With my earpods on, I walked as less suspiciously as I could, to the ICT lab. It was located outside the school compound, but was still part of the school property and only students with some status or computer freaks were allowed to work here. I heard from shayne about three weeks ago on how there is a new highly valued genius of all computer geniuses on campus (her words not mine), so I decided last night to give her a try and spent the whole night, finding out where her office was located and other things I needed to know to locate her.
Since my dad has decided to stay mute regarding his findings, I have decided to find it out myself since no one feels the pain better than the victim. Right?
"HI am Hillary, actually the interview is not until tomorrow, if you are interested in joining the club you could just fill out a form online" A petite girl with brown curly waves stopped me, thinking I was one of the aspirants or whatever it is called of their club.
I shook my head in reply and tried to explain "Ooh. Sorry that... Umm am here to meet Kennedy" I said and she laughed like she had just heard the funniest joke ever. Then her face scrunched up in disgust as she scrutinized me from head to toe and then back up. She did not even bother to hide her disgust as she spoke in a tone laced with sarcasm.
"Sor-Ry to say buuutttt Ken is busy doing something important so if you have nothing else, SCRAM" I was surprised by her reply but regardless was able to react on time. My response came instinctively before I was even able to think deeply about the consequences.
"I thought I made myself quite clear. I want to have a word with Ken not her dog" I mean what do I mean by consequences? When have I ever feared anyone?
She was utterly shocked by my response and found it hard to talk, by the time she regained her voice, all that was left was "You. You. You you yu. Me dog?"
"Yes." I admitted provokingly. "So will you please do me the honor of excusing yourself ?" I added and she raised her hands to point at me, voice trembling from fury. I didn't even bother to piece the rubbish she was spouting together before opening the door she was blocking, then entered.
Of course she wasn't lying when she said Ken was busy. When I got in, she was rubbing her eye lazily as she stretched on the chair, probably exhausted.
"Did you get the coffee ?" She asked, probably thinking it was her lousy assistant whose name I couldn't even try to remember.
"Hill?" She called again when she got no response she looked back.
"Ooh it's you" She said like she not the least surprised about my visit. What does she mean by that? This is clearly the first time I would be seeing her. I mean she just transferred to this school so there is no way I would have known her before. Right?
"What do you mean by it's you? Do you know me?" I asked curiously.
"Of course I do. In fact I would be an idiot to not know you. Come on, have a seat first and then we can talk" my mind kept screaming danger but I still sat dow, regardless, trying hard to convince myself that she is not a bad person. How could she have known me? The last time I checked I have always been low key and barely noticeable. Maybe she mistook me for someone else? Yes that should be it.
"Cather" she started, taking her time as she explained word by word "you have topped the school's popularity chart more times than the others and I know that because it was the first thing I checked when I got admitted. Haha. You know what the funny thing is? You didn't even try, yet you still got what some people could kill for. I have taken note of you since then and my interest in you keeps growing. You are quite the celebrity, so you shouldn't be surprised that I know you. " Even though her explanation seemed over the top, i was still convinced and finally released the breath that I didn't realize I have been holding. Then another question came in mind and I didn't hesitate before asking.
"And what did you find out?"
"Well a lot of things. Quite a lot but let's not talk about that today. What brings you here?"
I had guessed she wouldn't want to tell me what she found out but I was caught unprepared by the question she posed at me. I debated on whether to tell her, since she was acting all mysterious and suspicious but on second thought chose to. Because why not? It's not like I have another option. Oh yeah I could go home and wait for my dad to tell me what he found out which I knew was very far from possible.
"OK. I need your help. I don't care whatever amount you demand am ready to pay" I intentionally added the payment part to see her reaction and also because I thought there was no way she wouldn't request for money, moreover I didn't want to be indebted to her. But what I didn't expect was that she'd simply decline.
"I don't need your money. Let's see if it is something I can do"
OK fine since she doesn't want it there is no point in pushing it. I'll just repay her some other ways then.
I clicked on the message with 'the unknown' and passed the phone to her before explaining.
"I received this message on my phone but no matter how hard I check, It wouldn't show who the sender is"
She didn't reply me, just picked up her disposable cup and sipped whatever was in it leisurely. A smirk appeared on her phone after a while and she moved her chair back to the table, typing a string of letters randomly on the keyboard.
I stopped trying to check the letters when her fingers started dancing faster on the keyboard and I shifted my focus to the monitor when I heard it make a beep sound. I kind of regretted taking computer classes granted because I couldn't even decipher the codes that kept appearing on the screen no matter how hard I stared at it.
Her hands stopped and I nervously turned to her, waiting on what she was going to do next.
Ignoring my looks, she grabbed the cup from the table and kept sipping till she suddenly frowned, then looked at me.
"Can you get me more? It's a grape juice by the way and yeah you can get it beside the Cafe in the next street."
What me? Get her juice? Outside school? Who does she think she is ordering me around? I wanted so badly to slap that face of hers but I controlled myself and collected the five dollar bill from her.
"Thank you" She said and I could swear if it was not for the fact that I needed her help, I would have torn the money into pieces.
I finally understood what she meant by she doesn't need my money.