Pattern

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

//Prudence//

"You jumped on a trampoline with Avery Watts?"

"It really isn't that terrible, Madi."

"No. No, no, no. You brought a boy home, without telling me, and ate food with him, and then jumped on a trampoline with him, and that boy also happens to be Avery Watts."

"Madison!" I said stubbornly. "Can you please stop making a big deal out of this? We're barely friends."

"Did you just call me Madison? What has the world come to?" Her brown eyes were lit up with blue eyeliner as she stared across the table at me. She was in front of me in English, and Ms. Lawless was late, so we got to chat. "And 'barely friends' do not bounce on trampolines together! Next you'll be having sleepovers and painting eachother's nails! Oh wait, he's a boy! Next, you'll be making out with him and riding on the back of his motorcycle!"

"He doesn't own a motorcycle," I said, grinning.

"Oh my goddd! You liiiike him!" Her mouth turned into an 'O'.

"No, I really don't, Madi. But.. I don't know." I shrugged. "He's different. It's not a really dramatic thing though, his presence doesn't turn my life around, it annoys me most of the time, but I liked having him around."

She turned around and smacked her face onto the table. "Ohhh, Prudence! What will we do with you? What will we do?"

Then Ms. Lawless walked in, sat down and the class began. I took out my essay we had to hand in today, proud of it. It was the second essay of the year, and I'd gotten an A on the first one, as well as Ms. Lawless telling me it was insightful and one of the best things she'd read in a while.

I was pretty happy throughout class, and went to Geography in a good mood too. At lunch, Avery came up to our table, and looked at me urgently.

"We need to talk." I moved to get up, but Madi stopped me.

"Whatever you have to say, say it here."

Esther and Dylan had paused and turned to look at us.

Avery sighed. "No-one's heard from Lucy. She's vanished, completely. Like Hanna."

I nodded. I'd been expecting this, but dreading it too. Madi stared at Avery. "Maybe it's because you're the one behind it, and you're just pretending to care so no one will suspect you."

I turned to Madi, shocked. Avery's eyes darkened. "I thought you hung around with nice people, Knightley," He spat, then left. I sighed, then looked at Madi. "Was that neccessary?"

"I don't like him, Prude, and I really don't like you hanging around him!"

"Well, he probably hates me now, so don't worry." I got up, dumping my half-finished juice carton in the bin, and went to my locker.

I got my books there for a few minutes, and then Madi appeared and walked with me back to the café. "I'm not apologising, by the way."

I sighed. "I wouldn't expect you to, Mads. It's fine." She grinned, and reverted back to her usual self.

“What’s with the pileup at the door?” She asked, tossing her hair. “Why is everyone suddenly so desperate to embrace nature?” I laughed a little, but wondered, the same, until some kids walked past. I heard two words. Senior fight.

And I panicked. “Prudy?” Madi called, as I raced out the door. There was a crowd outside, and I fought my way through the people (typically, they were mostly taller than me, so it was difficult). When I got near the front, I saw the very thing I’d been expecting, but dreading. Avery was lying on the ground, and some guy was punching him, over and over. His face was covered in blood, and at every hit he received, his face contorted, trying not to show the pain.