Cipher

Chapter 25: Curse Words

Cipher had a feeling the relative peace with Matt during biology, despite his near death experience, would not last. He was tentatively hopeful when it had lasted more than a week. But that quickly crumbled when he felt the stool nearly kicked out from under him as he sat waiting for class to begin. Luckily, he was able to suppress the startled noise that tried to escape in response to the sudden jolt. He kept his face neutral as Matt continued past to take his seat at the black topped lab table.

Cipher didn't even have to try to see the malice that seeped from him. He had a sinking feeling that Matt was not going to get tired of harassing him and move on, like he hoped. Not for the first time, Cipher wished he could see the reason behind the emotions that he sensed.

Cindy bounced in just a moment later, giving Cipher something to direct his attention to that wasn't the boy sitting across from him.

"Hi!" Cindy exclaimed with her usual enthusiasm. "How are you? I'm so ready for the holiday weekend coming up, aren't you? My family is going to the beach. It's like eight hours in the car, but super worth it. What about you?"

The rapid questions gave Cipher little room to answer. "I am well, thank you," he brought out his lab notebook for class. "I am looking forward to the extra day off. I believe Isaac's family is planning a short vacation, it should be very interesting."

"That's so cool! Do you know where you're going?"

"The Grand Canyon was mentioned, I have heard good things about it and the pictures look quite stunning."

Cindy's ponytail bobbed as she nodded rapidly. "My family went a few years ago. It's so, so pretty."

"That is good to hear."

The bell rang just as Joslyn hurried in, sliding into her seat with a huff.

The class started off fairly well, the lab was straightforward and they answered the questions as a group with Matt only the occasional jab aimed at Cipher. They were for the most part ignored, unless one of the girls tried to reprimand him. They grew increasingly more pointed and frequent as Cipher didn't allow the attacks to visibly affect him, even when his insides twisted at the words. The group was so close to finishing the lab and not seeing each other for the rest of the day. He could do this.

"You shouldn't even be here," Matt said, keeping his voice low enough so as not to draw the teacher's attention. "Freaks like you don't even deserve to be around people."

Cipher's fingers curled tightly around his pencil. He had worked hard to be here and nothing anyone could say would convince him otherwise. He wanted so badly to tell him exactly what he thought of Matt's 'facts' and opinions, but he knew he couldn't. Thankfully, somebody beat him to it.

"Matt, kindly shut your face before I decide to shut it for you," Joslyn's falsely sweet tone immediately catching Cipher's attention. "Some of us are trying to actually learn something, and you are actively lowering the IQ of the entire room with every word that falls out of that stupid mouth." Her smile was not kind.

"Whatever, Marshal. You're just as brainwashed as all the other 8-bit loving sheep. Wake up."

Joslyn did her best to hide her flinch at the use of her last name. The entire football team had referred to her brother as 'Marshal' until the day he died; probably still did, but she avoided them.

"It is okay Joslyn," Cipher told her as soon as he had mentally regrouped. She gave him a look that very much disagreed, but he continued. "I do not take offense to nonsense that is spouted by people who get their information from fear mongering sites with lower standards than celebrity tabloids." At that, her mouth quirked to the side in a sneaking smile.

"He still shouldn't be such an ass about it." All heads turned to Cindy with varying degrees of shock, who was continuing the lab work as if she hadn't said anything. She looked up glancing at each of them, "What? We're in high school, everyone knows curse words."

"Yeah, but I didn't think you used them," Joslyn nearly laughed, her smile turned genuine.

The tension broken, Cindy playfully smirked back. "People can surprise you if you let them."

Matt looked ready to growl out another insult, but Cindy had already called Ms. Keller over to sign off on the lab. Everyone started packing to leave as the seconds ticked closer to the bell.

"Cipher," Ms. Keller called as the bell rang. "Please wait for a moment after class."

Cipher deflated a little at that. Hopefully it wouldn't take too long, he still had to get to the locker room and change for PE. The classroom emptied out quickly. "Yes, Ms. Keller?"

"Sorry to keep you. I just wanted to check that everything is going well." She looked at him earnestly. "You are doing excellent work and I know you get along well with Cindy and Joslyn. Matt isn't giving you any trouble, is he?"

Cipher hesitated to answer. If he was honest, would he lose Joslyn as one of his group mates as well? "I am doing well."

She seemed to notice his avoidance of the question, but didn't push it. "Okay, but you will tell me if anything comes up, right?"

Cipher's chin tilted up as a 'yes' even as he argued with himself over whether or not he ever would.

"Good, then you are free to go. Sorry, again, for keeping you."

He quickly made his way out of the room and to the locker room where many of the other boys had already changed and were heading toward the gym. Thank all that is good, that the swimming section was over. He saw Isaac was still there tying his shoes as he came in.

"Hey, what took you so long?" Isaac asked, pausing his task.

"Teacher." Cipher said. In his haste, he decided to forgo changing in one of the bathroom stalls as he usually did. "Wanted to speak with me after class," he explained as he pulled his shirt over his head.

"Dude," Isaac's tone gave him pause. "Is that why you never change in front of others?" he asked, gesturing to the deep line carved into Cipher's side, cutting through his marks.

He quickly moved to cover the ugly scar, yanking his gym shirt into place. "I do not wish to speak of it." he said, quickly changing into the rest of his uniform. He was still far too wound up from biology to deal with it at that moment. "We are going to be late."

All Isaac could do was follow Cipher out into the gym as a million unanswered questions piled up inside his head.