the sharing

[instar]

Trouble is not back at school on Monday. At lunch, Bella sits with Andi who sits with Robin who sits with Ethan.

Comments

[instar]

"Of course."

[pandion]

"Bella has an admiiiiirer," coos Andi.

[aeskhyne]

"She does," says Trouble, hugging himself in a way that causes his face to briefly become - interesting.

[instar]

"Andi thinks this is very cute," says Bella.

[pandion]

"Especially since it comes with dessert and I get to have some."

[aeskhyne]

Trouble laughs.

"How about tomorrow," he says. "I'll bring you - I dunno, what do you want this time?"

[pandion]

"Cheesecake!" suggests Andi.

[aeskhyne]

"Cheesecake," he agrees.

[instar]

"Oreo cheesecake?"

[aeskhyne]

"Your wish is my command," he says, eyes sparkling.

[instar]

"Pfff."

[aeskhyne]

His grin fades to a sappy little smile.

[instar]

Lunch proceeds.

After gym, Bella waits for the room to clear, then says to Trouble, "So, I'm guessing it's your stepdad, who's in it."

[aeskhyne]

"Got it in one."

[instar]

"And Andi can't know this because it involves knowing a relatively innocuous fact about your family other than 'he probably isn't the result of parthenogenesis'."

[aeskhyne]

"That's about the size of it," says Trouble.

[instar]

"Do you know anything about the organization that I might not?"

[aeskhyne]

He shrugs. "Nope. Why, do you want me to?"

[instar]

"I want to figure out what's going on without touching it. I don't really fancy you touching it either, though."

[aeskhyne]

"Hey, if somebody's gonna be touching something nasty, I've got the practice."

[instar]

"That's kind of a grotesque thing to say."

[aeskhyne]

"Yep."

[instar]

"Well, I don't imagine I have any particular sway over you, and if you do decide to go poke it with a stick, and your personality survives the experience, I would be a willing audience for anything you learned."

[aeskhyne]

"You got it," says Trouble. "If I go poking, I'll tell you what squeaks."

[instar]

"Thanks."