It's been three weeks since Owen had Richie. They seem to be getting along quite well. Coco do sometimes keep Richie company but Richie is still afraid of Coco. What can I say? When you've a giant as a friend, things happen. One week more to go to make Richie a member of the McDonald's. I've got to admit,being a pet owner really changed Owen. I've known Owen as a lazy, carefree and messy brother but ever since he adopted Richie,his whole life changed. He's more careful, organized and spends his allowance wisely. How I wish Owen met Richie a long time ago,he wouldn't have been to be a mean jerk to me. Mom and I made up with a nice conversation and a spa day to seal the treaty. It feels nice to be pampered once in awhile. Too much of it could turn me into Brianna Brown. Speaking of Brianna,she hasn't been herself lately. She's been acting all glitchy, nervous, awfully quiet and innocent than usual. I guess she's nervous about today's rehearsal. Mr Williams had said he needs two students from the group to represent our school at the soccer match this week. One of us will be selected and will be a solo singer at half-time. I don't want to brag but it's obvious I'll be chosen.
At breakfast,Owen brought Richie to join us for the first time. I guess Richie is part of the family now. He sat down on his seat and kept Richie on a napkin next to the fruit bowl. Everyone seemed to like Richie except for one person. In every family, there's someone who dislikes what others love.
"Good morning Dad! Good morning Mom!"He greeted
"Owen,so glad you could join us for breakfast."Mom said
Dad was sipping his coffee and reading the sport section on the newspaper when he caught an eye on Richie,who was nibbling on a slice of cheese that Owen had given it.
"What's a mouse doing on the table?"Dad said, spitting out the coffee in his mouth
"Dad,I almost forgot to introduce you to my new pet. He's name is Richie."Owen said, bringing Richie closer to Dad's face
"Wow! It's so little and fury"Dad said nervously
"Isn't he an angel? Mom said I can keep him. Right Mom?"Owen said
"Yes!I did! But you have only one week to show me that you can fully take care of it"Mom said, facing the calendar
"Is that so? Honey,do you mind if we can talk in private? Away from Richie?"Dad said, signaling Mom to come over to the living room using his head
"Okay!"Mom said
They left the table, leaving only me, Owen and Chloe alone with Richie.
"Hey Jocelyn! Jocelyn!"He whispered softly
"Huh?"I said, taking a slurp of milk from my cereal
"What's wrong with Dad? He's acting all funny this morning"He asked
"Dad? What's wrong with him?"I said, acting as if I didn't know what he was talking about
"Don't act dumb with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about"He said
"Fine. I've got to warn you though. It's a secret I can't tell you. A family secret"I whispered very softly
"Let me remind that I'm part of this family. So spit it out"He said
"Okay. Promise you won't tell anyone?"I said, making sure his trustworthy
"I won't."He said
"You promise?"I said, doubting his answer
"I won't, alright! Just cut to the chase."He said
"Okay. But you have to promise..."I said
"Jocelyn!"He said
"Fine. Dad has a phobia for little creatures. Especially the fury ones."I revealed
"What!"Owen exclaimed
"Pipe down or he might hear us"I said, trying to caution him
"Dad is afraid of Richie?"Owen said
"Yep!"I replied, eating my cereal
"Not to worry,he likes them at a far distance. As long as they don't get to close to him."I added
"Really?"He asked
"Yes. I remember one time when a butterfly flew up to his nose with him knowing..."I said
"Then what?"He asked, having interest for my tall tales
"Then he flipped and really went crazy."I said, trying hard not to blow my cover
"Wow! That all that really happen?"He asked
"Nah! Just messing with you!"I chuckled
"C'mon Jocelyn. Be serious."He said
"Fine. Dad is afraid of Richie"I said
"Serious?"He said
"Yes,I'm serious"I said, dropping my plate in the sink
"But Dad is a tough person. I've seen him do a lot of courageous things. How can he be afraid of a little mouse?"He said
"Beats me. Everyone has their weakness."I said
"But..."Owen said, interrupted by the bus'honking
"The bus is here."I said, grabbing my bag from the chair
Owen was still figuring out what I had told him about Dad.
"Aren't you coming?"I asked,ready to open the door
He remained silent and puzzled.
"Hello? Earth to Owen?"I said, snapping my fingers in front of him
"Uh?"He said
"The bus is here"I reminded him
"Oh! The bus! I'll be right there. I've to Richie in his cage"He said
"Okay. I'll be in the bus"I said
I opened the door and got on the bus.
"Where is your brother?"The bus driver said
"He's on his way"I replied
Few seconds before our conversation ended, Owen got on the bus. The bus pulled over at the entrance of the school and everyone got off. I dropped my bag in my locker and went straight for Acapella practice.
"Ms McDonald! You're just in time. Take a seat."Mr Williams said
"Now class,I've come to a decision. Jocelyn and Andrew will represent our school at the football on Friday"Mr Williams announced
"What!"Brianna said
"Do you have a problem with that,Ms Brown?"He said
"No! I don't"She said and stormed out
Her minions followed her as she left.
"What's wrong with her?"Mr Williams said, surprised by her behavior
The other members didn't say a word. After the announcement, I went back to class. I was having a conversation with Claudia and Kenzie when Brianna walked up to me.
"You!"She said angrily, pointing at me
"Brianna,what is it?"I said
Her face was decorated with running mascara from her eyes and made her look scary. Scarier than Cinderella's stepsister.
"You have taken everything I loved away from me. Ever since you came to this school,it has always been about you"She said
"What do you mean by that?"I said, confused with what she was saying
"Don't act dumb with me. You clearly know what I'm talking about. First,you stole my position in the Acapella's. Then Xavier and now this. Do you know how hard it was before I made it to this point?"She said
"I didn't take anything away from you."I defended
"You are not even as rich as I am neither are you more beautiful too. You're just an ugly burden that your mom gave birth to. Your existence was a mistake"She ranted
The class gasped hearing her last sentence. I'm used to enduring Brianna's words but I couldn't endure this one. Especially when she has my mom involved.
"Really now? You think everyone is as gullible and naïve as your friends who follow you everywhere. You think you could control my life like you're doing with those fools you call friends. Well Brianna, you're certainly wrong. Not everyone will gladly allow you have a say in their lives. I've had it up to here with your pranks and tricks. I can take all your awful words but I won't let you insult my mom. That woman has done a lot for me and I won't let you tarnish her good name"I said angrily
"Who exactly where you referring to as fools? Us?"Scarlet said
"If you have nothing else to say you can as well leave"I said
"And what if I insult your mom? What are you going to do about it? The old hag isn't there to wipe your pathetic tears or save you."Brianna said, adding more fuel to the burning fire
I became angrily and slapped her right on hee cheek.
"You slapped me? You've the guts to use that dirty hands of yours to slap. That does it"She said
She pulled me by my ponytail and dragged it really hard. I pushed her and she fell on the floor. I tried to leave the class but she grabbed my arm and drew me back in. My friends tried to save me but her minions took care of them. She dragged me towards the board and continued pulling my hair. I bruised my arm from the sharp edge of the board. I rebelled and escaped from her grip. I grabbed her wrist and twisted it. I placed her face on the table in front of class and twisted her wrist more.
I was already filled with rage and was a the point of giving her a taste of her own medicine when Principal Don came in.
"Who is the old hag now?"I said,not aware of Principal Don's presence
"Ms McDonald!"Principal Don called
Everyone kept quiet on hearing his voice. There was total silence. Seeing him made me release Brianna.
"What's going on here? And why are you attacking Ms Brown?"Principal Don said
"She started it"I said
"Me? You pulled my hair first"She said, taking advantage of the victim card
"No! I didn't!"I said, defending myself
"Yes! You did!"She said, trying to convince him with her fake tears
"No! I..."I said
"ENOUGH! The both of you in my office now"He said
He left the class and everyone sat down on their seats. Brianna's hair was messy and her part of her uniform was covered with chalk. Same as mine. We both went to the principal's office and waited for his secretary to let us in. We sat next to each other with the seats apart. Principal Don was on the phone when we came in.
"After the awful incident that happened few minutes ago;Ms McDonald and Ms Brown. I think the best thing way is resolve conflict is through dialogue. And that will only happen in detention."He said, fixing his eyes on the file in front him
"What!"We both exclaimed
"You both will be on detention for two days. That way,you will think twice before engaging in a fight"He said
"I can't be in detention. The football match is on Friday and I've a solo act. Please Principal Don, reconsider your decision."I pleased
"Detention? I surely can't do that! Do you know who I'm? I'm Brianna Brown. And we Brown's don't do detention."She said
"I don't care. I've made my decision and that's final. You should have thought twice before getting yourself into this mess. Mr Williams will just have to find a replacement for you"He said while dialing on a number on his telephone
"You may leave now"He said
We both stood up and left his office.
"This is all your fault."I said, throwing the blame on Brianna
"At least neither of us will sing at the football match on Friday"She said with a mischievous smile