Free Nuit Noire by Carol Robi Page A

table, I don’t anymore. The presence of Gauthier, Mike and Tony has made our table the grand station for all pretty girls in the school, and the fact that they are still single, and are yet to express an inclination towards any girl in particular have most girls hot and bothered.
    I have always known how beautiful Tony is. I grew up with him. Watched him getting fought for by girls since I was seven, so I am not entirely new to it. It’s Gauthier’s beauty that has me on edge, and rightly so. He is stunningly good looking. Because he is not my brother, I am not shielded from being affected by it, not even with the traumatizing experience that was our date. Maybe even more proclaimed because of that. The knowledge that he is something else, that he could hurt me, or cause me to hurt myself or anyone for that matter, by just whispering simple words of command has me enthralled. The memory of how his father had blown my breath into his lips, and caused the burning fire in his eyes to thaw to cold ice blue; and to remember how much he’d been affected, the sheer bliss that crossed his face, the longing with which he often gazes at me- causes me to shudder with weakness.
    Against myself, despite my wishes, his gazes are slowly softening my resolve. I at times surprise myself by catching myself studying him when he’s turned away. And not studying him with anger and fear like I had in the weeks right after our date, but with curiosity now. Often have I caught myself sometimes doodling the outline of his face, or puzzling over his lips. The latter has become a very annoying obsession of late.
    “What about you, guys?” Mandy turns to Mike, Dave and Gauthier, when it’s clear that my brother will not answer.
    “I know I’m looking forward to the afterparty!” Dave rushes to say.
    “Of course you are,” Collin says, lifting his head from kissing Jennifer. “Because you won’t be playing,” he says and the guys begin to laugh at Dave’s expense. It annoys me even more when I see Gauthier smile at the mean joke.
    “Stop it now!” I surprise myself by saying curtly. Seven pairs of eyes turn my way curiously. “I hate this! I hate it when people constantly put someone down. Yes, Dave may not be as talented as you, Collin. Or you Mike and Gauthier,” I do not cower from his dark eyes. “That does not mean that he doesn’t love the game and deserve your respect. When I left Hamilton, I told myself that I would stay away from friends such as you. Popular teens that think it’s okay to say mean things to their friends, to tear them down. It’s all your fault Tony that I am here sitting with them,” I say, now turning to my brother. “You and your perfect looks and athletic profile.” He looks completely surprised, and very apologetic. But there is a weight pressing against my shoulders, and I am yet to finish relieving myself of it.
    “I want good friends for once,” I proceed to tell him. “Kind friends, caring friends- friends that aren’t monsters.” That might have been directed at Gauthier. “Please let me walk away and sit at a table without you following me, so that your entourage isn’t forced to follow me too,” I finish, rising to my feet and walking away before anyone can stop me, rushing to the back to sit across the girl with the head brace that always sits alone over lunch.
    I am still fuming when my brother walks over to me. I groan inside when he sits next to me. I guess I always knew he will follow me. We eat in silence, the girl studying us with curiosity over her meal.
    “I’m Amelia,” she eventually says.
    “Hi Amelia. I’m Tony,” my brother puts in, stretching his hand to shake her pale feeble one. “This is my sister Sophia. She’s normally kinder and would have introduced herself, but at the moment she’s fuming.” I cannot help it but laugh when he says this.
    Cheerleading practice is awkward after that little tantrum, but luckily everyone just pretends as though nothing