Freedom
I'm still standing like a kid caught stealing chocolate. My principal is furious and her face is old due to her frown.
"Nice is there something I need to know?" she drills into my brown orbits.
I shake my head "No, you need to tell me something"
She bellows a little, pressing her ten fingers against her desk and studying me with all assurance.
"Why exactly do you stop Evan from getting close to me but give him the right to get close to any other girl?"
"This is because you are so innocent and ignorant. I've talked to you about this several times. Focus on school and learn because that's what your mom wants for you and that's why you are here"
I chuckle and feel Evan walking over my shoulder towards us.
"Nice, you should leave before the bus forgets about you" he says and I roll my head to me.
My brows mold "Are you for real? You're just going to let her stop you from feeling free and tossing you up and down!"
He sighs "It's best for us. Your mom won't like it after finding out we spent time together at your dorm, in your bed"
I blink and turn to my principal. She settles over her chair "I knew everything"
But-how? Who snitched? I know someone must have done that. But why didn't he just tell me that's the reason he's staying back?
I spin my eyes at him and he turns to leave when I say "Did you tell her why you slept close to me? That I almost fell over this demonic school's building?"
He stops walking and turns towards me. His eyes travel from her to me then back to her. I look at both of them expectantly but he says nothing and she does same.
I sense something fishy. They are doing eye communication. I'm trying to read through them but fail skeptically and fall my shoulders in disappointment.
"I'm not scared of you or my mom. I will personally call her and tell her about I and Evan. But I am not leaving this place without him. So if you think you'd use that against us then you must be mistaken because I have nothing to hide. Unlike you who does"
Mrs. Jana stares at me in fatique. I believe she knows what I mean. I'm not scared to let her feel scared of being exposed. I don't know exactly what she has done and how that incident relates to her or my mom but she must be aware of some mystery no one has known.
"My word stands. He is not leaving with you" she says firmly
I smirk "So be it. I am not leaving either!"
I turn around and exit the room not waiting for her to interrupt me. Evan follows me from behind as I slide into the corridor.
"Nice!" he calls and I face him angrily
"What?" he pauses few feet away from me.
"I'd go with you", he mentions and I feel something descend from my stomach.
My eyes that were already blurry with tears starts disappearing as I blink them multiple times "R-Really?!"
He steps inches away from me; our bodies slightly touching. His eyes say words his lips cannot say. They were worth looking at. My heart felt so good but behaved abnormally irrespective.
He holds my hands in his large palm "Let's leave before she finds out"
I nod in agreement like a kid and we walk off. Just at the exact moment we step out, my teacher calls over for me. I walk hand in hand with Evan and stop before his questioning glare; his eyes moving to out locked hands.
"Your friend told me you were going to the bathroom but I doubt you just went to relief yourself"
We separate our hands at once. I totally forgot that he was still holding my hands.
He was hesitant about it but I needed to stop creating a fake scene that we are together.
Our guardian's mind is defiled but I won't blame him for thinking bad. Anyone will suspect something is going on or went on between us.
"We should have been gone by now. Get in!" he orders and I jut in immediately with Evan coming behind me.
We step in to a population over our faces. Some students are staring at us blankly, while others are gossiping to their neighbor. Jessica has malice written over her countenance.
She can eat me up with that expression of hers so I sight away and towards an empty space left for me by Abi while Evan sits directly behind me.
Once I'm settled, I breathe out in relieve only to find Mrs. Jana rushing towards our bus in furiousness. I gulp and pray that the bus leaves before she reaches here.
"Let's go!" our tutor announces and the bus starts vibrating.
My principal is getting close and my heart is beating abruptly.
Shit! Why can't this stupid bus take off quick?
"Are you ok?" Abi inclines, sympathy plastered over her face.
I give her a faint smile, looking back at my principal who is shouting for us to stop.
I hate this woman. She's a hypocrite.
They bus is taking off from the school's lot and towards the gate that pleats for us to drive out.
"Mr. Michael" the sound of Mrs. Jana's voice is heard from here and Abi raises her hand, gesturing for our guardian to stop but I hold back her arm instantly.
She frowns "What's wrong with you Nice?"
"Don't do it please. She's after Evan." I plead, my face turning into 'baby boss'
She blinks her eyes then looks over at my principal who has given up trying to seek our attention.
We are out of the school's premises. I sink into my seat exhaling heavily. Thank God she didn't get us. I peep over at Evan and he has the same expression on his face.
We giggle then look ahead. This is what I call freedom.
Third Person POV
Mrs. Jana walks back to her office. She locks the door after her entry and searches for her phone. She dials Mrs. Daigle number and it rings.
After three seconds, the woman over the phone responds "Hello, Mrs. Jana"
Mrs. Jana sighs "Hi Vic. We have a tour for high school students only and they just took off into Elmont"
Nice's mom is speechless.
"I'm so sorry dear. I tried preventing her from leaving but she was so stubborn", she lies,
"How could you let that happen? How can you even let children visit that place after knowing the incident that took place there?!"
Mrs. Jana is quite. She knows what she did. She was very aware.
"I'm coming. I won't let my daughter step her feet in that place! I won't let that happen." She yells over the phone, her voice almost breaking out.
"I have everything under control. I will call and tell them to return now. You don't have to come over just yet."
"I don't think I can trust your words anymore. You promised to take care of her but you failed. I must fulfill my duty as a mom and rescue my daughter and every other kid in that trip. So be ready to receive me there"
"Victoria I said I will call. They will return soon. However, if you still want to come over, you are free to if they don't return. Just remember that everything is under control and drive prudently on your way"
"Whatever" Nice's mom hangs up and Mrs. Jana ruffles her hair.
She dials the driver's number soon after but he doesn't pick. She tries and tries but fails. She calls Mr. Michael and he replies.
"Ma'am?"
"Yes, Michael. Please tell the driver to turn back"
"What? Why?"
"Because I said so." She insist and he doesn't get that part due to network
"I can't hear you from this side. It getting dark and we're already in Elmont. Inside the woods."
"Just turn back. Do as I say now!"
It sounds to Mr. Michael as 'That's ok. Y'all can stay'
His smile returns and he says "Ok. We'd call you once we're there"
She breathes out in relief hoping to see them soon. But her heart does the opposite.
...
Mrs. Daigle is in panic. She calls her husband immediately she get's into her car.
"We need to talk. Meet me home, please" she says as soon as he answers
"What's wrong baby? You're scaring me" he is worried
Tears run down her cheeks "P-please, just do that and-we'd talk there"
He can hear her voice trembling from the phone so he leaves his business meeting and runs to where his car is packed.
...
"Ok children. We're in Elmont" the driver says and some teens at the back of the bus rejoice.
They are so happy and eager to explore a strange land. But Nice is silent. She is studying her environment like her first day of school.
Abi nudges her arm and she twitches "Everyone is descending the bus. What are you thinking of?"
A gentle smile draws her lips as she reciprocates, standing and following the others.
"I have something to tell you" Evan mutters from over her shoulder immediately they step down.
She faces him confusedly "What's that?"
He peeks at the students around and whispers "Not here. When we're inside"
She nods gently; admiring the huge and tall tries beautifying the ecosystem, birds, and insects screeching its wildness. The weather is getting dark from limbos clouds covering the sunset, indicating a stormy night coming.
To be continued...