Wicked

Chapter Ten

Finally.

Finally, it was Wednesday. I could relax. My body felt permanently tensed. I hadn't told Gran or my mom about Vayne. I was too afraid. Despite, Addie on me about telling them I hadn't. I was too nervous.

Plus, I kept thinking Levi was going to pop out of nowhere. I hadn't seen him since Monday, but it felt like I was walking on eggshells, waiting for him to show up. Every night since agreeing to help Levi I had nightmares. They always started out the same: with me and Levi in the bathroom. Then, spiders and various bugs started crawling out of the wall. Eventually, they covered me and Levi was shaking his head, then disappeared.

Although, once I got to school, today was proving to be just as difficult. The second I stepped into the building, everyone was staring at me. It wasn't the good kind of stare if that was even a thing. I adjust the hem of my black and white checkered skirt, feeling instantly self-conscious. It didn't help that I was already nervous about spending the evening with Daniel.

As if she could sense my growing uncomfort, Addie rushed up to me.

"Hey," it was the way she said it that I realized that something was wrong. It wasn't my imagination. "Don't freak out, but everyone heard about you and--

"Daniel told people were hanging out?" She raised an eyebrow.

"No, about you and Erik fighting. Don't worry, everyone is on your side, but people are talking. It seems like people are impressed with you, which makes me the awkward middleman since he's my friend and--

"Wait, what? We didn't fight." The last time I had talked to Erik was on Monday when-- oh, the realization hit me. Did people really think that was a fight? I had seen way worse in New York. I shook my head. This was ridiculous and I wanted this week to end.

"Well, from what I heard it was pretty epic. Then again, when I confronted Erik he denied the whole thing, so who knows." She said flippantly, shrugging. At least, it sounded like Erik wasn't buying into the rumor. Still, I felt bad that people were taking "my" side.

I told her what had actually happened. Once I finished she was almost laughing.

"He saw you talking to yourself? I mean, I thought everyone does that?" I hadn't planned on telling Addison that part of the story, but I figured she wouldn't think it was that crazy. She would talk to herself when she did her Science homework.

"Yeah, it was that day that Dara had freaked out on me, so I was--

"A little on edge, well yeah that makes sense. Maybe you should talk to him? Get it all straightened out?" She offered and I nodded as we walked to first period. Which, was where we saw Daniel standing outside the class, looking nervous. His hands were shoved into his front pockets and he was surveying the hallway. His eyes landed on me and he started walking towards me and Addie.

"Corn! Hey, uh are you okay? Everyone's talking about your fight with Erik." His tone was wobbly -- worried. He was so close I could smell the musky woods smell of his shampoo. His hair was still damp and his brown hair was a little wavy.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It wasn't really a fight." He seemed reluctant to believe that. "We were just arguing, that's all." He still didn't look convinced and looked at me from the side of his eyes.

"Okay," he dragged out the one word, making it sound not-okay.

"Come on, let's get to class." I gestured towards history and waved goodbye to Addie. Who, raised her eyebrows at Daniel. I knew what she was thinking, that Daniel was being a little weird about whatever had happened between Erik and I. It seemed that there was definitely something going on between Daniel and Erik, more than either of them let on.