chapter fifteen

I sat behind my desk drumming my pencil in my palm. Frequently l had to remind myself that I was having a geometry lesson. My mind was going back and forth between the diagram l was drawing and Whitney's words. I was starting to feel that I couldn't hold back anymore the urge of curiosity. Sleep can't possibly come at night with this unsettledness.

I leaned down on my diagram and carefully started trace the lines. It felt as though l was crafting down a way of finding the answers to the question that were bothering me.

Asking auntie Yolei wouldn't be a good idea. She might assume that it has something to do with the scene in the auditorium. She might transfer me to another school and l wouldn't be able to find out the answers l need. All the clues l need are at this school.

If l ask Keisty, she would want to know the reason why I have asked all of a sudden. I know that I have promised to tell her everything but l don't want to get her involved in this.

I pondered for a while until a thought finally struck me. I remembered the day l first came to this school, the principal has history of every student's family. I recall him holding a file when he was saying those words, which means there is a file for every student. If l could get hold of my file l could find the answers l am looking for. I however doubt that he will allow any student to get hold of any of the files.

There's only one person who can help me get access to the files, Stewart. Taking full advantage of the event tomorrow, I can ask him to help me sneak in the office. The principal would probably be at the hall meeting with the guest.

Suddenly a high pitch noise filled the classroom causing everyone to cover their ears. We all looked to the corner of the ceiling where the sound seemed to have come from. For the first time, l noticed that there was a small black device.

A low rumbling sound followed then quieted. A male voice faintly filtered through but not directly. I recognized the voice was the principal's and he seemed to be talking to someone.

((Are they ready?)) A far away 'yes' came in response. There was a bit more rumbling but then we heard a feminine cough of someone clearing her voice.

((Students of Aquila High, it's an honor to be announcing the nominees for our Miss Aquila in preparation of tomorrow's event.))

An excited murmur arose in the classroom. I saw some girls holding each other's hands and lacing their fingers, whilst some bunched up in groups. I guess everyone is as expectant and anxious. As for the boys, some of them started talking among themselves whilst others just sat attentively in their seats.

((I am about to announce the nominees, embrace yourselves)) as though the announcer was talking directly to our class, everyone quietened.(( This term we have a more fierce but exciting challenge. We are left with so much uncertainity))

((First off we have, our present Miss Aquila, Whitney Torrens. She is and might remain the Miss Aquila)). An excited groan of deep voices erupted in the class. I had almost forgotten that Whitney was in favor of almost all the boys. I looked at the girls who looked annoyed by this, they looked as though they couldn't wait for the announcer to move on to the next nominee.

((Secondly we have Beatrice Flankings, our former and longest position holding Miss Aquila.)) I immediately remembered the quiet beautiful girl who set alone in the cafeteria. Her unflinching sea black eyes staring at me. It made a shiver run up my spine.

((Thirdly we have Keisty Charleston, a large social influence at Aquila High.)) At hearing this, l jumped to my feet with joy and squealed in excitement. I was proud that my cousin sister was such a role model. After the ecstasy subsided, l looked around and saw everyone's gaze on me. I sat down a bit embarrassed but at the same time l started to fear that my name might be called. It would ruin my mastermind.

My fears were proven true. Many more girls were called, of which l was not familiar with. One of the girls was from my class, an Einstein in sciences yet beautiful as well. Behind the glasses she wore were illumenous greenish blue eyes. They looked like the lake on a summer afternoon. They even looked more prominent because of the natural dark outlines of her eyes. This gave me a realization that for whatever reason you are chosen, beauty had to be coupled with it.

((And last but not least, for our tenth nominee we have Arielle Loire, a beautiful girl. She is new but yet promising))

Everyone in the class looked at me waiting for a reaction, it didn't come. I kept myself composed. I didn't find anything to be happy about in it. First, it ruined my plan. Secondly l knew that it had something to do with the principal because l had just been enrolled in the school, how could they tell l was promising. Third, l didn't even want to be Miss Aquila, shouldn't they first ask if you agree with being nominated.

After classes l had already drafted a new plan. This time not as neat as the first one but effective still. When things take a dirty turn, it takes those who do not mind getting their hands dirty.

The siren rang and l quickly rushed for the door. I bumped into a girl in my haste. She turned around and l saw a serious but yet approachable face, the same girl who had also been nominated in our class.

"I'm so sorry", l quickly apologized.

"That's okay, l understand you must be as excited as l am about the prom", she said politely but her face didn't look excited.

"Oh yeah. And congratulations for getting chosen"

"Congratulations to you too", she said whilst we parted ways out the door.

I went straight to Stewart's office but when l knocked, there wasn't any response. I walked back to the classroom. On my way l bumped into a boy, a senior. I stopped him.

"Excuse me, do you know where l can find Stewart?", l asked.

The boy froze for an instance, looking at me with wide eyes before he could answer.

"Of-course , yeah, absolutely. He is in an after school discussion with other seniors. I can show you to their class if you don't mind."

"I don't, thank you ", lt takes the most of me to hide annoyance from boys who act weird in my face.

He led me to the third floor of the right wing. The passages there are quieter and less crowded with students.

"That door", the boy gestured ahead whilst he remained behind. I looked and saw the door then turned to him. I gave him a grateful smile. His cheeks blushed and he averted his eyes like a shy little boy.

I made my way to the door then braced myself. l knocked on the door, after a short while l heard footsteps coming to the door. I gasped in surprise at seeing Mrs Elguarò peep her head through the opening of the door.

"I'm so sorry for disturbing your lesson, l can come back another time", l said retreating from the door.

"No it's okay, we are done with our lesson, we were about to dismiss. Are you hear to tell me your answer?", she asked.

"No sorry, I haven't given it enough thought yet", l was already feeling sorry half way my sentence because I could see her face getting disappointed.

"It's okay, it's understandable with the excitement of this coming event you might probably be carried away. Congratulations by the way, l heard your name being called."

"Thank you", l replied shyly.

"Whitney!, your girlfriend is looking for you", she shouted through the classroom.

My face flushed. I quickly grabbed Mrs Elguarò's forearm. This time l would tell her that we are not in a relationship. She turned to look at me then smiled.

"You can come in", she said moving further into the classroom. I considered running away at that moment but it might cause a viral outbreak of exciting news. I deeply exhaled then stepped into the class.

All eyes were fixed at the door with curious eyes, including Stewart. I heard a gasp as l walked into the room, no longer sure who l should walk to first Stewart or Whitney. Stewart looked at me with eyes wide in disbelief whilst Whitney stood up. I was just praying that she won't be too dramatic at this moment.

To say that Whitney was not my girlfriend in front of the whole class might embarrass her. It could make a fool out of me or Mrs Elguarò. I raised my hand and waved to Whitney. She smiled but nervously. She must have also been fearing that l would embarrass her.

I walked to her and gave her a peck on the cheek then whispered in her ear."could we talk outside?"

She nodded and walked to the door. I spotted Stewart at the other corner of the class then walked to him. I leaned to his ear and whispered, "could we please use your office?"

His face turned red at my words. I almost punched my face when I realized how l must have sounded.

"I'm sorry, I mean could we please talk, all of us in the privacy of your office." He turned to look at me then slowly nodded. He quickly folded his laptop which was on his desk then put it in his laptop bag and we walked out.

The three of us walked to Stewart's office without a word exchanged. Stewart was walking ahead without looking back. He looked like he didn't want me to see his confused face. Whitney was walking behind, looking equally confused.

As soon as Stewart unlocked his office, we all rushed inside and l leaned my back against the closed door. They both looked at me.

"Ok l can explain", l whined without being asked.

"Okay, let's all sit down. You look like you want to faint", Stewart said considerately.

The two gave me stares that seemed to be saying 'well?' when we had seated. I fiddled with the hem of my blazer searching my head for a way to begin.

"First of all, Whitney and l are not in a relationship. Mrs Elguarò has misunderstood us. I just decided to pretend so that it won't become any suspicious", this answer was mainly directed to Stewart. At hearing my words, his face flushed with relief.

"Secondly", l turned to Whitney. " I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I was a Loire. I was afraid that if l had told you so soon, it might break a friendship that had just started." Whitney's eyes looked at me with an expression that couldn't be explained but shock was mingled with it.

" So why had you come to our class?", Stewart asked.

"I had a great favor l wanted to ask you. I first came here but when l knocked there was no response"

"Then why did you drag me along?", Whitney asked.

"I wanted to apologize for hiding who l am from you. But honestly, l hadn't expected to find you and Stewart in the same class", l answered truthfully.

"So what favor did you want to ask from me", Stewart asked. I then remembered that I hadn't responded to his proposal.

"Stewart, about that...", l sighed then leaned back and looked into my palms.

"It's-it's okey if you don't want to go with me. I will be fine don't eat up yourself over it." His words almost caused me to change my mind with pity.

"Stewart it's not that", l said meeting his eyes. " Actually l wanted to ask you to go with me on something that only you can help me with", at hearing my words, l saw Stewart's face light up with new life.

"Whatever petition you ask of, l will grand it for you, your highness, even half of my kingdom".  His allusion made me laugh.

"Can you please help me sneak in to your father's office tomorrow. I just want to know some information about my past."

After our discussion in Stewart's office we all walked out. I needed to talk with a certain person l was not so fond of but was the only one who completed the team. Mark.

I waited leaning on the balcony railing at the third floor of the building. This was the most private place which l could find because all other students had evacuated to the ground floor as it was home time.

The cool air was fluttering and blowing over my uniform. I closed my eyes as l felt my hair being driven by to one side. I heard the doors behind me slide open then l turned around. Whitney stepped in and waited beside the door. Mark followed and whitney waved a good bye to me then left.

Mark looked into my eyes with a smirk. "I knew you would come looking for me" he said with triumph in his voice. "Don't worry l was waiting for you, have you decided that l was better, Stewart is a good actor, a pretentious moron. I am better and straight forward."

I rolled my eyes and turned back to the balcony rails in irritation. He let out a smirky snicker and walked to lean on the same rails leaving a little spacing between us.

"Can you please help me", l begged but without turning to look at him. He noticed, from the corner of my eye l saw him smile.

"You are so effeminate, but I don't understand why you are stubborn to admit it. If you let me be your boyfriend, l can do whatever you want me to. You can even lean on my shoulder or on top of ...."

"Stop it!", l shouted at him. He laughed without remorse. I shook my head and turned away ready to leave. I had already given up on trying to beg someone with such butch ego.

I made two steps towards the door but he held my upper arm and pulled me  back to him. I shoved him backwards by the chest and shot a deathly glare at him.

He wore an apologetic face, "l'm sorry okay, now please tell me what you want me to do for you." He now sounded as though he was pleading. "But there must be a catch to it."