Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Later that evening Aaron left and I had to get dressed because being a Head girl doesn’t mean abdicating my duties just because I am on my period. So I got my ass out of my room and went to the dining to make sure there was order during dinner. Sure enough, some miscreants took advantage of the absence of the prefects to make trouble but as soon as we walked in there was instant peace and quiet. The junior students were the first to get their dinner followed by the senior students from classes 1 to 3. I didn’t feel like eating since I was stuffed full of Aaron’s spaghetti and pie, however, the rest of my class went to get their dinner. As I sat down there reading the novel Andre gave me someone suddenly grabbed my hand and snatched the book from me.

“What the…?!”

It was Carla and she was staring at me with some sort of accusation in her eyes. “Where did you get this?”

“Uh, your brother gave it to me. What’s the problem? Why did you snatch it like that?”

“Andre gave it to you?” she asked then suddenly let out a laugh that sounded forced. “Oh, that’s why he barged into my room today,” she glanced up at me over the book, smiling. I couldn’t help but think that her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes but I returned her smile. “We’ve gotten our rooms now do you know that?”

“Oh, uh… I didn’t,” I replied suddenly wondering how the conversation shifted from the book to her room. But truly I didn’t know their rooms were ready. “Uh...if  you’re uncomfortable about him giving me the book then it’s fine, I’ve read it before I just wanted to reread it for sentimental reasons…”

“Oh no!” she said quickly. “I apologize for my reaction earlier, it’s just that Andre said he needed the book for…” she stopped herself, her eyes searching the huge dining hall for her twin. There on the line laughing with Gideon was Andre and at the same moment his eyes caught Carla’s and a guarded look came into his eyes, it was the same look that came into Carla’s. Andre’s eyes drifted down to me for a second before they returned to Carla’s. I got the impression – I don’t know where – that things were tight between them but maybe it’s just how siblings are, I guess.

Carla turned to me. “Sorry for my rudeness, here you go.” She held out the book to me which I collected tentatively.

She put a strand of her hair behind her ear suddenly looking shy. “I don’t usually have outbursts like that, it’s just that I don’t get along with people that well – actually I don’t have many friends like my brother. And Andre has always been the socially outgoing one between us both so I find it hard to react to people. I shouldn't have grabbed the book like that."

“Uhm I guess I can understand that…uh actually I don’t think there’s any reason to be shy around here everyone gets on well like a family.” I collected the book from her and noticed for the first time the tattoo on her wrist. It was a lettered tattoo: Carol.

She saw that I noticed the tattoo and quickly retracted her hand, drawing the arm of her shirt to hide it.

“It's okay I already saw the other tattoo on your belly the other night. I didn’t know you had 2 tattoos. Edwin and Co. doesn’t allow that.”

She blushed. “I know that. I actually had to hide it with makeup when I was getting in.” she lowered her eyes. “I couldn’t help getting it when I turned 15, it’s just a stupid sentimental tattoo.”

I felt drawn to her because she and I were almost alike. I am the Head girl but the least popular in class hiding under the shadow of my friend and she was a shy, weird girl hiding under her brother. In the spirit of kindred spirit bonding, I reached for her hand.

“What’s the tattoo for?”

She looked away for a second and when she looked back I could see the tremendous sadness in her eyes. “Actually it’s my older sister’s name. She died before I turned 15 and I got the tattoo to keep her with me. We were really close, closer than Andre and I are. Andre loved her too but I like to think I loved her more,” she laughed. Then she looked at me and saw the sympathy in my eyes and laughed. “It’s been years now though so there’s no pain anymore.”

But tears were brimming in her eyes. Feeling sorry, I stood and put my hand around her shoulder and walked toward the line with her. She leaned against me. “I’m so sorry. I’m an only child so I may not understand the pain of losing an older one that I love. But I do know that if anything happens to Siobhan I would lose my mind no matter how annoying she is.”

Carla laughed. “I feel the same way about Andre even when he's being a dickhead," she laughed. She looked up and smiled at me. “Let’s hope nothing happens to Siobhan then.”

We got to the line and though I had planned not to eat anything I ended up getting a bottle of juice and some cookies.

“So are Janet and Gideon guiding you well through Edwin and Co? It must be hard moving schools in senior year.” I said this because I was trying to dig for information. What were the chances that they moved schools after Andre and I met? Did Andre ask to move schools? I’m guessing it wasn’t a problem for them if their father is as rich as the rumors say he is.

“Actually Gideon is more interested in getting between my legs and Janet wants me to hook her up with Andre.” She rolled her eyes. “Personally, I was against moving but my dad had business here and wanted us to come along. He only has us, you know…since our mom died.”

I couldn’t help but think that their lives were kind of sad with one tragedy after another. I felt sorry for her. Andre seemed to be holding himself well but Carla…she needs a friend.

“Hey, I think I have an idea of how to help you get over your nervousness and awkwardness so you can get a hang of the wild ride that is Edwin and Co," I said, suddenly under a burst of inspiration.

“Oh yeah?”

“You should hang out with Siobhan and me. Let’s be friends?”

She looked happy then suddenly her face fell. “Uh, are you sure? I don’t think your friend likes me much. I know she wants my brother but I think she thinks I don’t like her enough for him.”

“Siobhan?” I thought about Siobhan’s comment about Carla being weird and decided it was better not to mention that. Instead, I smiled reassuringly at Carla, it was almost her turn to collect her dinner. “Oh don’t worry about Siobhan you just need to get to know her to love her. She’s a good friend, I can tell because we’ve been friends since childhood.”

Carla smiled. “Wow, you guys are almost like sisters.”

“You could say that.”

We got our dinner. Before she left my side to go sit at the other table she turned to me. “You are so nice, Bianca. I see why you’re Head girl.”

I shrugged trying to be modest. “I try.”

She laughed. “You do more than try. Thank you, I look forward to being friends.”

I was still smiling and looking after her as she walked away when Andre walked up beside me and leaned down.

“We need to talk,” he said. “Now.”

Of course, we do.