Cheshire Girl

Ch. 39

I was pretty sure Thomas Wyatt and his friends were trying to get my attention during English.  They'd keyed my car, and it seemed they wanted a reaction with their sly glances in my direction.  It was difficult for them to believe I had more important things to think about than their peer-on-peer delinquency.  They stopped me in the hall as I left class.

                "Noticed your car this morning," said Thomas, two of his friends—including Robert—playing back-up and blocking my path.  A few kids glanced our way, but didn't say anything.  Don't rock the boat, and all that jazz….

                "I noticed too," I said.  "I did drive it to school this morning."

                He frowned.  "I meant the scratch."  He crossed his arms.  "What a shame, right?"

                I shrugged.  "Not really.  It almost looks like a chrome racing stripe.  I like it."

                Now he was starting to look annoyed, seeing that something impersonal like a car wasn't bothering me.  He needed a new direction.  "Looks like Ethan dumped you, slinking back to Charlie."

                "I put them back together," I said smugly.

                He decided he had to tower over me—establishing physical dominance rather than mental dominance, showing me why I had to acknowledge him, maybe even fear him.  He moved closer so that I was forced to back into the wall—unless he wanted to kiss me, which probably wasn't the case.  "You think you can get away with what you did that Saturday?" he said quietly, which was nicely dramatic.  I bet he practiced that look and tone in front of the mirror every night before bedtime.

                "It was so long ago," I said, rolling my eyes.  "Aren't you over it by now?"

                Wow—he was mad.  And I was getting later to class every second, which was Algebra II.  For once, it was important that I get to that class, and here was Thomas on some stupid power trip.  When was he going to shut up?  "It's in your best interest to stay away from Walker," he went on.  "It seems like you don't want to understand."

                I noticed his minions looked a little anxious, shifting foot-to-foot; they were going to be late too.

                Meeting Thomas' eyes, I suddenly got a ridiculous idea.

                "Oh, I understand, Thomas Wyatt," I said, reluctantly moving closer while also trying not to laugh.  He moved back, a little confused as I put a hand on his chest.  I gave him… a look… as *shudder* seductive as I could mange.  "You're just looking out for me."

                "Wait—I—"

                "Shhh," I said, putting a finger on his lips.  They felt sticky with Chapstick.  "It's okay.  I get it.  I can keep a secret."  I quickly moved forward and kissed his lips.  Not a kiss kiss….  More like a quick peck.  It definitely had the reaction I wanted—shutting him up with a side of WTF?!  "I'll see you around, Wyatt….  Boys."  I moved past them and then ran to class, heavily wiping my mouth.

*

A little high on my successful assault on Thomas Wyatt, I entered class with hope… but it popped like a balloon.

                Catherine Connor was sitting far from where I sat—she  was closest to the door, and there was no chance for me to interact with her during class.  We didn't do groups here, which was the one time I needed it.  And then I somehow lost her after class since she was the first one out.