Sept 17 - The Roof

[Haley Crusek]

Haley stormed onto the roof from the stairwell hatch tears in her eyes.

"Fucking everyone but El fucking hates me. " she sniffled to no one in particular

[Roland Sackville]

"Haley?" a voice came from behind. "I saw you run past..."

[Haley Crusek]

Haley jumped at the voice and she hurriedly wiped her eyes before turning around.

"H-hi..."

[Roland Sackville]

"No need to wipe your eyes," Roland said, coming over to sit down next to her.

"Rough day?"

[Haley Crusek]

"...yeah kinda."

She sniffled. "I just feel like everyone fucking hates me for no reason. I just wanna be friends and have fun.

[Roland Sackville]

"Hate you? Why?"

[Haley Crusek]

"I don't know. I haven't done like anything bitchy in forever."

[Roland Sackville]

"Then they're probably just assholes. Or being catty, like women tend to do."

[Haley Crusek]

"Boys are jerks too," she slugged him playfully, almost cracking a smile.

[Roland Sackville]

"Yes, but boys, I've found, are much more direct. If you're pissing a boy off, they'll tell you.

Usually, at least. Some people go back and forth a bit."

[Haley Crusek]

Haley was quiet a moment.

"I'm sorry I've been...avoiding you."

[Roland Sackville]

"I understand why. I really do."

[Haley Crusek]

"It was...kind of a lot to hear, y'know?

[Roland Sackville]

"I get it. You're still trying to figure out how to pass classes, and here I am, going off about ancient royalty and reincarnation. Not something you needed on your plate."

[Haley Crusek]

"You think you'd let your reincarnated wife get better than a B on her papers," she joked, cracking a weak smile. "I...you're right though. It's a lot. And...like....I like hanging out with you a lot and stuff. I just...I dunno."

[Roland Sackville]

"I wish I hadn't told you. I didn't want to make things...awkward.

But, look at it this way. If I'm wrong, then your fellow students are idiots for not being nice to a clever, bright young woman.

And if I'm right, they're being idiots for not being nice to royalty."

[Haley Crusek]

"Do you really think I'm clever?" she smiled.

[Roland Sackville]

"I do.

Not at history, good lord no. But at other things."

[Haley Crusek]

She scowled at him playfully.

[Roland Sackville]

"Just being honest with you," he smiled back.

[Haley Crusek]

"Well what sort of other things then? It sure as shit isn't math."

[Roland Sackville]

"There's more to life than just school subjects, Haley."

[Haley Crusek]

"You and the other teachers sure don't seem to think so with how much homework you give us," she smirked.

[Roland Sackville]

"You can blame the headmistress for that. Curriculum and whatnot. Frankly, a lot of this is a waste of time."

[Haley Crusek]

"So it's her fault this is all so boring..." Haley pondered.

[Roland Sackville]

"Well, not entirely. I'm new at this. I've done lots of things, but not teach."

[Haley Crusek]

"Way better cook," she teased. "And running buddy. And sparring partner."

She was quiet a moment."sorry we've missed our morning runs.

[Roland Sackville]

"If you want to do them again..."

[Haley Crusek]

"We should," she smiled.

[Roland Sackville]

"You're always welcome. Always," he smiled back at her.