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Copyrights reserved by the author. If you are in doubt, please click on 'Copyrights' and read the details. Of Evil Intent by Ruth Houston The classroom was stuffy. Beads of perspiration clung to faces and dripped down collared necks. Outside no breeze brought relief, and the grass was turning brown and brittle in the hot dry atmosphere. The heat sapped energy levels; frayed tempers. The sun hung heavy in the sky, watching and waiting, relentless in its vigil over the town and countryside. "Before we wrap up today's lesson, I would like you all to turn to the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet." Simon Radley, scanning his 12th grade class with a predatory eye, had to admit, they were a disappointment, well all except Michelle. There she was, sitting in the middle today, a rose surrounded by thorns. The boys always gathered round the honey pot! "Michelle would you read Juliet's part and I'll be Romeo. Just to give the boys an idea of how it should be read." At this the boys groaned and began fidgeting in their seats. It was the last class of the day. Outside the afternoon sun was beckoning and they longed to escape the confines of desks and sweaty bodies; to exchange the discipline of learning for the freedom of leisure. Simon too wanted the afternoon over, finished. Just for a moment he let his concentration slip and looking out of the window and remembered an evening ... yes, last summer and a figure with long flowing, straw coloured hair. "Shall I begin sir?" Michelle, breaking into his memorymade him jumped visibly. "Yes! Yes, and Michelle please stand up so we can all hear you clearly." He leaned back in his chair and resting his feet on the edge of the desk, waited for her to begin. Standing up she cleared her throat and, looking at him seductively through her long lashes, began. "Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo ----" Closing his eyes, he listened to her clear, light voice; the almost perfect pronunciation. What an actress she would make. She had all the right attributes and that soft full body! Pity! Suddenly he was aware of the silence. Opening his eyes, he found forty more pairs on him. Some of the girls let out soft giggles. Running a hand through his thick dark hair, he got up. Girls! You could read them like a book; it was always the same, so easy. "Very good Michelle. Very well read." Finding his place, he read on to the end, looking up frequently and, finding Michelle's gaze on him brought a small smile to his lips. He saw to his delight, that a flush had risen on her cheeks and the others began nudging each other and the odd giggle would escape. As Michelle was passing his desk, at the end of class, he asked her to stay behind for a few minutes. Poking her in the back, her friends left in a huddle, laughter erupting as they hit the corridor. "Your poetry assignment was very good Michelle. Do you write much? I'd be very interested to see any more you've written." Perching on the edge of his desk, he was watching her face, a question in his eyes. "I've written a few, there're nothing special, but if you want to see them I'll bring them to school." "I know, better still. Why don't you come to the Poetry Society meeting tonight, you can read them to us." She hesitated shuffling her feet." I don't know. Besides I don't know anyone who is going." Simon found annoyance rising inside. Why did they always want to be with friends? Teenagers had to be in a crowd, it was like they couldn't think without being in plural. He controlled it. "Look you know me, don't you? I'll meet you at seven outside the park?" Standing up he collected his jacket. "I'll see you tonight, Michelle." Giving her a long, slow smile ----. Shrugging her shoulders, she threw back her long hair. "Well I guess it would be kind of interesting to see what happens at one of those meetings. Ok! I'll come." Giving him her most seductive smile, she strolled out of the room. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Good! He'd fallen for the bait. Thank goodness for Laurie, who could write poems like there was no tomorrow. Besides, after tonight it wouldn't matter any more. She needn't worry about poetry again. Leaving the school grounds she gave the others the slip. Finding the gap in the hedge, she left by the lane, which skirted the fields of a local farm. She took her time, the heat made her feel tired and sleepy, but she knew she couldn't afford to be off her guard. She had been waiting for this chance for months, purposely encouraging his interest in her. Reaching the cottage, she found Laurie waiting for her expectantly. "Well?" She said, giving Michelle a speculative look. There were glasses of cool lemonade on the kitchen table. Michelle picking one up, ran it down the side of her face. "It's so hot, I really needed this." Michelle emptied the glass in almost one gulp and collapsed into a nearby chair. "It's tonight! He really fell for it, he loved my poetry; correction, yours!" She smirked at her friend. Laurie returned her smile, then sighed, and, reaching out, she took Michelle's hand. "I wish you didn't have to leave, I'm going to miss you!" "I don't want to go, but you knew I wouldn't be able to stay long. You know that I have to do this, don't you?" She held Laurie's gaze. "Don't you?" She repeated and gently pulled away from Laurie's grip. * * * * * * * * * * *
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