Shadowteer

Chapter 4

"Are you two insane?"

"Yes."

"It's social suicide! I won't. I refuse to do it."

"But Manon..."

"No. In fact, you know what? I don't believe I will ever converse with him again. Ever!" They rolled their eyes.

"You're Manon. You "converse" with everyone."

"It doesn't matter. I'll just avoid him. It'll be easy."

"We'll never stop teasing you then." They both smiled and fist bumped. She walked over to the noisy cafeteria table she shared with all her friends and plopped on the chair.

"Hey Manon! Why the long face. Does it have anything to do with the newbie and you running away from him?" She blinked twice.

"Kemen..."

"E-er what?"

"News travels fast."

"Aww, Manon likes a boy!"

"Like it's the first time!"

On a table far away from the group, Chris had just walked in and sat down with the band members. The Asian who's name was actually Freddy grinned.

"So... Christopher... word's going around that you have a crush on Manon. Or was it the other way around? Hmm... care to enlighten us?" Chris snorted and mumbled a 'no'. "What was that?"

"He said no idiot. Ugh. Crushes. Someone spear me." She scrunched her nose in disgust.

"Huh. Wouldn't blame you though." The black guy unwrapped his sandwich. "She's pretty cool I guess. She talks to everyone. Even us walk on characters over here!"

"Oh please. Like, hello? She's princess sunshine. Always smiling. Always volunteering for stuff. Always eager to help. Always the centre of attention."

"You sound a bit jealous Meera."

"Of her? There are probably a lot of girls who are jealous of her. I wouldn't blame them but I'm not one of em. I hate being noticed. She has way too many friends. And knowing populars, I'm sure a good handful of them actually despise her behind her back. I've heard one or two of their conversations too-"

"Why on earth would you-"

"I was in the toilet, okay Tyler? Don't ask me what they were doing gossiping in there." He shrugged. "Anyway, all I'm saying is if she's not careful, one day all those friends might just turn out to be fake. I've always wanted to see something like that happen in real life." Tyler rolled his eyes.

"Yep, our friendly neighbourhood narcissist here. What about you, Chris?" He shot up.

"What?"

"Are you okay? You seem really tired." He shrugged.

"Fine. What was the question."

"You're new and all. What are your thoughts on Manon so far."

"Why her specifically?"

"We've been talking about her for minutes now. Get a hold of yourself man." Freddy shook him. He shrugged.

"Oh, her. She's strange. Like, really strange." He thought on saying more but decided not to. He slumped back into his seat, his confusion growing when they all stared at him, gaping. "What?"

"That's... wow."

"Yep."

"Do you want me to tell her your thoughts? The ship might dwindle a bit if I do though." He shrugged.

"There is no ship Meera. I just got to this school for goodness sake. I don't know her."

"So the ship has sunk? So soon?"

"Nope. It couldn't have sunk cause it never even left the harbour."

"So there's hope!" She smiled victoriously. He rolled his eyes.

"But seriously though, you think she's strange? Of all the adjectives I've heard in her description, strange has never even occurred to me. What happened?"

"I dunno. There must be something wrong with her. Or something wrong with me." He mumbled to himself.

"What?"

"Nothing. She just straight out bolted when I tried to answer a question. I don't understand the girl. And I don't need to. Because I will never speak to her."

"Sorry hombre but that's one unicorn you can't avoid."

"You don't know how well I can avoid then. Trust me. I've had years of practice with this sort of thing- it'll be a breeze."

"Years of practice?" He froze.

"Well... yeah. It's my darn attractiveness. Girls can't resist this face." They all stared at his hoodie.

"Well?"

"What?"

"Show us your oh so attractive face!"

"Uh... yeah. No." Tyler whined hysterically.

"But why bro?" Chris replied just as whiny.

"Because I said so bro!" Freddy joined in.

"The ship will sail bro!"

"Its on a collision course with a unicorn wearing a hoodie shaped iceberg bro!" Meera scowled.

"I wanna play too bros!"

"No way bra!"

"Yeah, bros only bra!"

"Yeah, sorry bros but there is no way I'm calling her a bra." They all chuckled at Chris' comment. "Besides, she's already a bro. You've all known each other long before you knew me. I'm the new one here." The bell rang. "Nooooooo! More school... why world why?"

"Suck it up buttercup. That's Francoise Dupont School for ya. Let's go homies." Meera got up and grabbed her bag, followed by the other three.