Chapter 14 A Great Photo With Depth
Each cla*s lasted forty five minutes. When the bell for break rang, Eileen walked to the back row and picked up Elm’s desk from the floor. She even arranged the scattered books and papers neatly into the
drawer.
Many people were shocked at the gesture.
“Are you kidding me? Someone like Eileen, picking up after Elm like a maid? Did she lose her mind?”
“I can’t believe she’s doing that for her mortal enemy. Oh my god, I’m seeing things!”
Someone took out their phone, sneakily taking a photo Eileen and posting it on the school forum. Eileen did not pay any mind to the murmurs around her. She returned to her seat after she was done, having decided that she was just going to bear with Elm’s temper.
Just then, Charlie was talking about which bar they should go to at night.
Albert was on his phone, when a notification popped out of nowhere: I’m in shock! Eileen Swan actually…
He clicked in at the mention of Eileen’s name at once and a photo came up. It showed Eileen bent. over, a stack of books and papers in her hand. She seemed to be standing where…
“What the f*ck? Oh my f*cking god, take a look at this! Elm, look, Eileen’s picking up your books for you!”
“What?” Charlie thought he was hearing things!
Elm raised his eyebrows, glancing at the screen Albert had thrusted over.
The photo showed a young girl kneeling on the floor, her skirt draped around her. Eileen’s side profile was illuminated by the sunlight coming in from the window. Her back was bent as she had a stack of books and papers in her hands, another hand reaching for the other books on the floor.
It was a pretty great photo, honestly.
Eileen did not eat in the canteen during the afternoon. She usually brought her own food to cla*s, as she was a picky eater and did not really like the food at school.
She was the only person in cla*s now. Everyone else had gone outside with their friends.
Eileen dug into the aglio olio pasta that Sharon had made, still focused on the exam paper from earlier.
A hour later, the other students started filing into the room. Eileen still had one question left.
A cry sounded from the corridor. “Oh my god, it’s Elm Smith! Is he back for Eileen?”
“I think so. Let’s go watch! I’ve never liked this girl from her dodgy family, I don’t know how she even got in here.”
“Keep your voice down. My dad said the Swans run the underground scene in Hulbury, it’s best not to
mess with them. You might get yourself into trouble if you keep talking”
It was true that no one dared to say any of this to Eileen’s face. Many of the students came from families who owned companies that had been screwed over by the Swans, using methods that were less than savory.
Eileen continued to solve her math problem, when a figure appeared in front of her. The next second, the contents of her desk were swept to the floor.
Eileen looked at Elm, glowering murderously at her. “What was that for?”
“Who allowed you to touch my stuff? Are you looking to get beaten up?” He stared daggers at Eileen, as if he was about to eat her alive.
Was Elm really doing this just because Eileen had picked up his books?
Eileen had done that because she thought that she had angered him by sitting in his spot, and had picked up his things as an apology.
Only for Elm to react like this.
Outside the window, students were gathered watching the showdown.
Eileen shrugged, twirling the pen she was holding as she looked at Elm coldly. “Well, you touched my stuff too so I guess that makes us even. Besides, I was supposed to be on cleaning duty anyways- I would’ve eventually had to pick up your desk. I won’t touch it in the future if you don’t want me to, then.”
Elm’s hands were jammed into his pockets, and he kicked Eileen’s table. “What are you trying to get at, Eileen Swan? Who the hell do you think you’re fooling?”
Eileen frowned at Elm, confused. She picked up her books and put them into her bag. “Who do I have to fool, huh? Don’t worry, I’m doing my best to stay out of your way. You can stay in cla*s, I’m headed to the library. Finals are in three weeks, and I’ve got one last shot at changing cla*srooms. I’ll do best to not show up within your line of sight.”
my
Eileen held the remaining books in her hand, turning and leaving the cla*sroom. The bell rang right on cue for cla*s then, and the English teacher was at the door.
“Eileen, cla*s is starting. Where are you going?”
Eileen said nothing.
Charlie said, “F*ck me, Elm! She’s disrespecting you!”
Albert said, “She’s really something. Second last in the entire form, and she thinks she can change cla*ses? She might as well drop out of school!”
Elm punched Eileen’s desk hard. Eileen was lucky she had left in time, or Elm would have broken his rule of not hitting women.
