Page 54 of Beyond The Maples
"What crew did you get put in?"
My stomach churns again.
"Uhh, someone named Melford? I'm not sure, I gotta go get settled after this."
I don't recognize the name, but Berkley is nodding, "Yeah, I know them. Could be worse; that crew's actually alright."
Berkley assesses him, and I give him a pleading look. He only has two gears, one is ignoring all of us efficiently, and the other is full dad mode. I don't have the energy for full dad mode Berkley right now.
"So, why are you here? From what it sounds like, you didn't have it that bad out there." Berkley folds his arms. This has become a bit of an unspoken rite of passage with our group. It's important... the why. Why someone is here dictates their character. Leo's fork stops before it can hit his mouth, not wanting to missDeacon's reply through his own chewing. I clench my jaw. Dad mode it is. I give him a look as if to saythanks a lot,but he ignores me.
"Well, it's kind of a long story. But to put it simply, Maple and I have been attached at the hip since we were little kids, and I kinda felt like I'd lost a limb when she left. Thought I'd come keep her safe. Two heads are better than one, and all that." He puts his arm around my shoulder and gives me a squeeze.
My hands ball into fists under the table, nails digging into my skin. I take a deep breath in, and feel my nostrils flare as I try to keep myself calm. Deacon leans towards me with a tentative grin, hoping his reply has softened me to him. It hasn't.
"I will be leaving! See you at Tech!" Tarius practically shouts out of nowhere. He bumps the table sloppily as he rushes to get up and leave.
"Woah, who was that? I didn't even see him sitting there." Deacon is staring at Tarius, who storms awkwardly through the mess hall.
My eyes connect with Farra's.
Leo lets out a slow breath. "Well, now you guys have gone and upset Tarius, somehow."
Farra stands up, completely ignoring Leo.
"Let me show you around. You can unpack and get situated. I'm heading that way, anyway." She leaves no room for alternatives, standing and walking towards the exit.
Deacon's eyes rove over my face in question, and I give him an encouraging nod.
"Go, get sorted out. I'll meet you later."
He takes a deep breath. "OK, but we'll talk?"
I just nod again.
He bends, grabbing his bag and tray, kissing the top of my head briefly before skirting away.
"Yiiiiiikes, that was uncomfortable my friend," Leo cringes.
Berkley snorts. "For once I actually agree with you, kid. That was hard to watch."
My head flops into my hands in sudden exhaustion as I groan my frustration at the table.
"Why, why, why would you join the army because you missed your friend. I don't even know what to do," I say under my breath.
Leo scoots around the end of the table and comes, pulling me towards his shoulder. I take it, leaning into his gentle comfort.
"He's a dumb, dumb boy. One you maybe shouldn't have blue-balled before you left. It hurts, you know." I wind my arm back and punch Leo's leg as hard as I can. He gives a dramatic wail, rubbing it.
"I told you that in confidence," I threaten.
Berkley is failing to hide his amusement as he packs up his things.
The momentary levity is squashed when I remember I'll have to go find Deacon after class.
I wonder if I can get him out. Maybe with whatever family sway he seems to have, he can ask to go home.
I get up, holding on to that small thread of hope as I put my stuff away. Leo stays close to me, giving me a knowing look as I continue to chomp my lip.
