again, too bad she wouldn't be able to see her.

"Amelia, are you listening?"

She turned to the boy standing by her seat, and tried to look guilty. Her muscles wouldn't allow it, and she ended up giving him her usual blank stare. Who knew it was so hard to show emotion to acquaintances?

Galen Auschwitz sighed, relieving himself his frustration. "You know I can't take up too much of your time, so would you at least lend me an ear or two?"

She bit her lip to hold a sarcastic comment, then nodded.

He studied her for a bit to see if she was listening, then said, "Seeing as you won't be coming back to school anytime soon, I hope you wouldn't mind keeping tabs on your education as you do so. Diamonds might not have such a high tolerance to absents when it comes from the privileged like you, I would still like to personally make sure that you're keeping up with your studies."

She felt a pang on her chest. "As a friend?"

He started studying one of the many bouquets gifted to Amelia for good luck. He lifted a shoulder. "As year representative."

She inwardly sighed. As cold as ever. "I'll do my best. Though it's not like it means much to begin with. I'd love to go back to school if it was up to me, but my job seems to weigh more than my education to both my parents and my teachers, so I'll only be required to go to school unless there's a scheduled quiz or test or whatever."

He looked back at her. "And since the school year just started, there hasn't been any of the sort, right?"

Her expression never faltered, but a bleak aura definitely wrapped around her at the fact. "Yeah. They seem really considerate of us students, aren't they?"

"Council members shouldn't be seen by other students, badmouthing teachers, Amelia." Galen said, placing his fingers through the belt loops of his jeans. He smiled back at her, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It's bad for the image."

She frowned. As if you really care about your image. She thought in disdain.

He grinned. "You thought something mean about me, didn't you?"

She acted innocent. "Now why would I ever regard you in any lower position than the pedestal you already stand on, Sophomore Year Representative: Galen Auschwitz?" If sarcasm was poison that seeped through her teeth, they'd be flooded by then.

He sighed. "One day you'll find someone you're gonna want to think you're cute, and such manner of speaking is not cute at all." He walked back to her side, his demeanor straighter, more relaxed. "Seriously though, things are getting worse back there. We'd really need your help."

She looked up at him from her chair, and to anyone else, he'd look like the typical prefect. Hair slicked back so neatly not a strand was out of place, face taken cared for that not a pimple was in sight. He was tall and lean and his knowledge in self-defense was the reason no one physically touched him. And it was his cold and manipulative manner that no one socially touched him. Mentally and emotional-wise, Amelia usually had no idea how to approach him.