C10 Catch Your Tongue

Helen's POV

I failed to enjoy the rest of my weekend due to Dylan's runaway. Not that I blame Dylan for ruining the date. After all, I didn't hold high expectations. But I couldn't help keeping asking myself what was wrong. And of course, I didn't work out any possible theory.

It just doesn't make any sense.

I hate the truth that although I know it would be a waste of time to recall, I can't hold back the urge to think.

Is this another prank or is there really an emergency?

I don't get it.

I shouldn't have agreed to trade with Dylan. It is like making a deal with a devil. Characters who have done this, in books or in films can never have a happy ending.

I shudder at the thought and make an announcement.

"I hate him."

My loyal friend stays by my side and meows knowingly, nudging my neck in a sweet way.

"Do you think I should call Dylan and ask him why he ran away?"

Snowball shakes her head.

"Right. I shouldn't ask. He is a jerk and this must be a trick he played on us. He will laugh at me if I call him."

Snowball nods eagerly.

"Now I am really suspecting you can understand human language." I examine her little face and she looks back at me with an innocent look.

"But what if he did have a reason? Shouldn't I show my concerns? You know, he is my desk mate, and Dylan and I are on a truce. This could be a lovely chance for me to show my kindness. And maybe he will be moved to trust me enough to tell his secret gangs."

Snowball stares at me, neither nodding nor shaking her head. But she looks stern and not quite happy about this suggestion.

"You don't like him, do you?" I sigh, gently padding her back and mutter to myself, "I wish I could hate him like you do. "

Monday eventually arrives and it is my first time to be the first one in the classroom. I look at the entrance from time to time, waiting for Dylan's coming so that I can get an answer. It could be an apology or an insult. Both are welcome, as long as this puzzle is solved and my mind can be freed from the torturing doubts.

But he didn't appear.

He told me that he would see me at school but he didn't show up.

My heart sinks when the teacher asks the whole class to fill in the name sheet to choose the role they intend to play on Drama Night. All of the paired students have made their choice. When the sheet is passed to me, I feel awkward to sign. It should have been an easy work, for Dylan is a drama queen, or drama king, as he claimed, and I am certain that he can handle all the roles. But what if my choice is against his intention and ——

“He wants to play Romeo.” A voice arises in the nearby row at the right moment, saving me from the contemplation.

I immediately recognize Nancy's voice and reply, "But many have signed their name for this role."

"So what? Dylan will be the best." Nancy snorts and she does possess an aristocratic aura, egocentric and confident. No one dares to argue against her and they are silently watching us.

The tension is so much. I don't want to cause any trouble so I intend to pass the name sheet to her. "All right. You can sign it on behalf of him".

"What? No." Nancy blinks at me and refuses to take the piece of paper. She shakes her head and declares, "you are his partner and you should sign for him. Just tick the box reading Romeo and Juliet and Dylan will take care of the rest. No worries, Dylan is a fantastic actor and he will lead you to the destiny."

"What kind of destiny?" I can't help but remind her, "they both die in the end.”

Someone giggle. Nancy furrows her eyebrows and clears her throat. "That's not what I mean. I am saying that you and my brother will cooperate well and make a great performance."

Then she forces a smile, looking at me unhappily. The way she looks at me just resembles the way Snowball looks at Dylan. Unsatisfactory yet helpless. As if someone is holding an invisible gun against her head and threatening her to say nice words to me.

After I numbly sign the name sheet, Nancy stands up abruptly and tell the teacher that she needs to go to the ladies' room. She does not move towards the entrance directly but approaches me and lowers her head to whisper to me.

"A word."

Perhaps she heard some rumors about Dylan and she is jealous and now she is out of her mind and I will be dead if I agree to go with her. She may summon a group of people out of blue and beat me to death.

"I am busy." I inhale sharply and hold my desk and never let it go, desperate to fight for my survival.

"Busy in what? Holding your desk? "Nancy retorts impatiently and repeats her demand, "A word, please."

Now she even adds "please" to invite me out. This must be a trap and I am absolutely dying.

She pulls me towards her and forces me to go with her. When we are at the end of the corridor, she eventually halts and turns back to face me, with her arms crossing in a defensive gesture.

"I don't feel good to be here with you."Instead of shouting at her, I inform her gently.

"Neither do I." Nancy snorts and huffs, "Don't you want to know what happened to Dylan?"

"Did you kill him?"I blurt out.

"What? No. Why would I do this?" Nancy gazes at me in disbelief.

"Out of jealousy?" I suggest tentatively.

"Are you out of your mind?! I don't love you. I hate you. Resent you. Loathe you."Nancy blushes angrily and starts to throw a pile of words at me.

"Ok, ok. I get you. But what I am saying is you love Dylan so you don't want me to take him away from you…”

Nancy looks thunder-stricken and frantically exclaims, "Holy Moon goddess! Dylan is my brother!"

Frozen at her words, I begin to apologize to her, like a criminal confessing to the jury.

"I am terribly sorry. You look very intimated and somehow I misjudged your relationship."

She relaxes a little bit and shrugs, "That's fine".

"What is moon goddess? Is that a kind of religion? I've never heard of it."

"Well, it is my signature phrase." the question makes Nancy squirms uneasily, perhaps it is a shame for her to admit that she has a signature phrase. Teenagers are passionate about being unique and unpredictable yet having a signature phrase means your words can be predicted and that is not cool.

To help her get rid of the embarrassment, I give a positive comment. "That is a sweet one. I love the moon. I love the goddess. So I believe the moon goddess will be a lovely lady."

"You do?" Her face lit up and looks at me with a bright smile, like a streak of light after a fading rainstorm.

"I do." I assure her, "and by the way what happened to your brother? "

"Oh right, that's why I want a talk with you at the first place." Nancy pinches her nose and sends me a worried look,"My brother was diagnosed allergic the day before yesterday and the doctor advised him to stay at home to have a good rest. So he asked a sick leave and he will be back on Wednesday."

"Allergic?"I am bemused, "to what?"

"Cat fur."Nancy clears her throat, "And that's why he sends me here to formally apologize to you for his runaway. It is not a gentleman behaviour to leave his companion behind without any explanations."

"But your brother is not a gentleman." I smile at Nancy.

"Well, at least he is trying to be a gentleman around you." Nancy smiles back, "You should give him another chance and—”

The pause she intentionally set does evoke my curiosity to the largest extent. I can't help but echo her last word.

"And?"

"Don't bring your cat next time."

___

Sorry for the late update. I've been super busy these days.