Without disguise

- Great, - John smiled satisfied, - Now I need you all to sign in… - he paused for a couple of seconds to look around the lawn and catching a glimpse of a group of people not too far from the spot we were at he pointed at them:

- Over there, - he said, - Daniel will put you on the list…Now, will you excuse me, I must be off, - he made a movement resembling a courteous bow.

There is some fussy air about him that irritates me greatly and moreover I tend to not believe his words: he talks a lot and most of what he says is either bragging or gossiping. However sad it may be I have to admit that my precious Yumiko Hikari is a gossip too – but she does it with such cute a smile and so simple-minded an expression it comes out innocently. And John – why does he always have to give it the semblance of a scandal?

So he took off, and we started towards the group of people he’d indicated. It consisted mostly of the first-years and in the centre stood - as I figured out – Daniel, we brushed through the crowd to his side. Suddenly to my utter surprise I noticed Annie and Mel draw their heads together and chuckle. I looked at Daniel – one of them must have fallen for him, no doubt, or even both – I could tell because I found him extremely not handsome… Through the humming of many voices I heard – still watching the girls who were acting … strange - Chris say we wanted to sign in, Daniel say something in return and then:

- Hey, Jake! – Daniel called out, - I need some help here!

I felt somehow uncomfortable at the mention of the name and a foreboding of evil swept through me.

­­­­ – What now? – I heard the voice and with my eyes closed I could tell who it was.

­­- Oh, not him again – I groaned. I guess a bit too loud.

- Oh. It’s you, - Jake looked me up and down smirking disdainfully.

My jaw dropped – haughty bastard!!! And once again words failed me. Meanwhile Jake took out a pen to write down our names on the other list and Annie and Mel stepped towards him to put their signatures and I found myself shielded from him by their stout figures. Turning to the left I met Daniel’s fixed look. For a second we just stared at each other and then I asked – I didn’t mean to, it was my alter ego speaking:

- Is he going too? – I was surprised at how desperate my voice sounded. Daniel smiled compassionately and was about to answer, but before he could say a word:

- He is going, - said Jake handing the list over to Chris to sign it, - And you?...

He took the list back from Chris and finally deigned to look at me – I didn’t like this look - defiant, impertinent, filled with contempt. I raised my eyebrow and held out my hand for the list without a word – I never refused to accept the challenge in my entire life! He smirked – and something like approval appeared in his eyes for a moment. But it was only for one moment…

I went to my room to unpack – I went alone because I didn’t want to take it out on anyone innocent. “Oh, I’ll save all my anger for Mr.I’m the hub of the universe!” I shook my head as if it could help me get this idiot out of my mind. I’m sure this was what he was aiming at – drive me crazy. No way, I won’t give him the pleasure. “Damn, I’m thinking of him again!!!”