Prep overs were usually the time most of the students move to their lockers to pick whatever book they might need for the morning lessons before class actually starts– so finding the hallways busy once again wasn't something new.
Tina and her friends huddled into the crowded hallway, her foreboding evident on her face as they sauntered through the crowd to their lockers.
“This is getting weirder Tina,” Bella muttered while she turned the keys to her locker. “Do you think we should just go and confess?” She inquired.
With these words, Tina slammed her locker shut– throwing Bella the deadly glare as she took a step closer to her.
“We. do.no. such. thing.” She sneered, poking a finger into her chest. Without another word, Tina instinctively sized Bella up– strolling past her as she shoved her shoulders into hers; making the latter stagger a bit to the side.
Roxy who was all along just watching; clicked her tongue– slightly shaking her head as she edged towards Bella. She gave the latter a steady gaze and sighed.
“It’s like you don't know what you're talking about,” Roxy commented–giving Bella the cold shoulders before walking away.
Back in the class, Phidel had earlier on noticed Phidelia’s stern look which followed Tina and her gang as they scampered out of the class. Reading through the lines, she concluded.
“They’re the ones right?” She uttered, staring expectantly at her sister. As if on an impulse, she scoffed. “No wonder they were acting weird when they saw me in the stationary at the mall and in the washroom. That paints a clear picture.”
“What have you plan on doing?” Phidelia questioned, curious to know what was on her sister's mind as she could barely do anything on her own except scary them– being a new leaf in the state she found herself.
“How about we play their game with them?” Phidel muttered on an impulse with a half-smile, staring into her sister's eyes. All the students present at that time we're too busy to pay attention to what was happening–taking in the state of ruckus the class was in.
At that moment, the irritating chiming sound of the bell swept across the entire school once again– sending everyone to their seats. Phidel and Phidelia couldn't help staring at the backs of Tina and her friends as they trod to their seats with a displeased look written on their faces.
Just then, their Language teacher stepped in; announcing his presence as the morning lesson began.
The minutes rolled by into an hour, finding Phidel intermittently traveling her gaze between the lessons and Tina. Reading through her every action or expression she made. Funny enough, she was beginning to find the latter an unruly interesting character –not to even talk of her sidekicks.
“So we end the lessons here.” The teacher’s voice echoed, bringing her attention back to the board. “Assignments are to be submitted as early as 7 am tomorrow.” He announced and shuffled off.
Phidelia had earlier on, not noticed Rowan’s absence until one of their mates hinted at it. Before she could talk about him to her sister, Phidel jolted upon an impulse – hastily grabbing her bag from the arm of her desk as she scampered off.
“Hey, where are you going?” She muttered in one breath, rushing after her sister as she caught up with her in the hallway which was starting to get busy once again.
“Following them,” Phidel answered, tilting her head towards the three familiar figures who were about a distance ahead of them. “I need to find evidence to pin them down or better still play this game with them.” She replied.
******
Rowan had not been in class; stating the help he was offering to Mr. Karan their homeroom – despite that, he had long heard about Phidelia’s supposed return which had shaken the cores of the school, and he was dying within to go and meet her. To find out what happened to her and where she went. To tell her how worried he had been and how scared he was.
After those anxious minutes of waiting, he finally scampered out of the teacher's office into the hallway; which was by now beginning to fill up with students. The light paces he took just to mark his anxiety weren't helping so he sped off– given the state of mind he was in.
Phidel on the other hand, went on– jesting her sister about her intentions of following Tina and her gang when sudden hands swept her into a hug– taking of her, a great surprise.
Phidelia was no different from her sister, following how quick the action was. “Rowan..” She grumbled on seeing who the culprit was.
“Don't disappear on me again,” Rowan mumbled over Phidel’s shoulders. “I was so scared when I heard you had gone missen.” He grumbled to the latter who seemed to be in a frozen state.
The few students who passed by at the cozy site that met their eyes, couldn't help simpering and murmuring.
Phidelia was by herself astonished too as she had never heard him like that before. She knew he cared about her but never knew it was to this extent.
The two were yet to break from their hug when a familiar voice called Phidelia’s name from behind.
“Claire,” Phidelia uttered as a sweet smile swept her face, suddenly forgetting as they deftly turned to the direction of the call– Phidel and Rowan breaking from their hug.
The former watched with a creased brow as the triangular-shaped girl in a white and blue sport suit –hustled through the few students shuffling through the hallway to their various destinations.
“Just wait for it,” Phidelia whispered to Phidel with a teasing, giving her the knowing look.
Before Phidel could brace herself to what to expect, Claire swept into her like a breeze of air, almost knocking her off her feet. “I was so worried Delia.” She uttered, breaking from the hug. “Where did you go?” She hastily added, coiling her hand around Phidel’s arm as she lead her to the changing room to get changed for their P.E lessons.
“Hey, wait for me,” Phidelia uttered as if she could be heard and scampered off after them; leaving Rowan behind.
*******
Everyone had long gathered in the basketball court–in wait for their sports master; with some playing with the balls whilst others stood chit-chatting when Tina and her gang shuffled in; in their gracious steps.
Claire was so into her throw and catch with her friends that she mistakenly threw the ball Tina’s way–making her stop abruptly in her steps along with her friends. Claire instinctively gasped, noticing what she had done.
Though the ball whizzed past Tina, she wasn't going to let it go off that lightly.
She deftly glanced at Claire with a deadly glare and directed her steps towards her– picking the basketball. Just about nearing her, she threw the ball Claire’s way, hitting her directly on the face.
“Ah,” She groaned, covering her nose– followed by the burning sensation only to release to find it bleeding. She instinctively glanced at her blood-stained hand to Tina’s face with unshed tears shimmering in her eyes.
“You should watch where you throw your ball,” Tina commented with a sense of indifference and trod off.
Just then, Phidel walked in–followed by Phidelia. Though she was initially not there, she could tell from the onset what was going on. She hastily scampered to Claire, picking up the ball which was lying beside her.
The entire court spontaneously fell silent, staring in anticipation as they watched Phidel bounce the ball repeatedly; its sound echoing in the entire court. Before they could say jack, Phidel threw shot the ball– hitting the back of Tina’s head.