The way Lola changed over the week kept on baffling Mimi. She was now Christy's friend, more or less slave because she was practically Benita's replacement.

Mimi sighed as she watched Lola try to fit into Christy and her friends conversation. Just why on Earth was she trying to please them? Is it because she wants to belong or because of her crush on Christian? Mimi wondered as Lola's behavior irritated her.

She was tired of watching her so she decided it was best she leaves the class, it was free period so they didn't have any subject, Dera was currently sleeping and Tife was at the clinic resting, she'd been at the clinic since morning due to menstrual cramps.

Mimi decided to check up on Tife and on getting there she realized she was asleep, not wanting to go back to the class, she decided to go somewhere else and her legs led her to the art studio, one she'd only visited once since she got admitted into the school, it was when Tife and Dera had taken pleasure in touring her around the school, though Mimi had always wanted to go back to the art studio as she was a lover of arts but she didn't have the liberty.

Walking into the art studio, it was as silent as a graveyard, her eyes scanned the whole area before she decided to check out the paintings on the wall, while doing that, she mistakenly tripped on a stool which resulted in her falling face flat on the table, she squeezed her face in pain before raising her head only to meet Christian's curious look glaring down at her.

"You're so clumsy," he uttered in annoyance before picking up his painting brush.

Mimi was more than shocked to see him, to think someone was actually in the studio all along, he must have seen her smile and wave like a maniac at the paintings.

"What are you even doing here? Good thing I just started the paintings, if not," he glared at her and she straightened up.

I"I'll appreciate it if you keep quiet, sure, you'll even be quiet but please don't move about, it's a distraction, I left the class because of that," he admonished and Mimi nodded before deciding to sit far away from him.

But then she wanted to catch a glimpse of his painting, she pursed her lips as she crossed her legs. Looking around the art gallery, she could only admire from afar but not touch, her eyes rested on Christian who was now focused on his drawing.

"Did you come here to stare at me?" He raised his head and Mimi rolled her eyes.

The art studio fell silent for some minutes as both occupants stayed quiet, Christian being focused on his work while Mimi kept on looking around the studio, she itched to stand up and wondered if her movement could be likened to a distraction. Glancing at Christian whose eyes were glued on his canvas, she decided to stand up.

"I said no movement," Mimi heard him say and she scrunched her brows while wondering how he got to know without sparing her a glance.

She stood rooted for some seconds while debating on whether to move or not, just as she took a step, she heard his voice again.

"Don't you dare!"

She rolled her eyes yet again. Who was he trying to order her around? Just because she decided to obey him doesn't mean he could command her, she was only trying to be considerate because she was a lover of arts, though she loved paintings and drawings because they kept her sane when everything started but she couldn't draw anything except cloth designs.

She decided to go against him hoping to see what he would do to her, just then, the door creaked open and a brown-skinned girl strolled into the room; one Mimi quickly recognized as Inaya.

"Hi," Inaya waved at her with a wide smile and that made Mimi blink twice before waving in return. Inaya had never talked to her, she was actually invisible to every other person except her friends, so, Inaya smiling at her just looked weird.

"I knew you'll be here," Inaya started as she joined Christian on his seat.

"And I left the class so you won't know my whereabouts."

"And here I am," she replied with a grin before her eyes went over to his almost complete drawing, it was a drawing of a girl looking at a bird perched on a tree.

"And who is this girl?" She tapped her index finger on the drawing while Christian shrugged.

"Her face isn't showing, so, I don't know, just from my imagination."

Inaya pursed her lips before resting her head on her palm, "Hmmm, when will you draw me?"

Christian smiled, she never disappointed him, that was like her mantra whenever she sees him drawing.

"One day, as the spirit leads," he assured and she bobbed her head before they heard the bang of the door, apparently, Mimi just walked out.

Mimi checked up on Tife again and she was still in the same position, as she got to the entrance of her class, she saw the police officers walk out and her heart skipped a beat while different questions rushed into her.

Dera who was able to read Mimi's inquisitive look filled her in.

"Apparently, they are investigating Benita's death, they'll be interviewing her acquaintances and probably some of us tomorrow."

Hearing this, blood rushed into Mimi's brain as her mind drifted back to the incident not like it left her head as the image kept on replaying in her mind which in turn made her lose sleep but she was somehow getting over it but now that it seemed it would be reopened, she…

"Mimi, are you okay?" The tap from Dera brought her out of her trance. She stared at Dera for some seconds before nodding.

"You don't seem okay, you just zoned off after I mentioned the investigation, is there something going on? Do you know anything?"

Mimi could sense the curiosity in Dera's voice, she noticed the anxious look on her face, then she sighed. There was no way she was telling her or even anyone, she glanced the other way and her eyes met with the perpetrator, the look on his face made her stomach churn, did he perhaps know she saw him?

"Mimi!"

She snapped her head back and Dera pouted, "It's certain there's something bothering you, if you don't want to talk about it now, I can listen anytime, just know we are here for you."

A thin smile appeared on her face before nodding. Then she found herself glancing at him again and their eyes met, considering the dangerous look he gave her, it was apparent he knew. But how come? Different thoughts plagued her mind until the jingling of the bells interrupted her thoughts.

"It's time to go home, let's go and wake Tife," Dera said as she rose to her feet.

Mimi packed both her and Tife's bags before following Dera as they headed to the clinic, halfway, they met Tife.

"You're up? How are you feeling now?" Dera queried.

"Better," Tife replied succinctly before collecting her bag from Mimi, then they strolled to the car park, Tife's driver had already arrived, so, she just got in the car, bade her friends bye and then left the school compound.

Immediately her car was out of sight, Dera's car arrived leaving only Mimi under the tree.

"Hey," a voice whispered into her ears, turning askance, her heart almost jumped out of her as her eyes came in contact with the perpetrator.

He smiled devishly at her and she decided to shrug off her fear, raising her chin to look up at him, he talked.

"I know there's no way you'll say anything, after all you're mute, so, you're muting it, I just had to be sure," he walked away without waiting for any expression, staring at his retreating figure, Lara's voice made her look away.

"Who was that? A classmate?"

She nodded in response before Fara and Lola walked up to them, even though they weren't in the same class, they always walked to the car park together or rather with The Angels- Christy, Rissa and Mirabel- as they were popularly called by the whole school. 

With Lola trying to get closer to The Angels, she always trailed behind them like a puppy. Mimi's eyes made four with Christy who walked pass her with an indifferent look.

"Did Rissa leave early?" Fara turned to Lola.

"No, she didn't actually come to school today, she had a shoot," Lola explained and Fara nodded in accordance.

"Anyway, guys, Mirabel's birthday party is next weekend," Lola announced and that made Lara look up from the novel she was reading.

Fara's eyes glistened as a smile wore its way to her face, "Really? We are going right?" She grabbed Lola's shoulder.

"You and I will surely go but I think they're talking about making it a strictly by invitation party, anyway, that would be decided this weekend, we are going to Mirabel's place," Lola explained and Fara's smile decreased a bit.

"I'll go with you right?"

Lola turned to her, "I'm not sure, if Christy agrees then why not," then she turned back to Mimi and Lara, "You guys must attend this party ooo, I mean it's going to be top notch and would surely be the best party we've attended so far."

"You know Mimi and I aren't into stuffs like that, so, count us out," Lara concluded before turning back to the novel, Fara wanted to talk but the appearance of their ride stopped her.

While they all settled into the car, Mimi sat by the window side and then her mind kept on remembering what the perpetrator had said. She had no intention of spilling it, it wasn't her business in any way, she was able to mute her personal life for years why won't she be able to mute this?

Hmm
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