Chapter 3

We walked into the school building. The halls were deserted with papers everywhere. She grabbed my hand and lead me to the restroom. Before any of you question anything, our school doesn't have a girls and boys bathroom. We have a unisex bathroom for everyone.

"Sit on the counter."

"Huh?!"

"Just do it."

I turned around and jumped on the counter. I sat down and got comfortable.

"You know we are late already for class right?"

"Yup" popping the 'p'

I sighed.

She got a paper towel and soaked it through.

"Face me."

I turned my head towards her.

She started dabbing the towel on my lip. Cleaning up all the crusted dry blood.

We sat there for a good five minutes, cleaning up my cuts and bruises.

"There. Good as new."

"Seriously."

" 'f course. You just added more to yer collection. Dat's all."

I finally asked the question that has been itching at me.

"How come I haven't seen you around school before?"

"Uh...I used to go another school befer it closed down an' ya."

"How does Smith know you then?"

"We used to go way back when we was smaller."

"Oh..."

I jumped off the counter.

"Whelp. Now we are really late for class. Grab your bag and let us go."

"Fine. Geez, but what about your knuckles?"

"Nothing I haven't dealt with before." She smiled and left the bathroom. I followed after her.

We walked back to our first period. We looked at each other and wished each other luck.

I knocked on the door.

"Come in.", said the most scratched up voice I ever heard.

We both walked in. And lord and behold stood the famous Mrs. Valskey.

She looks like an actual witch. She hunched over, had a wart on her nose, wears a hat and a dress, and carries a cane everywhere. And on top of that, I swear she is like 99 years old.

"Ya'll are late to meh class."

"We are very sorry ma'am. We ran into some complications on our way here."

"Get your late bums in your chair and listen to what I am teaching. You got that Mr.White and Mrs...?"

"Rose. 'a'am"

"Yarrah. Sit down meh said."

What is she? A combination of witch and pirate now?

I went to sit in my chair and Scarlet sat in the one next to me.

I pulled a piece of paper out and a pencil.

"Pssst. Min' if I borro' a pencil an' paper?"

"Sure."

I passed her a paper and a pencil.

Nothing major happened after that. Until the last couple minutes of class.

"Scarlet Rose. Scarlet Rose. Please report to the main office at once.", said the intercom above us.

We both looked at each other. She gulped and grabbed her bag and started heading towards the door.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No. Is fine." With a smile on her face.

Not long after the rang and I swear I will either get a heart attack or my ears will bleed. Whichever comes first.

I ran down the hall towards the main office, bumping into almost the whole school population.

I stopped mid-tracks.

'Why am I so worried about her?'

'I was never like that towards anyone.'

I shook my head slightly. I can't think of that now. I reached the door. I doubled over wheezing and panting heavily. That is what I get from skipping gym class. Or is it also my health status? Most likely both. I looked through the window. I saw the school principal out of his chair and screaming his head off at Scarlet. I gulped and leaned against the wall waiting for her. Screw next period. Who cares about school anyway?

After a good twenty minutes did she come out.

She closed the door behind her and looked at me.

I swear that this was the first time I saw her so quiet. Not even an expression on her face.

She turned to face towards me.

"Hey."

"..."

"What happened? Are you okay?" Since when did I care so much about someone?

"I'm fine." She smiled. One that didn't reach her eyes.

"Liar." Copying her from the first night. I walked in front of her and looked into her eyes.

"You are sad."

She suddenly burst out laughing. I stood there shocked and confused.

She slapped her cheeks and smiled.

" Is fine. Smith really had it comin' an' it did!"

"HUH???!!!" I stood there still confused.

"Come on. I'll explain on our way to next class."

We started walking to the second period.

"Smith is in dah hospital. He got a concussion and his jaw is broken. His ribs are bruised and is still unconscious."

I urged her to go on. By then we both stopped in the middle of the deserted halls.

"An' I'm suspended fer awhile."

"How long?" I asked very concerned. She did this for me after all.

"A week. It's one 'f the shortest I got suspended fer." I am not going to questions that.

"I'm sorry."

"What fer?"

"It is my fault your suspended after all." I am a bit happy though. At least I don't have to stay home for a week with my parents...

"Nonsense. I been wantin' to do that fer awhile. Don't worry, he got suspended too fer calling me a slut and a bitch. So I say it's even. Dontcha think?"

I smiled at the figure in front of me. She is so strong and fights against anyone who treats her wrong. Honestly, I am a bit jealous of her spirit. I wished I was like her.

"Don't worry about his goons. I'll be patrollin' in front of the gates fer you everyday. Ok?"

"Sure. You do you." Secretly glad. And of course, I won't tell her that.

We walked back to class. We came in late and the teacher didn't care at all. The whole day progressed fine. We talked about pointless stuff during lunch and long after, it was the end of the day. Time for everyone to go home. To someone they love. I reached the school gates and saw Scarlet waiting for me.

"Come on Slowpoke!" She shouted across the yard. Earning a couple of side glances. I ran to her and we started walking home. Together. It felt nice to be able to lean on someone.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why do you call me Dilliy?"

"Man! I hoped you fergot!"

"Nope" popping the 'p'

"Well. Do you know the nursery Lavender's Blue?"

"No."

"Well it got the words Dilliy in it. My mam used to sin' it to me when I was youn'. She doesn't anymore."

"Why?"

"Cuz she's across the world."

Okay...I still don't understand, but I won't pry in her business. An idea popped in my head.

"I have an idea!"

"What?"

"Can you sing it to me?"

"W-What?" she spluttered.

I never saw her so flustered before.

"Please? For me?"

"U-Uh...Fine..."

She began and the most beautiful voice ever heard came out.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly

Lavender's green

When l am King, dilly, dilly

You shall be Queen!

Call up your men, dilly, dilly

Set them to work

Some to the plough, dilly, dilly

And some to the pond.

Some to make hay, dilly, dilly

Some to cut corn

While you and I, dilly, dilly

Keep ourselves warm."

By then we stopped walking and I stared at her in awe.

She saw me staring.

"W-Was it really dat bad?"

"NO!!! It was amazing! I should have recorded it!!"

Her face turned pink and looked down.

"T-Thanks. No one have ever told be dat."

We continued on our way.

"Ok. This is my stop. Bye."

"Ok Dilliy."

I ran down the road leaving her behind me on the concrete curb.

I stood in front of the house's front door. I sighed.

I pulled out the key and slowly unlocked the door.

The door creaked open.

I didn't see anyone in sight. I looked in the TV room to see my mom sleeping on the couch with beer in her hands. Uh-Oh. Where is dad?

My question got answered when I heard someone screaming.

"HEY YOU SON OF A BITCH!!! WHY IS THERE NO BOOZE LEFT IN THE FRIDGE. I TOLD YOU THAT THE ONLY REASON WE ARE LETTING YOU STAY UNDER THE HOUSE WAS TO KEEP OUR SUPPLY GOING. UNGRATEFUL SON OF A BITCH. GO GET US SOME NOW!!!"

I scrammed back outside the house and raced down the road to the convenience store.

I grabbed a lot of beer and went to the cashier.

"May I see your ID sir?"

I pulled a fake ID and gave it to him. He looked at it quickly and gave it back. He started to scan the beers.

"That will be 9.54 sir."

I pulled out a ten dollar bill and gave it to him.

He gave me the change and the bags of beer. I sprinted up back to the house and stopped at the door.

I opened the door.

"IS THAT YOU LITTLE BITCH. WHERE IS MY BEER?"

I gave it to him hoping that he doesn't hit me. He snatched it from my hands and swung his belt and hit my side. Hard. The wind was knocked out of me and I doubled over. He smirked down at me and kicked my head. I crawled to my room and locked the door behind me. I slipped my shoes off and crawled into the bed.

I laid awake that night. With her filling my thoughts. Nice to have something else occupy my thoughts for a change. I can't wait to see her tomorrow at the gate. Like some bodyguard. That night, I fell asleep with a smile on my face. For the first time in forever.