Quiet lunchtime

Taylor and her sister, Scarlett were sat at their usual table for lunchtime in the cafeteria. They were the only ones there at the moment. Taylor thought that maybe their friends were kept behind in their lessons.
She sat there, silently picking at her chicken salad sandwich. She didn’t feel hungry someone had been murdered last night and everyone was being really quiet about it. Even the people who knew the secret were. I kept my eyes on my sandwich.

When Scarlett spoke, she answered her in a whisper. “No. We shouldn’t be.” She pushed her sisters dinner back to her and spoke more loudly, “Eat.”
Taylor ripped a corner of her sandwich off and put it in her mouth. She left it there for a bit and then chewed and swallowed it. She knew her sister was right but there was no way to stop the teachers. Once a student got bad enough grades there was nothing you could do to stop the murder… Nothing. Taylor sighed.

When Scarlett rose to her feet and walked away. Taylor watched her for a little while as she walked away then got up and followed her. “Scarlett!” She shouted over and over again as she followed her out of the cafeteria. I understood why her sister was like this. She didn’t know so she would react differently. Taylor did miss being really close and sharing everything with her. “Scarlett!” She shouted again. She kept up with Scarlett as they went through school. She wasn’t sure where Scarlett was going, maybe to the head masters office but that really wouldn’t help the situation, that would probably make it worse…

When she started toward Mr. Williams office. Taylor had to stop her, she was wrong; she couldn’t go there. That was probably the worst thing to do. Taylor picked up her speed so she could stop Scarlett. It was no use, Scarlett was practically running. Taylor noticed she passed Mike and she smiled and looked pointedly at her sister so he knew what was happening. He just nodded and carried on walking. Taylor and Scarlett were getting closer, Taylor had to do something. “No!” Taylor said, just loud enough and not too loud.

When Scarlett started speaking and standing up to Taylor. She shrunk down and frowned. She wasn’t trying to rule her life she was trying to save it! When Scarlett finished speaking Taylor took a deep breath and opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Mr. Williams coming out of his office, concern full on his face. The words froze in Taylor’s throat. He walked towards us, fully confident but with a face that showed worry and not the monster within.

Taylor stared at Scarlett for a few more seconds before clearing her throat and turning her gaze to Mr. Williams. “Sorry, Sir. We didn’t realise we was making so much noise” Taylor apologised looking at Mr. Williams and then gave Scarlett the look that said ‘I need to explain so please don’t tell him’
She looked at her watch and then back at Mr. Williams. “That’s alright girls. Just wondered if there was a problem” He said looking at Scarlett.

When Scarlett asked Mr. Williams if she could speak with him Taylor’s eyed widened and then blinked a couple times. “No” She whispered, barely audible. “Of course. Come into my office” Mr Williams answered. Scarlett couldn’t! She could get herself murdered! Taylor gave Mr. Williams one more glance before Taylor dropped her eyes to the floor and forgot she left her bag in the cafeteria. She looked behind her and then back to in front she sighed. There was nothing Taylor could do now.

Taylor stared at the office door as they both went in. When the door clicked shut Taylor didn’t move for a few more minutes. That was until she remembered about her bag. She stiffly hurried down the corridor and back to the cafeteria and back to the normal table. Everyone was eating now. Taylor noticed Mike had hold of her bag and held it up when he saw Taylor come in. Taylor rolled her eyes and walked over to the table. She took her bag and slung it over her shoulder. Taylor leaned over and whispered in Mike’s ear, “We have trouble” Taylor got up when she finished what she was saying and said to everyone, “If Scarlett shows up can you tell her I went to the dorm?” Taylor heard everyone saying yes and then ran out of the cafeteria and to their room. Taylor ran the whole way and when she got there she went straight over to her bed and buried herself in mounds of pillows.

She didn’t move for a while and then she started to sob quite loudly. She really hoped that Scarlett didn’t tell him anything. Taylor thought, I’m so stupid! ‘I should have told her when I could have‘. She thumped my head lightly to back up that she was stupid. She quit sobbing and sat up. She went over to the mirror and sorted her make-up out. Making sure it was all in order. She pulled out her mascara and eye liner and re-did them. She sorted her hair back out now. She grabbed her curlers and curled the ends again. Curling made her think.

Taylor went through section by section of hair. When her sister walked in she didn’t jump she just put her curlers down on the heat proof mat and turned. “What did you tell him?” She demanded but it wasn’t really a demand, it was more of a polite question. Taylor waited patiently for an answer, staring at her sister who was stood in the doorway. She made sure non of her make-up that had run was still visible in the other mirror. She sniffed and took a deep breath as she waited for Scarlett to answer.

Taylor sighed when she answered her. She probably wouldn't tell Taylor anything. Taylor looked at the clock that was on her bedside table. There was five minutes left of lunch before afternoon classes started. Taylor turned and finished off her hair. She walked over to her sister and put an arm around her shoulders. Taylor missed these days, when they went to a normal high school and there was never that risk of her sister being murdered…