Unfriendly Grudges

The weather was a bit cooler than it had been yesterday. Sineas and Clarissa decided to change a table. They relocated to a table a few paces beside The Thinker.

'Are you coming to Justin's…what did the principal call it again? The Justin's "Get home safe" gathering?' she asked him whilst unpacking her lunch bag.

'Is it mandatory?' he asked opening his lunchbox.

'Of course it isn't but…' she shrugged, 'I'm sure the whole world will be there.'

'I don't know...I...'

She laughed. 'Don't worry, Sin. Everyone knows Justin was probably your least favourite person, especially after that crazy lunch on Tuesday.'

He took a bite from his sandwich. 'I'm not going to this gathering but…that doesn't mean I don't consider Justin's safety. Yeah, the guy is boring but in the end, he's still a human being.'

'Boring?' she laughed as she peeled a banana. 'You call what he did to you, boring?' She smiled, slightly. 'I admire your poise, Sin. Seriously, I do.' They ate for a while in silence.

'Claire?' he broke the silence.

'Yes?' She took a sip from her soda.

'Eating. Food, do you eat?'

She smiled as she ate her banana. 'I'm positive that's what I'm doing right now…is it?'

'I mean…do you eat supper?' he asked feeling sweat drip underneath his shirt.

'I'm also positive everyone does, Sin. Why?'

He shrugged hopelessly. 'Well...we're having it tonight. It would be nice if you had it too.'

She laughed out loud. 'Your question is still a little encrypted but if I didn't know better, I'd say you're inviting me for supper at your house? Tonight?'

He began to blush uncontrollably. 'Yeah, yes, it's like that.'

She grinned at him. 'What time?'

'I…We…we have it at seven?'

'I'll be there, Mr. Murphy.'

'Clarissa.' It was Sabrina and to her left was Doreen. They were standing right behind her.

She rotated in her seat to face them.

'You're coming to Justin's gathering, right?' Sabrina asked her. She didn't look that pleased to see her. Both she and Doreen had frustrated looks on their faces. Doreen's thick lips shuddered incessantly as if they were fighting hard to contain the insults fighting to leap out of her mouth. It was clear that every second in Clarissa's presence was torture for them.

'Of course I'm coming,' Clarissa replied.

Doreen said, 'We just thought that maybe now you might have other "priorities",' she said grimacing at Sineas and glaring at him from the corner of her eye.

Clarissa huffed. 'Doreen; just because Justin is my ex-boyfriend and he's a mean and selfish bastard it doesn't mean I wish hell upon him.'

'I'm sure it doesn't,' said Sabrina. 'He did dump you for a reason, you know. You've got the wit and taste of a dog. Just look at the thing sitting right next to you.'

Sineas instinctively avoided Sabrina's gaze.

'Are you done here, Sabrina? Doreen?' she asked them in turn, her expression far from cheerful.

Sabrina said, 'You're pitiful, Claire. You got dumped by Mr. Perfect and you ran into the arms of Mr. Hopeless.'

'Just so you know, Justin didn't break up with me, Sabrina. I broke up with him,' she defended herself.

Sabrina and Doreen laughed mockingly.

'Stupid wretch,' said Sabrina. 'You expect us to believe that you sold your Ferrari and got yourself a broken bicycle?'

'It would be…smart, if you both left,' Sineas said from the corner of his mouth. But still avoided their gaze.

'What did it say?' Doreen brought her ear closer to Sineas' mouth.

'I…think it would be smart if you and your friend left us,' he whispered louder.

Sabrina's laugh was nothing short of sinister. It was one of those laughs made in the movies by the villain when he outsmarts the hero. 'Wow, it speaks,' she said.

Doreen began to join in the laughter. She bent over and looked into Sineas' eyes.

This time he did not turn away. He stared back into her blue eyes. He did not cringe or shudder. He did not wince, he did not frown. He just stared back. His mouth closed shut.

Doreen suddenly began to shiver. Her fingers personified Parkinson's. She straightened her back. 'S…Sabrina, let's go.'

'No, not yet, Doreen.' She folded her arms and put on a smirk as she stared at the back of Clarissa and Sineas' heads. 'Let's enjoy the moment. And then we'll leave after.'

'Now, Sabrina!' Doreen yelled. A few students looked over at them. They looked shocked.

Sabrina looked back at her. She also looked shocked. Doreen had never raised her voice at her. She finally dropped her shoulders then shrugged. 'Fine. I don't know what you're in a hurry for but…' She followed Doreen and they made their way back to their table.

Clarissa stared at them angrily whilst they were walking away. She gritted her teeth slowly. She clenched her fists. 'I hate those two,' she said, as if to herself.