A life in the Dark

C h a p t e r N i n e t e e n

T h u r s d a y 2 4 t h O c t o b e r
Morning Registration
_________

I stepped through the door to the biology room-my form room-after thanking Harley once more and made my way to my usual seat at the front. As per usual silence fell upon everyone I passed. I didn't care about them; they couldn't hurt me anymore. I slipped into the stall and pulled out a book, 'Risen', and began reading, getting completely absorbed in the book until someone tapped on my shoulder. Annoyed, I looked up with a scowl on my face for it was probably Jadyn. "Fuck-" I trailed off, since standing to my left was not the ugly bitch that is Jadyn, but the red head that was always staring at me... The same one that proved said bitch wrong in games...

"S-sorry," I muttered, looking at the floor. "I thought you were Jadyn." She remained silent, staring at my head. Since I felt kind of uncomfortable under her gaze, I started shuffling nervously in my seat before eventually looking up at her. It was only now I realised her eyes were shocked and full of sympathy simultaneously. It kinda scared me: I've never had someone look at me like that at school besides possibly Harley, but that's different.

"What happened?" she finally asked, after a moment too long for my liking, whilst moving a strand of hair away from my wound.

"Err... Nothing?" I replied, unsure of why she cared nor why it was any of her business.

"Yeah, right!" she snickered, rolling her eyes. "Seriously, though, what happened?"

"This...this girl, erm, a...attacked me?" I replied, gently taking her arm away from my face. I really didn't mean for it to come out as a question, but screw it. I really couldn't care less at the minute; what I wanted to know was why she cared.

"What? Seriously? What the fuck?" she exclaimed, genuinely shocked. "Why?"

I shrugged "I don't know. Why do you care?"

She pulled out the stall next to me and sat down. "You interest me." I was expecting her to develop her response but she didn't.

"What? Is that it? I interest you?"

"You're so...strong." Okay...so? "See, I've known Jadyn since year one and-"

"I'm sorry," I interrupted, fully aware of that pig eavesdropping. Out of the corner of my eye I saw an outraged figure turn away in a strop, and I know this girl did too. She smirked at me with an approving chuckle.

"Yeah, you should be!" We both laughed for a few seconds before she continued on, lowering her voice slightly. "Anyway, in that time, I've never seen anyone stand up to her-and before you ask, yes, she was just as over the top and selfish and plain rude back then too. But then there's you. Not only have you suffered her for years, you've beaten her. You've found the loophole. She won't step foot in the cage, and you know that. You've survived her, and despite her gunning for you even more, you're still not scared of her. And, frankly, she's more scared of you!" I didn't agree with that last point, so I said so. "Oh please, it's obvious. But anyway, that's why I care."

"Is that why you kept staring at me the last few weeks?"

"Yes."

"And why you argued against Jadyn when she tripped me?"

"Yep," she grinned, cheerfully. "And it felt so good to roast her logic for once." I grinned. So fucking relatable!

"So... I'm sorry, but... I don't know your name...?"

"Oh yeah, of course, sorry. I'm Keira."

"Lettice," I smiled. "What subjects are you doing? I don't think I've seen you in any of my lessons."

"Art, Design Tech, Chinese and Drama," she listed. "And I'm middle set maths and science, so that's why I'm not with you in them." I nodded with a slight sigh. Sometimes I wish I wasn't top set. "You?"

"French, Spanish, History and Geography."

"Cool."

"Don't you have any other friends in this form?" I asked, worried she would ruin friendships by talking to me over them.

"Nah, not really. I get on okay with some but all my real friends are in other forms-ones from years seven to nine, mostly."

"Oh, okay."

"Why, did you want to get rid of me already?" she laughed.

"Oh no, not at all! Quite the contrary, in fact!"

"Well then, let's get to know each other!"

"Sure!"

*****

Miss Evergreen walked in on time as usual, since she made a point of being punctual. "Morning class, take your seats please," she requested as she made her way to the computer to take the register, her heels making a regular clicking sound on the floor that echoed around the room. "No new notices this morning, besides the fact that there will be a A.P Maths and Science club at lunches after the half term break."

"Wow, I wonder who that's aimed at," Jadyn sneered, much to the enjoyment of her friends. "Swet!" she jeered in between fake coughs. 

"Don't be like that, Jadyn. I'm sure you could go along anyway if you want to actually pass your GCSEs." I really like miss, and this is all the explanation you need. Jadyn shut up quickly after that.

Miss took the register quickly and let us chat for a few minutes before going off to games again. I turned to Keira, whose grey-tinted eyes caught the sunlight streaming through the window. We started a conversation on teachers we liked when the bell rang, signalling the five minute mark before lessons began. We all rose and I shouldered my backpack. Then Miss dismissed us, with Keira and I waiting until last because everyone else always pushes to get out of the door.

"By the way, Lettice," Keira poked my arm and I turned to face her. "My birthday is in a few days and I was wondering if you'd want to come round sometime to celebrate?"

I was shocked speechless. The last time I was invited anywhere was... I don't even remember. "Yes! Yes of course! I'd love to!"

"Great! I'll give you my number later. See ya!" With that she turned, waving, and left me smiling absent-mindedly in the empty corridor.

For the first time in forever, I actually felt as if I know where I belong.

~~~~~~

I'm too lazy atm to write anything here so yeah. However I'd like to mention how nice Russian writing looks on here!

Exhibit A:

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