The Angel's Silence 11

"Don't hurt me!"
She yelled.

Her eyes were shut tight, and her arms were protecting her face.

"Rayna, open your eyes.
It's me."
Said the person behind her.

Rayna opened her eyes, and it was Maya.

This was more shocking than if it was the killer.

"Oh, Maya.
You scared me.
I thought you were the killer."

"Me a killer?
Yeah, right!"

"Do you need something from me?"
Asked Rayna.

"No.
I just didn't feel like walking alone."

Rayna noticed that Maya was not dressed as she usually was.

She seemed so different since she had been back.

Rayna was dying to know what happened, but feared if she asked her again, she may get fed up with her, and never tell her.

***

Antanas and Mariya were both on their way to work, when Mariya called Antanas.

"Have you noticed something odd with the girls lately?"
Asked Mariya.

"What do you mean?"
Asked Antanas.

"It's almost like they're becoming each other."

"How so?"

"Well, Rayna seemed to be some outgoing and nice than normal.
She's also been paying more attention to her appearance than she ever did before.
Maya seemed to be more quiet and withdrawn.
She left for school this morning wearing old winter clothes she had from years ago.
What do you think is going on with them?"

"How should I know?
I'm never told anything."

"Neither am I.
I would love to get inside their heads for just a little while."

***

History class had begun, and Rayna felt sick.
She had only one chance to impress Professor Antonov, and she deeply feared she would blow it.

She watched and listened to him closely, trying to remember everything, knowing it would be the last time she ever saw him.

Maya seemed distracted.

She kept staring at the clock on the wall in the classroom, and biting on her thumbnail.

"He likes to use his hands a lot when he speaks."
Rayna thought to herself.

The time seemed to fly, and before she knew it, class was over.

Everyone handed in their essays to Professor Antonov.
He said earlier in the week that he would read, and grade them himself, but it would be Mrs. Neroni that would give the students their results.

Rayna waited until everyone else had left the room to hand over her essay.
Her heart was racing faster than it ever had before.
This was the first time that she had ever approached him before.

She slowly walked up to him, trying to make the moment last last longer.
She handed him her essay, and when he took it from her, part of his hand touched hers.
Rayna thought she was going to faint.

"Ahh, Ms. Alekseev.
I see you've completed your essay.
I am looking forward to reading it.
I've heard great things about you."
He said in his Bulgarian accent as he winked at her.

Rayna put her head to the floor, and bit on her bottom lip.
She wanted to say something, but couldn't remember how to speak.
She just smiled, and slowly walked away.
Her face was as red as an apple.

Part of her wanted to jump for joy, and the other part felt like she was going to vomit.
She both hated, and loved feeling this way.

"Perhaps it is the allure of the forbidden fruit that makes him so irresistible?"
She thought to herself right as she walked into a wall.

Math class was getting ready to start.
Rayna was still daydreaming when she looked behind her, and was confused as to why Maya was not there.

She stepped out of the room, and saw Maya arguing with Brent.

Rayna didn't want to get in the middle of it, so she went back to the classroom.

Class had started, and Rayna was beginning to think that Maya was never going to show up, when she saw Maya standing in the entrance of the room. She looked like she was going to faint before collapsing to the floor.

(To Be Continued)