Under The Radar

Chapter 4

Margot hated it when she would read "I felt his/her burning gaze on me" in books. For some reason, her morbid mind couldn't help picturing half of the face of the unlucky person disintegrate into ashes. She now understood exactly what it meant, and she tried to keep her face blank throughout the lecture. Reedley has been trying to catch her attention since she entered the classroom and Margot was busy pretending Mr. Howard's topic for the day was riveting.

There was no question about what Reedley wanted to know. Margot couldn't really blame her. When she and Jacob left the library, Margot was resigned to the fact that Jacob would cause unwanted attention by walking her to class. They were never close. People would be curious at best and suspect she was trying to snag him at worst. But she was naive to think that it would end as soon as she entered the class.

While she "hmm-ed" and "uh-huh-ed" throughout Jacob filling their short time on their way to her class, she thought that all she had to do was say goodbye when they were a few feet from classroom door, enter the class, and shut it before anyone in the class would notice. Before Reedley would notice. Instead, Mr. Howard commented that Margot just about made it before the late bell.

Then, Jacob had to announce himself from the door.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Howard. It was my fault. I was bothering Margot."

Margot's heart dropped. She turned her head and found Jacob's big frame halfway in, giving every single one in their class a reason to ask why he would even talk to her. Margot couldn't even return his megawatt smile and ugh, a wink, before he disappeared behind the door.

Being swallowed by the floor wasn't enough. She wanted to chuck her phone on Jacob's head.

And Reedley had her eyebrow raised as she pointedly followed Margot's quiet walk to her seat.

Great.

"What the..." She felt a speck of paper hit her left cheek. Margot looked up to see Reedley giving her 'I cannot believe you're ignoring me right now' look, her palm up, gesturing erratically like throwing stuff at her was totally normal.

"What?"

Reedley continued to look at her, her expression changing to 'really?'. Margot sighed. She was sure that she'd be having an uncomfortable conversation later with her and Lauren. She didn't doubt that Reedley already texted their friend.

Margot's phone vibrated and she took a peek. It was a message from Lauren.

She wanted to rub the bridge of her nose in frustration, but her glasses were in the way.

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As soon as the bell rang, Reedley had Margot's wrist in a firm hold and led her out of the classroom to a nearby deserted small hall leading to the lab. Lauren was already there, leaning on the left wall while quickly scrolling through her phone. She pocketed it as soon as Reedley brought Margot to her.

"Really guys? Is this 'meeting' really necessary?" Margot asked, already uncomfortable.

"Yes, it is. Because I'm going to bet that you wouldn't have told us anything." Reedley looked at Margot pointedly, crossing her arms.

"Wow. I didn't think talking to Jacob was such a big deal." was Margot's defense.

Lauren's eyebrows rose. "You approached him?"

Right. When was that Margot's M.O.? "Uh no. He went to the library."

"Jacob MacGibbon went to the library?" Reedley asked skeptically.

"During lunch period?" Lauren added in monotone.

All Margot could do was brush off the questions with a 'no big deal' nod. Her friends exchanged knowing looks and stared at her.