Useless

CHAPTER 2

Back at Malfaisant manor for the third time this week -which is unusual considering I've only ever been around here twice a week.

"She must be short of staff," I note, realising that the former head servant- who had previously been tasked with answering the door daily, among other things- was no longer there to answer. Rather he was replaced by another boy I'd seen working there on my days off- one about my age.

I check my roster. What is it today? Stacking the books in the library.

Not the hardest task, and sometimes I even get the chance to glance inside the books. Although I can only really read out my orders/ house chores, I still find books fascinating. Plus... Odette seems to enjoy reading; she has her face buried in them daily. Shelf keeping has to be probably my second favorite task in this house, considering Odette wanders in and out of here frequently.

Thoughts are running through my head as I carefully scan the shelves for any out of place books. Thoughts of the malicious Mistress, the lovable Lou, the absolutely adored... Odette.

"Ah, here we go a misplaced book," I whisper to myself almost silently, as I reach out to remove it from the shelf. I grip the book and slowly slide it from its place, assuring the books beside it don't come tumbling out as well.

My hand drops to my side- book and all- as I stare straight through the now empty gap on the shelf, at another stunned being on the other side.
Our eyes lock on each other in a sudden daze. This daze is broken with a slight shake of the head, blinking quickly.

"Wait, I know those eyes!"

I quit my blinking and look back at this girl... Odette. I now realised that I had been staring, and I begin to blush as she smiles at me through the space in the books. I quickly divert my eyes to the floor -knowing I'm not meant to be making eye contact- but look back up twice as fast, over powered by her beauty.

She waves as she mouths the word 'hi'.
I hold the book in front of me pretending to examine it shyly in hopes it would hide my rosy cheeks. She too looks at the book in my hands, but clearly out of interest and not sheepishness.

"What ya got there?" She asks confidently, "May I see?"
I hand her the book through the crack.
"Hmm... Shakespeare," she nods, glaring at it contently then quickly flicks through the pages, "yeah I heard of him... He wrote some pretty cool plays. Have you heard of him?"
I shake my head in denial.

"No? Oh okay." She shrugs "well any wa-"

"Odette!" Interrupts Madam Malfaisant (her mother and head of the household), "What are you doing speaking to that useless servant boy?! Come on!" Odette waves goodbye, dropping the book as her mother grips her wrist pulling her out of the library behind her.
I walk over to where she previously stood and pick up the book, which was only a few minutes ago in her hand. Still grasping the book, I look around to check for any sign of watchful eyes; the coast is clear. I slip the book under my shirt and run out to the orchid. I make my way to the fence and climb up to peer over in search of Lou.

"Lou! Lou-Lou!!" I beckon.

Lou spots my head peep up over the fence and runs over.
"Yeah?" He says.

"Take this would ya?" I pass the book through a crack in the fence, "and hide it somewhere safe!"

"Are you stealing that?" I hear a feminine voice from behind me.
Startled I fall to the ground and spin on the spot, pressing my back against the fence. I look around frantically for the source of the familiar voice, when Odette steps out from behind a tree.
"You probably should have asked... But it's okay I won't tell." 

She takes a few steps forward, closer and closer, closing in on me but stops an arm's length away. "I'm Odette," she extends her hand out to me, "you are?" She asks awaiting response.

I'm lovestruck and don't know what to say..."Uhh...ummmm." 

"It's okay, I won't bite." Odette snaps her teeth mockingly and laughs, "But, you know it's usually customary that you shake my hand and tell me your name, right?"
I look down at her hand then back up at her as I extend mine, "I-I'm U-Useless," I reply with a weak shake.
She giggles. "You're silly."
"No, I'm Useless." I tell her confused.
"Oh..." Suddenly serious she asks, "That's your name?"
I nod.

"Ok, then Useless." She kisses me on the cheek. "It was nice meeting you." She says looking at the ground.
I stand there, shocked, staring out into space.

"Odette, stop running off child!" Madame calls from somewhere in the orchid.

"I'm coming mumma! Bye... Useless."

With that, off she runs into the orchid.
"You were talking to that boy again weren't you?" I hear, followed by the sound of impact, flesh on flesh, and a yelp.  "What have I told you?! Boys are stupid, evil and inconsiderate! Don't ever let me catch you talking to him again!"

* * *

I was sent home early that day; Madame wasn't too impressed that I dared speak to her daughter.

As I crawl into bed that night, all I can hear is the sickening sound of Odette's whimper as Madame Malfaisant struck her delicate skin.
Tears spring to my eyes, and I quickly wipe them away in fear of Mistress seeing them. Did I cause her beating? Did I cause her pain? I didn't mean for any of this, yet I know I am guilty, and I swear I will no longer harm her for as long as I live.