"You okay?"
Laura turned to look at the owner of that familiar voice. Anna and Penny had left after confirming that her parents were home. They had done their best to not make her parents notice.
Penny had some things to settle, and since Anna was a part of that group, she could serve as a witness along with the evidence of the group.
Anna only felt at peace to leave Laura at home when she saw Laura's father, and she had told him to protect his daughter, that there were some wolves outside. He didn't question what she meant, since she didn't give him a chance to. Off she went, out of the house and into Penny's car.
Now Laura was faced with being the one to explain in details. She looked at her mom, a bit nervous as to how her mom would react if she was to know what actually happened.
"Can I come in?"
That question always surprised her. Why ask for permission, when you had already opened the door and had taken the first step in without permission.
Laura nodded her head, too tired to amuse herself with her questions which never got replied.
"I cut up some fruits for you. Your favorites."
Her mom said as she sat beside Laura on the bed and stretched the plate to Laura.
"Thanks." Laura said as she collected the plate.
Laura picked the fork and took a slice of apple with it. And just when she put it in her mouth, she heard her mother's voice.
"You look worried. Is it something I can help with?"
Laura chewed slowly as she hung her head down. Was she to say it jokingly? Point out the fact that her mother was looking more worried than she was? Then say it as if she was only shocked that someone she considered a friend could actually do such to her?
But how could she? She was beyond shocked. All she wanted was someone to hold her in their arms and comfort her. That, Anna would have done, but Anna had to make sure that the threat was completely over.
Hold on a minute .
'This is my mom. My other best friend. I can also get comfort from her. I'm sure she will understand. I just hope she doesn't regret sending me to that school, and that she forgives me.' Laura thought to herself.
Laura looked at her mom, with half a smile. She placed the plate at the other side, then held her mother's palms in hers
"I think I'm ready to tell you."
*****
Cathy stepped into the house, and saw three people she least expected to see. No, a mistake. The third one was someone she never thought she was ever going to see in her house, and yet, here the person was.
"Anna." she found herself chuckling, she just could not believe it.
She was expecting to hear her mother's sweet voice welcome her home as usual, but all that passed after was nothing but silence. She looked at her mom and was surprised to see her looking angry.
Now, wait. Just why would Anna be sitted right next to Penny, and like, sitted real close to Penny, and there was no exchange of abusive words nor were they pulling at each other's hair? Was it because of her mother? Definitely not. Penny was the type to speak her mind, not giving a damn even if the person was an adult, nor did she even mind if an adult she respected was around.
What other option could it be, other than to turtle tell to her mother. Which they seemed to have done. But well, this would be their words against hers, time to see who would be believed by her own mother.
Her cute face came back to work.
"What's wrong mom? Is dad troubling you again?"
"Don't you get tired of putting on such an act?"
"Excuse me?"
"You know, it would be best to show your real face to those around you?"
"I don't understand any of these mom."
"There you have it. That naive behavior of yours, which I for once thought was real. Since you've said it, it's high time you go live with your father."
"What!"
Now this really took her by surprise. That emotion of shock was heartfelt.
"You should be more than happy that you get to go scot-free, you could go to prison for this."
"Why would I go to prison, they don't have any evidence that I did something terrible." she said as she looked at the two girls next to her mother.
"There, you just admitted it. I never said you did something terrible, you just admitted it yourself."
"Mom, would you really have the heart to watch me behind bars?"
"Oh well, I don't know. But I guess so, since you had no issue with plotting such a disgusting thing against someone who you call a friend, someone who did nothing wrong against you."
"Penny wanted this."
"Oh no, don't you go around putting the blame on Penny. You did want it. If Penny wanted it, why then did you sabotage her, making sure she was unable to get to school?"
"Then blame yourself for asking me to take care of it."
"You could have told me what the problem was but no, you didn't, said it was something personal, I didn't want to probe too much, and I asked you to take care of it. There ain't anything harmful in what I said, it was the way you decided to interpret it."
"Would you really send me to dad's place?" she asked looking sober.
"Yes. You are going there. Infact, he is coming to pick you tomorrow. Don't you try anything funny or else you will meet yourself behind bars."
"But..."
"No buts. I refused to let you be with such a strict man cause I thought you were growing into a good adult and wouldn't need such iron hands for your upbringing, but it seems I've been wrong all these while. I've been too easy going on you. You now need to be in the care of an iron hand."
"Mom." the tears threatened to fall off her eyes.
"Don't 'mom' me. Get up into your room and start packing. You try anything funny, you end up in jail. I believe I've made myself clear."
Her mother got up and collected Cathy's phone from her.
"All your electronics shall remain with me until your father gets here. Go get ready to live with your father."