CHAPTER 7: THE SEARCH STARTS

IRENE'S P.O.V

"My only regret is ever loving them"

Aiden had stayed quiet all through. Although, I couldn't see myself, I knew that my warm blue orbs had turned into an cold void. My legs started to walk out of there without my voluntary control. As I turned around, the warm feeling of comfort washed over my body. It was Aiden. He pulled me into an embrace, not seeming to let go anytime soon. I struggled trying to break free from his hug, but it was no use, he didn't let go.

"Let go of me, Aiden", I said trying everything to break free from his grasp. But did I really want to, I thought

"No"

I was stunned by his reply. This was the first time he had spoken.

"Not again"

"Irene, I'm not going to leave you to go through this all alone"

" I'm fine, now let go", I reassured him as my struggles continued

I couldn't see his face, but his tone sounded so calm but concerned. It was almost scary. He ignored me and continued

"You may have succeeded in covering up your true feelings, but how long till they overflow?"

I saw a teardrop fall to the ground. I didn't know when my tears started streaming down my cheeks. Still, I tried to wring away out of his grasp.

"How long will you continue to stay trapped in the nightmare of your past?.Were you were all by yourself, hurting in silence"

His words sunk deeply into my mind. Though it was painful, he spoke the truth. I didn't even know what to say to defend myself. My mind tried to speak, but my heart countered it. I couldn't make any words to say, instead my tears flowed faster

"Irene, this time you have to let go"

"How about you just let go of me Aiden!!", I exclaimed, shouting at the top of my lungs.

Suddenly, the warm feeling of comfort Ieft my body. I glanced back and saw that Aiden had pulled away.

" You want to be truly free, then let go of your past"

Aiden reached for my hand and took it. He squeezed it lightly

"Forgive them...

My eyes widened. Forgiving them, meant forgetting all they put me through. I'll be consciously giving them another chance to start the cycle all over. While I hold a grudge, whatever they do now, won't matter anymore.

"Not for their sake or mine", he continued, like he could read my mind

"For you, IRENE"

"Your happiness, your determination and your freedom. All these depend on your ability to let go"

The look in his eyes, assured me that the future without holding a grudge will look a lot brighter than my past. I could either stay in my past all alone loathing my parents constantly or move on, which meant giving the forgiveness they would never deserve, while hoping they make things right. I wiped my tears with my arm, then let out a small sigh

I- I.....

**TIME SKIP

The sun had not fully risen yet, when I arrived at the school. Now that, classes had resumed, I could investigate, peacefully, without having to break into the school. I pushed open the entrance door and found myself in the hallway. If this hall was empty all the time, I would love school. I took a step in to approach my locker. I could hear the loud squeaking with every step I made. After 5 minutes of strolling with no luck, I decided to sit on the array of steel chairs in the hallway. I sighed thinking I could find my locker all by myself. Once I finally accepted defeat, I checked my school schedule for my locker number. To my surprise, my locker was directly in front of me. Immediately, I stood up, still holding my school schedule. I didn't want to test my ability of recalling my locker combination. I punched in the combination, placed a few books in my bag, then slammed it shut.

"Time to take a little tour", I said to myself, glancing at the familiar staircase

I took to the stairs. Once I was up, I walked a little further and glanced at the door. Then I stopped in my tracks, disappoinment evident on my face. To my dismay, the chemistry lab was closed. I should have probably expected this. No one leaves a lab open, unsupervised. Well, if I can't have a look inside now, I have no choice but to go straight to the main scene, outside the chemistry lab. I was standing just inches away to where Mr. Ryan was. I crouched down to search for any leads on the floor. I grabbed my mini flashlight to aid my search.

I found nothing, absolutely nothing. The floor was extremely clean. As I switched off my flashlight, I rubbed my palm on my face. Even if there was any lead, the janitor must have cleaned the place already. How do I get a lead now?. I was lost in my thoughts for a little while, when a voice from behind shot me back to reality.

"Might I ask, is there something fascinating about the floor?"

It was a feminine voice, defined yet sophisticated. The voice was so familiar, but I couldn't place it. I took a quick peep behind me and saw who it was-- Principal Elrod. Why was she here at this time? I sprang up from the floor and turned to reply her

"I accidentally dropped one of my earrings and I was searching for it"

There was no falter in my tone to indicate I was lying. I said it confidently

"Hmm Earrings?", She questioned with a little doubt

"Yes"

"Okay then"

She proceeded to walk past me. I heaved a sigh of relief. I had gotten out of trouble for now. Then she stopped, her back facing me

"Tell me, how did you lose your earrings outside a closed lab, which you're not allowed to be in?"

I didn't panic, I just had to think smart and fast, something to make her get off my back for now. My mouth moved as quickly as possible.

"Well, since I am still new here, I was taking a tour round the school"

"Netherland Academy is a very huge institution, one I do not want to get lost in", I continued

How did I learn to cover up my tracks with lying?. I'm a natural at this. I smiled inwardly, giving myself a mental pat. But on the outside, I remained serious, to sound at least believable.

"Tour, all by yourself?"

"Certainly, you must have someone accompanying you, so you really won't get lost"

If I thought I was good at lying, this woman was excellent at interrogating students.

"Of course... I have my... tour guide", I replied

This is not good, my sentences didn't sound as convincing, again. It will only be a matter of time when she realizes that I'm lying.

"And, where is he or she?", she asked raising her brow suspiciously

I opened my mouth about to answer, when another voice spoke up from behind.

"I'm showing her around the school, Principal Elrod"

I glanced back to see who just got me out out of this situation. He winked at me, it was Jason. Principal Elrod casually adjusted her spectacles

"Jason, you're the one accompanying her?"

She asked, kind of surprised that I was right all along. Jason nodded, as he walked towards me, stopping by my side

" We were just taking a look round the top floor together. We were about leaving when She lost something here"

"Right Irene?"

Jason turned to face me. For a brief moment, I didn't reply. I was stunned at how our lies were coming together. A light nudge from Jason brought me back from space

"Right!!", I nodded my head

"Okay then", Principal Elrod finally said while she walked away in the other direction.

The moment she walked away, it was like a heavy weight was lifted from my shoulders. She wasn't strict, but the aura around her was frightening. Jason was the first to speak when she walked away.

"You got lost on your way to the gym?", he questioned

"Yeah... I was just coming to watch your volleyball practice, but couldn't seem to find my way there", I lied

Jason believed me instantly

"Ok, then let's go. I'll take you there", he said with a smile

His smile was beautiful though it seemed forced. What was wrong with him. We continued walking in silence until I couldn't take it anymore. I loved my peace and quiet times, but this was something else.

"You seemed kind of bummed out about something. Is there anything wrong?"

Jason sighed, as his fingers gently ran through his hair

"It's Gia, my friend. Yesterday she was sick and I'm just worried about her", he blurted out reluctantly like he didn't want to tell me. I noticed his face fall after that.

I patted his back in an attempt to provide some form of comfort for him

"She's going to be alright. And I'm sure Gia won't want you to be sad and gloomy because of her.

"So bring back the Jason I know", I said trying as much as possible to cheer him up

Jason smiled. A genuine smile this time

"Thanks for that"

I immediately saw the sparkle in his eyes appear again. The atmosphere between us wasn't back to normal, but it was better. I smiled as we finally saw the gym. Minutes later, we were standing in front of the gym door. Jason opened the door and gestured for me to go in

BEXLEY P.O.V

I heard the gym door open and someone enter. I didn't draw my attention to who it was, cause my face was buried in my book

"Jason's here", Chris said, practically announcing Jason's arrival from across the room.

I swiftly adjusted my hair, with the coverage of my book. When I was done, I smiled sweetly and removed the book from my face. Jason was walking towards me. He wasn't alone, I could see a shadow trailing him.

"Who's that at your back", I asked

"Ohh, She--

The person came forward, standing face to face with me.

"Carrot hair?"