Anaphase

Phase VIII

Lilith's Perspective continued

What the hell just happened?

"Pardon me, but who was that?" I asked Elouise sheepishly as I was too scared to face Demetri.

I hadn't seen him in what felt like too long. It scared me shivering that I was so glad to see him again.

Anxiety bubbled sevenfold just from his presence.

Mrs Griffins smile eased me in the slightest.
"Eli-" she started before she was cut off by Demetri.

"Nobody relevant."
He swiftly turned towards Evelyn who now looked lost and intimidated by Demetri's looks and size.
Didn't blame her.

"So," he said rather demandingly. "Are we going to go work on this thing or not?"
Weird. He wasn't this abrupt before.
"Well?" He snapped in her face.
Evelyn shrunk away from him. She was bad enough asking male teachers questions let alone the most intimidating boy she's ever laid eyes on. What was his problem?
This was getting on my nerves. This was my best friend he was barking at. This may be his house but still doesn't give him a right to be so rude to her. She did nothing. 
What happened to the guy in the elevator? Did I imagine that too?
"Um...well err," she muttered, biting her nails.

Peering in at her he continued his howling. "Well what? Is there a problem here girl? Spit it out!"
Nope. Enough. I may not be able to defend myself but when it's my girl it unlocks a whole new level of confidence.

Elouise started forward clearly to try calm the situation with her gentle nature.

But not before I did.

"Back off Demetri. What's your problem?" I countered, taking a step in between them.
Not the best comeback but hey it's a first. If his mum wasn't here it would've been better.

Evelyn's face popped out from under her brown curls, her eyes wide in surprise at my confrontation. Did she look almost...proud?

But now it was my turn to shrink into my hair like a turtle.
He was now glaring at me.
There was a small fresh cut on his left temple. The rumble from upstairs before? Who was that guy to cut him of all people?

He leaned closer, his alluring musky pine cone scent stronger.
I was pinned on the spot. Sudden terror corrupted me.
He was too close, too provoking.

Just like every day of every week at school when I'd be surrounded.
I found it hard to breathe.
I found the surroundings a blur.
I found myself squinting my eyes in case of a hit.
I found myself hiding behind my hair shaking.

I knew it was absurd and he wouldn't hit me...maybe? But I couldn't help it. It was instinct. After years of torturous, merciless bullying you gain eternal fear in situations that trigger it.

Smack!
...
Wait. That wasn't me.

"Ow! Mom! What was that for?" Whined Demetri now rubbing his head.
"Oops! My hand must've slipped. Go get the girls some juice now and bring it up to my study," she ordered.
Demetri mumbled something unintelligible and wandered back the way Mr Griffin had before.

By this point, both Evelyn and I were standing close and compact.
"Sorry about that girls. Demetri isn't the warmest of character," she confessed, embarrassed.
"Please follow me," she beckoned us up the grand, dark oak stairs.
We said nothing.