Butterflies

Chapter 3

Cori pushes the door open and I follow her out of the classroom. 

"So, did you go shopping yesterday?"

"No, I didn't feel like it in the end."

"Oh. You know I could have gone with you if you wanted me to."

"Yeah. Actually, do you want to go tommorrow after school?"

I suddenly realize I really don't want to go, but I haven't done something with Corrie for ages. I instantly feel guilty as her face lights up. 

"Yeah, that would be great! I've missed you these past few weeks."

I laugh, but it comes out wrong.

"Cori, you've seen me every day."

"Yeah, but sometimes seeing someone isn't the same as...well, knowing them."

She gives me a quick smile and I return it.

"I guess. Sorry, I just haven't been feeling myself."

"I know. Tomorrow will be fun."

Her car is just a few paces away. It's a banged up, rusty thing in a mossy dark green. I listen as the engine starts up and fades away. For the first time, I look up, and my breath quickens. Seriously? A head of brown hair and bracelet coated arms is walking ahead. I know what I shoud do, what I know I'll wish I did once I get home, but suddenly all my resolve from last night has disappeared. I take a deep breath and quicken my step. I'm walking right behind, but he hasn't seemed to notice. Either that or he's ignoring me.

Embarrassment weakening my knees, I awkwardly tap him on the shoulder.

"Um, hi!"

My voice comes out as a squeak. He looks up at me for a second and then looks back at the ground.

"Why are you talking to me?"

His voice is flat, emotionless. Shock hitches in my throat. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. For a long time I struggle to talk.

"I - you just - looked alone."

He doesn't even look up this time, just kicks a stray piece of gravel on the footpath.

"I'm alone because I want to be. I would prefer if you would assist me in keeping it that way."

There's nothing in his voice, not a trace of bitterness, humour, venom, anything at all, it's just flat. It's then that I first get the inkling that he's not just strange, there's something deeply wrong with this person. 

"Why did you transfer?"

He looks up properly this time. Those brown-green eyes that had seemed so alive are now filled with steel. 

"Go have fun on your shopping trip. Maybe in a few years you'll realize how pointless the whole thing is."

"But - how did you - "

He smirks, the first trace of emotion I've seen on his face yet. He spreads his hands.

"This. What's the point?"

I don't know what to say. His smirk deepens. 

"Oh, and by the way, I have ears. I can hear your stupid voices a mile away. What a weirdo!"

His voice comes out in a high-pitched, sick imitation of Cori's. I feel my feet sinking slowly into the pavement.

"I," I gulp, "I'm sorry."

"They always are."

And, with those words, he quickens his pace and walks away. I watch him until he turns the corner. Only once he's out of sight, I stop and stare at the sky and wonder what the hell just happened.