I parked bou hurriedly because of Lewis. I was praying he did not notice my absence. Alvin sped into the parking lot and parked opposite bou. When I got down, Lewis was already waiting for us or me.
           
"I'm sorry, Lewis. I had issues with police officers on my way. That was what caused the delay." I explained without letting him speak.
         
"Miss Erica, why did you bother to come? The time is 9:10AM, you ought to have reported at school more than an hour ago and here you are claiming you had some issues with the police officers!"
          
"I truly had issues with some police officers, Alvin can testify to it." I said pointing to Alvin who was by my side. My purpose for doing this is not to really ask him to be my witness but to draw Lewis' attention to Alvin. I wanted Lewis to realise that I'm not the only one who came late because it seems like he did not notice that. Lewis looked at Alvin. Alvin looked at me and shrugged.
       
"What?! Tell him Alvin!" I replied furiously.
       
"I know nothing about what you are saying Miss." He replied with a smirk.
        
"We both know that is not true!" I said more furious and he shrugged again.
        
"Well I don't know!" Lewis said angrily. "Just go and don't repeat this act of nonchalance again." I nodded. I was almost going when I remembered something.
    
"Wait! You did not scold him!" We arrived the same time!" I said to Lewis angrily while pointing a finger at Alvin who was still smirking.
      
"That is not your business! To your office, Miss Erica!" He commanded but I am hesitant. "Now!!" He added loudly.
        
"It's my business of course! I and my colleague arrived at school the same time and only I get scolded! What exactly is going on here, Principal Lewis?!!"
          
"He is also going to get scolded! To your office now!"
      
"Ooh, so he is going to get scolded? Fine, I want to watch it!" I replied stubbornly.
        
"Is that the right way to speak to your superior?" He asked with a disappointed look.
         
"I'm really sorry, Lewis but look at him! Does his expression look like someone to be scolded?" I asked gently while glaring at Alvin. He is standing with arms akimbo and a infuriating smirk on his handsome face.
         
"Does my posture and facial expression disturb you?" He said with a very low voice. How I wish his voice is not so enchanting then maybe I would be able to refute it.
       
"Alvin, correct your posture!" Lewis said making a poor attempt at scolding. Alvin stopped folding his hands, this time he placed them in his suit's pocket which is a more annoying posture. The smirk still remained. I keep on glaring at him while he keeps on smirking. The school bell is heard from the bell tower.
          
"You have a class to teach now." Lewis said. I checked the time and realised he is correct. I wonder how he memorises the schedule of every teacher. Some teachers even don't know their schedule.
      
"I'm sorry Lewis." I said sincerely and left. Before I turned, I gave Alvin a last hard glare while he waved annoyingly with his right hand. I turned away, both angry and frustrated.
                 
                               ¶¶¶¶¶
     
I am at the cafeteria on the same table with Adrian. May went home because she got a call from the nursery her daughter attends that she is running temperature and she refuses to eat her cereal.
      
I sights those ladies entering the cafeteria and I wave my hand at them signaling them to join I and Adrian on our table. They accept the invite joyfully and come to join I and Adrian.
      
"Hey there!" They said at once.
      
"Hi!" I and Adrian said almost the same time.
        
"What's up with you inviting us to join you?" The lady from the Literary and Arts staffroom whom I guess her name is Yvonne asked giving me a suspicious stare.
      
"With her looking at me suspiciously, it's gonna be difficult to ask my questions!" I said to myself in my mind.
          
"Nothing much, the table was too silent for my liking so I wanted to liven it up a bit." I said with an extremely fake enthusiasm and the other ladies smiled except for that same lady. I wonder what subject she is teaching. She is just too grumpy!
       
"Do you mean to say that your table was too silent so you needed nonstop radio a.k.a talkative people like us to clear the atmosphere for you?" Yvonne asked with an irritated look on her face. Gosh, why is she misunderstanding every word I say.
        
"That is not what I mean..." I was saying but was cut short by one of the ladies.
         
"Chill Yvonne. She means good." One of them said and the lady relaxed then she started to eat.
           
I don't think I would be able to ask the questions I want to ask right now so I just kept quiet and ate my food in silence thinking of when would be a better time. The ladies kept on talking about the gala that the school plans to hold which I had almost forgotten about.
                 
                                ¶¶¶¶
      
It's been days now since the occurrence with the police officers and I have been doing a great work at avoiding Alvin. We( all the teachers at American International School of Kingston) are having a meeting at the big hall located at the Northern Wing of the school. It was rare to have meetings like this because most times we have our meeting based on our grouping of staffroom.
        
"Great teachers of AISK!!"Lewis who was standing at the podium screamed and I covered my ears with my palms but I still heard it. I wonder why people do it, it does not work as I can still hear him. I sighed and removed my palms from my ears.
          
"Yeeees!!" We all replied apart from few who just watched including me.
          
"Thanks for all attending this meeting. I called you all because of the Gala party that we would be hosting in a month time for our students. This is the first Gala we are hosting in about 4 years now. Most people have even forgotten that we used to hold a Gala party every year. Since it's been a long time we have hosted a Gala party last, I want this year own to be unique. Even if we don't hold for the next 10 years, I want this Gala party to never be forgotten. So we you all join hands with me and let us make the upcoming Gala party a memorable one."
          
"Yeeeess!!!!!!" echoed throughout the hall and I sighed again.
          
"That's commendable!" Lewis said after the shouts of 'yes' has died down leaving behind a silent hall.
        
"I, the Principal, the Vice Principal of Academics, the Vice Principal of Administration, my officers from the board and a few selected teachers joined our heads together and we arrived at a way to make the Gala party bright and memorable. After a lot of deliberations, we have made a very long list. We have given tasks to all teachers to help the students make the Gala party a memorable one. So some teachers would be in charge of singing, orchestra and so one. You can check what tasks you have been assigned to coordinate at the information room. Rehearsals are starting next week so I hope before then you have looked for volunteers who are willing to join the group and I also hope you have a plan on what to do. Please remember that you may not be skilled in whatever you are assigned to do but please give it your best!" Lewis concluded his speech and everyone clapped except a few which includes me again.
      
I don't know why I do not feel so enthusiastic about the party. Almost all the teachers marched towards the information room except a few who went to their various staffroom including me again. I decided to check it later.
                   
                          ¶¶¶¶¶
              °°CLARISSA'S POV°°
      

It's lunch break and I take my lunch box to the dining. I sit at I and Kelvin's regular table. He is not there yet so I wait for me before I start eating. Some minutes after, I can see him heading over here with his lunch box.
        
"Hey!" I said happily and he laughs then frowns.
      
"Why did you not start eating?" He asks with a frown.
       
"I was waiting for you." I said as I bring out my lunch packs.
        
"Don't wait for me. What if I don't show up?"
         
This time it was my turn to frown"Is there a reason why you would not show up?"I ask.
      
"I could be busy submitting notes. Like today, I delayed because the Phonics teacher asked me to bring the notes to her at break and some of my classmates were on the field while others scattered so I had to look for them around the school so as to get their note." He said as he brings out his flasks.
        
"You are just too nice! Were they not in class when the teacher said you should bring the class notes during lunch break? So they ought to have dropped it before leaving the class. They are just stressing you. Next time, you only submit the notes of those who drop their notes before leaving the classroom. You don't have to run after them when the submission of note is for their own good. You are their captain not their dog!" I said and he laughed.
         
"You are more cute when you are nagging." He said and I suddenly felt so happy, I don't know why maybe because he called me cute. I never knew he viewed me like that.
          
Some minutes later, Lily works up to our table along with her pathetic bootlickers and I sigh. I could also hear Kelvin's sigh. In case you all don't know Lily, I would introduce her to you. Lily is in Grade 5 as me. She is 11 therefore making her 3 years older than us. She has a crush too on Kelvin which never cease to surprise me and I dislike her for that. She is older than him.
         
"What is this swot doing with you,Kelvin?! You need to chill with girls like me!! Right girls?" She asks her underdogs and they nod rhythmically making me wonder what hold Lily has on them because I don't believe  humans would enjoy the company of Lily. She is a pain in the ass. Okay, that is an exaggeration but I just don't like her disturbing Kelvin. I clench my palms into a tight ball.
          
"What do you want, Lily?" I ask trying my best to be calm. Nothing good will come out of arguing with her. We would only be given detention and maybe mum would be invited to school which I don't want.
     
"Are you referring to me or these people?!" She asks arrogantly referring to her pathetic followers. I wonder how they put up with her ordering them around.
        
I bang my spoon on the table and stand up staring into her eyes fiercely. That was when I realised she is taller than me with approximately four inches. Don't ask me how I know that.(😶)
         
"Who else is Lily if not you? Or your underdogs bear your name too?!" I mocked. She makes an attempts to slap me but I successfully grab her hand.
        
"Don't make a scene,Lily!" I whispered with gritted teeth.
        
"Leave her alone, Lily" Kelvin said.
         
She flashes an extremely fake smile at him."What if I don't? "
         
Kelvin sighs heavily" I would report you to the Principal! " He said trying his best to put up a courageous front. I wondered why he is always a bit frightened by Lily. Perhaps because she is his senior but I am also his senior but that is because of my smart genes. Perhaps because she is older and huger.
           
"Girls!" She screamed and her underdogs ran to her side while I kept on gripping her hand.
         
"Get this swot away from my arm!" She barked at them. I know that is not a nice word to use to qualify a human but that is how she behaves and I know I and Kelvin could not overpower them. I turn to Kelvin who was already packing his and my lunch box. He sends me a look which I understand. I count up to three in my mind and Kelvin immediately grabs my hand and we both run. I could hear Lily screaming behind us and barking instructions at her pathetic followers but we kept on running. Kelvin is carrying the lunch boxes with his left hand and he is holding me with his right. I don't know where he is heading to but moments like this is what I love. I love it when Kelvin tries to protect me. He suddenly stopped and that is when I realise I had been staring at him throughout. I quickly divert my eyes and looked around us. We are at the school's garden. It's one of me and Kelvin's favorite spot in the school. It was actually where I and Kelvin met each other and became friends. Well, that is another story for another day. He removes his waist coast and puts it on the moist grass
     
"Why did you take off your waist coat?" I asked.
          
"The grass is moist, I don't want your skirt to be wet. Sit." He said and I would be lying if I say I did not feel special then. But I thought about him.
      
"What about you, your shorts would be wet." I said but he shrugs it off.
       
"I don't care." He said.
        
"But I do care." I said and I start unbuttoning my waistcoat and he suddenly grabs my hand.
      
"What are you doing?"
        
"Obviously, I am removing my waistcoat." I said.
        
"Why?" He asks
          
"I don't want your trousers to get wet."
      
"Your waistcoat would get dirty." He said and he wears it back for me though he left it unbuttoned. I can not explain what I am feeling right now but I am feeling so suffocated from these feelings. There is this unexplainable way he makes me feel that I usually don't get myself. In simple words, I feel so happy when I am with him and I don't like it when his attention is focused on other girls.
        
"What about your waistcoat?" I ask stubbornly and he smiles.
        
"Fine! You are so stubborn. Let's both sit on my waistcoat." He said and he sat down on a part of the waistcoat and he brings out his lunch pack from his lunch bag and begins to eat while I settle down too. It's moments like this that make me wish at times that I have the magical power to freeze the time but mum said it's not possible. If it's not possible, I wonder why she bothers to read me stories that are mostly based in a fairy land with lot of magical escapades.
                    
                              ¶¶¶¶¶
                      °°ERICA'S POV°°

       
It's been an hectic day. I just completed my last class for the day so I'm heading towards the staffroom when my leg lost footing and I slipped. I am expecting my dear friend to hug me. It must have missed me. Who did you think I was talking about? I was actually talking about the cold lifeless floor. On a normal day, I slip not less than 6 times but that has not been happening for a week now so I guess I am just going back to my usual routine. I finally felt the floor, I closed my eyes biting my inner cheeks because of the expectant pain but it never came. The floor was not cold but warm. That is unusual! I open my eyes to behold what I called the floor, it was his two hands strapped to my back. Geez! Why do I always have to show my clumsy side to Alvin.
         
"I'm saving you again! This would be the third time, right? You owe me" He said with a smirk as he raises me up.
        
"Well, I did not ask you to save me those three times so I owe you nothing."
            
"You could have dislocated a part of your body." He said. He is probably shocked by my words.
          
"Exaggeration! Actually, the floor is my friend so it won't let me get dislocated. It's just gonna be a little bump." I replied awkwardly.
       
Oh Good! Now he thinks I am a creep! Why do I even care?! I hear a chuckle and I look up. Did he just chuckle or I'm hallucinating?
         
"What is funny?" I ask him.
        
"You" He replied with amusement.
        
"Wait, why do I feel like you are stalking me?" I asked as I fold my hands over my chest.
         
"What?!" He exclaimed.  "Someone saves you three times coincidentally and the person becomes a stalker! That is so nice of you!" He said sarcastically.
        
"Anyway, I was heading to your staffroom. I wanted to meet you." Did I just hear that or my ear is bleeding. I nod my head meaning he should speak on.

"We ought to start signing up interested students."
       
"I'm lost."
         
"Wait, you didn't know?" He asked.
           
"Know what?"
        
"We are co-ordinators of the same group for the gala party!" He said. That is true, I've not checked it. I quickly rush over to the information room with him tagging along. He is not joking! I, him, George and Yvonne is assigned to perform choreography.

Phew! That is a really bad combination. Yvonne dislike me and I dislike her too. And just when I thought I'm going to start avoiding Alvin to stop this growing feeling in me.
      
"So when are we going to start signing up students?" I asked.
       
"Right now, if you're not busy."
      
"What about the rest?" I ask him.
      
"They are in class." He said.
    
Fine, I'm going to do this for now but later I'm meeting Lewis to request that he change the group I'm co-ordinating.
          
After signing up some students, I lean against the corridor wall."I'm tired already." I complained. We have been moving around since and because of my heels, my leg is aching. I sit on the chair in the school corridor while Alvin hover round me.
        
I pull out my heels and realise the back of my heel is bruised.
        
"Ouch! That is why it is painful.". I said as I examine it.
       
"Do you wear heels a lot?" Alvin asks and I nod.
       
"Wait right here." He said. He removes his phone from his pocket and shifts a bit from where I am sitting. It looks like he is making a call. He returns and sits beside me. He touches my leg and I slap his hand off subconsciously.
        
"A fierce one, you are hun?" He asked with a smirk.
       
Gosh! Is he always this arrogant?

"I'm just trying to treat your leg, Miss Fierce!" He said as he raises my two legs to his lap. Thank God, I'm wearing trousers. I knew my cheeks would be glowing red by now so I face the other side so that he will not see my face.
       
"What if the students see us?"
        
"They would not be leaving their class for the next 40 minutes and by then I would be done."
         
"What if a student want to use the restroom?" I ask again.
         
"This route is not linking to all the restrooms in this school." He replied.
          
"What if it's a truant student who is avoiding class?" I ask.
         
"Then we will punish him or her for roaming about instead of been in class."     

Does he always have an answer to everything? I ask myself.
       
“What if...” I began.
       
“Enough of the what if!”He exclaimed
    
" Now I regret offering to help." He muttered to himself but I heard it.
     
"Well, I didn't ask for your help. And it is not too late to walk away." I replied fiercely.
       
He looked at me with total shock imprinted on his face. He started blowing air on my bruised heel.
       
“How is this treating it?” I ask while rolling my eyes but he does not respond. Soon a man in overall black suit brings a first aid kit and a bag.
       
“Here are what you asked me to bring,Boss. ” The man said and Alvin signalled for him to drop it and leave. All this made me more curious as to who he is. A Mafia boss, a gang leader, an hardened criminal, and that sent chills down my spine.
       
Curiosity kills the cat, that word kept playing in my mind. 
         
“This is gonna hurt a little.”He said as he poured mythlated spirit on the bruise.
         
“Ouch!”I half screamed and he laughed.
          
“What a baby!” He said while rolling his eyes. Now I am going to be angry.
         
“What did you just say?” I said with fuming eyes.
     
“Nothing” He replied. After treating the bruises he brings out a sneakers from the bag and places it in my front. I noticed it's a cream nude Adidas sneakers.
         
“Wear it!”He said or more like commanded and I frowned. I shook my head and crossed my arms over my chest and he laughed.
        
“What is funny?”
        
“Nothing, just wear this except if you want the plaster at the back of your heel to open.” He said but I refuse to bulge so he bends and attempt to wear it for me.
        
“Don't worry, I can do it.” I say and he removes his hand. I could feel him staring at me so I don't look up.
       
A female student comes to call him. “Sir, we have Literature-In-English now.”
      
“That should be Grade 10 right?” The student nods and she leaves.
        
“You owe me another one, Clumsy. See you tomorrow.”He said with a wink. My heart beats faster as I watched him till he was out of sight.  I'm in a relationship so I don't know why I still feel attracted to someone else. I need to see Lewis as quick  as possible. I and Alvin should not be in the same group.

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