Looks Can Kill

Different Sin

The student community center was a bit like a cafeteria, with a kitchen and many different chairs grouped together all around the large room. When they walked in, Reusa noted a group of five people sitting at some couches and talking. There were three guys and two girls. They all seemed to be grouped around this one guy, who looked uncomfortable, but in such a way that made Reusa think he was used to it.

Mrs. Martin headed straight to this group, which was the only students that she could see.

"Good day, Luke, Mark, and Steve. Good day Guinevere and Leeli."

The students looked up at Mrs. Martin and grinned in such a way that made Reusa instantly distrust them.

"Hello, Mrs. Martin."

Mrs. Martin turned and motioned to Reusa. "This is Charlotte Mainstay. She goes by Reusa."

Most of the students said hello politely, but the uncomfortable one just rose his eyebrows.

"Reusa has to wear sunglasses to cover her eyes because she has bad eyesight. I want you all to be mindful of this and make her feel welcome."

"Of course." The uncomfortable looking dude said, scooting over to give Reusa room to sit down. Reusa reluctantly complied, feeling more and more out of place. She had no friends, and she doubted she would ever make friends here. This entire school was meant to teach her manners and other such womanly stuff. She knew she wouldn't like it, and she had to remind herself why she was here. To get answers. She could start out with finding out what her mother was really like, but she had her doubts about finding any real answers here.

Mrs. Martin nodded in approval at the groups acceptance of Reusa and then promptly left the room, saying she had papers to attend to. The students in the group then turned their attention to Reusa and she suddenly felt very out of place.

"Nice coat." One of the dudes said. "The name's Luke."

"Why are you wearing a coat in the summer?" One of the girls asked.

"I'm hiding something." Reusa responded softly. No one spoke for a few minutes, just staring at each other awkwardly. Then Luke grinned deviously, making Reusa tense up.

"What are you hiding?"

Reusa bit her lip, grateful for the ability to hide behind her sunglasses. She glanced at the guy beside her. He was blond haired and blue eyed with an intense gaze. Reusa realized with a start that he was staring at her. He was looking straight at her as if he could see past the sunglasses and knew exactly what was beneath. His gaze was so intense and Reusa was so surprised that she felt as though her sunglasses were no longer on her face, both sheltering and imprisoning her. She reached up and felt them on her face, just to make sure. She tore her gaze away and let it land on the guy known as Luke, who was still grinning at her expectantly. When she didn't answer him, Luke glanced at the girl sitting across from him.

"Is it something you could show us tonight at the party?" He asked.

Reusa was suddenly disgusted with him, realizing he was either flirting with her, or just plain weird.

"No. It would freak you out."

"But you should still go to the party. It's for us rebellious types." He paused and the guy sitting on the couch beside Reusa looked like he might say something but decided against it. "You seem like a rebellious type. Why don't you join us?"

Reusa stared at him from behind her dark lenses. "I don't want to."

Luke shrugged. "Suit yourself."