Dean Lockwood

Popular

"English lessons are cancelled for the day. A substitute teacher will be found for the rest of the week's lessons, while we search for a new English teacher. Mr Overman no longer works here."

The announcement of Overman's departure left everyone buzzing with theories. Most the teachers (the ones who hadn't been told about his 'suicide') insisted that he had resigned due to stress, but the student body were convinced that he had been fired.

"I heard he had an argument with Mrs Kirly (the headteacher). I don't know what he's done, but apparently he pissed her off so badly she fired him."

"No, no, I think he was fired because he's been up to some dodgy stuff. You know, porn on his classroom computer, looking at students wearing shorts. In fact, maybe he's the reason Jones disappeared!"

I caught Dean's eye, terrified that they'd connect Jones' disappearance with Overman's. His eyes gleamed with mischief. He was loving this.

"Maggie!" Christine called over, as I entered the cafeteria, Dean strolling by my side, hands stuffed deep within his green jacket. "Maggie, Dean, I'm over here."

Dean tore off ahead of me to meet Christine and sat down in the seat next to her. I stumbled after him, to the table where Christine and her friends congregated every lunch. The Popular Table.

Amy and Libby were already sitting there. Amy was sitting the other side of Christine, so Dean and Amy surrounded her. Libby sat opposite. They seemed enchanted with her. Amy was constantly talking, seemingly desperate to hold her attention. Dean kept his serious, smug composure, but couldn't help but look slightly amused and pleased to be there, in Christine's presence. Libby was the only one who didn't seem infatuated with Christine. She made casual conversation, but kept her usual sane demeanour. She smiled when she saw me, as did Christine, and I sat next to Libby, across from Dean.

All of Christine's attention seemed to be directed at Dean. She chatted away, and although her words seemed directed to the whole group, she would not take her eyes of him. Amy, still trying to get Christine to look her way, kept tapping her shoulder with a new random topic of conversation. Libby was talking to everyone, but mostly me, so at least I didn't feel alone.

I was wondering why Dean wasn't giving me attention. I get it, it's great that we were sitting with one of the most popular girls in school, but he could have at least look at me. I mean, did Christine help him murder someone this morning? Did Christine kiss him on Saturday? Was Christine his supposed girlfriend? No!

Oh my God, was I jealous? Jealous of a guy who roped me into murder just this morning?

"Come on Maggie, get a grip," said my inner voice. "He's evil. You shouldn't even like him." But I did, and I couldn't help it. He had gotten me to like him, and he was so smug about that.

But if he had worked so hard to get me to like him, why was he ignoring me now? Was it to make me jealous? Or did he just not need me now? Now that he'd gotten what he wanted from me - my help to murder Overman - I was irrelevant and useless to him?

I was so angry. To play with my feelings like that...what a dick! What an evil dick.

"Maggie!" Libby said, putting her hand on my arm.

"Huh?" I said, pulled out of my thoughts.

"I asked you a question. Didn't you hear? You looked deep in thought," she laughed.

I decided to ignore Dean and focus on who really counted - my friends. They wouldn't play with my feelings, or use me for personal gain.

I gossiped with Libby, forgetting Dean and Christine. Soon the end of lunch came, and as we were getting up to leave, Christine told Dean, "Oh, there's a Christmas party at my house this weekend. It's on Saturday, it starts at 9. You should come! It'll be fun."