Shadows

Chapter 3

At lunch, the canteen was cramped and full as always. Of course Meg and Jade being so close to the canteen were quick to nab their favourite table in the corner of the room. One thing that would be certain, whether they were half way across the school or right next door to the canteen, they would always get their table. Once when they had got their late because of exams, Charlie had screamed at a year 10 until they had moved out of the way. To this day they all swear that she had made the poor boy cry, and he was 3 years older than them!

Marilyn always sat in the very corner, Jade close on her left, Meg, Charlie, and Sammy by the other wall. It was a circular table, quite small and with 5 stools around it. They could barely fit around it but they refused to move to a rectangular table. On the first day they had sat there, they had promised they would sit there every day, and they freaking kept that promise. If any of them didn’t show up? GAPING BLACK HOLE! 

This lunch, there was- as Miss Moonbeam would say- a negative vibe going around the circle. Sammy was refusing to talk to anyone except her sister; Jade was still seething from her argument with Mercia; Charlie was half asleep following her dull history lesson, and poor Meg didn’t really know what to do, so she just sat there in awkward silence. They were all grateful when the bell went, leaving them grunting goodbyes and rushing off to their mixed lessons. Sammy disappeared with Charlie (most likely to costa) leaving Marilyn staring after, a look of utmost loathing in her eyes.

She was just about to walk up to maths when something in the corner of her vision, prompting her to turn and look. She though it would just be another student but… there was nobody to be seen. Taking it as a trick of the light, she moved away, but not without her mind jumping into action. You see, Marilyn had always been in strong believer in the supernatural world. It was one of the only things her and jade really disagreed with! Her long brown hair flowing behind her, she ran to catch up with a fellow class mate heading in the same direction.

“Wait, she did what?”

For the last twenty minutes, the twins had been sat in Costa, a creamy cooler in each of their hands (Charlie’s, Belgian chocolate; Sammy’s Caramel) as Sammy began to explain what had happened today in drama that made her and Marilyn particularly pissed at each other. Apparently Sammy had been asked by two boys in her class, Chris and Patrick, if she could go with them. Before she had had a chance to offer Marilyn the last place in the group as they had to be groups of 4, another girl named Lexi had asked to be in the group. The two boys wanted her in the group because, according to them, she was ‘fit as’ so Marilyn was left without a group. Marilyn had gotten all irritable because Sammy had ‘purposely ditched me because she doesn’t like me’.

Charlie knew that Sammy and Marilyn weren’t that great friends from the constant wining they did about each other but it couldn’t be helped. At the same time, despite always being on Sammy’s side, she could see why Marilyn had gotten upset. It did seem like Sammy had done it on purpose, but it did look bad. However, Marilyn’s response was extremely un-called for.

“She called me a whore, and slapped me round the freaking face!” Sammy repeated for the second time.

“But, why?” Charlie was still in shock. Marilyn was not violent.

“How the fuck am I supposed to know!”

“Sorry… It’s just so unlike her...”

“What, you think that bitch can’t fight back or something?” Sammy leaned back in her chair, taking a long sip of her drink

Charlie wasn’t really sure how to respond. “ I…erm. No… I just…”

“God Charles you look like she slapped you! Why are you so surprised?” a smile spread from the corner of Sammy’s mouth. She knew her sister wasn’t stupid, but the way she reacted to some situations was astounding. “Any way, she does have a crush on Patrick.”

“What! OMG” Charlie almost spat chocolate across the table, causing her sister to rock with laughter.

“Didn’t you know?” Sammy asked, regaining control on her laughter.

“No… I had no idea”

It was 3 in the morning when Sammy was woken to the sound of shouting. It happened quite a lot but… It still always scared her, made her wander if something was going to happen this time. Looking around and realizing she was alone in the small room her and her sister shared. That did surprise her. Charlie wasn’t ever someone to roam about at night but at the same time, she was glad to be alone.

It was always a different shout that woke her. Once it had been a little girl, complaining that her head hurt all the time; Another time, a mother screaming about the pain in her heart that wouldn’t stop; The most recent, a man saying he couldn’t move his body at all. Today it was a young child, most likely a girl, saying that the man in the corner of the room was scaring her, that she wished he would put down the knife he was holding. When she was young, it had frightened her. She had cried and cried until her parents held her tight and pleaded with her to stop.

But it didn’t stop. It was always the same. She couldn’t bear to be alone now; it scared her too much, so she decided to look for Charlie. She wouldn’t be far, probably snuck downstairs for a drink and a midnight snack as she often did. Using her phone as a torch, Sammy edged along the walls of the hall pitch black hallway, carefully tripped down several steps and landing in a heap at the bottom, limped through the house and into the kitchen where a small lamp threw some light into the room. Charlie slept on the sofa, a book hanging out her hand, headphones still in her ears blasting ‘DEAD!’ at full volume.

Creeping forward, Sammy shook her sister gently. As Charlie lifted her head, Sammy noticed the lines of tears across her face.

“Charlie? Are you alright? What happened?” Sammy whispered her voiced shaking with concern.

“I…I’m fine Sam. I just… don’t worry about it.” Charlie sniffed.

Sammy tip-toed across the room and threw open some cupboards, retrieving two glasses, milk and a packet of Oreos. She carried them back and jumped into a seat next to her sister, pouring the milk into a glass and passing it to her. Next she opened the Oreos and offered them to her Charlie.

“No, I’m not hungry”

This worried Sammy even more. Charlie was not one to deny food, Especially Oreos! But she could see that her sister was upset and didn’t want an interrogation. She settled for just resting against her, accepting one headphone and placing it her ear.

“Welcome to the black parade. Good song” she muttered.

AN~ Sorry this chapter mainly revolves around Sam and Charlie, I just felt it needed to happen. I dont think theres that many quotes, Only about 1 or 2 so just say what you recognise :D As always rate and comment!