It's already 6am, Lucretia laid on her bed unready to move. She kept tossing and turning on the bed, having mix feelings when a heavy knock landed on the door.
"Lucretia...., Lucretia...!" exclaimed a voice at the door.
"Oh..God...., mum! You startled me." she mumbled as she jolted up on the bed in agitation.
"So sorry dear, just wanted to wake you up else you will be late for school."
"I'm already awake mum..." she muttered as she got off the bed.
"Alright dear, hurry and come downstairs." she mumbled and left.
Lucretia puffed and shrugged up from the bed her attention drifting over to Philip's window. Her gaze was fastened on the window deep in thought when she saw a white car pulled up in front of Philip's house.
"That should be Daisy." she commented as her attention dived to the car. Just then, Philip came out of the house and moved towards the car. He was about to get in but suddenly stopped. His gaze moved towards Lucretia's window not expecting to see her but there she was, starring at him. Lucretia with a smile on her face, lifted her hand to wave him but he quickly turned away and got into the car. She stood with her hand mid way in the air, bemused.
"What's wrong with him? Is this still about yesterday's quarrel?" she queried quizzically.
"Lucretia...." exclaimed Mrs. Angelica.
"I'm coming mum..." she shouted, stuttering to the washroom. She hurriedly washed down and got dressed.
She took her bag from the study table and stuffed it up with her books. She went over the bed to pick up her phone and saw Jayden's missed calls. She was about to return his call when her mother's voice came echoing in her room.
"Lucretia.....,you are running late." she shouted.
"Oh..God..mum.." she mumbled, dropping her phone into the bag and trotted out of her room.
She met her mother standing at the foot of the stairs waiting for her.
"What was keeping you up there young lady?"
"Nothing mum..."she muttered as she descended the stairs.
"You have to learn to be time conscious Lucretia."uttered Mrs. Angelica as she went ranting on Lucretia's lateness.
"I know mum.." she commented with a sigh.
"See you later." she hastily added as she neared her mother and landed a peek on her cheeks.
"Okay dear..., take care and have a nice day."
"Okay mum.., you too." she responded and sauntered out of the house.
After walking some few distance away from the house, she saw a familiar figure leaning against a wall starring down at his feet.
"Is that not Jayden?" she whispered and doubled her steps a bit.
"Jayden...., what are you doing here?" she inquired as she neared him, looking quiet bemused.
"Why are you looking surprised Luc?"
"Well..., I didn't expect you here by this time." she murmured, slowly speaking.
"Um..., aren't you happy to see me?" he commented, searching her face.
"Well...." she began, stammering.
"Never mind, I came here to get you. You are becoming used to getting to school late so I came over to get you." he chipped in, wrapping his hand around Lucretia's shoulders.
"Um...?" she mumbled, wearing a skeptically look.
"Come on...Luc..., I'm telling the truth over here." he remarked with a chuckle as he met Lucretia's gaze.
"Let's hurry else we'll both be late." he added and they trotted to the bus stop walking side by side.
***********
It was 7:30am when they alighted at the school. Lucretia was about to put her bag behind her when Jayden took it from her.
"Let me help you." he mumbled with a grin.
"No..., I can handle it." she murmured. Soon, they were running around with the bag laughing and giggling. Meanwhile, Philip was also busily chatting with his friends around one of the ornamental plants at the entrance of the school ranting about their last football match when he turned and saw them. His sweet smile suddenly becoming cold. Lucretia also saw his glare and suddenly stopped, the smilies fading away from her face. Each of them stood in silence starring at each other.
"Philip..., are you okay?" questioned Mike, following Philip's gaze.
"Oh..." he gasped.
"Let's go guys...." declared Philip and stormed off in anger.
"What's wrong with him?" questioned Eugene
"Come on, I will tell you later." commented Mike as he dragged Eugene and they strutted after him.
Jayden who just noticed the change in Lucretia's mood stopped in his tracks and drew closer to her.
"Are you Okay, Lucretia?" he inquired, searching her face.
Lucretia slowly turned to him and took her bag.
"Yes.., let's just go to class." she responded and headed to class.
Jayden stood looking puzzled as he watched her walk away.
"Did I do anything wrong?" he mumbled quizzically.