Cold-Blooded (Tom Riddle x Reader)

Chapter 6

March 18, 1935

Against The World

          Saturday was certainly a day to remember; not a productive day, but not a waste either. After your encounter with Tom Riddle, you decided to look for Mary instead of waiting for her from your room, in case the ravenette plans on revisiting. You pondered over the thoughts you had back then. You were doubtful more or less behind Tom's personality. It really was unfair of you to judge him without actually getting to know him. Maybe, one day, you'll spend some time with him and base your opinions of him from there. A private due process on your part, if you will.

It's now Monday-- a week has passed after your mother's funeral; your father's imprisonment; and your time here at Wool's Orphanage. And of course, your class day. So far, the kids around here weren't that interactive like Mary... and perhaps Tom too. They were just there. They didn't bother to approach you or any of the likes; not that you're complaining. You just... noticed. It's as if they don't know how to approach you.

Either that or you just really like spending your time cooped up in your room, avoiding social interaction, until Mary forces you to exit it. That could most probably be the case. But like you told Tom Riddle the other day, you can only handle one person in your social circle. You plan on keeping your word.

Standing at the front of your room door, it's almost time for class and yet Mary hadn't come to escort you. Perhaps she woke up late and expected you to go on your own. It's only a few minutes left before classes could start, you could risk yourself to being accused of skipping classes if you chose to stay any longer. Sighing, you walked on your own, hoping your memory wouldn't fail you and get you lost. So far, the school part of the orphanage is located at the other building, connected to the dorms through the hallways. You have to say, the place is quite big for an orphanage, but you guessed it only increased the feeling of loneliness.

Walking down the hall to cross the intersection, you noticed that some kids looked at you with such unreadable expressions you could barely decipher. Some looked so conflicted, others were avoiding eye contact-- all in all, you didn't know what emotions they were trying to show. However, you did feel that something was wrong, based from the atmosphere alone.

Taking a turn, you looked for your classroom, only to be unexpectedly bumped on the shoulder by a random orphan, which caused you to stumble over your steps before regaining balance, as they continued their way, not sparing you a glance to check if you were alright. Glaring quick at their direction, you walked it off, trying to ignore the irritation that sparked within you. You don't know whether they were in an actual hurry or if that was intentional-- whichever the reason that kid had, it's sure that your day didn't start out well.

Seeing the familiar ivory-colored door, you quickly entered, attempting to escape the stares people were giving you outside. It was starting to bother you. Once inside the classroom, you were quick to sit at the back trying to avoid your fellow classmates' stares, unaware of the curious stare Tom Riddle was giving beside you, as you thought over what your morning had become.

You wished for this day to be over.

~*~*~

The whole room was quiet as the students (you included) answered your first English seatwork that Miss Kate distributed a while ago; so quiet, it's as if you could hear a pin drop. So far, you managed to answer the items on your paper with not much of a problem, which only left for you to revise them. It was fairly easy, considering you were raised to master proper etiquette which includes the excellence of language that also involves other languages such as French and Italian.

"Psst!" You swiftly looked up from your paper, silently questioning if that shushed call was for you. You looked around and it would seem no students caught the sound, including your teacher who was seated at her desk at the very front of the room, reading who knows what. Pausing, you waited for the call again, testing if it was for your attention. Hearing it at such a intelligible volume meant that the caller was nearby, perhaps reducible to one of your seatmates. Your classmates around you didn't respond to the call which could probably mean that it was certainly for you.

"Psst!" There it was again-- to your left! Deciding to face your caller, you gave them the attention they were seeking for, wishing to finally get it over with so you can focus back on your work without interruptions.

Craning your head at the source of the voice, you were caught off guard over what happened next,

"Miss Kate, (L/n) is cheating!" Your supposed caller accused, which had certainly taken you aback. Just like that, the whole class was looking at you, judging you with their gaze, but not the kind of gaze you were expecting. They were staring, yes, but not filled with the emotion you predicted. Rather than shock or anger, their eyes were wordlessly telling you they felt nothing more than remorse and guilt. Finally recovering from the shock, you immediately retaliated in hopes to defend yourself.

"I was not!" You exclaimed, glaring at the girl who had brought such negative attention to you, as consequence of the attention you gave to her. Now you really wish you ignored her earlier. If only you weren't so curious to bring yourself to this kind of trouble, then maybe you wouldn't have this strong urge to jinx this girl.

Miss Kate looked at you with such scrutiny, that you almost felt intimidated for a moment. Perhaps you shouldn't have given her the impression you were a bad child when you told her that you liked making fools out of others from your introduction to the class.

"What did she do?" Miss Kate asked the girl you didn't even know the name of. You don't remember crossing her, so what's the big deal? You don't remember her auburn hair nor her chestnut eyes to even have a memory of you ticking her off for her to do say such slanders. And knowing your petty self, you would certainly remember people who you're enemies with.

"She looked at my way, ma'am! She tried to copy off from my answers!" Your tanned classmate accused, pointing a finger at you to exaggerate her point.

"Stop lying! I really wasn't! You were calling me and I bet my seatmates heard you too!" You looked at your seatmates, and God forbid, Tom too, expecting any of them to take your side of the argument. Your eyes moved from person to person, praying that any of them would speak up.

"Miss Kate, if I may," You perked up, hearing the familiar voice. Looking at the familiar ravenette, along with the rest of the class, you anticipated what Tom Riddle would say next. "I don't think it's fair to judge miss (L/n)'s case from one accusation, alone. Shouldn't we check both their papers if they have the same answers in the first place? That should be enough proof, yes?" You never felt thankful for the successful save given to you by the boy you thought poorly of.

"Hm, perhaps. Thank you for the insight, mister Riddle." Miss Kate remarked, before you immediately obliged to Tom's suggestion to hand your paper to your teacher to check your answers, along with your blamer.

After the long awaited anticipation, your English teacher finally reached her conclusion before announcing it.

"I'm sorry miss Avelyn but your answers have quite a contrast to miss (L/n)'s. It's quite doubtful she copied from you," And like that, you felt that sweet taste of victory... or you thought it was your victory. "It would seem that miss (L/n) got a perfect score."

This is it. This can now be your base of your judgement towards him. Surely you should give him a chance.

You owe Tom Riddle now.

Now that is a playing card that would do you no good, especially in your oblivious state.

~*~*~

Asdfgghjkl, this childhood thing is sure taking me a while. The Hogwarts part of your memories would prolly be somewhere in chapter 9 or 10. For now, this childhood thing is kind of important. All kinds of details count. Hope you guys are patient with me ^^;; Also this chapter is cut into two parts, it might get too long if I stacked them together. Plus I update more consecutively this way.