Stefan emerged from Mrs. Rebecca's office, his face flushed. He sprinted towards Laura, who was standing beside her car a short distance away.
As soon as Laura saw him exiting the principal's office, her expression turned worried, assuming he had gotten himself into even more trouble.
When Stefan approached, he suddenly collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
"What's with the theatrics? You didn't even run that far!" Laura exclaimed. "Why didn't you reply when I was calling you earlier? You just went in there to get yourself into bigger trouble!"
Stefan, still struggling to catch his breath, tried to speak but couldn't. His heart continued to race, and he couldn't form words.
"Seriously? You're going to keep up this act?" Laura continued, wondering what was wrong with him.
Finally, Stefan managed to speak, "I can't believe I stood up to the principal! I actually blackmailed her!" He stared blankly into the space, still trying to process his actions. "Where did I get the courage? How?"
Laura raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm going to believe that nonsense?" she smirked.
Stefan's eyes remained clouded. "Our suspension is canceled," he replied. "I'm serious. I really threatened her and didn't end up expelled? OMG!"
"And who's going to believe your ridiculous story?" Laura sneered. "Everyone knows how easily you chicken out when it comes to a situation that would put you in trouble."
"Exactly! I think I was possessed or something. How else could I have sat face-to-face with the principal and threatened her?"
"Keep dreaming, Stefan." Laura waved her hand dismissively. "You're just being delusional." She tossed Mike's bag at him and left.
Stefan lay on the ground for a long time, replaying his conversation with the principal in his mind, wondering how he had somehow summoned the courage to stand up to her.
Just then, a familiar voice echoed into his ears.
I can't believe it was stolen. Your dad must have been so annoyed.
Stefan sat up and glanced over. Few meters away from him was Tina and her friends, approaching.
Yes, he's still furious. The box is an artifact that was passed down to him from his father.
Who could have taken the box?
"What are you guys talking about?" A voice came from behind them. They all halted and glanced over their shoulders to see Christina closely following them.
"Didn't you know?" Janet asked and Christina shook her head.
"A box was stolen from Tina's father's study during her birthday party," Cara filled her in.
"And we're trying to figure out who did it," Lola added.
Christina's eyes widened as she realized something. "OMG! I think I saw something that night!"
A box!? That rings a bell, Stefan thought and his eyes widened as he connected the dots. That box!? Did Mike steal it?
The group turned to Christina, "What? Did you remember something?" they asked almost in unison.
Christina nodded, "Yes, I do. I saw someone climbing down the wall that night, carrying a backpack."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Tina sniffed. "You should have shouted right away, or at least said something!"
"I didn't want to ruin your party!" Christina said. "I didn't want to create a scene at your house, especially when it was your birthday."
Stefan stepped in, his voice calm and authoritative, diffusing the tension between the girls.
"Let's ease up, no need for hostility."
The girls looked up, noticing Stefan for the first time. Christina glared at him with disdain.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be suspended, aren't you?"
Stefan stood his ground, uncharacteristically assertive. "I could ask the same of you, Christina. Did your parents bribe the principal to lift your suspension?"
The girls' eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by Stefan's words.
"I don't have time for this today, Christina," Stefan continued, confidence highlighting his tone. "I'll see you on Monday, with Mike and Rachael of course." He turned to Tina. "I think I know the box you're looking for," he added.
"This isn't a joke, Stefan. The situation is serious," Cara snorted.
"Are you sure it's the box?" Tina inquired, seemingly interested.
"I can't be certain, but…" Stefan hesitated, choosing his words carefully, "...the box I saw was old, with grey, rough edges and made of a hard, wooden material that's difficult to—"
"That's it!" Tina interrupted, her curiosity uncontrollable. "Where is it? Where's the box?"
"I'll give it to you, but I don't have it here with me," Stefan said, throwing up his hands to calm her down. "Let's meet somewhere else tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow? Why can't I have it today?" Tina asked. "I don't care about following you home to get it."
Stefan could read the urgency in her eyes and sensed there was more to the box than met the eye. He decided to press Tina for information when they meet later on.
"Tell me, Stefan! Why can't I get it today?" Tina's voice rose.
Stefan maintained his composure, his tone firm but polite. "I wish I could give it to you today, but circumstances won't allow it. Tomorrow is the best I can do."
"Where? Where do we meet tomorrow?"
"I don't know, you choose."
"My house, then. Come to my house, okay? My father will reward you handsomely."
Stefan burst into sarcastic laughter, aware that going to Tina's house would be walking into a trap. He would be in trouble if her father opened the box and found nothing - how would he clear himself of theft if accused?
"What do you say about that?" Janet's voice cut through his thoughts.
Stefan shook his head, "Choose another place, I don't think I can come to your house."
Tina's face fell, "Why? My father would–"
"I don't need your father's reward, I'm giving you the box for free. What are friends for?" Stefan interrupted.
"Then where do you want us to meet?" Tina asked relentingly.
"Let's meet at the Founding Farmers restaurant tomorrow. 10 a.m., don't be late." Stefan suggested an alternative, and with that, he quickly walked away, disappearing from sight.
Lola smiled, "Finally, I'm happy for you, dear friend," she said to Tina.
Tina uttered a sigh of relief, "Thanks. Now my father can finally have peace of mind."
However, Christina's eyes never left Stefan's retreating figure, her gaze filled with displeasure. "I'm going to kill him," she muttered under her breath.
"You can't!" Tina pleaded. "Not until I have the box he was holding. You can do as you please when I get my hand on it."
Christina hissed and stormed back to class, ignoring Tina's sarcastic pleas. The girls burst into laughter.
"She's crazy," Cara sneered.
"Advanced craziness," Janet added, chuckling.
"Common guys, she's my friend, you can't mock her behind her back," Tina said as the girls continued on to their destination.
"So what? You want me to mock her in her presence and have my head cracked open?"
The girls burst into another wave of laughter.
*****
Stefan arrived at Mike's house straight from school, still wearing his uniform. Rachael's eyes widened in surprise on seeing him.
"What's going on?" she asked. "Did you decide to attend school despite being suspended?"
"Our suspension has been lifted, yours too," Stefan announced. "We can all return to school on Monday," Stefan explained. "It's a long story, so you don't have to ask me. I'm here for the box - the mysterious one."
"What do you want with it?" Rachael asked.
"Out of every crisis comes an opportunity, and it's either you do something or you do nothing, that's what my mom always told me," Stefan said. "I've tried nothing, but it didn't work out. And now I'm trying something."
"And what does your 'something' have to do with taking the box?" Rachael pressed for clarification.
"It needs to go back to where it belongs—where it came from," Stefan replied.
"Wow, what a brilliant idea!" Rachael wowed. "You're a real smart cookie, aren't you? So your 'something' is exposing us?"
"That wasn't my plan, please trust me," said Stefan. "My plan wasn't to expose you, but to understand Mike's encounter and find a cure.
"How can I trust you?" Rachael said, following a shallow sigh. "How do I know you're not making a reckless decision?"
"You don't know unless you give me a chance to prove myself," Stefan replied, appealing to her. "Give me a chance to prove my friendship to your brother."
She sighed again. "It's just that–"
"You're scared, I know," Stefan cut in. "I'm well aware of everything that's going on. I know you guys stole the box. Trouble was away but you guys located it. But don't worry, let me give it a try, okay?"
Rachael hesitated, tears welling up in her eyes, before slowly nodding in concurrence.
"Everything will be fine. We'll figure this out," Stefan consoled her, tapping her soothingly on the shoulder. "But seriously, you have a really difficult personality."
"What's that?"
"You get extremely angry when you're scared. I misunderstood you last time; you're just trying to protect your brother."
Rachael smiled slightly.
"Let me join you in whatever you're planning. Two heads are better than one."
"No Rachy, there are some things meant only for one head," Stefan said , always sarcastic. "This is something only I must do. You don't want to get entangled in this situation with Tina and her family, do you?"
Rachael hesitated for a moment before responding, "I don't think I do," and then retreated towards the stairs, indicating her willingness to let Stefan handle the situation.
Stefan followed her upstairs, entering Mike's room where the mysterious box was stored. He swiftly grabbed the box from Mike's closet and carefully placed the empty book inside.
He locked the box, making sure it was properly sealed. Now with the box in hand, Stefan proceeded toward the door, ready to leave.
However, Rachael stopped him, "What about the key?" she asked as she stretched out the key to him.
Stefan shook his head in a firm refusal.
"We're returning an empty book to them, giving them the key would be a huge giveaway," he explained.
He didn't want to arouse any suspicion or raise unnecessary questions. He gave Rachael a brief wink and left the room, box in hand, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Rachael watched him go, her concern evident.