When I got out of the building,I remembered that my phone was still with Principal McAllister. I went back inside to collect my phone. Principal McAllister was reading a book and she thought aloud.
"I will make you pay, all of you".
Immediately I came in, she threw the book down hastily and used her legs to push it under the table.
"Hey, Marvel what are you doing here?".
"I came to collect my phone".
"Oh, here it is". She handed over my phone to me.
"Thanks".
"Care for a cup of coffee?". She offered.
I followed her eye movement and spotted a coffee machine on a table. Neither the table nor the coffee machine was there when I came in the other time. Something sure is up with Principal McAllister.
"What is this woman hiding, "I thought.
"No ma, thanks".
"I insist". She persisted.
How could I possibly say no?
"Okay, if you insist".
I walked over to the table and poured us both a cup of coffee.
"Thank you". She said as she took the cup from me.
"The pleasure is mine".
"So tell me about yourself Marvel".
"Well, I recently moved here. I used to live in Allentown with my dad before he died".
"I am so sorry to hear that. Accept my sincere condolences".
"Thank you ma".
"So who do you live with now?".
"My mum".
"You're parents are divorced?".
I hated the way she was interrogating me. She made me feel like a criminal.
"Yes, they are".
"Oh. Allentown is a very nice place. How do you cope in a place like this?".
"Well it is not easy of course but I am trying".
"Your parents must be the upper-class type".
"Well my dad was but my mom is not really the fancy type of person".
"My ex-husband was rich too. Do they have a company?".
Ok, this question and answer session is taking an awkward turn.
"My dad was a pilot and my mum runs a lounge with her husband here in Duncan town".
"Blue heavens?". She asked.
"Blue heavens". I affirmed.
"Oh". There was an edge to her tone that I did not quite understand. It was like she was disappointed or something.
"Let's make this clear Marvel. Tell me something".
"What?".
"Sierra is your mum?".
"No ma. It's Tania".
It was embarrassing for me to have to correct her which one of Mike's wife and ex-wife is my mom.
"Mike is your stepdad right?".
"It's not something I am proud of".
"Makaela and Simon are your step-siblings".
What is with everyone thinking that Makaela is my step sister. It is probably the because Makaela lived there ever since she was young.
"Well, Makaela is my sister and Simon is my stepbrother".
"Whatever".
I kept quiet. We drank coffee in companionable silence.
"You know Mike, Sierra, Tania and I were classmates back in high school".
"Oh really".
"Yes. In fact Sierra was my best friend".
We talked for two minutes after which I excused myself.
"I have to go now. it is way past my curfew".
"Marvel my dear, you are Tania and Mike's child. How could you possibly be on curfew".
She was right. Even if I never slept at home, none of them will ever notice.
"My brother will probably be looking for me".
I left hurriedly. I switched on my phone and tried calling Simon but the call failed to go through. There was no cell reception in the crypt building. I tried calling him again when I got outside the school building. This time I was able to talk to him.
"Hello Simon, can you hear me?".
"Hey, Babe. I have been worried sick about you. Where have you been? I tried calling you about ten times, I even came to your school to pick you up but I didn't see you. Angie and Rhyme said you were serving your punishment".
"Yes, I was. I am so sorry I didn't call you. The principal seized my phone".
"it's okay. You should be glad that I did not tell mum".
"Thanks. Can you come to pick me up, please?".
"Of course. Where are you?".
"I will wait in front of the school building".
"I'll be there in a few minutes".
"Thank you so much, Simon, you are a darling".
"Do you think I will let my beautiful sister walk the streets of Duncan at this hour?".
I smiled. Simon can be a big-time jerk at times but he is the best big brother a girl could wish for. Where am I ever going to find a brother that will drive down to pick me up from at half-past eight?
He was there to pick me up in ten minutes.
"Wow, you are quite early".
"This place can be really dangerous at this time so I had to speed all the way here".
"Speeding can also be dangerous too. Please be careful next time".
"Oh, so there will be a next time?".
"Not at all. I did not mean it like that".
"You better not plan on doing this next time. You might not be so lucky next time".
"I promise".
It was starting to rain heavily.
"Wind up the windows" I told Simon.
He did so immediately. Suddenly I saw a figure lying in the middle of the road.
"SIMON, STOP" I shouted.
He halted abruptly.
"What the heck Barbara," He said frustratedly.
"There is a girl laying on the road" I explained.
I put my head a bit out of the window to get a better view of the figure.
oh my God, I could hardly believe who I saw.
"It's Kim".
"Kimberley McAdams?"Simon asked and then started the car.
"Wait Simon let's help her".
"Stay out of this Barbara".
"it's not something personal Simon. It does not involve you alone, she is my friend too. I do not care about whatever issues you might have had with her sister in the past".
After much debating, he reluctantly agreed to help.
We walked up to her. I was holding an umbrella and Simon was holding a blanket. He wrapped the blanket around her and carried her. We put her at the back seat and parked the car at the side of the road and.
"How do we get her home". I asked.
"I do not know their house". I knew Simon was lying but I was not ready to put up a fight.
"Let's take her to our house". I suggested.
"No way".
"Yes, way."
We drove Kim home and Simon took her to my room. I tucked her in and drew down the curtains to make her warm. I made her hot chocolate waited by the bedside for her to wake up.
"Where am I," She said when she regained consciousness.
"You are in my house, Kim".
"How did I get here? Is Simon here? Can you please let me go?"
She bombarded me with questions.
"Simon is here but you do not have to worry. You are in safe hands.".
I gave her hot chocolate and pancakes too. I also gave her my clothes because hers was wet.
"Thank you so much for helping me back then. I am so sorry I was always mean to you".
"Friends?"I asked.
"Friends," She said.
"Let Simon drive you home".
"No!"She exclaimed.
"It's fine I will come with you".
After much persuasion, she agreed to let Simon take her home.
She only allowed us to drop her at a junction claiming that her house is not far away from there.
Simon stopped the car and she alighted.
"Bye," I waved.
"Bye. Thanks for the ride. Have a nice night".
"Sleep tight".
Simon started the car and drove us home.
I looked back and saw Kim running backwards. She disappeared to a corner of the street.
I was already tired when I got home and my clothes were wet. I changed into my nightie and lay on my bed. I was stressed out yet I found it difficult to sleep. I fetched a book and pencil from my bag and began to write my essay.