A Good Man
Copyright© 2011 by Marc Nobbs
Chapter 28: A Plan Proposed
Of all the boys’ toys I treated myself after Will transferred the cash from my inheritance to me, my favourite was definitely my smartphone. It was one of those cool touch-screen models that let you browse the internet, check your emails, download all kinds of weird and wonderful apps, and take excellent photos, as well as make and receive calls, texts, and picture messages. The problem was that the battery life was terrible. It barely lasted through the day, and sometimes not even that long. I’d taken to putting it in silent mode and charging it overnight, so it was ready to take to school with me in the morning.
When I woke on Tuesday morning, I went downstairs to make a hot drink, then took a shower. After drying off and getting dressed, I unplugged the phone and checked the notifications while drinking my tea. I found two messages waiting for me. One was a text from Clarissa—from her new number—telling me how much she had enjoyed talking to me late last night. I replied with something similar.
The second message turned out to be a photo, also from Clarissa. She was lying on her bed wearing only a short, pale blue nightdress and an alluring smile. She wasn’t centred, it was slightly out of focus, and you could see her arm on the edge where she’d held the phone away from her to take the photo.
But, damn, she looked good enough to eat. I sent her a message saying just that.
Her reply was:
Is that a promise?
She sent me another photo while I was having breakfast. She’d taken this one in the bathroom mirror. She had a towel wrapped around her body, and her hair was wet. I sent her a three-letter reply.
OMG!
She was standing at her locker when I reached mine that morning. Our eyes met, and it was only when she blinked that the hold we had on each other was broken. I gave her the same small nod as the previous morning. Her smile was just a little broader. Then she walked away. She was wearing a short, black pleated skirt that swayed seductively as she moved.
“She’s not worth it.” For the second morning in a row, Grace’s voice snapped me out of my own private world.
I faced her and said, “If you don’t stop doing that, you’re going to give me a heart attack.”
“Doing what?”
“Sneaking up on me unannounced.”
“Sorry. But you were staring after her with that long-lost look of someone who’s just had their heart broken.”
“I have just had my heart broken.” I had to play along, didn’t I? Or our little deception would get found out.
“I know. And I’ve already told you I’m here to help. But I’m right. She’s not worth any more of your time or your tears.”
“I thought you were her friend.”
She didn’t answer for several seconds, then said, “Some things are more important than friendship.”
I looked her in the eye, making sure I had her attention, and replied, “There’s nothing more important than friendship.”
It took her several seconds to answer. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
I nodded.
She smiled. “You’re amazing. Did you know that? Because you are. She doesn’t deserve you. Never did. And you don’t deserve to be treated the way she’s been treating you.”
I sighed. “Just ... don’t throw away your friendship with Riss. Not over something like this. I’m not worth it.”
She put her hand to my face. “Yes. You are.” She withdrew her hand and straightened her back. “I suppose I’d better go and talk to her, then.”
As she walked off, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out and read the text message.
Pls pt ur pln in2 actn b4 i kill grace.
I smiled. I was just as eager to carry out the plan as Clarissa was—but for different reasons. She was worried that Grace might steal my heart. I knew there was no chance of that. I just wanted all the doe-eyed girls to leave me alone. Unfortunately, to put the plan into action, I actually had to talk to the girl involved. Alone. And getting her alone was proving tricky.
I just about got through the morning and my lunch with my sanity intact. On my way back to the Common Room after eating, Emily fell into step with me.
“Rissa told me about your plan.”
“I figured she would.”
“Do you really think it’s a good idea?”
“Got a better alternative?”
She shook her head and grinned at me. “How many today?”
I grinned back. “Two from year twelve, one of whom I don’t even recognise, and three more in uniform, but they could have been year elevens or year tens, I couldn’t tell.”
“Or even year nines.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Hey, I had a crush on a guy in the sixth form when I was fourteen.”
“You did?”
“I would never have been brave enough to talk to him, but then...” She shrugged. “Some girls have a lot more confidence than I did.”
“I swear, Ems, if I have to go through this much longer, I...” Her grin had widened, and she looked very amused. “What? Have I got something on my face or something? Ketchup around my mouth?” I wiped my mouth with my finger just in case.
She giggled. “No, nothing like that. It’s just ... You called me Ems. It’s just Em to most people. Rissa’s the only one that ever calls me Ems.”
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I don’t mind. I just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all. What were you saying?”
“That if I have to put up with these girls throwing themselves at me much longer, I’ll go nuts.”
“‘All these girls throwing themselves at me.’ Sounds to me like you’re living every guy’s dream.”
“Nightmare.”
“Tell that to the other guys.”
“Yeah. I see your point.”
“I knew you would. Look, I’ll be honest, I think it’s a good idea in principle, but I’m just not sure she’s the right choice.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Got anyone else in mind?”
“That’s the thing—I can’t think of anyone else. No one at all.”
“Not even you?”
She grinned. “Definitely not me. Not only would no one believe I’d betray Rissa like that, but it would drive her nuts. She’s already freaking out over Grace.”
“Tell me about it.”
We’d reached the Common Room, and as luck would have it, the girl we’d been talking about was standing by the door, chatting to one of her friends.
“You going to do it now?” Emily asked.
“May as well.”
She nodded. “Good luck. Oh, and Paul—” She touched my arm. “—Just be careful. Okay. I don’t want you to get hurt. But I don’t want you to hurt her either. She’s been through enough this year already.”
I nodded, and Emily went into the Common Room, leaving me to approach the friends. “Lils? You got a sec?”
She smiled at me. “Sure.”
“Can I have a word in private?”
She looked at her friend, who shrugged. Lily looked back at me and nodded. “Shall we see if one of the classrooms is free?”
“Actually, do you want to go for a walk?”
“Okay. Let me get my coat.”
She went into the Common Room and returned almost immediately wearing a bright red duffle coat that was actually longer than her skirt.
“Nice,” I said with a smirk.
She stuck her tongue out and slapped my arm. “It keeps me warm.”
We headed outside through the reception area. One look at the grey sky made me wish I’d thought to get my coat from my locker as well. I’d just have to tough it out.
“So, where are we going? All around the field again?”
I shook my head. “Too muddy. How about we break the rules and sneak out to the newsagents? I’ll buy you a bar of chocolate.”
“My mum always told me not to accept sweeties from strange men.” There was a twinkle in her eye as she spoke.
“Fine,” I said. “I’ll buy some chocolate for myself, and you can watch me eat it on the way back.”
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