Asunder

Chapter 35 - On the Outside

I hiss under my breath at the cramp once again seizing my hand, rendering it unable to finish writing a sentence about Caesar's murder. A quick glance around reassures me no one's heard. But of course, I'm wrong.

Sky prods his elbow with mine, and send me a questioning gaze. I shake my aching hand in the air in answer, trying to relieve some of its tension. He gives a small, concerned smile.

I rattle my head around a bit, trying to get my brain to bounce against my skull, right back into the right position for thinking. For functioning, in general.

Today has been exhausting. Despite the fact that the past few nights have yielded absolutely little sleep, this constant writing doesn't help.

At least I have a full belly, now. I find that once I've started filling myself up to a certain point, I couldn't go back to just ignoring the hunger. I used to be so absorbed somewhere else that food was never a scheduled priority. Now I find that I get cranky if I don't have time for breakfast.

The reason for my sleeplessness: the frosty atmosphere in my house at the moment. The tension, and the lack of civil communication. Well, there was never any. But at least then it wasn't as uncomfortable as this purposeful and pointed silence.

I jerk my chin at Mister Matio, reminding Sky to focus. I see him turn back to the board from the corner of my eye. And just as he does, someone else catches my eye.

Ah. The other reason for my stress.

Jonathan's mouth curves upwards in his characteristically cheeky smile. I respond with one of my own, even if the casualness of it is more than a bit forced. He turns back around to the board.

These past few days, I've had a handful of short talks with Jonathan. So far, from what I know, he's very nice. I still haven't made up my mind about the dance— in fact, I've been mentally dodging the subject entirely. Though it's hard to do that when Emma constantly pokes me about it.

When I glance back at Sky, he's seemingly paying attention to the lesson. I grin to myself, and check the clock. The clock. Cat eyes meet mine in an obnoxious grin; whiskers indicate 3:43 left to the period.

I nudge Sky's elbow. "Kitty-Cat says two minutes left," I whisper. His response is an inappropriately relieved sigh, and a look that most definitely means: Thank. God.
I frown at him, mouthing: "Detention."

This time his sigh is one of exasperation.

I give his arm a 'pat, pat', right in time for the ringing of the bell. Slightly earlier that Kitty-Cat indicated. Chairs go scraping backwards, chatter starts rising into an inevitable roar, and Mister Matio, unable to control the savagery, rubs his temples and shuts his eyes. I almost feel bad.

I stand, begrudgingly beginning to pack my things. As soon as Matio walks out, amongst the herd of students, a slightly freckled, tan hand lands on my desk.

I look up to see Jonathan.

"You doing anything right now?" he asks, his boyish expression light and inquiring.
I take a breath, and lean casually against the class' back wall. "Sadly. Detention, remember?"
He hisses through his teeth. "How long?"
I cringe. "Two hours." I can't believe that's actually legal.
He seems to consider for a bit, then shrugs: "I can wait."
"Wait for what?" I squint at him. "For me?"
"I mean, if you want." He stuffs his hands into his capris' pockets. "Do you feel like hot cocoa?"

Hot cocoa... I'm definitely in the mood for hot cocoa.

So I grin: "For sure." He beams. "Where do I meet you?" I ask.
"Cafeteria, why not," he answers. "Too cold out."