H.I.C.C.

Chapter 9: M.

This morning starts just like yesterday. I walk to L's place, wake her up, dress her and we go to school. When we arrive at the Lockers, Michael greets us. "Morning." He says. I don't greet back. I just open my locker. "Good Morning, Michael." L says. How can she be so easy with him? Does she think I don't know she's trying to get me to like him? I appreciate her trying... But I don't think I can. I quickly change my shoes and escort L to her class room. I let Michael take over and run off quickly. I didn't want to stay around him for longer than necessary. I feel bad for L to suffer from this as well, but I just can't help it. When I enter my class room, I suddenly trip and fall to the floor. I grunt as I hit it. I hear laughs behind me. I sigh. Slowly I get up and want to continue to my seat, but I'm grabbed by the shoulder. "Good morning Jen, how are you today?" I look back. It's David. Mark's friend. I gulp. I want to walk forward. Slowly I move my right leg forward. "Good." I say hesitantly. He smiles. "How NICE." He snaps. Suddenly he puts his left leg in front of my right leg and pushes my back in a sudden move. I fall again. Only barely I manage to cushion the fall with my arms. It still hurts. "David, lesson's about to start." I wonder who said that. It's answered by David: "Fuck you too, Peter." David kicks my shin. I scream. Sophie snaps: "HEY! If the snitch reports that you'll get a detention!" David chuckles. "What snitch? No one's going to cover for our cute little Jenny." Suddenly Mr. Demens comes in. "To your seats please. Jennifer? Why are you on the floor?" I sigh and get up. "I tripped." I lie. "Well, get to your seat then please. Class, get out your books, we'll practice some more power functions."

When the bell rings for lunch break, Jen quickly heads over to L's class. She freezes when she spots her with Michael. Was he going to join them for lunch? Jen disliked the thought a lot. Slowly she walks over to them. "I'll take over." She says forcefully and supports L when Michael lets go. "Hey Jen." L says. Michael just smiles at Jen. "Let's go." He then says. L nods, and Jen starts walking towards the cafeteria. When they arrive, they quickly grab their food and walk over to an empty table. Michael sits opposite of Jen and next to L. Jen is doing her best not to glare. For the first time since a few months she felt angry towards a boy. He seemed to force himself between them. And she didn't like it. When Michael sees that Jen is looking at him, he smiles at her. Jen starts eating. It irks her that he always smiles. Who does he think he is? Then he starts a conversation: "What do you two think, wanna hang out with me and my crew after school? Jen stiffens and stops chewing for a second. L notices. "I'm not sure if we can today. I am going to get a routine check." Jen doesn't move her head and looks up to L with only her eyes. That was a lie. Her check-up was in a week. Michael seems disappointed. "What a shame. You two would've really enjoyed it. We're always meeting at the BMX ramps just up the road. If you change your mind or finish earlier than expected, visit us." "We will." L replies, "But keep in mind I can't do anything yet." Michael chuckles. "That wouldn't have mattered. Just watching us do some stunts would've done the trick." Jen couldn't help but start thinking Michael has feelings for L. And she doesn't like it. No, she HATES it. L is her friend. Her only friend. Maybe it was her fear of boys, but she just can't trust him. She finishes her lunch in silence while Michael and L keep talking to each other.

When we finish lunch, Jen helps me up. We bring away our trays and start heading back to the class rooms. "I have chemistry now." I start, "So can you drop me off at the lab?" "Sure." Jen replies in a cold tone. Was she bothered by something? "What's up?" I ask. "Nothing." Jen says. "You sure?" "I'm fine!" She retorts. I can't help but smirk. "You'll get used to it. If he tries anything funny you know I'm on your side, right?" Jen doesn't reply. Seems I hit the spot. When we arrive at the lab, Jen finally seems to lighten up. She smiles at me when she says: "See you after school." I wave at her. "Yep." Then I enter the lab. I support myself on the tables until I reach my seat. I carefully sit down. The pain in my chest just doesn't go away. I sigh. The lesson is rather boring today. We are just revising on stuff from the last lesson and correcting homework. I almost fall asleep twice. I still can't stop thinking about the situation we're in. Just HOW do I get Jen to socialise with Michael a little more? I'd have to find a way... Today was out of the question, I already rejected his offer, and I wanted some peace and quiet today anyway.

Jen gets up when the Bell rings. She quickly packs her things and wants to leave, but someone grabs her wrist. "Not so fast Jen." Marissa... "What do you want?" Jen asks. Marissa looks at her with an innocent pout. "Just some answers?" Jen looks around. No one except the two of them were in the room now. Jen sighs. "Fine." Marissa puts on an evil grin. "Nice." Jen quickly helps Marissa with the problem. "Thanks." She says. "And DON'T tell ANYONE we did this." She adds with a threatening tone. Jen just nods and walks out of the room. When she arrives at the Locker, L is already waiting. Jen happily notices that Michael isn't there. "Hey!" She says as she heads for her locker. L, leaning against the lockers, asks: "Was your day as boring as mine?" Jen sighs as she puts on her street runners. "Kinda. Not that school ever was that interesting to me." L raises a brow. "Count your lucky stars, it's been kind of bothersome for me lately." Jen smiles. "Need any help?" L looks at her, suddenly with a begging expression. "Please?" As Jen starts to support her she says: "With pleasure." As they leave the school, a familiar figure stops them. "You sure as hell took your time." Jen freezes. "Did you honestly think Mark would forgive you?" David asks, as he slowly starts to circle around the two. "You wouldn't DARE." L threatens. David chuckles. "Oh, do you think so? You can't stay on the school grounds forever. Need an escort out?" L slowly gets Jen to move forward. "No thanks, we're good." David takes a quick step towards them and pokes L's side. She screams, but grabs his wrist shortly after. He cries out in pain. He wants to free himself but a quick jerk of L's hand makes him stop. "DON'T do that again or I'll make your bone SNAP." She says in a very annoyed tone as she slowly turns his wrist. He starts struggling again, but when she pushes it further he stops again. "STOP! STOOOP! I GIVE UP!" L pushes him a bit further, then suddenly lets go. "Good thinking." David rubs his aching wrist and glares at L as they both leave the school grounds.

As soon as they were out of sight. L groans and holds her side. Jen stops. "Are you alright?" L pants. "He hit the worst rib..." She says in a pained voice. Jen points to a bench. L nods. Jen carefully walks over to it and puts L down. Her breathing still sounds off. She moans. "Want something to drink?" Jen asks. L just nods again. Jen quickly gets out a bottle and gives L a bit to drink. "Thanks..." She says. "No worries." Jen replies. The walk home feels a lot longer this day, as L isn't feeling well at all along the way. It would be a dreadful evening for her. Jen could feel it. Then she has an idea. "Want me to stay over tonight? That way I can teach you a little, and you won't be so alone." L brightens up at the sound of that. "That'd be great. Thankie..." Jen gets out her phone. "Mum?...Yeah, can I stay over at L's today?...No...Nice, alright, thanks. Tell dad I said hello...Bye!" She hangs up and puts the phone away. She smiles as she turns to L. L smiles back.

I wake up a few minutes before the alarm clock rings. I look around. That's right, I stayed over at L's tonight. When I turn to her bed, it's empty. I am completely awake immediately. I jump up and walk to the door. When I'm about to open it, the handle already moves. L enters. "Oh, mornin'. Did I wake you up?" She asks. I hiss: "No, but why were you up?" She grins. "Toilet." She simply says. I sigh. We get ready faster than usual and head to school. When we arrive, Michael is already waiting at the lockers. "Good morning!" He greets, smiling. I hide the fact that I'm annoyed. "Hey." L greets back. I don't say anything and don't pay attention to him. His presence still makes me feel uneasy.
When I open my locker, a piece of paper is inside. I raise a brow. I change my shoes, then, without Michael or L seeing it, I quickly read the note:
"I want to talk to you during lunch break. Behind the school. ALONE. Signed: M."
I read it again, then I crumple it and throw it back in my locker. M.? That could either be Michael...Or Mark.... I don't like it. I wouldn't be able to face a boy like that. But what if it was a girl? I can't fight my curiosity. I know it is a mistake.

And I can't believe I actually want to go.