Do You Know Indigo?

Chapter Twenty Six

When I was leaving the English classroom with Beth, relieved it was the end of the day, I ran into the impassable. I peered upwards to see who it was, although I’d already a pretty good idea. Instinctively, I slipped the charm bracelet into my blazer pocket. The last thing I needed was for Kieran to be dragged into my mess. 

“I’ll wait for you at the bus stop,” Beth murmured before dodging around Tom. She didn’t need an invitation to leave.

Tom was upset and sorry, nothing more needed said. I offered him my hand as half of a sincere apology. I would be the bigger person. So together we wandered through the corridors, aware of prying eyes.

“I’m sorry you know, I shouldn’t have said the things I said,” he admitted, stroking my hand with his thumb.

“No, I said some things I shouldn’t have either. You were only trying to protect me and I get that. Devon wouldn't have been merciful even if it was just me.

“You just worry me Chris, that’s all. I can’t stand the thought of you getting hurt.” We stopped and he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “You always seem to be in some sort of trouble."

Yeah, of the Indigo kind.

Tom cupped my cheek.

“Now I’ve gotta go but I want you to stay out of trouble, just for a couple of hours please.” He laughed and I could only smile with him. Tom kissed my forehead softly before leading me to the bus stop.

Beth, Mandy, Jude and Sophia all stood waiting. Sophia was smirking, as per usual.

"Enjoy the rest of your birthday,” Tom whispered in my ear before depositing me safely with my friends.  My eyes didn’t stray from his back as he disappeared down the alley where I knew his bike would be.

The roar of the mechanical beast flooded the air and sent shivers down my spine. As he went speeding off on his bike I waved. The others made a feeble attempt at copying me. Just for a second I inclined myself away from the prying eyes of my friends and reached into my pocket to force my hand through the bracelet.

“What happened to the Chris with balls?” Jude groaned, obviously feeling better and scowling at me disapprovingly. Mandy elbowed Jude. “Oww, that was totally uncalled for,” Jude said rubbing her ribs.

“On a more important note, let’s see the bracelet!” Mandy squealed, practically yanking my arm out of its socket.

“Damn, that is one expensive bracelet,” Jude said turning my wrist left to right. Sophia only observed from a distance, she’d probably seen it enough times considering she'd paid for half of it. Sheepishly, I took my hand from Jude and lowered it into my pocket. Tom was going to be so peeved.

The bus drew in and the door opened with a laboured sigh. Oddly, we all clambered on, Sophia in tow. She looked less than amused. 

“It was all Kieran’s idea you know. He said he’d pay for the bracelet if we’d buy the charms to go on it. I don’t remember anything about him saying he’d buy one too," Beth mused. I removed my hand from my pocket, admiring my birthday present. Sophia scowled. What was she doing here anyway?

“He has good taste, does Kieran.” Mandy stroked the charms around my wrist. For a moment I allowed my eyes to stray from the bracelet and I turned to look out of the window. We’d travelled further than I’d thought.

“Umm Mandy, Jude, I think you’ve missed your stop,” I said, getting to my feet to stop the bus. Jude caught my cast sharply and yanked me back down into my seat. I studied her. What was going on?

“Do you want us to get kicked off instead?” she scolded. I shook my head.

“Oh dear, I guess we’ll just get off when you do and call for Jude’s dad to come and pick up Sophia, Jude and I," Mandy supposed as she rested her head on her hand. I quirked my eyebrow, unconvinced.