Laura was shivering in her seat. Even though she had done and said everything possible to make Anna come over for dinner, Anna had refused. And just after she and her family had dinner, she saw Anna at their doorstep.
*****
"Ann!"
Laura's mom said out loud as she opened the door to let Anna in.
"Laura." she called out to her daughter with a questioning look.
"I thought you said Anna won't be joining us, why didn't you just say she would be arriving late? Or were you just to hungry to wait for your friend?"
Laura was left speechless. Just what was she supposed to say in response.
"I actually told her that I won't be coming."
Thank goodness Anna decided to speak and not let the blame fall on her. Laura was grateful for this, cause if Anna had not spoken, her mom would sit them both and figure out why their relationship was getting stranded, and that topic was the very last thing she wanted to discuss. She didn't want her mom finding the faults in their relationship, cause she knew her mother would never tolerate such.
"Oh! You did dear?" she turned and held Anna's arm gently.
"Yes ma'am."
"Ok. Hold on a minute dear, let me get you something to eat. You haven't eaten dinner yet right?"
"I appreciate, but I won't stay long, I just came to tell Laura something."
"In that case, let me pack something for you."
"Thanks."
Laura got up from where she sat and moved closer to Anna.
"You said you have something to tell me?" she said cautiously
"Let's speak in your room." Anna said.
*****
"Hey Laura."
Laura looked up and saw Cathy enter the classroom without Penny.
"What of Penny?"
"Oh! Penny? She forgot to do her laundry." Cathy said as she sat beside Laura.
"Well, she could wear casual clothes to school, so long as she's with her student ID." Laura couldn't help but think that what Anna told her the night before was really true. Penny was not one to skip school. She was one of the best students in class, and the person she admired, and did all these to make him take notice of her was their classroom teacher. Even though she knew he was married and with a kid, she still could not help her feelings for him. So there was no way she was going to skip school, since skipping school would mean she wouldn't get to see her crush. And its not like it would be her first time wearing casual wears to school, a lot of them did, so long as they were with their student ID, they were always granted permission.
"She doesn't know where her student ID is." Cathy said while arranging her assignments on the table.
"That sucks."
"Yeah. And her phone got into water, so she can't call her dear class teacher to help her out. Anyway, she's gonna have to get a new ID if she still can't find the old one. It's just gonna be you and I today."
Laura felt at peace. The person who wanted to harm her would be totally absent. That meant she was save, at least, for the day. Being with Cathy was save, Cathy meant her no harm.