Brewing Angst [2]

(Olivia)

Ron and I arrive just as the bell rings. We walk in together. As always, Malory and Kyle have arrived before us. They’re passionately insulting each other.

Seeing them back at it again –though I don’t encourage the fighting- makes everything feel right with the world again. What’s it been –like…two weeks?

“Mal! Kyle!” I say, running over to them.

Ron approaches Kyle, a blank expression plastered over his face as he finally sees his best friend again. He clears his throat.

“Davidson,” he acknowledges, casually.

Scratching the back of his head nervously, Kyle opens his arms as if to give Ron a hug. “Roomie!”

“I’m tempted by the devil on my right shoulder to punch you in the stomach and then probably break your face right this second, but the angel on my left shoulder says I’ll go to Hell for that.”

Kyle giggles nervously, and I think it’s the first time I’ve ever heard Kyle giggle.

“Missed you too, man,” he says.

Releasing some tension from his shoulder, Ron asks, “Are you feeling better?”

“A bit,” Kyle replies.

Ron squints to look closer at Kyle’s face. “You still look a bit flustered, and ... red in the face... How the hell did you even get so sick?”

“Do you really want to know?” Malory asks, and we all turn to look at her as she explains. “He went to this cafe he usually goes to near his house and ate a bad bowl of fruits. Inadequate Ivan over here didn’t even realise they were bad.”

“But thank God you’re back. I kept your handouts and copied notes for you,” I say.

“Thanks, Prescott,” he says, offering me a small, grateful smile. “Appreciate it.”

Just then, Adrien appears beside me and taps Malory on her shoulder. I glance at Kyle –who looks at the newcomer expressionlessly.

“Adrien! Good morning...” Mal greets.

He smiles at her and turns to me, “Hi, guys.”

“Who are you?” Kyle’s voice appears.

Adrien turns to him, his smile faltering. “The new kid,” he says.

“He’s in our class,” Ron tells him, gesturing to Malory.

“Oh,” Kyle mutters, looking away.

Adrien glances between Ron and Kyle. “So, I finally get to meet the other half of the rivalry.”

Kyle blinks at him three times, raising a brow and looking offended. “I’m sorry, what?”

Adrien points to Malory and then to Kyle with his index saying, “I mean the mini war everyone talks about. The whole school. Between you and Mal.” He wraps an arm over her shoulder.

I feel awkward.

Almost.

Mal?

When did Adrien get to the nickname level of friendship?

Kyle and I both turn to Malory.

“I’m sorry, I... I must be missing something here...” Kyle says, and I silently agree.

“What are you talking about?” She asks, confused.

He furrows his brow at her and continues, “You two have barely known each other two months and you’re already this close? Whoa, Lloyd, you’re quicker than I thought!”

“What?” She exclaims, “What the hell is wrong with you? Don’t try to spite me on this, Davidson. He’s in my class and he’s my friend… unlike you. Oh my god, are you really that petty? Piss off to your classroom or wherever –I don’t particularly care- and go get some reading done for class –you’ve been a two-week wreck and I won’t even bother trying to help you anymore. You’re all better, now, clearly. Everything’s back to the way it was.”

Scoffing, he nods at her and speaks bitterly. “Right. Everything’s exactly the way it was before. Thanks, Lloyd. For sticking your nosy existence in places you didn’t need to be. No need for you to be an aiding shadow anymore.”

Malory goes silent; her face becoming less tense by the second. Kyle gently hits Ron, gesturing for them to leave. Ron studies Malory, Adrien and me before walking off to catch up to Kyle.

“What was that about?” I ask her.

Baffled, she doesn’t even turn to me. “I have absolutely no idea.”