I angstfully walked out of the laboratory to turn myself in and let Nicole off the hook so my mind could be released off the burden.
Just as I was about entering the principal's office, Emlyn walked up to me and pulled me back.
"Hey Steph, what are you doing?" His glowing eyeballs spelt curiosity.
"Well things didn't go as planned so I'm going to turn myself in or Nicole probably gets expelled," I replied looking so pensive. I wasn't really certain about how positive my actions were.
"For real? Hope that goes well for you. Anyways, when you're done with your Samaritan act, could you please meet me in the theatre? I need your preference on something."
"Oh, okay then,"I smiled back.
I entered the principal's office and I nervously stood at the balcony, agitatedly mulling over how I'd begin my explanations.
I held back my thoughts when I heard a loud and manly voice yell in fury, in the office. So as not to cause an interruption, I decided to wait and not enter until the noise was over or until the man would leave. But rather than taking a turn to leave, I stayed back to eavesdrop a bit.
"I have never been this dumbfounded by you in all my life. Your mother and I... Well I didn't raise you to become a brat or a scurrilous young woman. Being a part of a broken home or being the daughter of a superstar doesn't give you any freaking right! I have gotten different calls this week all because of you and your bad attitude. And what about that innocent girl you keep picking on Nicky? Huh? What did she do to deserve it?"
He continued, "Just so you know, you being this important and rich didn't just happen, it happened because I worked hard, it happened because I was resolute in determination, it happened because I was a goal chaser and here you are making a junk of all that money and privileges that you wouldn't have gotten if your Father didn't labour!
I just can't believe it, I can't believe that my own daughter, my own baby girl whom used to be so sweet and nice would turn out to be a miscreant and a scoundrel," the person said so passionately.
"Just thank your stars that I'm in a good mood today and your principal is a kind woman, else you would have gotten expelled and that wouldn't affect me a bit. One more mess up Nicky, just one and I swear you're going to a boarding school in Britain and I'm gonna spice up your penalty by freezing your damn career!
For the love of God, what were you doing with a knife in school?! Why would you wanna hurt a human like you? Answer me Nicole Paris Martin."
When there was no response, he then said, "thanks a bunch Mrs Thomas, have a blissful day," in so much violence and forthwith, a huge looking, tall man bounced out of the office and walked away; his presence was indeed a cynosure of the whole school as everyone kept staring deeply at him even as he moved outdoors.
When students grabbed their phones and began taking pictures, teachers came around and chased everyone away, making sure no one had a video or picture—a virtual proof of his presence in the school, and so the news wouldn't spread online that he was in school for the sake of his daughter's misbehavior.
The news about the incident had been kept out of the ears of students and basically every incident that had to do with Nicole; and therefore kept away from the internet, as long as it had something to do with the premises of the school.
He got outdoors and was encircled by bodyguards. It was then I knew it was Mr Martin, the almighty and famous Mr Martin! Nicole's father! Or as the whole City knew him—Marz O'Neil.
I could no longer move from my exact spot, a rushing wind of thoughts filled my mind of how Marz O'Neil emphasized on his daughter's transformation. I found Nicole being a part of a broken home really tough to digest. "Is she actually like me?" I thought.
I perpetually ruminated about all he had said and the idea of going to turn myself in to the principal, skipped my mind.
As I stood in astonishment, Nicole walked out of the office in a vexed state. She paused when she saw me standing there, she looked at me as if she was attempting to say something but she made no utterances and she left.
Her eyes looked so red and heavy and her face was pale; her eyes told it was only a matter of time before they would spurt out tears.
I went on to search for Arthur and inform him about what I heard and saw. As I scurried to find him, I met Emlyn and he inveigled me into joining him in the theatre.
"Look I really, really need to find Arthur, there's been a twist of…"
"Fate?" He chuckled.
I rolled my eyes, "be serious Emlyn. There's been a bad twist of things. Just release me and allow me find my way to my problem solver," I stood up from where Emlyn coaxed me to sit.
"You can share your problems with me Steph. What makes Arthur so special?"
"It's obvious Em. He is smart…"
"And I'm what?" Emlyn retorted, "I'm inept huh?"
"No I didn't say that… you are a versatile kind of person which is actually cool…" I took a deep breath and sat next to Emlyn who kept an indignant look on his face.
I said, "fine, let's talk. The thing is, as I was about going to turn myself in as you previously saw me… it didn't happen."
"What popped up then?"
"Nicole's father came around…"
"For real?!" Emlyn exclaimed, "that explains why everyone was acting so strange! Why didn't anyone notify me about this?! Was he signing autographs? Did he stay around for long? I just know I heard a news about his arrival but I wasn't so sure about it." Emlyn nagged, somewhat dissatisfied.
"That's not even the point… and this is why I would have preferred speaking to Arthur instead."
"Okay, okay, sorry, I lost control. Ride on," he simpered and I shook my head.
"Well her Dad sounded so mad and baffled about Nicole's damage on his reputation and hers as well. And when I saw Nicole, she was almost in a crying state. Who would have thought that the important and fear-casting Nicole could get that touched by her father's words?"
"One thing I know for sure is that she's greatly terrified of that man, it's her only weakness. She trembles when he speaks."
"That reminds me, you still haven't told me how she got you suspended," I said and Emlyn froze up on me.
"Hey don't you need to meet with Arthur? Go find him now, bye."
"But…"
"Go, go, go, you don't wanna keep the gentleman waiting."
"I didn't even get to know what you needed my preference on," I said and he chased me off of where I sat, in a haste.
It took me less amount of time to figure out that Emlyn 's predominant behavior meant that he was hiding something from me concerning his suspension from school; I didn't get why he had to be so cagey about it.
That turned out to be the least of things I cared about at that moment. I paced fretfully, seeking Arthur and Mrs Kayla, having in mind that which ever one I would find first would be of help to me.
As I scooted through the hallway, I came across Nicole who had this gleeful look on her face. Nicole rarely looked sunny or glad. She mostly had this look on that said 'I am the boss' or 'try talking to me and I'll curse you'—which was the ostentatious look or frowny look.
As soon as I caught sight of Nicole, I instantly pulled out my phone and used it in pretense to make a phone call, so as to get away from her without attracting her attention. She hung beside a classroom door and as I kept the acting on while walking away, she called out, "you are a good actor Bakewell. But it takes one actor to detect a person who is truly acting. Come."
I glided to turn to her and she made a gesture with her hand, asking me to approach. I had no clue about what she was up to again and I didn't care to know, all I was intended on doing was to tell her the truth and elucidate how it was not my very intention to get her expelled from the school.
I approached her and she smiled and let out her fist for a fist bump which I confusingly bumped.
"We need to talk Stephanie," she said and I replied on my guard for whatever stunt she had awaiting, "talk? Talk about what?"
"Us. Can we go in?" she asked pointing at the classroom.
"Look, I don't know what it is you have installed for me but I just want to say…"
"You have nothing to say," she broke in calmly which sort of amazed me, "I should be the one doing all the saying. Come on, let's go in." she added and I was compelled to do as she said with such astounding calmness she gave—it was so unusual.
I entered the classroom and she asked me to sit and I obeyed, while she stood before me.
"Steph, I just wanna say I'm sorry for all of my atrocities. I have been a fiend and a douche, a pain…everywhere and I apologize for that greatly. I wasn't this way before—fame changed everything. I admire your scopes, your skills, intelligence, and respect for your religion… I just wish we could become close friends," Nicole uttered and got me drowned in confusion. She made me puzzled to the highest level that I didn't know what reaction to make in expression of my bewilderment.
"And if you think that this is one of my dumb pranks, you can get it on video but I just want you to believe me." Nicole said and went down on her knees to plead for forgiveness. I couldn't help but pull her back up, despite my confusion. I was coerced to believe it, reason being I was soft and I was also gullible. I gave her a warm hug.
Nicole began to shed tears, " I hurt my Dad so much and I hate it. I wouldn't wanna break his heart one more time so… I need you to keep what you saw me doing a secret. I know I'm a horrible person and I'm willing to change if…" she broke into more tears that her snow white face turned red and I felt deeply moved by it. Still hugging her, I rubbed her long, straight, black hair and assured her that I was going to keep her secret safe.
✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆✮☆
I was at rest. It all summoned up memories of when I initially began the school and the thoughts I had about changing Nicole instead of keeping away from her in avoidance of her bad influence, if we eventually became buddies.
Nicole had already given me a headstart by apologizing and displaying willingness to change.
I also had plans to get so close to her in order to gain opportunities for my career.
I pondered about different things and thought, "hey God is beginning to answer my prayers!"