cole & evangeline

08 - a winter night

"Well, if it isn't my favorite student!"

—Is what Ms. Atterbury would usually say when Evangeline approached her in class. But now, as Evangeline made her way towards her teacher, her attention was elsewhere. Ms. Atterbury grasped thick manila folder, fanning through its contents.

And then, when Eva was only one step away, she found it even stranger. There was a slight shadow under each of her teacher's eyes. What could be troubling her? Eva wondered.

She cleared her throat. "Um. Ms. Atterbury?"

Only then did her teacher turn to her. "Oh, Evangeline! Sorry I didn't see you there." Ms. Atterbury put down her things. "How may I help you?"

"I'm just wondering about a question on the assignment last night, but it seems you're... busy."

Ms. Atterbury's eyes widened. "Oh, no, it's fine!" She slid her things out of sight. "I was just looking over some documents, that's all. I can look over it with you now."

A feeling that there was something her teacher was hiding from her itched her mind, but Evangeline dismissed it as an obscure thought. "Thanks! This won't take too long."

Her teacher shook her head. "Coming from my favorite student, it's not a bother at all." She took Evangeline's paper, adjusting her glasses. "Now, let's see..."

They spent the morning like this, and Evangeline soon realized she was worried for nothing. Despite Ms. Atterbury's slightly tired appearance, she was still herself, giving helpful advice. Evangeline always looked forward to conversations with the traveled teacher.

As she went back to her desk for silent work time, she spotted Trevor doing something unusual. His head was hunched over his desk, pencil scratching the surface of a worksheet.

With a start, Evangeline thought, Is he...doing homework?

She was utterly surprised. Guess he does care about school.

● ● ●

1 new message(s) from Family (Mom, Dad, me) (30min ago):

Mom: Hope you enjoy the party! We're sad to miss it. Go catch up with your friends!

Cole's eyes scanned the text, then clicked his phone shut. 

He was currently attending another dinner party, this time hosted by another of his family's close friends. Cole stood near the refreshments table, watching as partygoers mingled around the center space. A glass chandelier hovered above them, intimidating with its glowing gold bulbs, casting shimmers around the room. However, his area was one of the few cast in shadow. Cole liked it that way.

There wasn't many people he was familiar with. Cole thought of his friend. Wonder if Nick'll show up.

Sighing, he passed his empty glass to a nearby server. What to do now? He didn't want to be stuck as a wallflower the whole night. He wished he could simply exit through the heavy doors, walk straight to his parked car, and drive towards a quiet night back home.

But—in the words of his parents—he had to be here for the sake of appearances. Something he still couldn't quite understand, but at least he'd be enjoying the catering. 

For the sake of appearances.

For the sake of appearances, Cole would make an effort to talk. He would make an effort to catch up with all the important people in the mental checklist of his.

And so, after spotting a familiar face, he finally stepped into the light. Even after all these years, he still felt uneasy in the crowd. Cole suddenly recalled the first gathering he attended.