Roxy and Bella combed the entire school premises, searching through every corner and secret hiding place they knew Tina would go whenever she felt down spirited or had issues at home especially with her Dad but she was nowhere to be seen. Though they followed swiftly after her, it seemed their paces and timing weren't fast enough.
“Where could she be?” Roxy inquired as they came to a halt in front of the school’s library–a sigh of exhaustion escaping her lips in the process whiles her eyes lurked desperately around their near environment.
“I think we better go back to class.” Bella informed, “Mrs. Chio won't take it lightly with us if we’re anymore late than this.” She hinted. “You know how she does her things.”
Roxy instinctively clicked her tongue with her eyes still searching around as she ran her fingers through her hair. “Okay,” She sighed, allowing her gaze to travel back to Bella. Without another word, they scampered off.
“Or..do you think she went home?” Bella highlighted, sounding a bit skeptical as they rounded the corner of the corridor which links to the hallway that leads to their classroom.
“Oh?” Roxy gasped, suddenly feeling dumb. “Why did I not think about that?” She muttered rhetorically; their voices fading into the distance.
After a few minutes of hurrying through the hallways, they finally pushed their classroom door open, sauntering in as all eyes shot at them including their teacher’s. Rowan who hardly sees the two without Tina almost every day– brows spontaneously furrowed as his forehead creased with foreboding.
He knew Tina so well than anyone else~ he knew her like the back of his hand. They used to be very close friends during their childhood due to the friendship between their parents. He knew the bad relationship between Tina and her parents especially her Dad. He used to be the pillow of comfort, advisor, and a barrel Tina could pour all her emotions in whenever she had an emotional breakdown or a misunderstanding with her parents but that changed when she started acting absurdly just to get their attention; forgetting the feelings of those who cared about her. He knew there was a warm and kind soul behind that rude demeanor. So, yes- he cares about her. If not for anything, as a childhood friend.
Mrs. Chio who seemed not interested in the reasons behind the lateness of the two– just gestured them to their seat which was kind of new of her. Rowan on the other hand couldn't help watching them while they settled in their desks as his sense of foreboding intensified.
Phidel was the entire opposite of Rowan– her lips instinctively curved into a lopsided smile as satisfaction swept across her face; staring intensely at their backs.
“Do you think they will come out anytime soon?” Phidelia questioned, intruding on her sister's concentration.
Phidel deftly glanced at her. “I don't think so.” She smiled, “ But at least they now know how it feels.” She added, giving Phidelia the knowing look as she diverted her gaze back to the board.
The corners of her eyes spontaneously caught the glance of Rowan staring at her with a puzzled look. She swiftly turned to him as she tilted her head quizzically towards him.
“Are you alright?” Rowan uttered on the impulse; not sure what was with the girl in front of him. “You seemed to be talking to yourself. Are you...” He affirmed as he paused between his words–hunching towards Phidel while he took his hand to her forehead to check her temperature; taking her by surprise. “having a fever?” He asked.
Phidel felt her face turn red at that moment as she froze in her steed. Phidelia couldn't help but snort– covering her mouth in the process; which brought Phidel back to reality. She involuntarily jerked Rowan’s hand away in an instant~ swiftly turning her gaze back to the board.
“I’m fine.” She answered without looking at him– her face burning with embarrassment.
“Woow..” Phidelia exuded, leaning towards her sister. “I can see someone's face burning. Did you like it?” She inquired and received a glare for it. “Ah,” She smiled, returning to her original position. “That could kill a cat.” She grumbled with a grin.
******
Lucas had a haptic day in school due to all those project works and school activities– so came home early as usual; wanting some rest as a booster. Stepping out of the car as his driver pulled up, his brows furrowed– displaying a quizzical look ~on seeing Tina’s car already parked in front of the house.
He was stranded in short paces towards the entrance; staring skeptically at the car in the process. “This is so unlike her.” He commented, sauntering into the house. As usual, their parents were not in. The clustering sound of utensils from the kitchen; on getting to the hall made him scamper towards it– knowing exactly who it was.
“Welcome, Lucas.” Nanny Courtney affirmed on seeing the latter shuffled into the kitchen while she went about her duties.
“Thanks, Nanny.” He answered, still wearing that skeptical look. “Did you by chance see when Tina returned from school?” He asked.
“Well, yeah.” Nanny Courtney hastily muttered with her gaze buried in what she was doing. “She came in about an hour and a half ago.” She informed. “I bet something happened in school. She wasn't in her best of moods.” She highlighted.
Lucas bobbed his head skeptically, “Okay.” He said, turning on his feet. “I’ll check up on her when heading to my room.” He announced over his shoulders and trod off.
Lazily gliding the stairs, he stuttered into the corridor linked to all the rooms upstairs. With the way their rooms were structured, he comes before Tina’s. He headed straight to his door, thinking of dropping his bag before going to see his sister but then changed his mind.
*****
Tina was laying on the bed still in her uniform – staring at the ceiling with her arm on her forehead when she heard a familiar knock on the door.
“Go away, Lucas.” She shouted, turning on her side as she pulled the blanket over her head.
Lucas who was standing at the other side of the door paused with a sigh escaping his lips. Tina at that instant thought he had left but then it started again. This time, more persistent than before.
“Okay, okay,” Tina said, jerking the blanket off herself as she jolted from bed– sitting upright while she shot a glare at the door; a scoff escaping her lips.
After a few minutes of waiting behind the closed door, it finally creaked open ~ revealing Tina’s pale face and bugged eyes.
“Hey..” Lucas mumbled, sounding quite worried. “Have you been crying? ” He asked with a concerned gaze as he scanned his sister all over. “You’ve not even changed. Did something happen in school?” He continued to ask. “Or this is about what you did? Nanny Courtney told me you came home earlier than usual.” He went on but was not getting anything from his sister.
Tina who was beginning to get fed up with his brother's never-ending questions sighed. “Just go away, Lucas.” She answered and without waiting for her brother's reaction – slammed the door in his face; leaving him behind. “I want to be alone.” She shouted, heading to the bed as she tossed herself into it once again.