Interrogation and Confession

By Emilio King

“This whole idea was stupid,” Evelyn thought, “But I need it to work out.”

He was currently inside an empty classroom, long after classes had let out for the day. The lights of the room were off. But it stayed illuminated by the setting sun, which gave the area an orange hue.

Evelyn watched as his only company meandered around the room. She examined every little detail as if it were her first time seeing it. The crammed shelves of the bookcases, the mismatched sets of desks, and the ratty, old blinds on the windows. She lingered on the blinds.

“Is she obsessed?”

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed at her. Casual clothing, pristinely curled hair, and three separate scrunchies. One in her hair and two for each wrist. Something boiled in Evelyn’s chest.

“I’ve been stuck dealing with you for weeks now. And I don’t have anything! No evidence, no confession, And yet… Katelyn Carver, I’m sure you’re the traitor.”

The traitor exercise; one of the largest projects at Avant Hero Academy. For a whole month the Criminal Psychology class would be replaced by an hour-long free period. Its purpose? To try and discover who within the group had been assigned as a traitor. There were other rules and regulations, but that didn’t matter right now to Evelyn. He had reached his conclusion.

His gaze stayed focused as he watched every little motion Katelyn made. The way she walked, so smoothly, from the door to windows; to the way she was so careful with the things she touched as she went along.

“She’s too gentle. Not leaving a trace of herself– like she knows I’m onto her.” Evelyn crossed his arms. “Well, I am onto you. And knowing that won’t help you. Because I’ve already thought about everything you could do, Carver. So I know. I know…”

“What are you doing..?” Evelyn half mumbled.

In the back corner of the room, Katelyn had begun to struggle with the strings of the blinds. She was tugging and twisting. Repeatedly, she watched as the blind fell halfway and got stuck, before she jumped back in to avoid looking embarrassed.

Evelyn watched on, stunned. This was his evil mastermind? Katelyn, the girl that had duped into being her personal gofer for the last few months. And these were the limits of her wits? The struggle continued for a moment more before Evelyn couldn’t keep patient and called out, 

“Do you need help?”

Katelyn jumped from surprise, “No– I know how to close these things!”

“God. Pull the string towards you.”

Katelyn jumped and her body stiffened. From Evelyn’s perspective, she was nearly motionless. She tugged. And like that the blinds shuddered down. Katelyn composed herself again, she stood tall again and resumed her more lax posture. 

She looked over to Evelyn. Their eyes met. He continued to glare. Her eyes narrowed for a moment, too. Something about him grabbed her focus. But, whatever it could’ve been, Evelyn wasn’t sure of. And the moment passed.

Katelyn followed that by going down the room and stopping at each window. She gave a quick tug to the cord at each stop and watched as the blinds shuttered down, one after another. The room dimmed as Evelyn watched her get closer and closer. His muscles clenched and his body felt tighter. Anticipation swelled up in him as Katelyn’s gaze drew upon him.

The girl finally got close. At arm’s length, she stopped to examine him. A quick once over before taking another step closer. Another step closer. Another. And one more, until she was right up in his face.

He tried not to move, to not budge at all. He wanted to stand strong in the face of… whatever this was.

"Open up," Katelyn commanded.

"What?"

"Your arms, dummy, open your arms." she explained and poked at his still crossed arms.

He hesitated a moment, unsure how to respond. But, slowly, he pulled his hands out and spread his arms apart. He kept them low and close to his body.

Katelyn pouted. "Wha-? No! Haven't you ever hugged someone befo-"

"No. I don’t-"

“That’s so sad??”

Evelyn cocked an eyebrow.

"I can't believe I have to teach you.”

"What? No, I– Who said you have to?”

Katelyn frowned. “Okay, maybe I don’t. But it’s a tragedy! So you have to learn: I’m saying so.”

He frowned as Katelyn moved her arms about and explained different aspects of her ideal of the perfect hug. “Of course I know how,” he thought. Katelyn continued, emphasizing something about deep breaths. “People come up to you, hold you, and you wait until they're done.”

"Come on, open them wide!"

Evelyn glared at her. However, honor bound, he did as instructed and spread his arms wider. Katelyn made a dash to land on his chest. But before she made impact, Evelyn shut his arms closed in front of himself. Katelyn knocked her head against his wrists. 

"What are you doing?"

She stayed quiet.

"Carver."

"Open your arms again…”

"What're-" Evelyn started before Katelyn interrupted,

"That was an order!"

Evelyn didn't move for a moment. He was caught off guard. He darted his eyes around the room. Ideas bounced about in his head, an attempt to try and see through whatever this new deception was. From the looks of her, he almost felt pity for whatever reason. She had caved in on herself and hidden her face away. All he could see from above was her hair, the flatter parts around the part in her hair.

So slowly, he opened his arms once more. Katelyn hesitated a moment. She leaned forward and let go, letting gravity pull her down. She landed lightly against Evelyn’s chest.

Katelyn was warm.

Evelyn's skin prickled with goosebumps. He could feel his heartbeat pick up. He steadied his breath in the hopes of calming it down. He couldn’t let on that this was affecting him.

Katelyn mumbled something. But with her face in his chest, Evelyn couldn't begin to understand her.

"You need to speak up from there."

"I want you to…" she said, her words still losing out by the end.

“Hah?” Evelyn grunted.

Katelyn dragged her face up to look at him. Her expression was bunched up, frowning, and her cheeks were almost beet red. Something glistened in her eyes.

“I want you to hold me,” she said. Katelyn’s face softened into a pout before she hid back into his chest.

"Wh-” Evelyn grunted- “Fine…" Evelyn hesitantly moved his hands over and around her. He placed each hand on the opposite shoulder, and kept her fully wrapped in his arms. Something about the way she looked and how she asked– it made that bubbling inside Evelyn change. It softened and… it wasn't so hot anymore. His chest felt warm, too. Like Katelyn.

“Why do I put up with you?” Evelyn thought.

Right as Katelyn asked, "Why do you put up with me?"

“Wha-?”

"I've treated you… horribly,” Katelyn continued. Her voice cracked, “A-and yet–” she sniffed– “here you are. You didn’t report me, you didn’t leave me. You stayed with me.”

Evelyn started to loosen his grip. “What are you getting at?”

“Did you stay… for the same reason?”

“I don’t– I was–” He wasn’t sure anymore. Evelyn had come here today to win, get a good grade. But… after dealing with Katelyn for weeks, was that really it? He'd never put up with this before. especially not from someone he couldn't stand.

"Evelyn," Katelyn looked up to meet his eye. Evelyn looked back. His heart beat as he stood there.

"I think I love you."