Chapter 5 ~ Vivica
Something seemed the matter with Ray, I wonder what it was? I haven't known him for long at all, but I can't help how concerned I feel. It is just in my nature, I suppose, to empathize with almost everyone I meet. I consider myself pretty attuned to people's feelings.
I walked into the school office, putting down the envelopes on the counter. "Where is Mrs. Brown?" I asked one of the aides. Mrs. Brown was the school secretary, a small bookish lady, prone to use elaborate hand gestures while talking.
The aide looked at me strangely, "You didn't hear? She was diagnosed with some kind of rare tropical illness. It is really strange since she has never been out of the country."
My voice cracked in shock, Mrs. Brown was such a genuinely nice lady, "Will she be alright?"
The aide's face softened, "She should pull through alright. But, she will be on sick leave for a while."
"That is a relief, I looked back down to the envelopes and remembered why I was there, "Well, who should I give these to then?"
"Do they need to be sent out?" I nodded, restacking the pile. "Well, the aide began, "the school did hire a temp. She is right over there," she pointed out a thin woman with short white hair, it was so white that I assumed she would have to be a really elderly woman. But when she turned around I was surprised to discover that she was actually very young, late twenties I would assume.
"Hello there, the young woman approached me holding out a hand, "My name is Ms. Winters. You are?" I had a really strange feeling in the pit of my stomach around this woman, like she already knew who I was.
I smiled weakly, "Vivica Rose, I shook her hand, though it seemed like an unusually formal welcome.
"That is a very pretty name," she said this genuinely enough, but for some reason everything about this woman seemed... fake.
I handed her the envelopes without saying another word, she smiled brightly, "You want me to send these off for you?" I nodded politely. I was not usually so short with people, but she just put me off somehow.
"Thanks," I said unenthusiastically as she left the area with the envelopes in hand. I turned back to the aide who was still standing there, probably to avoid working. "She seems... interesting."
The aide nodded, "It has just been an interesting day all in all. First a new temp secretary, then four transfer students in one day..."
I interrupted her, "-Four?"
"Yeah not only that, but they are all seniors. And, they are all beautiful." She shook her head lightly.
"Beautiful?" I questioned, trying to persuade more information out of her.
She shrugged, "Just really, really good looking people. I talked to all of them, and they all seem pretty smart too." The aide shook her head again, "All these interesting people in one day, I swear it's like alien's are talking over the school or something." She laughed at her own joke.
"Well thanks for all your help." The aide smiled courteously, implying that it was no big deal. I left, on my way back to Merrick's room.
So Ray wasn't the only new transfer in today. One new senior this late in the year is strange, but four? That was just uncanny. Plus there was that Ms. Winter, who was a suspicious character.
Suddenly I heard a melodic voice call from behind me, breaking my train of thought, "Excuse me?" The voice asked softly.
I turned around to a young woman with waist length ash blonde hair, worn in a long loose braid. She wore thin gold frames over her cerulean eyes. She had a gentleness about her, a calm beauty.
"Do you need something?" I replied casually.
The girl came forward a couple of steps; her skirt flowed gracefully around her. All of her movements seemed like a dance. "Well, I'm new today, and..." She blushed, laughing to herself, "...I find that I am completely lost. It is really quite embarrassing."
"Oh, it's no big deal, this school is pretty big, I made a dismissive hand gesture, "Where do you need to be?"
"I am looking for the library." She brushed a piece of her hair away from her face.
"The library is right around the corner and about five doors down to the left, I'll show you." I walked towards our destination, she followed closely. I decided to introduce myself first, "My name is Vivica by the way."
"I'm Gabi, nice to meet you," she held out a hand formally.
I paused to shake it, though I found it a little strange. Shaking hands isn't exactly something kids our age did all the time. We continued our polite chatter for little while until we had arrived to our intended target.
We entered the expansive library, the musty smell of old and new literature clung in the air. I looked at Gabi, a peaceful smile crossed her face, "This is quite impressive for a highschool library."
"Yeah, people from all over the city come to utilize it. I like to read too so it makes my life a lot easier," I sat making myself comfortable, although that wasn't very hard, because Gabi seemed to be a comfortable person. Comfortable in her own skin, one might say.
She joined me, sitting in the seat accross from me, "Oh, I love reading. I read whatever I can get my hands on."
I looked at the time, Merrick was sure to be wondering where the hell I was at by now. "Um, Gabi? Me and my friends eat lunch out at the foyer if you would like to join us."
She smiled again graciously, "Oh I wouldn't want to be any trouble."
I shook my head, "No, no trouble at all, I mean one of the other, get this, four new senior transfer students is sitting with us too."
Gabi's expression seemed to change without changing at all, "In that case I'd love to."
"Great, see you then." We said our goodbyes and I rushed back to the art room.
When I got back I heard voices. I couldn't help but to eavesdrop.
"What do you mean, 'Why am I here?' Isn't it obvious?" It was a female's voice, one I didn't recongnize, she sounded rash and emotional.
"Come on, it's been what? Three? Four years? Sorry if I am just a little taken back by your sudden appearance," this voice was definitely Merrick, but he was completly out of character, I hadn't heard him this out of sorts since our little "realization" at the begining of the school year.
"There is a lot of activity at this school, and when I discovered you worked here I just thought..." the woman trailed off.
Merrick was completely on the defensive, "Thought what? It would be just like old times? Well it can't be Aya, never again."
The woman spoke suddenly, "Wait, I heard something." Footsteps were coming in my direction.
Before being forcefully uncovered from my hiding place, I outted myself, "Ummm... Hey Merrick, back from the office." I coughed at the tension in the room, looking the stranger up and down. She looked to be a little younger than me but maybe not. Her asian features hid her true age well. She had gossamer hair cut into a short paige boy, a red streak on either side. Her expression was cold, calculating, her almost ebony eyes cut through me.
"Oh! Vivica..." Merrick's face went from shocked to cool in an instant, "This is Aya, one of the new student's. She's here to get permission to be in the advanced art class."
Lie. Though if I hadn't heard their conversation I would have never been wiser. Merrick could hide his intentions so easily sometimes.
Aya's gaze never left mine, not for a moment, "Yes, at my old school we didn't have a very good art department, so I was hoping..."
Merrick stood, escorting the girl out of the room, her eyes still even with mine. Something about her calm demeanor reminded me of Merrick. How did they know each other, and why is he trying so hard to keep it from me?
He spoke as she entered the threshold of the classrom, "Don't worry... Aya was it? I'm sure there will be room for you in the class."
She didn't respond, she just walked right out of the room, not even looking back.
Merrick, also wordless, just sat down again, re-applying his glasses and going back to his books. I walked slowly up to him, astonished at the scene that had just been played out for my benefit.
"Ok, this is akward. What was all that ab-" I was interrupted by his putting a single finger up in the air motioning me to be silent.
He didn't look up, "Hold on, I need to finish this chapter."
Growing impatient at an incredible pace, I put a hand on the book blocking his sight, "It's never stopped you before, talking and reading is what you do best."
He simply moved my hand out of the way and shrugged. I sat down as well, smoldering silently. It continued that way for a solid fifteen minutes until the bell rang. I picked up my bag and left the classroom practically stomping on my way out, turning around just long enough to catch a glimpse of Merrick looking up from his book, an expression of dark sorrow on his face.
