***
Still embarrassed from literally running into him triggered my defensive side. Looking at him suspiciously, I asked an accusing question.
'Do you often wait in deserted corridors by yourself?'
'Only when there's someone I want to bump into.'
His answer was quick, not missing a beat, and he flashed me a smile. Before I could even think of a reply he was talking again.
'I think we're in the same class now. English, right? G7?'
The fact that I had to get to class had completely slipped my mind. I jumped.
'Class! We're late! We're going to be in trouble!'
Mitch didn't move a muscle. With his right arm leaning against the wall again he raised his eyebrows at me. I felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny, like he could see straight through me. His eyes were hazel and pierced mine with a look I couldn't quite understand. It looked like a combination of intrigue, frustration, smugness and... maybe... no. I was imagining things. In the two minutes since I'd walked into the classroom I was pretty certain I hadn't offended anyone. Although he had an aura about him that said he knew things, and that made me wary.
'You're kidding me, right?' he laughed. 'Why are you rushing when we have the perfect excuse?'
I looked at him, confused. 'What's our excuse?'
Mitch's face became even more smug as he explained our excuse. 'You. As long as you go in there looking bewildered and scared, like you do now, Mr Faddon will welcome you to our class. Say you got lost and I'll get the credit for finding you. Put on a voice too, 'Oh, Mr Faddon! I'm so sorry! I was trying to find my way and got lost, walking around in circles, but then Mitch found me. He saved me! I'm so glad, if it wasn't for him-','
I pushed him backwards, cutting off his girlish imitation of me. 'I don't sound like that!'
Mitch grinned, apparently pleased to get a reaction. 'Sure. Come on nerd, let's get you to class. I can tell you're just scared to be around me. In fact many women are intimidated, so you're not alone.'
I gave him a patronising smile, but inside I shivered. He was right. It was terrifying being around him, though maybe not for the reasons he thought. He seemed to see too much, but I didn't have much choice except to follow him.
Unable to think of anything to say, I glanced around trying to memorise our surroundings so I wouldn't get lost later. Once we came out of the building we turned left and walked past a small garden. Most schools I'd been to didn't bother to keep gardens as the students generally trashed them. Although that was probably because Lachlan tried his best, but there was only so much he could do. The schools I was sent to were pretty average. Inspecting it closer I noticed that this school was better, but only slightly. Around the edges some of the plants were squashed and dying and there was litter scattered among the roots.
To me, it felt like an uncomfortable silence, but Mitch looked perfectly at ease as he strolled along with his hands in his pockets. He caught me glancing at him and winked. I didn't want to give him any reason to boost his ego any more; he was arrogant enough. So I just stared at my feet, concentrating on not tripping, as well as racking my brains for some way of opening a conversation. I hoped he wouldn't think the new girl was socially challenged or anything. Wait, I reminded myself. It didn't matter what anybody thought, I wouldn't have to deal with them for long.
Just as we turned into another building Mitch spoke again.
'Here we are.' He pulled the door and stepped to the side, holding it open for me. He smirked. 'Ladies first?'
I gave him a dirty look. For some reason I couldn't shake the feeling that he was doing it on purpose, but I couldn't believe he would shove me head first into a large group of strangers. Already just thinking about walking into the class had my fingers trembling and I dug my fingernails in my arm to calm myself. Mitch smirked again, if possible, almost innocently.
Vividly visualising the terrifying scene ahead I took a step towards the door. I knew what would happen. As soon as I entered the room whispers would break out and spread like fire. All the eyes of the students would be on me as they whispered to their neighbours, judging me, with their hands covering their mouths. I would endure this for weeks, maybe months if I was lucky, and then we would have to leave. Again.
It shouldn't worry me then, I tried to reason with myself. If I'm going to leave soon anyway then what these people think or say doesn't matter. There was no way around it; I was going to have to walk through that door.
***
