Deadly Silence (complete) Chapter 32

“Kindergarten teacher,” Miriam replied without missing a beat.

“I don’t… think you need a PhD for that.”

“You are correct — you do not. And I don’t actually want one, but…”

“Do you plan on getting one so your mom will be happy?”

The question seemed to require some consideration from the girl with the curly auburn hair as she tilted her head one way then the other. “I don’t know. I figure I can get a full ride for a bachelors in early childhood education, or something like that, and by then I’ll have been away from her enough to feel like I can do what I want without the guilt trip she pulls when she doesn’t get her way.”

This topic was something Vivian could almost relate to; parental control. How the child was like an extension of the parent and needed to behave, think, and do everything a specific way no matter what. “What happens if you don’t meet her standards?”

“She guilt trips like a pro,” Miriam sighed for a second time, shoulders slumping. “And I never hear the end of it until I get back to what she expects. Even then, she holds it over me for years. I once got a 96 on a test back in eighth grade and she still brings it up three years later. Like I can do shit about it now.”

“Oh thank god, there you are!” Theo grinned as he slid into the seat facing Vivian. “I spent like five minutes trying to find you.”

“Oh. Uh. Hi,” she stammered, unsure what to say in the situation as the boy carefully set a plate with a large piece of chocolate cake on the table in front of her.

“Voilà! Dessert, as promised.”

“How did you get a piece of cake?” Miriam demanded. “They’re always gone in like five minutes. You pretty much have to leave class early to get a chance at grabbing one.”

“Eh, I made friends with the cooks last year. I bring them coffee from whatever country my parents are in, and in return they’ll save me a slice of whatever I want, if I ask beforehand.”

“You bribe the cooks?” Vivian asked, surprised at herself for saying it out loud and not just in her head.

“Here’s a tip,” he laughed, leaning in conspiratorially, “befriend the people who make the food. You’ll always get the best from them, and they’re more than happy to take requests.”

Vivian wasn’t sure if Theo had done it because he actually wanted to befriend the cooks, or if it was just for the payoff of food.

Did it even matter?

Catching Miriam’s longing stare at the cake, Vivian pushed the plate until it was between them and motioned for her new friend to have some. “I can’t eat it all myself.”

“Oh, really? You sure? Don’t mind if I do!”

“Hey, it was supposed to be my apology to you!”

Vivian looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “Yep. And since it’s now mine, I can do with it as I please, even if it means sharing it.”

“That’s not fair.”

“You want some?” She offered with a sly grin. “I’m willing to split it three ways.”

“Oh, don’t mind if I do!” He grinned in response, mimicking Miriam’s tone perfectly as he reached over and swiped a finger through some of the icing that had stuck to the plate.

“You’re right; keeping the people who give you food happy seems to be a good idea,” Vivian told Theo, who stopped in mid motion to nab some more icing, his hazel eyes locking on hers as a frown creased his features.

“Are you calling me the help?”

“You did help her get cake,” Miriam pointed out.

Theo looked at each of them in turn before his grin returned. “You know what, I’m okay with that.”

The girls exchanged amused looks as they finished up the dessert.

“Why are you guys over here?” A chipper voice called out, startling Vivian from watching Theo and Miriam battle over the last bit of cake.

Looking up, Abby stood just behind Theo, looking confused. “Vivian, I told you to come sit with us today! And Theo, why are you hanging out at the nobody tables?”

Because she stood behind him, Abby couldn’t see Theo roll his eyes at the questions. “I like switching it up once and a while,” he told the blond, not bothering to glance back as he spoke, instead snagging the plate and wiping his finger through the last of the crumbs. “And I wanted to talk with the new girl some.”

Knowing Abby would bring the conversation back around to why Vivian hadn’t sat with the more popular crowd, the raven-haired girl searched for an answer that would appease the cheer team captain. Saying outright she had no intention of ever joining the cheer team, or that Laurent wouldn’t like her as part of his group of friends wouldn’t be prudent.

“Vivian?” The blond began, looking expectantly at the girl she addressed. “Why don’t you come join us; I’ll introduce you to everyone! It’ll be fun!”

“No, thank you,” Vivian replied, holding back a sigh of defeat. There was no way she could get out of this conversation unscathed. “I prefer sitting here.”

Theo’s eyebrows rose as he stared at Vivian for a second before switching to look at Abby’s stunned expression. He looked like he was enjoying the exchange now that he wasn’t the focus.

“Uhm, okay,” the blond laughed a little, “I get you’re new here and stuff, but you gotta trust me when I say our table is way better than sitting here with everyone else. Give it a chance and you’ll see I’m right!”

“No, thank you. I’m good right here.”

It was obvious Abby wasn’t used to being turned down as she stood there, mouth slightly agape, unsure what to do. “But…”

“She said she wasn’t interested, Abby,” Theo laughed. “Why’s that so hard for you to get? Just leave her alone.”

“Shut up, Theodore,” the blond snapped. “Haven’t even slept with her yet and you’re already whipped? That’s just like you.”

While Vivian could feel her cheeks begin to flame at the accusation made towards the boy, Theo didn’t seem bothered by the words. “I’d rather be whipped to ecstasy than unable to take no for an answer — that’s a jail time offence.”

“God you’re so immature,” Abby spat in response before turning her gaze back to Vivian. “Be careful with the fuck-boy or you’ll regret it.”

What was going on, she wondered as she tried to get a grip on the situation. Why was Abby so angry all of a sudden? “Huh? We just met. I’m not interested.”

“Oh, do you swing the other way? Looks like you managed to finally convert someone!” The last part was directed at Miriam, who was now bright red and staring at the table as though it was the most interesting thing in the world.

Vivian glanced over at Miriam, confused by what that meant, but brushed it aside for now. Instead, she refocused her attention on the angry blond cheer captain standing behind the boy who, supposedly, enjoyed sleeping around. “I need you to leave us alone.”

“Or what? You’ll complain to the teachers about me?” Abby flipped her hair over a shoulder, scoffing. “Puh-lease.”

The anger that bubbled up inside Vivian was a new sensation. She’d never bothered to care enough about what other people thought to get angry, and yet it took barely no effort from Abby to make her feel like a forge had opened in her chest.