Cloud Association: Pretty Boy Psycho

Blond Boy Tough Lad

I managed to be bright and early for history class. Too early. Charlie isn't even here yet. There's no way I'm giving Clover an excuse to give me a look of disappointment today. Everything's gonna be okay. I'll listen hard, keep focused, and take sheets upon sheets of notes. Looky, my pencil is poised ready to write even though Master Clover hasn't arrived yet. Charlie, Lee, and Tanya have though. I look straight ahead as they take their seats.

No distractions.

Ot-oh I'm drawing a swirly pattern on the edge of my paper. I slap my hand, then write, History, at the top of the page as the rest of class flock into the classroom.

No distractions. I'm all set.

Geordie slumps into the seat next to mine. Pours the contents of his satchel onto the table, overflowing onto my paper. "I swear summat eats my pencils."

"You keep snapping them," Danny sits on my other side, "pencil murderer."

Are they sitting with me? Perhaps their seats got taken. I look over my shoulder. Their usual table is empty.

"How's your arm?" If I get an answer they might really be sitting with me.

Geordie rolls up his sleeve to reveal a bandage. "Master Hugo made me a salve to keep away infections. The wound should heal underneath."

"Does it hurt?"

Geordie pulls down his sleeve. "Not really. My black eye is more uncomfortable."

"Did you get my note?" asks Danny. "I was knocking on your door for ages."

I nod and busy myself adding more decoration to my swirly pattern. I bet they'll move onto their seats in a minute. A minute passes and I realise Geordie's watching my pencil.

"Let's have quiet please." Clover slams a heavy book load onto her desk. "Who can tell me how tall Spindle Tower is?"

Geordie gives Clover this pissed type of glare. Looks as though he wants to thrust his fist into her face. The whole class has gone beyond silent. Charlie's hand hasn't even shot to the Cloud Barrier. I have no idea what happens at Spindle Tower but it's obviously something we shouldn't be discussing so soon after Geordie nearly ended up in there.

"Well anyone an answer?"

Charlie slowly raises his hand.

"Twat," Geordie murmurs as Charlie gives his answer.

"And what is the purpose of Spindle Tower?"

"Experimentation," says Collette from behind me. "General Midnight takes people with unusual dark hair colours there to try discover what's in their genes. Why they haven't got the affliction."

"And why does she do this?"

"Because she's a fucking sadistic bitch," answers Geordie without bothering to raise his hand.

"Perhaps, however there is another important reason," says Clover.

"So she has possession of a cure for the affliction thus a monopoly on the world," says Charlie.

"Exactly," praises Clover.

Geordie flicks a pencil sharpening at Charlie. "Wrong. She's pure psycho just wants an excuse to torture."

At this point I have no clue how to take notes. Class has turned into a raging debate between Geordie and Charlie. No one else is writing save for Master Clover as she observes how these two conduct their arguments, monitoring them. "Are we being tested today?" I hiss at Danny.

Danny shakes his head looking puzzled at my question. To enlighten him I tap my pencil on the table then point the nib at Clover. He slouches in his chair either unconcerned at being monitored or doesn't see what's happening. This is a third year class maybe they've learnt to accept being observed. Seems creepy to me.