Just Try It

Chapter 34- Part B- Reading Too Much Into a Look?

Forcing a smile, Sondra said cheerfully, "I don't intend to go anywhere. I wouldn't abandon the team. I'm sure that is your real worry." With that, Sondra turned back to her lunch like she was unconcerned.

Nancy's mouth open and closed as she glanced over her shoulder and finally noticed that Malcolm was gone. Sondra was comforted by the number of people glaring at Nancy instead of encouraging her tormenting. Nancy must not have been comfortable as the center of attention, because when she turned back to Sondra her eyes were narrowed into angry slits, but her voice was sugary sweet as she replied, "Of course, that is my main concern."

She then tried to fade back into the crowd. Unfortunately for her, the crowd eased away as quickly as she advanced. She moved faster, but when she bumped a table, the cafeteria burst into laughter.

If she hadn't been watching intently, Sondra would have missed it, but Nancy's face twisted into a mask of hatred for a fraction of a second before her hair fell forward like a curtain.  Nancy clenched her hand briefly, but then she straightened and walked normally across the lunchroom with her face carefully blank. 

If Sondra didn't trust her memory, she would have thought she had imagined it.  However, her memory was perfect, and the look on Nancy's face was exactly what actors of psychotic thrillers tried for.  She knew Nancy wasn't done with her.  In fact, she suspected Nancy was already plotting a new revenge. She firmly told herself to stop being SO dramatic.  There was nothing she could do.  Besides, this was high school not the movies.  She would just have to keep her eyes open. With a little sigh she was about to turn back to her lunch when she saw Malcolm again.  Now that he was safely away from Jamie, he was back to glaring at Moe. 

Finn was still hooting over Nancy's exit. His laughter proved infectious, and most of the table was at least smiling. Sondra was just starting to let herself be convinced she just had an over active imagination when Jamie spoke up.

Jamie started off reassuring as she dryly said, "Good job on handling her. She is dangerous though.  Especially after everyone laughed at her.  That would have been worse for her than a slap on the face.  I just hope that Moe can figure out how to deal with Malcolm half as well."

Moe looked at her in confusion. "What are you talking about? Malcolm didn't say a word, and I haven't done anything to him. Korbin has been the one glaring at him, not me."

Sondra turned with Jamie to look at Korbin, and noticed that Moe was right. In fact, Korbin was still glaring across the lunchroom. Finally, he turned away and said in disgust, "Not that glaring got me anywhere. He was too busy staring down Moe to even notice me."

The table quieted as everyone processed the implications of what Korbin had just said. Not only wasn't Korbin denying he wanted to fight with Malcolm, but he was also confirming that Malcolm had it out for Moe.

Even as Sondra shared a worried glance with Jamie, Finn suggested another answer. "Maybe Malcolm wasn't glaring at Moe," Finn suggested with a laugh. "He was glaring about the situation, and didn't dare look anywhere near Jamie. After all, why would he have anything against Moe?"

The tension eased around the table and some even joined Finn in his laughter. Korbin even loosened up enough to smile. Sondra wasn't convinced though. As she looked around the table, she noticed that Jamie wasn't really laughing either.

As the afternoon continued, Sondra's anxiety increased. For the rest of the afternoon Sondra kept her eyes peeled for Malcolm. Worrying about an attack at school was probably pointless, Sondra tried to tell herself.  After all, only an idiot would get caught breaking the rules on camera two days in a row.  The couple glimpses Sondra caught of Malcolm glaring were always from a distance. Each time, he was gone by the time Moe turned around.

After they separated for practice, Sondra realized there was one place the cameras wouldn't cover. Desperately looking around, Sondra saw Korbin splitting off from Jamie. Sondra hurried over to catch Korbin's arm as she said,"Korbin, I need a favor."

"What?" he growled in surprise.

"Watch out for Moe."

Korbin rolled his eyes and complained, "Moe isn't helpless. Why do I need to watch out of him?" as he shrugged her off.

"Malcolm is out to get him, and there aren't cameras in the locker rooms," Sondra answered.

Korbin looked ready to argue, but he paused, and listened as Jamie blurted out, "She is right."

To Sondra's surprise, a slow smile formed on Korbin's face. It wasn't a nice smile, and even though it scared her, she was reassured. When Korbin looked down at his arm and ordered, "Let me go. I can't babysit Moe from out here. I just hope you aren't wrong."  Sondra at least knew that he would help.