"Dr Carlton came over to get her earlier on," Charlie said between mouthfuls of food. "He looked quite serious, but I don't think she's in trouble or anything."
That was good to know. I nodded as I opened my orange juice. I took a sip, remembering what Kendra said about Dr Black being injured. Wondering if it had anything to do with that?
"Did she say when she'll be back?" I asked.
Charlie shook his head.
What could possibly hurt Dr Black? I pondered. I mean, she was a mind reader for Christ's sake, she could probably see someone coming a mile away, even before they tried to make the move.
Then I thought about my father and Uncle Colin. It has only been a few days since I last spoke to them and now the scene back in the hospital seemed like a lifetime ago. What have they been up to? Were they still within the school's premises? If Dr Black was involved with something dangerous, I hope they didn't get caught up in it too...
Charlie noticed that I was deep in thought and he lowered his eyes back onto his plate again, losing his appetite all of a sudden. He wished he could be of more help. When Molly left with Dr Carlton, they didn't say anything about when they would be back or where they were going.
He had wanted to join them and to offer his help too, but he knew they had no use for him. They only needed people that were courageous and talented.
With both of us distracted, we finished our breakfast and wandered mindlessly up to the classrooms. I had a strange knot in my stomach as if something bad was about to happen but I wasn't able to decipher what it was.
Molly didn't show up to any of the classes today, nor was she in the room by the time I returned after dinner. I sat by my desk and contemplated on whether or not I should stay up all night waiting for her.
Slowly, I began to doze off.
I wasn't sure how long I'd slept because by the time I woke up it was still dark outside. My neck and back were stiff from sitting in the same position for too long. I got up from the chair and moved over to Molly's bed. Her bed cover remained the same, showing no signs of being touched.
She still wasn't back.
I got into my own bed and pulled the covers up to my chin. Now would be a good time to have a premonition. I thought. But there was nothing. I couldn't focus, my mind was all over the place. I couldn't see a damn thing and felt like kicking myself. What was the point of being a clairvoyant if it only worked a few times a year!
In the next few hours, I would have to get up and go to the party and I couldn't even get to sleep! I toss and turned until the sunrise and grumpily got out of the bed.
I looked at my ghastly reflection in the bathroom mirror as I brushed my death. There were two dark circles under my eyes making me look like a panda and my skin lacklustre. My hair felt as dry as straw and it hanged limply on my shoulder. I looked like hell and I felt like shit.
There was nothing I wanted more than to crawl back to bed but knowing it was almost time to go, I quickly put on a T-shirt, jeans and trainers. Then tucking the box with the dress underneath my arm, I made my way to the front school gates.
"Aria!" Theo called out, waving his arm at me to get my attention.
Why did he feel the need to shout?! My face screwing up, I had the urge to cover up my ears. I waddled over slowly.
Theo was dressed quite casually too, similar to me he was wearing a T-shirt and jeans. He saw the box I was carrying and his grin widened.
"Ok, that's us." He said to the security guard inside the booth. The guard looked at us then opened the front gates.
We stepped outside and I looked behind as the school gates slowly closed, feeling a bit like someone who had just left prison after serving many years behind bars. So this was what freedom felt like.
A black Bentley was waiting for us with a chauffeur stood by its door. He saw us approaching and bowed his head before opening the door for us. Theo gestured for me to go first. Once we were inside, he looked at me and said, "were you in a fight?"
I looked at him confused. What was he talking about?
His fingers drew circles in the air around the area of my upper face, "was that not the reason why you've got two black eyes?"
I glared at him, feeling like poking his eyes out!
He laughed, "you look like a panda. I thought you got punched by your roommate in the middle of the night."
"I hardly slept a wink."
"Don't worry, you can sleep in the car. It'll take us a few hours to get there." He said.
A few hours? Where were we going? I thought in alarm. Was he kidnapping me to France?
Then he handed me a box, "this is for you."
Another box? I thought suspiciously.
"To go with your outfit. Open it."
I already knew what was inside even before I opened it. Inside was a pair of pale pink glittery sandals.
"Thanks," That was all I could think to say as I closed the box. Now I really felt like Cinderella.
Theo looked chuffed with himself.
The combination of air conditioning and the gentle motion of the car moving was like the perfect lullaby. I began to drift off. In my sleep, I felt someone placing a blanket over my body. It was warm and soft, and I snuggled down deeper.