Stefan emerged from Mrs. Rebecca's office, his face flushed, and sprinted towards Laura, who was standing beside her car a short distance away.
As soon as Laura saw Stefan exiting the principal's office, her expression turned worried, assuming he had gotten himself into even more trouble.
As Stefan approached, he suddenly collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath. Laura's concern turned to annoyance. "What's with the theatrics? You didn't even run that far!" she exclaimed. "Why didn't you reply when I was calling you earlier? You just went in there to get yourself into big 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.
Laura's expression turned skeptical. "Seriously? You're going to keep up this act?" she queried, 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 ahead, still trying to process his actions. "Where did I get the courage? How?"
Laura raised an eyebrow, her gaze filled with disdain. "You think I'm going to believe that nonsense?" she smirked.
Stefan's eyes remained fixed on some distant point, his expression still in shock. "Our suspension is canceled. I'm serious," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "I really threatened her and didn't end up expelled? OMG!"
Laura's incredulity turned to mockery. "And who's going to believe your ridiculous story? Even Mike doesn't have the courage to do that. Everyone knows how easily intimidated you are."
Stefan's face contorted in confusion. "Exactly! I think I was possessed or something. How else could I have sat face-to-face with the principal and threatened her?"
Laura shook her head, her expression dismissive. "Then keep dreaming, Stefan. You're delusional." She tossed Mike's bag at Stefan and turned to leave.
Stefan lay on the ground for a long time, replaying his conversation with the principal in his mind, wondering how he had 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," Tina continued.
"Who could have taken the box?" Lola chimed in.
"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 behind.
"Didn't you know?" Janet asked and Christina shook her head.
"A box was stolen from Tina's father's library 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 to himself 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."
Tina exclaimed, "Why didn't you tell me? You should have said something right away!"
"I didn't want to ruin your party! I didn't want to create a scene at your house, especially since it was my first time visiting," Christina defended herself
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 you the same thing, Christina. Did your parents bribe the principal to lift your suspension?"
The girls' eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by Stefan's boldness.
Stefan continued, his tone confident. "I don't have time for this today, Christina, I'll see you on Monday, with Mike and Rachael of course."
He turned to Tina, his expression serious. "I think I know the box you're looking for."
"This isn't a joke, Stefan. The situation is serious," Cara snorted.
Tina's gaze intensified. "Are you sure it's the box?" She inquired.
Stefan hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I can't be certain, but the box I saw was old, with grey, rough edges and made of a hard, wooden material that's difficult to..."
"That's it! Where is it? Where's the box?" Tina interrupted, her curiosity uncontrollable.
"I'll give it to you, but not here. Let's meet somewhere else tomorrow." Stefan said, holding up his hands to calm her down.
"Why tomorrow? Why can't I have it today?" Tina asked, her expression conveying desperation.
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," Tina suggested, her eyes sparkling with hope.
Stefan burst into sarcastic laughter, aware that going to Tina's house would be like walking into a trap. If her father opened the box and found nothing, he would be in trouble - 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 to meet?" Tina asked relently.
"Let's meet at the restaurant in front of the new town stadium tomorrow. 10 am, 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.
"Please don't kill him, and if you must, at least let me have the box he was holding first." Tina implored.
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.
*****
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? Did you decide to attend school despite being suspended?"
"Our suspension has been lifted, yours too. 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."
"Why do you want to take it?" Rachael asked, her voice laced with skepticism.
"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's response was resolute.
"Wow, what a brilliant idea! You're a real smart cookie, aren't you?" Rachael said, her tone sarcastic. "So your 'something' is exposing us?"
"That wasn't my plan, please trust me." Stefan assured. "My plan wasn't to expose you, but to understand Mike's encounter and find a cure.
"How can I trust you? How do I know you're not making a reckless decision?" Rachael asked, soughting assurance
"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."
Rachael sighed relently, "it's just that…"
"You're scared, I know. I'm well aware of everything that's going on. I know you guys stole the box. Trouble was away but you located it," Stefan cut in. "But don't worry, let me give it a try, okay?"
Rachael hesitated, tears welling up in her eyes, before slowly nodding in agreement.
"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 character."
"What's that?" Rachael asked.
"You get extremely angry when you're scared. I misunderstood last time; you're just trying to protect your brother." Stefan replied.
Rachael smiled slightly. "Let me join you in whatever you're planning to do," Rachael said, offering to help.
"No Rachy, this is something only I must do. You don't want to get entangled in this situation with Tina and her family, do you?" Stefan queried.
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 then locked the box, making sure it was properly sealed.
With the box in hand, Stefan proceeded towards the door, ready to leave. However, Rachael stopped him, "What about the key?" She asked as she stretched out the key to Stefan.
Stefan firmly refused, his expression resolute. "We're returning an empty book to them, giving them the key would be a huge giveaway," he explained, his reasoning clear. He didn't want to arouse any suspicion or raise unnecessary questions.
With that, Stefan left the room, box in hand, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Rachael watched him go, her expression a mix of concern and trust, knowing that Stefan was determined to resolve the situation.