Fake Tales

Chapter 2- Strange Behaviour

Chapter 2- Strange Behaviour

I splashed water in my face in an effort to wake myself. I'd been walking around in a sort of dream ever since the funeral two weeks ago. But today was time to get my act together; I hadn't seen Mel for more than ten minutes at a time ever since and I wanted to support her for her first proper day back at school today.

In the wake of everything that had happened, Dom and I had struggled to enjoy school without her. It just wasn't the same without her bounding, seemingly endless stream of energy. I missed her smiling, genuine warmth that mixed with her cutting dry humour to create one of my favourite people. But it kept striking me: was that Mel gone now? Had it been replaced with this new serious and unsmiling shadow of my best friend? I prayed that it wouldn't be the case. She would go back to her old self eventually.

I was walking with Dom when we spotted her, walking towards us with her flaming red hair whipping in the wind.

"Hey Mel" Dom and I greeted her in unison. Glancing at Dom, the apprehension in his eyes was unmistakeable. I gave him what I hoped was an encouraging smile: Mel wouldn't appreciate him walking on eggshells around her.

"Hey. What have you got today?" She asked with a smile that didn't touch her eyes. Her tone of delivery gave them an expressionless, dull look.

"5 lessons of course" I replied. "Whilst this one's only got 2 lessons. Fucking typical" I grumbled, looking sideways at my other best friend. He smiled at me.

"Don't be bitter Mad" He said teasingly. He did a subject less than Mel and I, so his workload was nothing in comparison. Which he was only too kind to remind me of at every opportunity.

"It's hard to do when you'll be finished by 12 but I've got to sit through English before I can go home" I muttered and Dom elbowed me playfully. I glanced at Mel, who'd been silent throughout this exchange and found her zoned out, averting her gaze from us. I opened my mouth to speak to her when the bell rang shrilly around us.

"See you guys later" Mel said, walking off without another word.

Dom's eyes followed her all the way up the pathway, until I touched his arm and he was brought back down to earth.

"She'll be alright Dom" I said reassuredly, though I wasn't sure of it myself at the moment.

He surveyed me, hazel eyes darkened with sadness and nodded.

"I hope so" He murmured.

I bit my lip. "I'll see you later?" I said and he nodded again, absorbed in his thoughts.

"Bye Mad" He smiled and I squeezed his arm. I hated seeing Mel like this as much as he did.

We drifted off in separate directions, myself for Spanish and him to Geography. Pushing open the rickety double doors leading into the languages block, I wasn't looking where I was going. So much so that I walked straight into the person on the other side of the door.

"Shit I'm sorry" I said hastily and then I looked up to see it was none other than Tom Winter.

"Tom I wasn't looking where I was going" I exclaimed, smiling in apology. The blood rushed to my cheeks as I looked up at him.

"It was my fault Maddy. I'm not a morning person" He smiled crookedly, light brown eyes twinkling playfully and I found myself drawn in despite myself. I opened my mouth to reply, but no sound came out. I wasn't used to people eyeing me with such interest.

"Here, ladies first" He said gallantly, reaching for the door handle, just as I, not paying attention yet again reached also. Fresh colour spread across my cheeks as our hands collided in mid air, noticing briefly the way his hand lingered on mine. I scurried through the open door, thoroughly embarrassed and looked back at him.