Terrance and I didn't talk for the rest of the day. After school, I decided to go to the clubroom. It would be too awkward to walk home together. Hopefully, he won't wait for me too long. I'll write some an apology note for him while I'm in the club and give it to him the next time we meet.
When I got to the clubroom, I heard shouting from inside. It is Charlotte's voice.
"I can't believe you were talking to her."
"I was trying to get her to join our club, Mrs Charlotte," Toby replied. Although he still spoke politely, I could tell by his voice he is angry. "Just like you asked."
"I didn't ask you, did I? I asked Sophie."
Right on cue, Toby opened the door.
"Mrs Sophie! Good afternoon." He said, surprised. His surprise didn't last too long. He moved out of the way and guided me toward Charlotte. "I'll leave her in your care."
Then Toby walked out of the room. I think that's Toby speak for 'she's your problem now'.
I sighed, I threw my bag down and took a seat at the table. Charlotte also took a seat. She sat in the chair in front of me, back straight. Both she and Toby came from wealthy families, and you could tell.
Charlotte coughed gently to get my attention. "Sophie, I… I'm sorry-"
"That what? That your stupid plan failed?"
"No, I sorry you got hurt." Charlotte started to tear up. "I was worried about you."
"Then why didn't you come to see me afterwards?"
"I…" Tears ran down her cheeks. "I felt guilty. It is my fault that they came after you."
"Ha?"
Charlotte began to explain something about the club finances and competing with the gymnastics club. It looks like she somehow managed to annoy them and that's why they picked on me and Terrance.
"Now they are trying to split us up." She sobbed. "Even Toby. He's been talking to Eleanor behind my back."
"But he said-"
"He's lying." Charlotte shouted back. "He clearly likes that girl. He's always had a thing for foreign chicks."
Tears dripped out of her eyes. Looks like I'm not the only one with boy trouble.
***
I spent a little while trying to calm Charlotte down. Even if I am angry with her, we are still friends. When she had calmed down a little, she asked about me and Terrance. I thought about telling her for a moment, but then decided against it. Even though she didn't really seem to consider Terrance as a foreigner, I'm sure, because of her upper class background, she wouldn't allow any talk of romance between races.
We left the clubroom together, but went in different directions at the school gate. A little way away from the school I bumped into Toby.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. Clearly, he didn't come this way accidentally. "You live in the opposite direction."
"I am here to discuss something with you."
"You are an asshole, you know that?"
"I apologise for leaving earlier. It must have been inconvenient for you to deal with Mrs Charlotte."
I scowled at him. Is he a robot or something? "She started crying after you left. Don't you care?"
Toby didn't answer my question, he just said. "You're also heading this way, right? Can we walk and talk?"
He started walking in the direction of the bridge.
"What's there even to talk about?"
"Do you think it's alright to fall in love with a foreigner?"
***
"Ha?" Could he be talking about me and Terrance?! "D-did you see us…"
That must be it. He must've seen me hugging Terrance in the classroom that one time.
"Yes." Toby said. "I apologise. I have been watching you two for quite a bit."
"You spied on us!" I said angrily. Really, I am very embarrassed to be caught, so I'm trying to guilt-trip Toby.
He looked down. "I think you two go well together."
I hadn't expected that response from Toby. He sounded so genuine when he said that. Not his usual robotic self.
"T-thanks, but we're kind of in a rough spot right now."I said, as we approached the bridge.
"Is it anything I can help you with?" He said, suddenly picking up my hands.
It was a bit of a strange thing to do, but his expression was more funny than strange. I laughed involuntarily. "Fine, I'll let you know if you can help. Let go with me already, will you?"
He really wanted to help me, but why?
I looked forward towards the bridge and Terrence is standing there. Terrance! Why? I thought he had gone home.
I quickly pulled my hands away from Toby.
"Terrance, wait." I said. "This isn't what it looks like."
But he had already started backing away. I ran after him, but Terrance is too fast. I collapsed on the other side of the bridge, gasping for breath.