The Girl with the Scars

Chapter 10

Why Monday of all days? I cannot miss my appointment again... That party messed up last week's Thursday appointment.

I can't miss Monday's session too.

*I can't do today.* I text Logan. Both of us have been studiously avoiding talking about the party. Me, because I don't want to think about Eli. Logan, probably, because he doesn't want to upset his precious Portia's precious feelings.

*Cancel your plans.* My phone be-beeps.

I roll my eyes at the message. Don't roll your eyes, it's rude. The voice comments. I really don't want to deal with her today.

With a sigh, I first send a message to Dr Sharon saying that I'll need to reschedule, then text Logan. *You can pick me up in an hour.*

Logan is always punctual. It's one thing I've come to rely on the past week and a half. An hour after I sent him the text, he's knocking at the door.

Mother and Father left for an event half an hour ago, so I race down the stairs to get to the door. The quicker I get to the door, the quicker I can leave this house.

This house that holds only dark memories.

Mrs Gomes opens the door, just as I get to the bottom of the stairs. It's not Logan...

My mind is racing with my heart rate now; I don't know which is faster. Mrs Gomes tries to close the door as soon as she realises who it is, but the gentleman in the door, holds it open.

It's Leon... It's Eli... The dots connect too quickly in my mind, making the wheels clog, splutter and choke.

"Hello, Kali."

"Hey, Kali! Wait up!" Leon yells after me in the hall between English and Mathematics. I slow my pace only a fraction so my best and only friend can catch up. I can't be late for class.

Leon and I met in my grade eight year. He transfered to Crawford in his grade eight year from some tiny Montessori school in Bocksburg the year prior. Me in grade 11 and him in grade 12, though he failed grade seven, make him two years my senior. I really don't know why he wanted and still wants to be my friend.

I've been a loner for a long time now, finding comfort in my solitude. It's the only thing I've known for the past fifteen years before I met Leon. It also took him months to prove to me that he wasn't leaving.

We've been friends for three whole years at this point and he still hasn't grown bored of my lack of communication, or my skittish behaviour.

"What's up, Leon?" I ask as I hug my English set work, Jane Eyre, closer to my chest. I notice the eyes on us, try to ignore them.

"I was thinking... Maybe we could go for ice-cream after school? You know..." He pauses. When I look at him, he's seems nervous. "Like a date?" My steps falter and I trip, crashing to the floor. Jane Eyre goes flying down the hallway, along with some papers from my half-open school bag.

The kids in hall are laughing, while I hold back tears. Not because of the fall, but the voice who's chanting in a sing-songy way, "You made a fool of yourself! Why are you so stupid? He only asked you on a date because he feels sorry for you!"

"Are you alright?" Leon asks with concern as he leans over me, extending his hand to help me up. After a moment, trying to control my tears and racing heart, I take his hand, and he pulls me to my feet. He also helps me collect my papers and book.

"You probably don't want to take me for ice-cream now..." I mutter after everything is securely in my, now closed, school bag.

"Are you kidding? I think you need ice-cream even more now." Leon grins at me, then we start walking to my Maths class once more. While we walk, side by side, Leon takes my hand in his.