Silence is Golden

Chapter 25

The rest of the lesson passed slowly and awkwardly. I could feel the tension rolling off Eli beside me and I didn’t need to look at him to know he was giving the teacher his signature death glare. I even felt slightly sorry for the teacher by the end of the lesson; I would want to be looked at like that for ten seconds let alone the remaining 35 minutes of the class.

When the bell rang I had my escape route all worked out so I wouldn’t have to answer Eli’s questions but his hand clamped down on my arm making me jump before I even got fully from my seat.

“Don’t even think about it, we need to talk”, he warned, his voice tense.

He kept a firm grip on my arm as he dragged me along with him out of the classroom and into the chaos of the corridor. Using his free hand he pushed his way through the crowd not even bothering to be polite or apologise, although most saw him coming and moved pretty quick. One guy turned to shout at us when Eli elbowed him out the way but soon stopped when he saw Eli and the murderous look that’s still on his face.

Once we were outside he seemed to calm down slightly and slowed his pace to normal walking speed as he led me through the school gates and in the opposite direction of my home. At first I thought he was taking me to the park we went to when we bunked off but he stopped outside a small café and pulled me inside to my dismay. Off all the places in the world he had to pick he picked a café. I pulled myself out of his grip causing him to turn and give me a hard stare but he didn’t make to touch me again obviously not wanting to create s scene. I followed behind him like a sullen child with a hundred questions running through my mind as he led me over to a table in a fairly secluded corner.

“Sit”, he instructed pointing to one of the two chairs round the small table with a red and white checked table cloth.

Throwing dozens of silent insults at him in my mind I took a seat refusing to meet his eyes. Once he was satisfied I was seated and not going anywhere he moved away and up to the small counter to order something. I took a cautious glance around me silently hoping that no one was staring at me. An elderly man sat in the centre of the café reading a newspaper and a young woman sat by the window with two small children, they paid me no attention but I couldn’t stop myself from making sure my hair hung down covering my face so the scar wasn’t visible.

All the tables were covered with red and white checked table cloths like the one on the table before me and the floor was a shiny laminate wood. The big glass counter displayed cream cakes, pastries and sandwiches while a tall middle aged woman stood behind it in an apron serving Eli. What is he even doing? And why did we have to come here.

He finally turned back round to me carry a packet of sandwiches, crisps and a bottle of drink in his hands. He took his seat and placed the food and drink on the table, in front of me.

“Eat”, he instructed nodding his head at the food.

I shook my head and averted my gaze from the food and him fighting the need to be sick.

“Don’t even bother fighting me on this, you’re gonna eat it then we’re gonna talk”, he said sternly.

I could tell just by his tone of voice that he isn’t budging on this one and I know exactly what expression he is pulling without me even needing to look at his face. Since when did he think he was my father or big brother, I'm really beginning to dislike this guy. Why am I even sitting here and putting up with this? I could just walk out; I looked over at the door judging how far away it is.

“Don’t even think about it”, he warned in the same stern voice.

With an aggravated sigh I snatched up the sandwiches and pulled the packet open and started eating not even paying attention to what was in them, just chewing and swallowing quickly. I did the same with the crisps and drink until it was all gone.