The Oracle

Chapter 6

Justin walked through the halls of Arcana, his footsteps the only sound he could hear. Beside Mrs Fowler teaching French in an extremely loud voice. So loud, that one could hear her French accent throughout the halls. Room A408, Justin scurried to the appropriate room, clutching to his shoulder bag.

"And that's how the British invaded- Mr Helgenberg," Mr Snyder paused to make dramatic effect. Justin stood warily near the door. "I really don't like be interrupted. I don't need to waste my time with students who don't care for punctuation..."

Justin searched the room for a familiar face, while Mr Snyder was doing exactly what he said he wouldn't. Don't like him, don't like her, don't know her, looks familiar, Cassie... Cassandra was in her own universe. She was scribbling in her notepad, Oblivious to the class.

"Excuse me, Sir." Justin decided to cut Mr Snyder off before his body stiffened. "You may think what you like of me, but I don't think it's fair to be wasting the classes time with such a menial trouble." It was only then did Cassie become aware of the situation. She was surprised to see Justin stand up to a teacher like that before. She knew how much he hated being center of attention. She looked at Mr Snyder, who was only beginning to start up.

"Mr Snyder?" Cassandra spoke up with her hand raised.

"Yes, Miss Newton? I hope this interruption is of some importance. I'm dealing with a student."

"I know." Cassie stood up, hoping to take the attention off Justin. Okay. Now that I have everyone's attention, what do I say? "Justin and I have guitar practice."

"What?" Mr Snyder asked, completely confused. Justin raised an eyebrow.

"Justin and I. We have guitar lessons with Mrs Berry. Just like you, she hates late students. Any confusions or further inquiries can be taken up with her."Swiftly, Cassie packed up her things and walked out the door, Justin following her.

Once she was out of sight, she let out a sigh of relief. "I can't believe you did that!" Justin exclaimed.

"Neither can I." Cassie shook her head, just thinking about it.

"I need to be late more often."

"Don't you dare." Cassie nudged him as they were wandering the halls.

"So... Do you actually have guitar lessons?"

"God no. I really suck at music. I actually dropped it in year nine."

"That's a shame. I'm actually really good at guitar. We could have done a duet together."

"Really?"Cassie looked up at him in shock.

"No."

Cassandra shook her head, walking towards her locker. As she opened up her locker door, Justin stood still. "Cassie... your locker.... who wrote all of this?"

Cassandra was glad that there was a door between them. "Oh, you mean the suicide stuff? I don't know.." Her tone was soft and low, like she was afraid that the walls would hear.

"Well, we need to find out." Justin spoke, his voice rough.

"Justin, if you lived in a town where the population consisted of people who didn't like you or didn't know you," she removed some books from her bag and tipped them into her locker. She stopped to look at Justin. "Would you bother trying to find out who spread some rumors about you and a death wish?" Justin swallowed, trying to find the right words, but not once taking his eyes off her.

"I would if it was a friend."

Cassandra looked at him for a second longer, and then continued with her books. "Thanks Justin, but there's no point. Don't waste your time with people like that."

"Alright." Justin tried to keep silent about it but it was gnawing at him more and more each second. "But why would someone even write something like that?"

"... I don't know. I've apparently got a suicide vibe going on."

"What? Don't-"

"Justin, can we please not talk about this?" Cassie's sounded more tired than she looked. She shut her locker door. "Let's just change the subject.."

Justin's eyes wandered to to the floor as his feet started moving. In his peripheral vision, he saw Cassandra's converse shuffle along next to his.

"This might not be the best time but I was thinking... If you wanted to go to the Winter formal with me?"

Justin would have looked up from the ground if it weren't for his pulsating fear. "I don't want to go." She said simply. Before Justin could respond, Cassie began to talk again. "I'm really sorry Justin but I can't do this. Not us... " She sighed and fumbled with her clothes.

"Us?" Justin stopped in his path, his eyebrow arched. "Cassie, what are you trying to say?" At this point they both had stopped walking, looking directly at each other.

"I really like you,"

"Then what's wrong?" Justin searched Cassie's eyes for answers, but that was like deciphering a riddle within a riddle.

A simple question. If only the answer was so simple, Cassie thought. "It's not that simple."

"Ahem." Both Justin and Cassie's consecration were interrupted by Principal Baird. "Why are you two wandering the halls during class time?"

"... We're on our way to guitar lessons."

Mr Baird eyed them suspiciously. "Well get to it. The bell should.."

The bell rang and ended the awkward conversation.