The Book of Masks (Vol. 5)

School for Paranoiacs

Previously: "One Mind, Two Bodies" 

(Written by imaj)

You get the shock of your life when Caleb sneaks up behind you and places his hands over your eyes at your locker on Thursday morning.

'Guess who,' he laughs.

'The fuck?' you almost shout. 'Don't do that to me Caleb, seriously, don't fucking do that.'

'Whoa,' he says, removing his hand. 'Your time of the month Will? C'mon man, I've hardly seen you at all over the last couple of weeks.'

You look around the hall. It's full of your fellow high school students. Logic says Blackwell should be pretending to be Cindy Vredenburg. Logic can take a running jump: The creep could be anyone of them and you are taking no chances.

You stare at Caleb, looking for the slightest hint of un-Caleb-like activity. Pointless. Blackwell's mask will have a memory band too.

'I wish I could say Caleb, I really do.'

'Huh? Well whatever's up, it's got you jumping at your own shadow by the look of it.'

'Uh, listen,' you lean in and whisper to Caleb. 'You haven't seen Cindy Vredenburg about have you?'

Caleb takes a step back and folds his arms. He looks at you quizzically.

'You living under a rock or something? Didn't you hear what happened? I don't think we'll see her all week.'

You grimace. At least feigning grief for Lucy might keep Blackwell out of the way for a couple of days.

'So, usual place for lunch,' asks Caleb. You usually take your lunch out on the bleachers by the sports field.

'No,' you almost screech.

You've figured it out. You don't want to be alone with anyone until in case they turn out to be Blackwell.

Caleb stands looking at you, his mouth agape.

'Um' I mean, how about we meet Keith by the main entrance first? Haven't talked to either of you guys for a while.'

*****

Standing and waiting by the main entrance makes a lot of sense to you. People are passing back and forth in droves right now and that means 'safe'. Your train of thoughts is disturbed by a discrete cough from behind you.

You turn around to see your ex not quite girlfriend Lisa tucking a strand of dark wavy hair behind her ear.

'Hi Will,' she says softly.

'Urrghk,' you splutter.

She giggles musically

'This isn't your usual spot,' she says.

'I'm just waiting for Caleb and Keith,' you say recovering your composure. 'Haven't seen you and Mansfield around for a while.'

'Yeah well,' she says biting her lip in that way you used to think was adorable. 'It didn't really work out. Anyway, be seeing you.'

With that she gives a little wave and walks inside.

'Was that Lisa,' Keith asks as he walks up with Caleb.

*****

'All I'm saying,' says Keith, jabbing an accusatory finger at Caleb. 'Is that Jessica is carrying a little more weight. Eva is slightly leaner, and therefore the more desirable.'

'Well yeah,' says Caleb. 'But with curves like those does it really make a difference? Besides I prefer girls with longer hair.'

'Why?'

'Something to hold on to?'

'Listen, Will,' says Keith. 'You settle this argument and tell this joker he's wrong.'

'Keith,' you reply. 'They are practically identical.'

'But if you had to choose,' interrupts Caleb.

'I'm not going to get to choose,' you say. 'None of us are going to get to choose. Ever. There is our league. Above that there is out of our league and above that again there is the Garners.'

'Just pick one,' they say in near unison.

'Uh,' you mumble. 'Both?'

Caleb and Keith erupt into gales of laughter.

'True that,' says Caleb after he calms down.

You're really enjoying this. It's nice to just relax for a while and chew the fat with your friends. You hadn't realised just how much your worries about the book had built up.

In fact, you're starting to think maybe you should take your friends into your confidence about this. Umeko knocking you back earlier busted your confidence, but you are sure these two would be much more interested.

Next: "Casting for a New Part" 

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"Table of Contents (Vol. 5)" 
"The Book of Masks (Vol. 5)"