Puppeteer

Chapter 7-Hi, Violet

 As it was 4th period, everyone had recovered their mental stability during lunch, however were still exhausted. 

Ms Walts commented that we all looked like zombies and allowed us to lie down on the ground a bit. (Did I ever mention that I love you, Ms Walts?)

 While everyone fumbled to find some space to lie on, I went to my regular space to relax in. That was when I noticed it was already occupied. (How DARE they?) That 'someone' was The Violet. 

Panic stiffened my body as I'd never spoken to her. As I tried to say something (Hi maybe?) she quickly offered to move by saying "Oh sorry...This is your usual space, right?".

 Before I could conjure up a response, she scuttled away to another corner. But not without a quick glance towards my right eye. Now that made me feel bad. Nonetheless, I layed down for the 2 minutes we were promised and dreaded what to say to Nina later.

"Today we are doing a mirroring exercise!" Ms Walts exclaimed as she looked around the class. I tried my best to look excited. (I was so glad neither Nina or Ast was here with me) 

"You guys pair up and take turns in being the original and the 'mirror'." As soon as the word 'pair' came up, lots of eye-contact and shuffling occurred. 

Like always, I kept still and looked straight at the teacher (there was no one I wanted to be paired with anyway). When I looked around the class, I saw two girls and Violet. The two girls looked apologetic and Violet smiled understandingly. (The girls looked like they were glued together) 

One of the girls whispered to another and they giggled (girls...). Violet seemed to ask something, and the girls' mouth moved completely in sync to say 'nothing'. I saw an anger-red string extend from Violet which entwined the girls. (With the eye-roll that was forming on Violet's face).

But by the time I rubbed my eyes, it was gone.

 She then pointed this way and walked towards me with purpose. She started off by saying "Hi I'm Violet. Do you have a partner? I don't have a partner....so..." Her voice trailed off. My voice produced a "sure" which earned with a pleasantly surprised look. Ms Walt shouted 'start' so we obeyed and started mirroring each other.

Violet seemed to actually enjoy the class. I mean, although she looked reeeeally awkward talking to a total stranger (A.K.A. me) but still copied my movements with intense focus. Unlike me. 

I only chose drama because I didn't want to take dance. (Sorry dance people. Dancing is just not my thing) "Whoops! I forgot something. I can trust you guys to behave, right?" Ms Walts sheepishly said. 

 Ha. Tell me something.  Leaving a bunch of highschool kids in a room unsupervised? Suree we're going to heeeaps of work. However somehow the class managed to look innocent enough that Ms Walts decided to go out. As soon as Ms Walts left, everyone sat down and chatted.

Silence on my side. "Uhh what's your home room?" Violet started the conversation. "10 APO" "I'm in 10 SLN" 

silence.

 "Do you like drama?" she gave another attempt. 

"It's okay. I'm just taking it because I don't like dance" 

"Same.."

 I saw her trying to figure out what to say next. Feeling bad about this pathetic conversation, I said random things. 

"How's life?"

 "It's okay."

 "My English teacher sucks..." 

"Who do you have?" 

"Dr Haymish" 

"Dunno who that is" 

"It's better that way"......" Another glance towards my covered right eye. (Guess she's too polite to ask in our first conversation)

......

"Aren't you going to your friends?" Tired with trying to re-kindle an almost dead conversation, I gave up. Neither of us were great talkers anyway. 

"Nah" she gave a smile that resembled a grimace. "They're just going to whisper to each other and when I ask, they'd say 'Nothing!'. It's becoming kind of irritating. They also have some kind of code that 'I'm not supposed to know'. Better to stay here."

 During this her 'friends' smiled and waved at us. She smiled and waved back. 

The smile faded as soon as they looked away to resume whispering and giggling. I think I caught words such as "Otter", "Fox" and "dolphin guy". Interesting. 

As if sensing my confusion, Violet gave me a pointed look. "Girls" she sighed. "Aren't you a girl too?" I shot back, immediately regretting it. "I don't whisper about crushes and boys and secret things 'I'm not supposed to know about'. It's so dumb anyway. When I'm with them, I always feel like I should say something random about me to get the conversation going." Huh, that was weird. The girls looked like they could talk non-stop for days. 

Ms Walts finally returned, and all the conversations hushed. (shouts at this point)

 Being a merciful teacher, she allowed free time till the bell rang. I whipped out my phone and Violet stood up and said "Bye Evan" with a look that reminded me of Nina. I replied, "Bye urrr Violet". She chuckled then walked to the 'girls'. She sat there watching them whispering and talking over her every time she opened her mouth. It continued till the bell finally rang.