by P. L. Camery
Mavis glanced over her shoulder and said mockingly, “If you really wanted me to stay you would go see a doctor.”
Lawrence glared at her for a moment then hunched his shoulders and hung his head, “Yes, mother.” When Mavis laughed, he grinned at her then asked, “So, may I ask what put that melancholy look on your face before I came in and saved the day?”
The girl sighed, her expression going stoic, “It’s nothing really, I was just thinking about myself and how I relate to people. All the things people think they know and expect from me because of who I am, what my cast is, and what not.”
Lawrence nodded, “People have expectations, the wrong ones usually, but we have to work around them if we want to get by.” He kicked the floor, “But still, I get that it sucks.” They stood in silence for a moment and Mavis watched as he visibly retracted from her, lost in his own thoughts. Choosing to test out his distraction tactic, she took a step forward and lifted his chin, “Lawrence- do you ever feel afraid of me?”
The boy’s eyes brightened as he straightened to attention, “Of course not!”
She smiled, “Good, you have no reason to fear me.”
Lawrence smirked then crossed his arms and shifted his weight to one foot. “And I suppose you would tell me if I had reason to fear you?”
“Of course,” Mavis’s face took on a serious demeanor, “I wouldn’t kid about that.”
“But would you know?” Lawrence pressed, playfully poking her in the shoulder. “Would you absolutely know if you were a danger to me? If you we hurting me?”
“I- I’m not sure,” frowning, Mavis averted her gaze to her hands, “I wouldn’t try to deny it or anything. But I’m only about nine tenths sure I would recognize it.”
“That’s okay! I’m a rebel. When I find something I want, like your friendship for example, I go for it, no matter the personal cost.”
“Amen!” Mavis giggled, “And that’s why you’re you.” She became pensive again. “You’re so unlike Roland in that way.”
“Oh!” Lawrence said the word with such enthusiasm that Mavis jumped backwards. “And speaking of the devil, I was thinking, we need to get his priorities in order- it’s about time we play a little trick on him…”
*****
When the bell rang for lunch, Mavis let herself be hustled out of class by the throng of eager students. Hugging her things tightly to her chest, she kept her head low as she followed the flow of the crowd through the spotless grey hallway. The she abruptly veered to the right to a branch in the hall. Sighing, Mavis leaned up against the wall and slid down until she was seated. A few stragglers passed by but after a few minutes she found herself alone with her thoughts.
“Oh there you are Mavis,” she jumped as the familiar voice brought her back to the present. Her young friend smiled at her and greeted her with a playful salute. “I was beginning to think this was the wrong school.”
“Lawrence what are you doing here?” Mavis snapped as she scrambled to her feet. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”
His expression went blank, “But I am…”
“Your school,” she interrupted dryly.
Lawrence chuckled, “We’ll as far as they’re concerned, I’m still there.” Mavis opened her mouth to protest but he continued, “Don’t worry about it; right now, we have a mission.” Then he took her by the wrist and began to lead her down the hall.
“Wait, Lawrence, what…” she abruptly stopped walking and pulled her wrist free, “Oh no, we’re not…”
He spun around, eyes flaring in defiance, “And why not? You seemed game enough yesterday.”
“Yeah but I thought you were joking! And,” she paused, turning her attention to the floor, “the situation is different now; I need time to think.”
Lawrence crossed his arms and tilted his head to one side, “Why? Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?”
“No!” The boy flinched at the sharpness of her tone. Mavis sighed and continued, “No Lawrence, this has nothing to do with you. It has to do with him and right now there’s nothing you can do to help.”
Lawrence considered her for a moment then smiled, “I don’t believe that.” Mavis leaned her head back in exasperation and moaned. “In fact, I say you need my help now more than ever. At any rate, it will get a reaction out of him and that’s what you want right?” He took her hand again and tried to pull her forward, but she held her ground, glaring at him. For a moment he matched her expression then shrugged and continued down the hall without her, “Oh well, guess I’ll just have to go with plan B.”
“Wait, plan B? What do you mean? Tell me.” At the last two words the boy broke into a sprint.
On instinct, she charged after him. As they approached a pair of large double doors Mavis had nearly caught him. Then Lawrence skidded to a halt a foot before the entrance and Mavis, who had been unable to slow herself in time, stumbled thought the doors into the school cafeteria. The whole place went quiet as all eyes turned to her with uniform blank expressions. “Geez,” Lawrence said when he walked in calmly behind her, “you sure know how to draw a crowd.” Then he tapped her on the arm and motioned to follow. “Well, we might as well get some food, I’m starving.” This seemed to rupture the silence and the mob of adolescents returned to their previous conversations. After Mavis fell into step beside Lawrence he muttered, “So which one is your guy?”
“I thought you said you were hungry.”
“Focus Mavis, where is Roland?”
As if on cue, a male voice called out from a nearby table, “Hey Mavis!” The girl shrunk at the sound of her name and her heart raced as Roland approached her. She mentally chastised herself for wanting to smile at his bright expression despite her current annoyance and managed to keep her face emotionless. Instead she focused on surveying the group that trailed him as he shot up from his seat. “Where have you been? You left so quickly after I told you the news and…”
“News?” Lawrence chimed in, “What news?”
Upon noticing him, Roland’s face darkened, “Who are you?”
“News that our buddy Roland here,” one of the guys from the group said, slapping Roland on the back, “Has manned up and followed his old man’s footsteps, he just accepted a promotion and starting today he’s now a first star ranking General. We are talking less of that boring regulations classwork crap and more field work. He’s gonna be right up there, calling the shots and shooting down rebels.” Mavis internally flinched at the image of Roland pointing a gun at her.
“Uh-huh,” Lawrence replied, nodding at the new information.
“And he’s going to be the best little patriot aren’t you Roland dear?” A girl said as she stepped forward and took his arm. She leaned her head on his shoulder and continued, “He’ll be one of the best bravest leaders out there, pulling in traitors by the hundreds I imagine. I can just see it, my brave General Roland.” She gave an exaggerated sigh and leaned deeper into his arm.
Mavis rolled her eyes as she turned away and focused in on Lawrence’s pensive expression. “I suppose you must be Kara,” he said dryly.
“Mavis,” Roland hissed, still staring at Lawrence. “Who is this?”
“I’m her boyfriend,” Mavis had to bite her lip to keep from scolding him. Is he really going to go through with this?
The entire group behind him burst out laughing but Roland’s glare never wavered, “You seem a little young for her.”
“Oh please,” Lawrence rolled his eyes, “Two years is hardly anything and if that’s your best comeback, I’d say we are a match made in heaven.”
Roland opened his mouth to counter, but Kara stroked his arm and said, “Don’t worry about it Roland dear, it just shows how low the girl is willing to sink, showing off her pathetic little friend when today is clearly a big day for you.”
“Excuse me?” Mavis exclaimed.
“Shut it Kara,” Lawrence growled, taking a step in front of Mavis. “Don’t ever say
anything disrespectful about Mavis. In every way that matters, she is your superior.”
“Don’t yell at her,” Roland hissed.
“Oh?” Lawrence replied, “And I suppose you share your beloved’s opinion?”
“Well,” the discomfort painted the older boy’s appearance, “I don’t quite agree with Mavis’s…”
“She doesn’t damn well need your approval!” Lawrence yelled.
Roland flinched, “You think I don’t know that? I…”
“You? You what?” Lawrence jabbed a finger into his chest, “Now I’ll tell you what you shouldn’t do. You shouldn’t let that bitch insult your friend…”
“Shut up!”
“…or is she not your friend?” Roland gritted his teeth, glaring. Lawrence noticed that their yelling had finally begun to draw a crowd, a few of the students were holding up their phones. He grinned, “Can you risk it soldier boy? Are you willing to fight for your friend? For your pride? If you are, prove it. Come at me. Take a risk.”
“Just shut it.”
“Risk! Risk! Risk! Risk!” Lawrence began to chant.
“Seriously!” Roland clenched and unclenched his fists, “Stop!”
“Risk! Risk! Risk! Risk!” as Lawrence continued the crowd began to take up the chant. “Risk! Risk! Risk! Risk!”
“I said shut it!” Roland lunged for Lawrence, but the rebel boy dodged out of reach and assumed a fighting stance.
“Roland, no!” Mavis ordered.
“Just look at her…” the younger boy’s tone was low so only Roland could hear.
“Risk! Risk! Risk! Risk!” the chanting built.
“…she’s stunning, witty, intelligent, caring, devoted, funny- she’s just about the perfect companion and you blew it. She isn’t waiting for you to grow a backbone anymore got that? She’s mine now, and I’m not letting go.”
Snarling with fury and charged with the crowd’s adrenaline, Roland threw a hook punch, but Lawrence leaned back with a wide grin, “Miss.” Roland then tried an uppercut but the boy dodged it and spun around for an elbow strike to his shoulder then retreated out of range.
“Risk! Risk! Risk! Risk!”
Roland howled in pain then renewed his effort with a reckless frenzy of punches, none of which landed their mark. But as Lawrence sidestepped one of his attacks, he stumbled over a chair and fell flat on a cafeteria table. Lawrence barely managed to roll away as a rock-hard fist contacted his chest’s previous location.
“Risk! Risk! Risk! Risk!”
“Roland, stop it right now!” Mavis pleaded. “Look at me, Roland look at me, there’s an IP officer coming. Please stop!”
Roland faltered, and Lawrence used the opportunity to perform a chokehold from behind. Too loose. Roland easily flipped the boy over his shoulder, but Lawrence twisted himself in midair in order to stick the landing.
“Risk! Risk! Risk! Risk!”
Lawrence stared directly at Roland, motionless as a statue, as Roland’s fist flew for his face. There were three consecutive cracks as Lawrence arched backwards then crumpled to the ground. The crowd went silent as Roland stumbled forward from the momentum then stared in confusion from his fist to the collapsed boy who had his eyes slammed shut, teeth gritted, and hands clutching as this right cheek.
Mavis let out a shriek then dropped her things and ran to her friend. She tentatively tried to lift his hand, but he flinched away from her touch. “Mavis,” Roland began to stammer, “I didn’t mean to, I…”
“Go away Roland,” her voice was hoarse, and she seemed on the verge of tears.
“But,” he tried to take a step forward, but the security guard took his arm and restrained him.
“Better get that boy to the nurse,” the guard’s tone was bored, “I’ll take care of this one.” Mavis was careful to avoid Roland’s gaze as she gingerly helped her friend, instead focusing her attention on Lawrence, who stood still hunched over and clutching at his face.
They left the room and as they navigated the empty hall Lawrence said, “So do you think that was enough to get him kicked out?”
“What?” Mavis asked.
“Out of the army,” he elaborated, “do you think assaulting a classmate is enough to get him expelled?”
Mavis came to a halt, “Did you plan that Lawrence?” She had to struggle to keep her voice even, “Did you plan to let him hit you just to get him in trouble?”
“Uh,” he hesitated then dropped his hands and turned to face her, “not exactly.”
Her jaw dropped at the sight of his clean unmarked face, “But-but I saw- he hit- it cracked…”
“Oh yeah, that,” he shifted his gaze to the floor then pressed down on his knuckles. Mavis flinched at the familiar popping sound, “I’ll be the first to admit, I got really lucky back there. In fact, I thought I was being a little cheesy, but no one was questioning it. And did you see Roland’s face? I think I almost convinced him too.” He paused then, watching for his friend’s reaction.
For a moment, Mavis starred at him in open mouthed shock. Then she turned and wordlessly walked away. “Hey, wait. Mavis!” Lawrence complained. “This doesn’t change anything. He fully intended to hit me and just because he didn’t get the chance that doesn’t suddenly make it all my fault.” She ignored him and continued walking. “Mavis, please, that’s not fair!”
“Lawrence,” she said, her voice cold and emotionless, “can you do me a favor?”
“Of course, anything.”
“Go back to your school.”
*****
As Lawrence walked to his lab, he kept his head lowered deep in a torrent of anxious thoughts. He had texted Mavis to meet him later that day, but it had been three hours and she had yet to confirm. I hope she comes. She’d better come! It wasn’t even my fault. Roland deserved it, he had it coming. She’ll see that, I know she will…. I think.
The boy took a deep breath as he came to a stop and rummaged through his jacket pocket.
Oh, I hope she…
“Hold on Lawrence,” the boy snapped his head up at the sound of a sharp female voice. Then he tilted it in confusion as his sister approached, “Can we talk?”
“Um, sure. What about?”
“I was wondering” as Destiny spoke Lawrence steeled himself from her icy tone, “what the hell is wrong with you?”
“What do you mean?” Lawrence asked, reinforcing his mental barrier with a calm facade.
“You know what I mean,” the girl snapped, “why are you being an asshole?”
Lawrence rolled his eyes, “Why am I an asshole this time?”
“Cause you’re being a know it all jerk that thinks you’re all powerful and can fix everything!”
“Aren’t I always?”
“Mavis hates you, you know.” With that his shield shattered and a wave of dread slammed into him.
“W-why would she hate me?”
“Cause you have a nasty habit of butting in and making things worse.”
Lawrence clenched his hands into fists, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Um excuse me?” Destiny advanced a step, “I’ve been dealing with you since the day you were born little brother, and I know what you’re like.”
“You know nothing about me,” the boy snapped back.
“I know you’re a stubborn ass, I know you think you can ignore problems at your convenience then jump in and save the day when you feel like it, I know you escape into your work then think yourself oh so noble for doing so much…”
“Drop it Destiny…”
“…I know you try to do everything and accomplish nothing. You’re nothing but a little boy trying to be more important than you really are.”
“That’s not true!” the sheer volume of Lawrence’s outburst shocked his sister into silence. “You don’t know how I feel, what I think, why I do what I do…”
“Fine,” Destiny cut in, “then tell me.”
/> Lawrence glared at her then finished, “And you don’t really care to know.” With that he pulled out his key card and stepped into the lab. Once the door was shut behind him he sank to the floor, tears rolling down his cheeks. She hates me. Mavis hates me. But it wasn’t my fault… Feeling a frustrated energy building within him he dashed away his tears and kicked down the nearest chair. Damn it! It’s not my fault, he’s the asshole not me! He deserved what he got. And yet it’s me she hates. That’s just not fair! Scrambling to his feet he picked up the chair and began slamming it against the floor with all his might. Not fair! Not fair! Not fair! Not fair! Finally, the chair snapped, and he threw it aside, panting from the effort as fresh tears streaked his face. He fisted both hands in his hair, screaming out all his frustration, It’s not fair. I just want to help her; I want to make it better. Why can’t she see that? I failed her. I messed up. I failed. I hate her. No, no it’s me. But she can’t just shut me out, can’t just hate me. He took several breaths, reconsidering his reasoning, Well, she didn’t say that herself, did she? Destiny said it, and Destiny exaggerates. Maybe she’s not right. Maybe it’s okay.
Taking another breath Lawrence pulled out his phone and hesitated for only another moment before tracking her location. Then he took off at a sprint towards the underground park. As he approached, he slowed his sprint to a brisk walk and tried to slow his breathing as he searched for her. He immediately smiled to himself when he spotted her sitting alone at a park bench. It was approaching evening in the world above, and the muted light which filtered through the overhead ceiling cast her features in an uncanny glow that made him want to watch her for hours. But he only had a few seconds before she lifted her gaze to meet his. A smile of recognition flashed across her features for a nanosecond before she shifted into irritation. As he closed the distance between them, she stood and began to walk the other way.
“So, are you almost done trying to ignore me?” The boy flinched at the sharpness in his tone, but he had to be strong, had to show he wasn’t at fault.