It was 3:55pm and school was over. Alixes sat in her desk,her eyes fixed on Ben and his friends, unblinking as they strolled out; chatting and laughing their hearts out while Laura packed her books back in her bag.
"Why will he like to meet Laura when they're like cat and mouse_never meet eye to eye. What's he up to?",she mumbled in her thoughts, befuddled.
Laura sighed in such a relaxed manner, picking up her bag as she rose to her feet.
"Gosh, finally! I'm all done now. Come on, Alixes, I need to make a call now since I won't be leaving anytime soon else mum will be worried."
But Alxies still sat there deaf, lost in thoughts. Laura stared at her wondering what she was thinking; so lost,"Is everything alright with her?",she mumbled, quite worried. "I guess I need to find out what is going on with her"
She drew closer to her and tapped her shoulder,"Hey, girlfriend, are you okay?"
"Oh, my God, Laura!! _you scared me to death", she shouted, startled.
Laura got freaked out by her shout and rose her hand in surrender, "Wow, jeez, chill girl; you scared me with that", she mumbled.
"Anyway, why were you spacing out? What were you thinking so hard about? School was long over and you know I got to meet that, jerk for my script and rehearse a bit before leaving. Which means I got to make some calls to mum and my driver first".
Alixes immediately sprang up from her desk and picked up her bag the moment Laura's words escaped her lips," Come, let's get out of here. Naomi might be waiting for us. I promised to take you guys out for her birthday celebration after school".
Laura gazed at her astonished by her sudden behavior. "Birthday?", she exclaimed.
"Yeah, birthday_hey why that look on your face; like I just murdered someone".
"obviously because you're acting so strange now, Alixes and its really scaring me. Are you okay? Is everything alright?"
She scoffed with a faint smile and strolled past her, "Hurry, let's get out of here. We can't keep Naomi waiting like that or you want to be left out?"
"It seems you didn't hear what I said earlier, girl", exclaimed Laura, making her pause in her step.
"I got to meet Ben for my script and....(sighs)By the way, Naomi left earlier today because they're travelling_have you forgotten? Secondly, if I clearly remember, its not yet her birthday or? Hers is on 16th March, Alix..."
Alixes' face went blank, " Umm, well I guess you're right. Sorry, too much anticipation ", she mumbled, thinking of the next step to take.
"How do I convince her not to go now? Gosh, think, Alix, think....She can't go and meet him alone, its too dangerous".
Laura approached her with a faint smile,"Hey, girlfriend, are you sure you're okay? You seem to be stressed about something which I can't seem to lay a finger on, what's up?".
"Yes, Laura, yes! I'm so stressed about you meeting Ben alone which you don't even care how dangerous that could be",she shouted angrily in tears.
"Do you ever think about your safety for once? No, I guess not_you're never bothered about it but always involving yourself in defending others and their safety. (sobs) I wish I could be like you for once to know how you think,gosh!"
She turned with tears filled eyes, her back facing Laura who stared at her down casted. She had never felt so broken within like this before.
Laura drew closer with a sullen and brood look and hugged her from the back, gently placing her head on her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, Alixes, it's okay. Calm down now, please. Listen here"
She slowly turned her to face her and whipped off her tears with her hands.
"I won't be alone, okay. You'll come with me and wait until we're done. What do you think about that,huh?" added Laura wearing a faint smile as she playfully pitched her cheeks.
Alixes giggled, smiling,"Okay".
"Good, let's get out of here now. Time is far spent"
"Come on", said Alixes as she trod out, taking the lead. Laura scoffed and quickly followed up.
"Hey, wait, you can't leave me behind now", she shouted cheerfully.
"Catch up now"
Their chuckles faded through the corridors as they strolled off towards the theatre hall.
************
Ben and her friends, Patrick and Fred stood at the theatre hall, whispering undertone.
"Alright, so what will I do when she gets here?", queried Fred.
"Umm, Patrick will creep in and cover her nose with this handkerchief. After she goes weak, you'll guide the door to make sure no one approaches this direction. Just alert us when you sense anyone, okay?"
Patrick and Fred nodded.
************
Alixes and Laura approached the theatre, chatting and laughing. Suddenly, Alixes paused in her steps.
"What is it? Have you forgotten something?", Laura queried.
"Umm, actually, no but you got to take the lead I'll join you soon. My mum asked my cousin, James to bring us some snacks since we'll be late. Got to wait out here for awhile. I'll join you as soon as he gets here,okay"
"Alright, don't stay long"
"Okay, take care. I'll be back in no time"
She quickly sped out towards the school's entrance. Laura sighed and turned to leave but heard her phone ringing. She drew it from the bag and checked the caller ID.
"Oh, mum", she mumbled and quickly answered the call as she trod towards the entrance of the theatre. "Hello, good afternoon mum"
"Hello, honey, sorry I missed you're call. I was busy in the kitchen. Are you coming? "
"Umm, no mum, got to stay here for awhile. That was why I was calling. I'll be home by 6pm"
"Okay, dear, take care,love you, bye"
"Love you too mum but tell Kelvin not to mess my room else I'll definitely kill him when I come(chuckles), bye"
She smiled and dropped the phone back into her bag.
**************
Ben and his friends heard her voice approaching.
"Hurry, quickly, hide now and make sure you don't do anything to cause any suspicions ",mumbled Ben.
Fred and Patrick quickly hid behind the stage as quite as they could. Ben scanned around for the last time to make sure they're not spotted. Just then, Laura strolled in.
"Ben? What are you looking for? Why all that noise", Laura exclaimed with a quizzical look as she scanned through the theatre.
"Oh, you finally came. I thought you were so scared that you wouldn't", said Ben with a satisfactory smile. She scoffed and chuckled at his words,"Not a bit, Ben Hansel", she replied as she gracefully approached him.
"You'll bow and beg me after today, Laura Roberts. Just like the others" he mumbled in his thoughts.