Asunder

Chapter 34 - Sing, Kingsley

Sky's pencil scribbles slow and light on a piece of paper, which crinkles slightly at the movement. I shut my eyes hard, attempting for the thousandth time to block out my headache, before setting my tired gaze on him, and savoring the peace that settles into me at the sight of his face.
My chin sinks into my palm as he passes me the paper, turning back to the board to avoid getting caught. With the same precaution in mind, I read the roundly-written words at intervals of a few seconds.

you seem tired today. and low. status update?

I grab a pencil to write back, feeling the weight of his gaze on me. I wince at the risk as I slide the paper back, staring at the teacher.

Don't worry too much, I'm fine.

He glances at me before responding:

i think you might be used to saying that

Touché, I answer, the fear of note-passing fading away. I guess it's a break-the-ice type of thing. Sky quickly reads the message, quietly clicking his tongue at my evasiveness.

did you sleep? did you have a nightmare? he writes.

I stare at the words a second too long, as if they render me stuck.

"Greene," the bald-headed teacher calls. "If you're so tired you can't keep your eyes up then you can excuse yourself."
My eyes sting at the punch in his words. I answer through my teeth: "I'm fine."
"Then act like it," he says, turning back to the board to write another unimportant word in a sea of unimportant words. I sigh through my nose, an unexpected anger sparking, and pretend to write down notes about Roman history. In the corner of my eye, Sky's body turns stiff.

I did have a nightmare, I write back when the teacher seems distracted enough.

would it help you at all to talk about it at lunch? i'm here always

I smile a bit, completely shutting off the history lesson. Okay. Thanks, Sky.

he smiles softly to himself: you're welcome. PS, this guy is an asshole

When I glance up at Sky, he's indeed eyeing Mister Matio in a fairly scary way as he blabs on about Caesar.

He's not that bad, I answer.

not that bad?? I read his response, understanding why the paper stretched from the intensity when he wrote it, he was so rude to you

I hold back a laugh. I've had worse. Do you remember Mister Madson?

Ah, Mister Madson. What a glorious exit from Liston he made.

I watch as Sky slides the note to his desk, not bothering to be subtle. His eyes widen slightly at the message.

I furrow my brows, wondering at the strangely nervous way he writes. i do. you were there?

There when? When that student pulled the prank on him?

when he taught here, i mean.

I grin. Only last year. He doesn't teach here anymore. So I missed most of the drama. Not that I keep up with it now. I glance up at his bald replacement at the board. Mister Matio took his place.

As I pass the paper, a jolt of recollection goes through me. Gasping, I make an absurdly loud noise with my chair as I turn to the back of the class.

And surely enough, there it is, hanging on the back wall of room 104: Kitty-Cat Tick-Tock.

I had forgotten it was here. How could I have forgotten?

Sky turns to follow my gaze in time for Mister Matio to announce:
"Kingsley. Detention on Friday night."