Previously on Midway Prep
Episode Fifty-Nine
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Mel teased as he greeted Chantal at the doorway of the dining hall. "I thought you were dead for a while there."
"Oh, shut up," Chantal grumbled, still wiping the sleep out of her eyes. "If it weren't for Karen, I'd still be sleep. But no, she had to come and wake me up to tell me that it was such a beautiful day and we should go for our morning run. That girl is going to get clobbered one day if she doesn't leave me to my beauty sleep."
"Whatever you say," Mel rolled his eyes. After a pause, Mel asked, "Did you go home last night?"
"No. I told you that I moved into the dorms a couple of weeks ago," Chantal replied uneasily.
"I know. I was just wondering if-"
"Let's just not talk about it, okay?" Chantal interrupted. She pointed towards an empty table. "Let's go sit over there."
The two made their way over to the table and sat down. Mel then got up again to go get his breakfast, leaving Chantal by herself. She was still feeling the effects of just having arisen from her slumber, so she didn't notice the tall, well-built man coming towards her.
"Is anyone sitting here?" the deep-voiced man pointed to a chair.
Chantal felt her breath catch in her throat. She just stared at him and choked out, "No."
The man smiled and placed a briefcase on top of the table and sat down. "Good. I need somewhere to sit down and take a breather."
Chantal only smiled faintly and nodded. All she could do was admire his well-defined, strong features. His clear-cut jaw and serious hazel eyes were nearly enough to make Chantal faint dead away.
"Is there something wrong?"
Chantal was yanked out of her fantasy by the man's question. She just shook her head and tried with all her might to focus her attentions on Mel who was getting his food across the room. "No. Why would you ask that?"
"You were looking at me strangely. I thought I had a milk moustache or something."
Chantal laughed. It was a high-pitched laugh and lasted a little too long to appear subtle. She hushed herself quickly when she realized what she was doing.
The man offered his hand to Chantal. "I'm Justice. You are?"
"Chantal," she shook his hand weakly. "What are you doing here, Justice? I thought this dining hall was just for students."
"It is," he admitted, "but I'm working with a student here, and I needed to get here bright and early. They made an exception, you see."
"Yes, I do," Chantal nearly licked her lips but caught herself just in time. "You said you were helping a student. What do you do?"
"Oh, I'm a social worker."
The statement froze Chantal. Her defenses immediately went up and her entire body tensed as if ready to sprint out of the building. She studied him carefully, for she'd heard rumors about social workers. Justice didn't seem to be secretly analyzing her, but one could never tell.
"Is there something wrong with that?"
"No," Chantal said without emotion. She got up and pushed her chair in. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go get ready for the carnival. It was nice meeting you."
Chantal's pace quickened. When she reached Mel, she grabbed his arm. "We need to go."
"Why? Who was that man you were talking to?"
"Let's go, Mel," Chantal's voice was unyielding.
Mel put down his tray and walked in blind confusion behind her. He took one look back at the man, who was staring at Chantal oddly. Something was definitely up.
Chantal could think of nothing but getting away from Justice. He was a danger to her family. But most importantly, he was a danger to her.
-Emotions began to boil over as Beach Blast 2001 continued.
September 11, 2001
Part Four of Peace, Interrupted