The Geek Revolution ✓

58 | enough

THE EFFECT IS INSTANT. VOLATILE.

A chemical reaction happening before my very eyes. "Go away," Terrence says menacingly. The stern set to his jaw and his shuttered eyes broker no defiance. "I don't want to talk about this."

"I'm not trying to pry or manipulate you. Really, Terrence, I'm worried—"

"Did you not fucking hear me?" he asks lowly. "Leave, now, or I will."

He's a new person. Terrence's writing hand is a vice around his pen, the knuckles straining like white-peaked mountains under his tanned skin. Shaking slightly, his anger — or some other dark emotion — seems barely contained. My gaze wanders all over his face, trying to pick out something familiar, something welcoming. I've never seen this person before. With cutting words, sheer wrath dripping from his lips, the openness I was receiving is nowhere to be seen.

In fact, with his walls suddenly drawn high and no trace of my friend, a spike of fear hits me. Terrence cocks his head when I don't move. I couldn't move if I tried. "Alright, I'll leave then."

Terrence gathers his belongings in a split second, handing his reflection to Mrs. Fern on his way out of the door. She frowns with unfettered disdain. "Where are you going, Terrence? Class is nowhere near over." But Terrence has left already.

The intensity of what transpired crashes down on me. Terrence literally bolted as soon as I mentioned Cassie. Given his obvious aversion to talking about her, how am I ever going to find a way to approach him again? He'll avoid me for the rest of the year knowing that I know, I'm certain.

A deep exhale trickles out of my lips as I realise what I need to do. Steeling my jittery hands, I push my chair back quietly. I subtly lift my bag and try to inch my way to the door.

Obviously, I am not subtle enough, for Mrs. Fern pierces me with an accusatory stare when I'm a few paces from the door. "And where do you think you're going?"

Understandably, she has a look of surprise about her. I've been a model for academic excellence and discipline the whole year, and shadily trying to leave class wouldn't usually be something Sophie Olsen would ever do. But I can't let Terrence get away because a part of me instinctively knows I'll never see him again. I can't let that happen.

"Bathroom?" I supply, but it sounds like a question. Oh God, I am so bad at this.

"With your bag?" Mrs. Fern questions.

Every second spent rationalising with Mrs. Fern is a second wasted, a second more for Terrence to put more distance between us. I can't be trying to save my reputation when the Revolution, and so much more, is at stake.

"Yes," I hastily say, yanking the door open, "Bye!"

Breaking into a sprint, I run down the hall, scanning left and right when I come to the intersection. I take a chance and go left, and hope Terrence decided to come this way. Two very fortunate turns later, since I have no idea where he went, I spot his lanky frame at the end of the corridor.

He turns around at the sound of my sneakers squeaking, bag jostling around and heavy breathing. I heave a sigh of defeat, knowing that I am far from surreptitious when running. I pick up my pace because even while sprinting, Terrence could definitely lose me by just speed-walking. Such is the blessing of conveniently long legs.

"Wait, Terrence. Please—" puff, "slow—" puff, "down." Crikey, I'm unfit.

However, having heard my desperate pleas, Terrence shows me mercy and slows his strides. I quickly fall into step alongside him. He regards my laboured breathing and reddened face with a flash of amusement in his eyes before his guard comes up again.