The Girl and The Murderer

21. Kiss Stealers...

It's official, Mister Dickens hates me.

I got a D for my presentation. Not enough explanations.

The director's secretary wants to see me. I hope it's for a good reason cause I'm in a freaking bad mood today.

-You asked to see me ?

She nods and shows me a seat it front of her desk.

-Why did you get a note on the biology presentation ?

At least it's direct...

-I wanted to do it even if it was a tough subject. But it seems I burnt my wings...

-I will argue for you. There's no reason for being graded on a high school subject. Go to class, I'll see you at lunch if I can.

-Thanks miss... Miss what's your name ?

-Miss Honey. See you soon my dear Ray !

I love this woman. I get out of her office with a smile. And run into Jane, crying her eyes out.

-What's going on Jay ?

She wants me to call her like that to have matching names. This girl is kind of weird.

-Dave blew me off for tonight !

Tonight is the sleepover night at Jane's house. I temporarily forgot.

-So what ? It's not a big deal, says Franck as he approaches us.

Jane shoots a look as cold as the North Pole at him and replies in tears :

-You can't understand ! Guys can never understand !

Franck asks me silently what happened and I shrug as an answer. I must admit that I don't know what Dave did. While we're talking silently, Eddie arrives, followed by Arthur who places himself beside me. Eddie wipe Jane's tears gently and hugs her tightly.

-Don't worry about him anymore. Everything's gonna be alright. You'll find way better than him. And you're not alone.

We stare at him, dumbfounded. How does he know, when he's in the crew for two weeks or so, how to react when Jane is sad or mad, just with a look ?

-Thanks Eddie *snif*, you... You're a real friend *snif*...

-So, I say to change the subject. You know that our next class is maths ? Do you know what does it mean ?

Arthur smiles at me with a knowing smile but the others seem drown in an ocean of incomprehension.

-Drawing contest, he exclaims.

-Yaay !

It's our favorite thing to do to pass time after our exercises. Since we're sitting next to each other, we communicate with drawings. It can be really funny sometimes.

Ding Dong

I take my bag and go line up with the others before the classroom. Eddie is still comforting Jane and Arthur is whispering with Franck a bit away from the others. I lean against the classroom door. Dave leans next to me and say :

-Umm hi !

-Hey.

Polite but cold. He hurt my friend, for goodness' sake !

-Can you help me tonight for the homework ? I didn't understand what we had to do in French...

Before I could even open my mouth to answer, Arthur appears from nowhere and says angrily :

-What're you tryin' to do you nasty prick ? First you dump my friend and now you wanna steal my girlfriend from me ? Get out of here now !

And as if it wasn't embarrassing as fuck to call me his girlfriend, mister Arthur allows himself to kiss me. On the lips. Without asking me. Everything's cool ? You want my hand in your face now or later ?

At least it was effective. Dave gets away, visibly disgusted and uneasy. But I'd like an explanation damn it !

-Hello everyone, please come in.

I swear to god Arthur, you're gonna have a questioning time for sure !

We sit in an uneasy silence. Strange. Usually, there's always a little chit-chatting sound. But now, we could hear the flies move.

-You all are very calm today. Is everything alright ?

Nobody answers her.

-Get a pen and a paper, little surprise test. It'll wake you up. (AN : who never heard this before ?)

Like always I end up with 10 minutes to kill. Arthur too. We don't talk or whisper, or draw. He stays mute. And am I dreaming or is he... Blushing ?

I finally decide to break the silence and start the drawings. A little angry rabbit with "Why did you do that ?" underneath it.

He answers with a "Reflex I guess"

"You guess ? People don't do that kind of thing just by reflex ! And without telling before what they wanna do !"

"Sorry. I thought I was helping you..."

"Thx for defending me tho. I appreciate. But warn me next time ;)"

We continue to talk about things and others, avoiding the subject of the "accident" before class.

Lunch time is coming soon enough. Miss Honey calls me again in her office but seems more tensed than this morning.

-I removed your grade.

-How did you do that ?

Her cheeks take a light shade of pink and she lower her head. I feel bad about it...

-You shouldn't have done that. Whatever it was, you shouldn't have. Why did you do that for me ?

Her eyes become red and a tear fall down her cheek.

-I... I'm sorry, I didn't want to say it like that. I'm really thankful for all the things you do to me but you didn't have to go that far for me...

She wipes her tears and smiles at me sadly.

-It's nothing. I didn't do anything I didn't want to. And I prefer seeing you happy than gloomy.

She takes a look at her watch and says, slightly worried :

-If we keep talking, you'll miss your lunch time. Hurry up !

I nod, thank her again and head to the cafeteria. The others must be there and waiting for me.

On my way, a piece of grey and dark red sweat-shirt leads my eyes to the school gate.

-Hi, says a voice that I know too well.

Before I could say anything, Zack bows on me, kiss my lips and runs away. Again...

What's up with guys today ?!