Reintegration program - Elmax

Chapter 9 : Alarm

- Ignore them, said gently Bev.

- I always do, answered Jane.

- You don't change?

- Change? frowned the ex-prisoner.

- Yeah, you know, wearing a sportswear than your jeans.

- I, I have nothing else.

- Oh...Well, I guess it's fine for the first class, smiled Bev. You can put your bag in my locker if you want.

- I have to?

- Yes, you can't take your bag.

- Ok.

Beverly opened her locker and placed the bag inside. The four girls joined the rest of the class. They had orienteering and the teacher asked them to do groups of four.

- Please, tell me you don't think of Jane to be the fourth one, told Max, already knowing the answer.

- She is alone, look at her, she looks sheepish, stated Bev.

- Fine!

Beverly grabbed Jane by her clothes and brought her near them. The ex-prisoner seemed as happy as Max to be in the same team. The teacher gave them the instructions, a map, compasses for each persons and a yellow vest. They all had a route to follow to find their tags.

- You've ever done that? asked Bev.

- No, answered Jane.

- It's not hard, you follow the purple route on the map and when you're at a point, you look at the instruction and look for the tag. Don't worry, you can just follow us and we will show you, ok?

- Ok.

The four girls began to run, Max holding the map, going to their first tag. While they were running, the redhead noticed that Jane was taking her time, like if she was in a walk.

- Come on Jane! Imagine there is a cop behind you!

Beverly, running next to her, gave a tap on her arm with a warning glare.

- What!? I'm joking! told Max like if it was obvious.

Bev shacked her head in disbelief while Jane was still far behind. They arrived at the point, and all waited for her to catch up.

- Just live like if I weren't there! grumbled Jane.

- We can't, you are part of the group, said Max.

- No, I'm not, mumbled the ex-prisoner.

Bev tried to comfort her by placing her hand on the other girl's shoulder but she had a brutal movement with an angry glare for her.

- Are you ok? frowned Bev.

- I'm fine! answered sharply Jane.

- Can you stop being so pleasant!? It's annoying! intervened sarcastically Max.

- Fuck you Grumpy!

- No, fuck you Goblin! You're mean with the only person who defends you! What the fuck is wrong with you!?

- She is nice just because she have pity for me!

- Then don't look pity and try to look nice!

- I can't! I'm garbage I can't be nice!

- I already know that!

- Then leave me fucking alone!

- I would love to!

Clara grabbed Jane and Bev grabbed Max, separating the two girls before they got into a fight.

- What's your excuse for her now!? snapped Max.

- None! Calm down! answered Bev with a firm tone.

- You're not gonna tell me she is a nice person after that!?

- Take a breath Max!

The angry redhead was going to answer but grumbled something inaudible and began to pace. The two redheads were joined by Clara.

- You abandoned her!? told Max.

- She is smoking and she asked me to go away, explained Clara. I really thought you were going to fight!

- I was ready to! Maybe she would stop being a dick!

Beverly found nothing to answer. She wasn't understanding Jane's reaction and was even a bit disappointed and hurt, she really thought Jane could be a good person, but maybe she was just a dick. Once calmed, the three girls went to the place where Jane was smoking, but the girl wasn't there anymore. They decided to give up and to go back to school. Their teacher told them that Jane came back alone, without telling what happened and left before the end of the class. They went in the locker room and Bev saw hers opened. Some of her stuff were on the floor and Jane's bag wasn't there.

- This is totally disrespectful, stated Max.

Bev pouted. The girls changed and took their stuff, finishing this weird day.