Sarah

I've been waiting for Chloe for so long and she's not here. She usually doesn't skip the lunch break. However, today's french class was the worst one. I don't know who took away my copy. I clearly remember doing the homework and placing it inside my bag. Miss Baron asked me to go out of the classroom for not obeying her and the most embarrassing part was that the whole class submitted their assignments. I tried to explain it to Miss Baron but it was of no use. 

'Oh Sarah, I feel sorry for you!' Clara was sitting next to me. I had no clue of when she came. 

'Sorry?' I asked, a bit taken aback now.

'Weren't you asked to go out of the class for not submitting your assignment?' She asked me quite seriously. To that, I had no answer. I was confused. Clara's not from our class and I hardly talk to her, partly because of Chloe who says that she's her worst enemy and partly because I don't know her. 

'How did you come to know about it?' 

'Ah honey, everybody is gossiping about you. And I think you're not at fault. I know, you're not like that!' 

That sounded weird because Clara kind of said everything quite dramatically. And I don't think the incident was big enough that she had to come and comfort me. I was feeling uncomfortable but at the same time I wanted to know who took away my copy. I didn't like to weaken my impression on the teachers. 

'And yes, I'm not at fault because somebody took away my copy' I sipped my cappuccino and fixed my eyes on the empty seat, I wished Chloe was here. 

We had a free period so I went to the locker to keep my books. To my utmost disappointment my french copy was there. But how? The last time I checked it wasn't there, I swear! I flipped the pages one after another and everything was fine. 

I walked down the hallway in an attempt to find Chloe but she was nowhere to be seen. I saw Jason with Leah. He changed his girlfriend again. God, Chloe should've been here. Well, Jason has over thousands of exes and its no big deal for him. I don't know why Chloe's obsessed with him.

Without my knowledge I bumped into Nico, unexpectedly. Blame my carelessness. I'm afraid, I spilled the coffee on his shirt. My stomach did a somersault. I tried to remain calm but I couldn't. I started cleaning up the mess on his shirt with my handkerchief. My hands were literally shaking. I think I said sorry to him because at that time I got a nervous breakdown. I remember how he held my hands and asked me to stop. Now that was embarrassing. 

 'Sorry. I'm really very sorry. I didn't mean to..' I hope it was loud enough for him to hear.

'Its okay. And that's fine, just a small stain. It'll go' He laughed. And wait, did I laugh too? Ugh, yes. Because I was relieved for he wasn't angry.

 'In a hurry?' 

'Looking for Chloe, haven't seen her the whole day!'

He raised a eyebrow, 'I saw her in Mr Harold's cabin. There was another girl with her and she was crying. That's all I saw!' 

My heart missed a beat. Chloe in Mr Harold's cabin! He's  our discipline instructor and is very strict. 

'Are you sure it was her?' 

'Ah, pretty sure.'

'What about your class?' he asked.

'Free period!' 

'That's great. You can help me in arranging the names for the annual sports competition. Its really difficult to handle everything alone!' 

'Wait, what competition?' I was taken aback. I had no clue about this annual day thing. 

'Don't you know about it? Chloe's name is there for badminton and I was shocked because you didn't apply. I heard that you're really good at sports, especially swimming!' 

I kind of blushed because Nico knew that I was good at swimming but I never thought that Chloe would keep this from me when she knew about my passion. That was way too weird!

'Uh, can I enter my name now?' I wanted him to answer in a yes but..

'I'm really sorry it's not my department. You'll have to ask Mr Fisher and don't you worry I'll manage something!' 

'Thanks and I'll ask him!'

'So?' he forwarded a file towards me.

'Oh yes but I'm sorry, I can't help you. I need to hand over my locker key!'  

'Ah, that fine. Get going!'

I went up to the counter and Mrs Edward was sleeping. Its too easy to take anything from her table without her knowledge. Wait, did I just say "to take anything"? Great, maybe if I check the file then I might find the name of the person who took my keys. Mrs Edward is way good at keeping the records. But if he/she took the keys without her notice. Uh, cross fingers! 

'Mrs Edward!' 

no answer

'Hello!'

still no answer

'EXCUSE ME' this time louder..

'Yes, yes..Jesus! Don't you dare scream like that again!' Mrs Edward woke up with a start. Her hair was messy and she had sleep lines on her right cheek. 

'I'm sorry'

'What now?' 

'The keys..'

'Oh yes!' She took it from me and handed me the file to sign.

'Um, Mrs Edward sorry for waking you up. How about taking a nap again?!' 

'Now that's a good girl! Don't forget to keep the file properly under the desk!' Saying that, she went back to sleep. Funny, right?

I flipped through the pages. And wait, maybe there's a name out there. Yes there is. 

Hey, it can't be her! It can't be Chloe.