Crimson Angel

by Yume

  * * *

  Len was waiting at the junction the next morning. As soon as he saw me, he waved.

  I scurried towards him.

  “Greeting to you, Alice.” Len smiled.

  “Why are you here?”

  “Why, waiting for you.” Len seemed amazed. “Can’t you see?”

  He had repeated the last sentence the same ironic way I said it the previous day. I shrugged.

  “Did you sleep well?”

  I wanted to tell him what I saw the night before but he would probably think I was crazy.

  “Yes.” I replied.

  “You’re lying.”

  I took a fleeting look at Len but he didn’t look at me. He stared ahead as we walked along.

  “How…”

  “You’re too easy to see through.” Len said before I could finish my own line.

  “In what way?”

  “You don’t look as though you slept well. What happened?”

  “I saw a bat last night. Tapping my window in the middle of the night.”

  I was ready to receive laughs from Len but they never came. Rather, Len was shocked.

  “What?”

  “Why are you…so shocked?”

  “Because…” Len couldn’t continue.

  “Len?”

  “Listen, Alice, I’m sorry.”

  “What for?”

  “I think I have made a mistake.”

  “What mistake?”

  “Nothing, just let me know if something weird happens again.”

  I heard him sigh.

  I didn’t get why he was so frustrated. Still, I kept silent.

  No sooner had we reached school, trouble had come around again.

  Edmond and his fellows were blocking our way as we entered the gate. He didn’t look happy and I should have known why.

  “Excuse me.” Len said politely but Edmond wouldn’t budge. He was up to something for sure.

  “Crawl under me if you want to pass through.” Edmond ordered and his boys laughed.

  Len stared at him solemnly. Even standing next to him as a bystander, I felt the humiliation.

  “What’re you staring at? Didn’t you stand out so well yesterday? You beat me in the match and you should know nobody has done that in my history.”

  “I am giving you a chance.” Len cautioned. “Step down, Edmond.”

  “Or?”

  “You wouldn’t like it.”

  “Let’s see, shall we?”

  I found it urgent to discontinue this argument. Both of them seemed to be getting their fists ready.

  “Stop it, Edmond.” I interfered.

  “It’s none of your business, Alice. You are dumped, remember?”

  I was exasperated, unable to resist anymore insult.

  “As I said, don’t you feel at least ashamed of double-crossing a girl?” Len had me behind him, just like protecting me.

  “Shame?” Edmond sniggered. “I’ll make you ashamed, Len. Mind your words.”

  “I don’t see the need to do so, especially not in front of you”

  “You…” Edmond lifted up his fist but then he held back.

  “If you have such courage to say that, why don’t you fight me?”

  “That won’t be necessary.” I cut in. “Len is not fighting with you.”

  “Shut up. Girls are out of this.”

  “Alright,” Len accepted his challenge. “But don’t you regret.”

  “We’ll see who regrets.”

  Boys never listened to girls! They had things planned and decisions made their own way. That was one of the intolerable things about them. Girls could never step into boys’ business. That’s the rule!

  “Len, are you mad or what?” I screeched at him.

  “Why?” I almost punched him when I saw him still as calm as if nothing had happened.

  “Edmond’s strong and he’ll beat you up!”

  “No, he won’t.” I didn’t see how he could have such assurance. I had seen Edmond in many fights before and there was not a single time he lost.

  But it could be different this time, for Len also won him in the match.

  “No,” I said firmly. “You are making a mistake!”

  “I think I have made it clear, Alice.” Len stopped to face me. “I won’t lose.”

  The boy’s eyes were flashing bright. It was irresistible to listen to his words. He was…so alluring.

  However, one perception about Len was always right.

  He hardly told lies.