I O U

I skip class. Not for any real reason, just one of those days when the hallways feel quieter than usual, and my mind’s too loud to focus. I wander past the lockers, past the front office, past the point of caring.

Then I hear something.

It’s soft—a breath, a choked sound almost like a sob—slipping through the crack in the stairwell door. I push it open, and there she is: Vivienne Delacourt. Sitting on the third step, her blazer rumpled, face turned away, shoulders trembling in the kind of silence that begs not to be seen.

She doesn’t notice me at first. Not until I shift my weight. Her head snaps up, flinching like I slapped her. She whips around, eyes wide, mascara smudged at the corners.

“What are you doing here?” she asks, her voice barely a whisper.

I stumble over my words.

“You— you can’t—”

She wipes her eyes fast with the back of her hand. Her voice sharpens to a blade.

“If you tell anyone—anyone—I swear, you’ll regret it.”

Then the door behind me creaks open. A teacher steps into view and freezes when they see us.

I lift a hand—not to wave, just a small, subtle motion behind my back. A flick of the fingers: Go.

Vivienne hesitates for a breath, then slips past the landing and up the stairs without a sound. I turn and walk toward the teacher, calm, like she was never there at all.

I get detention.

Later that evening, there’s a knock at my door.

“Someone’s here to see you. A friend?” my mom calls up the stairs.

I wasn’t expecting anyone. When I come downstairs and see her—standing there in a fitted coat, eyes too calm to be calm—I know this isn’t about friendship.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” she says.

A pause. Her voice drops to something softer, almost ****.

“I always repay my debts.”

“So… ask me something. Anything.”

She tilts her head, that familiar smirk returning like armor.

“But don’t make it weird, okay? I’m not that grateful.”

“Hello, Vivienne. I'm Ero. Nice to finally meet you, officially. Ummm… do you want to come inside?”

She raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips as she appraises me.

“Ero, huh? Cute name.”

She steps closer, invading my personal space just slightly.

“Inside? My, aren’t we bold.”

Her voice drips with sarcasm, but there’s an undercurrent of intrigue in her blue eyes.

“Fine. Lead the way, hero.”

She gestures grandly towards the door, waiting for me to invite her in properly.

“But let’s get one thing straight—this isn't a date.”

Despite her harsh words, she leans against the doorframe, her posture relaxed yet somehow still regal.

“I’m just… returning a favor. Nothing more.”

“Sure, Vivienne. Whatever you say. Just come on in. It’s cold outside.”

At this point, my mom shows up—dressed like Catwoman in a full spandex bodysuit complete with all the trimmings. It is Halloween after all.

“Ero…” she sees Vivienne.

“Ero, you didn't tell me you were having company. Who is this beautiful young lady?”

Vivienne’s eyes widen in shock as my mother appears, barely concealing her disbelief at the bizarre costume. She quickly composes herself, smoothing down her coat with a haughty air.

“Well well, it seems I've walked into quite the… interesting situation.”

Her gaze flicks between my mom and me, a smirk tugging at her lips despite her obvious discomfort.

“I am Vivienne Delacourt.”

“As for why I’m here, I was simply… returning a favor to Ero.”

She extends a hand to my mother, her posture perfect even as she tries to process the surreal scene.

“A pleasure to meet you, Mrs...?”

“That’s lovely, dear. I’m Mrs. Apostasia, but please, call me Julie. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m meeting Ero's father at the Grantham's Halloween party. He’s going to be Batman. It’s a costume party after all. Don’t wait up, kids. We’ll probably get a hotel. If all goes well, this pussy cat might just get spanked by Gotham's Dark Knight…or maybe the other way around.”

“Mom!” I shout.

“I’m so sorry, Ero dear. It’s a mom's responsibility to embarrass her son. See you tomorrow. Frozen snacks are in the freezer, and there’s fifty dollars on the counter for carryout if you want it. Don’t forget to put the candy out for the trick-or-treaters… Vivienne, it was lovely to meet you. Rawr!”

My mom takes a mock cat swipe at Vivienne, who giggles in spite of herself.

My mom leaves, and I’m left standing alone with Vivienne.

“Sorry about that,” I say. “What did you need to talk to me about again?”

Vivienne watches my mother leave with a mix of amusement and disbelief, shaking her head slightly.

“Well, that was certainly… an experience.”

She turns back to me, her expression unreadable.

“As for what I needed to talk about…” She pauses, seeming to choose her next words carefully.

“I wanted to thank you properly for what you did today. Taking the blame for me, keeping my secret…”

Her voice softens almost imperceptibly.

“It wasn’t nothing, Ero. Even if you’re too dense to realize it.”

The barb is there but lacks its usual bite.

She steps closer, her blue eyes searching mine intently.

“I’m not used to people looking out for me like that. Especially not people like you.”

“Okay,” I say. “You’re welcome.”

“Did you need to get home, or do you want to stay? You heard my mom—there’s plenty of food. I was just going to watch old X-Files reruns and eat popcorn and candy all night. Not super exciting, I’m sure… but you can join me if you want.”

To be continued in chapter 2...