Saving My Broken Ice Princess

Chapter Ten

In single file lines, students filled the open quadrangle. First ordered by grade then gender, the students faced the Headmaster’s rostrum. Rohan faced forward, the picture of disinterest. As he ascended to the second level of the Home Economics block he caught sight of a familiar beret. Báine stood by Kalis, their cue behind the fifth form students. 

“Ah didn’t know ye could dae that without yer face getting tired”, Kanis quipped

Rohan looked to his friend, “what?”

Kanis snorted. He subtly glanced around until he saw what, or rather who, Rohan smiled at. Kanis hummed to himself. “Takes a lot to get that guy to show interest”, he looked back to his friend who looked forward with rapt attention. “That girl must be something to get him to c***k half a smile.”

Kalis whispered in Báine’s ear. Like fairy lights, a precious smile caused her entire face to glow. It quickly hid in the presence of a teacher but shined twice as strongly when the professor moved away. Assembly commenced but he disregarded it. It wasn’t until a teacher directed the group to stand somewhere else and Báine was hidden from his sight that Rohan noticed his Kanis’ slightly disturbed and disappointed stare.

Kanis sighed at Rohan’s signature blankness “Yer hopeless.”

Rohan blinked slowly, his long lashes fluttering against his cheeks. “I know?” 

“Ye don’t git it dae ye?”

Rohan shrugged. He’s not sure what he did this time but the twins usually do. Issue out of mind he devoted his full attention to the headmaster’s rambles. The girls, however, were in a bubble of their own. Kalis gave Báine a rundown of instructor, student and family hierarchy. Báine never realised how much power-play happened in academies for the rich.

“I thought it only happened in movies.” Báine blinked.

Kalis giggled at her friend’s innocence. “it’s nae exactly th' identical, bit it happens.” The ginger hummed, then leaned in and whispered. “Th' battlefield extends from th' boord tae th' classrooms. Feud between families, rifts because o' socio-economic standings 'n' th' list continues.”

“The board?” Báine leaned closer.

Kalis jutted her chin forward. “See that lass over there?” Báine followed Kalis’ finger to another person in their class. She recognized her as one girl from this morning’s posse. Her features were blocked by other students, but her posture was straight and her chocolate curls fell beautifully over her shoulder. Báine finally nodded.

“That spoilt hackit t**t's father is on the school board,” Kalis snorted. “Her folks can threaten tae pull funding if anythin' dissatisfied thair bairn.” Báine’s brows creased, and the ginger rubbed her friend’s shoulder. “Just stay close to us and you dinnae have tae worry. Look at the grade ten block, far left.”

There stood a dark-haired boy. He was taller than his peers and his face was one of disinterest. “Rohan?” Báine heard herself mumble.

“Close,” Kalis grinned, “his younger kid.” Kalis' face was one of confidence. “Now, if she pushed you and you decide to knock her books to the floor, which family would win? The yin that’s about tae withdraw in a year or th' yin that’s bin oan th' boord fur ower ten years wi' shares?”  Báine’s lips parted in awe and Kalis winked, “just stay close to us.” She shrugged, “yer my good mukker after all.”

Kalsis whisper wasn’t even a whisper at all. Báine glanced around covertly, while she doubted anyone would’ve heard it. It still made her anxious. “What are you doing?”

The ginger continued as if she didn’t hear. “Sit at our table at lunch”, Kalis smiled. She puffed as if it was a life-changing suggestion. Kalis felt Báine’s hesitation. “They can’t bother you if you’re with us”, she leaned and whispered in Báine’s ear.

“What about Yule?”

“He can come too”, Kalis nodded.

They simultaneously pulled a face, easier said than done.

“How will we get him to come?” Báine’s brows pinched with disbelief.

“That’s all you, hen”, the ginger smiled. 

The morning’s assembly concluded without incident. Kalis pulled her friend under the great tree while they watched bodies bustled about to get to their first class. The ginger watched the scampering ants lazily, rustling filled her ears and she glanced to her right. Báine took out her binder, the timetable slipped into the cover slot and was protected by plastic.

“This is so hard to read”, the brunette complained. “What’s first?”

“C subject”, Báine tilted the binder in Kalis direction. The ginger wrinkled her nose then pouted. “We’re not going in the same direction.”

Báine looked back to the convoluted schedule, “how can you tell?”

“You’ll get used to it”, the ginger assured her. “Aha!” she suddenly raised her voice, “nice timing!” Just like that Báine was being pulled along like a ragdoll with Kanis and Rohan as their destination.

“What’re you doing?” Báine whisper-yelled tersely.

“This is good,” Kalis whispered back. “Na yin can say anythin' because you’re my friend.” Their whispers cut when they got to the boys. “Anyone going by the science block? I have literature and don’t want my mukker to walk alone.”

“Got entrepreneurship”, Kanis scratched his neck, “sorry lassie.”

In sync the twins turned to Rohan, Báine faced him as well. She never expected their gazes to meet. She tilted her head, a quiet tension filling her chest. His stare doesn’t make her anxious and that created a deeper sense of unease.

“What do you have?” Báine was proud that her voice only wavered minutely.

Báine swears the edge of his lip quirked up. “Biology”, his voice smooth and unhurried. 

The twins exchanged a glanced over Báine’s head before Kalis shoved her forward. Báine teetered only for a moment, she whipped around to glare at her roommate. The ginger grinned despite the daggers shooting at her from behind thick transitional lenses. 

“Ye guys shuid hurry if ye don’t wantae be late fur class”, Kalis prompted them.

“Like she said we should hurry”, Rohan’s voice was closer than she expected.

Báine suppressed her flinch. Her eyes narrowed dangerously when she saw Kalis smile. “See you at lunch, hen.”

“I’ll try”, Báine honestly made no promises.

The twins departed from them and Rohan nodded towards the science block. “Which room are you headed to?” Báine glanced at her timetable, he stepped closer. 

Báine found his coolness comforting but odd. “Aren’t bodies supposed to be warm?” She tried to read the paper again. “Room D 34?”

“You don’t sound sure yourself”, he held out his hand, “may I?” She handed over her folder. “Yea second level. I’m room 37.” Báine nodded as he handed back her folder. Then their walk was clothed in comfortable silence but Báine was sensitive to the pressure of curious glances and muted lips. Rohan’s ears picked up when she had fallen out of pace. The more he slowed, the more the gap widened. “Why is this so fuzzy? It’s shedding on your bag.”

“Christ!” Báine flinched away, “when did you get so close?”

“Just now”, he blinked. “What’s that fuzzy thing for?”

“What thing?” Báine looked over her shoulder. “On my bag? It’s just a pompom.”

“I didn’t know pompoms could be so small”, he crossed the gap between them in two strides.

“Must be nice to be tall huh?”

“Has it’s perks”, Rohan shrugged his attention focused on the white fluff. “The pompom.”

“It’s small because it’s an accessory”, she looked to him incredulously, “never seen one before?”

Rohan shrugged. “Do you like poms?”

“Not particularly. I like the snowflake on it.” He blinked at Báine who smiled brilliantly. She twisted her bag off her shoulder. Cradling the puff in her hands she brushed away some of the white furs to reveal a small silver snowflake. “I rarely see uncommon patterns like this so I had to get it.” Báine unzipped her bag and pulled out her pencil case. Attached to it was a key ring with a ‘B’ pendant and an embellished snowflake. “Most have this pattern she pointed to the big accessory. 

“Fan of winter then?”

“Love it!” Báine gushed. 

A comforting weight rested on her head. Báine met his gentle eyes over the rim of her spectacles. A small smile starched his lips. “Feel better now?” 

She quickly dropped her head as a warmth spread through her chest. “Aye.”

“Let’s get going then. I’ll talk to your teacher for you.” 

Báine didn’t bother to pack her pencil case and glanced at her watch. She was almost ten minutes late, her teacher must hate her already. The trip didn’t extend for very much longer. When they got into the class Báine took a seat in the middle of the class while Rohan charmingly convinced Báine’s chemistry teacher not to sanction her.

“Do your best in class, okay?” he nodded to her.

“I’m going to assume you meant that good-naturedly”, Báine waved back. The moment Rohan was out of shot both boys and girls turned their attention on Báine. She pointedly ignored the eyes drilling holes into her head. Now Báine questions Kalis’ argument that she’s “safer” with them. 

The hours passed and it was finally here. The chatter at the room door piqued her attention. Báine went out to find Yule leaning on the bannister, pointed ignoring his fangirls. At that moment she remembered their meeting in the hospital and his indifference. She’s glad he warmed up to her.

“How’d you find me?” Báine trotted to her brother.

He arched a brow, “would it be weird if I said I memorised your schedule sis?”

“Yes it would be actually.”

“In that case I made an educated guess.”

She shook her head and Yule took the lead. As they walked along Báine remembered Kalis words. “We don’t we head to the main cafeteria”, she suggested.

“Since when do you like crowds?” Yule gave her a once over.

“It’s the only place I’m familiar with, okay?”

He slowed his stride then sighed. “Fine.”

“I can’t believe that worked.”

After a few minutes, the great cafeteria double doors came into view. They were almost there. “And what do we have here?” Báine eye’s followed the voice to Kanis who lead the pack of three, “The naiad joined in the fun!”

“Oh please”, Yule snorted. “I wasn’t expecting the whole pet shop either.” He glowered over his shoulder. Báine hid behind Kalis and the ginger pointedly avoided his gaze.

Kanis whistled. He rested his hand over his heart, his thick brows furrowed slightly as he pursed his lips. “Hold on twig. You dinnae have to go there mate”, he stopped right in front of Yule. The mock hurt blossomed into an abrading smile. “If ye don’t calm down, ye micht git snapped”, his voice dropped to baleful tenors.

Thunder sounded in the distance. “Ever heard of someone drowning in the rain? I can enlighten you.”

“I’d like tae see ye try.”

The thunder rolled through Báine’s body and she wrapped her arms around Yule’s waist and tugged him back. “Cut it out. Cut it out!” she yelled. Báine buried her face in his back and tried to calm her jackhammering heart. The sensation of the day at the recreation park pulsed through her. She never forgot what she saw. She doesn’t want to see it again. “Don’t kill him”, she clutched his vest tighter.

“Fine.” Yule grabbed her upper arms and dragged Báine from the scene. 

She twisted herself to look back, Kalis was the picture of rueful. The roommates didn’t see each other for many hours after. The sun was already low in the sky when Báine entered the common room. She had an early supper with Yule, Báine could tell he didn’t want a repeat of lunchtime. 

“Bonnie?” Báine looked to Kalis repentant smile. “I’m sorry about earlier.’twas a glaikit idea.”

“I’m sorry too”, Báine smiled slightly.

“Wait turn that up”, a voice rang. 

The common room television was tuned into the news and its volume maxed Tonight’s news anchor was male. Báine clenched her teeth to settle the unease rising in her stomach. Kalis leaned on the three-seater sofa, eyes glued to the television, and Báine followed. 

“Fortunately, there is some good news. Of the two victims, Ryley Niamh, was lucky.” The silence that consumed the room, after the name was uttered, was deafening. The palpable tension made Báine’s hairs raise. She regained her focus as the news anchor continued. “The sixteen-year-old was admitted in critical condition because of excessive blood loss from a slashed wrist and throat. Her wounds were not as deep, but can be fatal all the same. Ms. Niamh is still unconscious at the time of this report. The authorities pray for her a speedy recovery. However, twenty-three-year-old Alani Sawyer, who was found at the same sight, was not so fortunate and succumbed to her deeper injuries.”

“Wait, Ryleh?” The whispers pricked Báine’s ears. She covertly glanced around. “So that’s why we didn’t see her this year.”

“I just chalked it up to her going to a different school,” another whispered, “but this…”

“Her dream was to study overseas,” an unfamiliar voice grieved.

Báine then looked back at her roommate. Kalis’ pink lips were pulled back into a snarl. Her fingers gripped the plush of the couch until her knuckles were white.

“Kalis?” 

The ginger startled, “aye?” 

“Did you know her? Ryley that is.”

“Ryley…” Kalis blinked. She dipped her head, her smile desultory. “Ryley was a good one,” she looked to Báine, “She’s far calmer 'n' kinder than a'm. I could see ye two bein' good mukkers.” Kalis flexed her hands. “She’s… I hope she wakes up soon.”

“Yea.”