What He Heard

Chapter 23

            Willow half-listened to the rhythmic scratch of pencil against paper before glancing back down at the sheet that lay between her and Rune. They, along with a few other pairs, had their desks back together, their cell tests safely on Mr. Beasley’s test, where he’d already begun marking. Mr. Beasley had made it clear that as long as they didn’t talk and didn’t help others cheat, he didn’t really care what they did before the end of class.

            Well, once the results of the vote are announced, we can do articles on that, read Rune’s precise handwriting. After that, we’ll just have to see if anything interesting happens. If it doesn’t, I’m sure we can find a way to make it happen.

            She looked over at him and shook her head as he grinned at her. I swear, my grave is going to read “It Was Rune’s Idea”. It’s not like we can’t come up with some ideas of stuff to do. General ideas. And not the kind that’ll get us expelled, she wrote back.

            Spoilsport. But I suppose having a list of potential stories to draw from will make our lives easier. Just less interesting.

            With my family, interesting things hurt, so I’m fine with that.

            Well, with the savage creatures you call relatives, I can’t say I’m surprised. You should all consider etiquette lessons. Ha! I’d pay to watch that. It could be the newest, and best, reality TV show. “Etiquette for Neanderthals!”

            Keep talking like that, Air Head, and see if I don’t break you.

            He laughed silently as he read what she wrote. Air head! I like it! And the fact you’re again forced to threaten me with physical harm just shows what a true beast you are.

            The silken feeling of air moving quickly over the skin of her neck had Willow staring at Rune. He had his eyes half-closed, his pencil dangling from his hand while his hair waved gently in the current. He nodded after a moment, then hurriedly scribbled something down on the paper, shoving it towards Willow once he was done.

            We’re about to get called to the principal’s office.

            Willow’s eyes widened as she stared at Rune. She opened her mouth, then remembered where she was. Why? She wrote.

            He shrugged. Dunno. All I got was Marsden telling the secretaries to call us down to the office. I’d say it was because of our election articles, except, you know, we haven’t actually written them yet.

            She sighed. I hope this isn’t going to get us in trouble. I only just got Ed off my back. He’ll be pretty much stalking me if he finds out we’re back in Mr. Marsden’s bad books. It’ll be ten times worse if we get suspended or something, though I can’t think of anything we’ve done lately that would get us suspended.

            Who knows?

            Willow had her pencil coming down onto the paper when the loud ringing of the class phone ripped through the hush. Heads popped up all over the room, mixing in with some groans, before eyes went back to their tests.

            Mr. Beasley shoved himself up, frowning, and grabbed the phone. He kept his voice low, but it was still easy to hear his every word. “Yes? Yes, they’re here. No, no, it’ll be fine. They’re both finished. I’ll send them down.”

            Rune and Willow exchanged a glance as their teacher hung up the phone. Then he turned his gaze on them. “Mr. Campbell, Ms. Byron, Mr. Marsden would like to see you in his office now. Since you’re both done, you might as well pack your things up and go once he’s done. I don’t want you to be late for your next class.”

            “Thanks,” they murmured, both hurrying to sweep their things back into their backpacks. Willow took extra care with the paper they’d been writing on, resolving to burn it or tear it up later. She wasn’t sure if Rune cared or not, but the thought of someone finding it, and figuring out that they’d had advance knowledge of stuff that was going to happen…

            She shook her head and swung her bag onto her shoulder. Rune led the way to the door, holding it open for her. Once the door was closed behind them, he turned to grin at her. “This isn’t so bad,” he said, still keeping his voice quiet since they were the only ones in the hall. “This is much better than just sitting there, waiting for the bell to ring.”

            Willow rolled her eyes and headed towards the stairs. “Only if we don’t get suspended or lectured. I’d rather pass notes with you then listen to Mr. Marsden get mad at us for our articles.”

            “True, my scintillating conversation is not something to be missed. But it’s been like a week since our last articles. He’s got to have seen them by now. I think we’re in the clear. Probably.”

            She made a face. “Your certainty is so reassuring.”

            Rune grinned, his voice echoing down the staircase. “You really do worry too much. Why get worked up about something that hasn’t happened yet?”

            “So you’re prepared for the worst.”

            “Prepared, schmared. Life should be fun!”

            Willow rolled her eyes, but didn’t say anything else. She knew that, in this mood, she couldn’t get anything serious out of him. And it wasn’t like he was entirely wrong. At the moment, she couldn’t do anything about why they’d been called into the principal’s office.