Bella and Roxy on the other hand were looking for Tina, having no idea where she had left off to as they had earlier on left to their lockers to return their already used textbooks. They walked into the classroom to meet her absence and was told by one of their colleagues that she was called to the Teacher's Staffroom by Mr. Mark so they decided to meet her up.
They sauntered through the numerous students moving to and fro the hallways to the path they knew Tina would definitely use. Just as they got there, they saw her coming. Though her steps were briskly, it never came to their minds that something may be up with her. All they could think about was paying her back for the last prank she played on them.
So they quickly hid at the corner, ready to give her the scare ; having no idea what was going on with her. They giggled while waiting patiently. After a few minutes, Tina pulled up her head.
“Boo!” They shouted, making Tina almost jump out of her skin. They instinctively snorted at her panic stricken look.
“What the hell was that?” She blunted out of fury, realizing it was just Roxy and Bella. “Do you think this is funny?” She queried while their faces slowly dropped into a confuse and skeptical gaze. “You should know when to play these games.” She gave them the deadly glare and strolled passed them.
Both Roxy and Bella were left in a state of confusion, not really knowing what was going on with her. “Come on– Tina.” Roxy shouted as they turned on their feet, travelling their gaze after her. “It’s just a game. Why taking it serious?” She nudged Bella on the arm and they hurried after her.
Rowan was in the class, seated behind his book when Tina shuffled in. The rate at which she entered made him glance up at her to see a dissatisfied expression written all over her face as she walked towards her seat.
His brows instinctively furrowed when Bella and Roxy sauntered in after her.
“It was just a joke Tina.” He heard Bella say while they neared their seats.
Judging from Tina’s stern look, he could say without being told that whatever happened between them really got to Tina. She wasn't someone who was easily intimdated by minor issues.
“What happened between these girls?” He mumbled with his gaze still fixed on them.
While analysing on the issue, the bell rang and the students soon started throbbing in in groups not less than two.
“Rowan.” Rita, one of their colleagues called as she shuffled in. “Mr. Roy wants to see you.” She said while settling in her desk.
“Okay.” He nodded.
Within the next minute, he shrugged up from his seat; putting the book he was reading under his desk and glided out.
The passing weeks without Phidelia and any good news about her disappearance hadn't been an easy one for both Rowan and Claire either but in it all, there was less they could do.
The rest of the hours passed swiftly with little or less of school activities except for extracurriculars here and there since it was a Friday. But Tina didn't enjoy it much as her mind couldn't keep calm on the earlier incident in the hallway.
For some reasons, she still felt insecure; like someone was watching her every move. This made her distracted throughout the day and even left off after school without telling her friends.
*******
It was already late when Isla and Jade got home but find it uneasily awkward with everyone literary quiet and minding their own business.
“Good evening Dad, Uncle. ” They muttered to Martin and Randy who were seated on the sofa in the living room.
“Good evening. ” They both chorused, asking them about their day in school to which Isla and Jade briefly answered and left off to the kitchen at the sound of moving dishes here and there.
“Good evening Mum, Auntie Jerome.” Isla said as they got to the kitchen door.
“Good evening. ” They both responded, still going on with their activities.
“I see you guys just got home.” Emma said as she swiftly glance at them then to what she was doing.
“Yes.” Jade answered while Isla’s eyes travelled sceptically across the room.
“Where’s Phidel?” She queried, quiet surprised not seeing her anywhere around.
“She’s in her room.” Emma hastily answered over her shoulders, followed by an unusual silence.
Both Isla and Jade instinctively exchanged sceptical looks, knowing well Phidel wasn't an indoor type of person unlike Phidelia.
“Did something happened?” Jade muttered quizzically.
Emma sighed at the question as she paused on what she was doing and glanced over at them.
“Well, your cousin and Auntie had a misunderstanding. Can you stop asking questions now?” She replied and went back to what she was doing.
Without another word, Isla and Jade sauntered off to their room. When they go to their door, they both paused and glanced at Phidelia’s door which is now Phidel’s.
“I will take to her.” Isla said as they glanced at each other.
“Alright.” Jade answered with a nod. “I will be in my room then.”
Isla’s mouth instinctively quivered into a half smile as she nodded to her brother's reply and left off to Phidel's door whiles Jade glided into his room.
The first knock on the door had no reply but the second one came with a soft answer from inside.
“Come in, it's not locked.” Phidel answered.
Without waiting for another second, Isla glided in; slowly closing the door behind her with a soft smile plastered on her lips. Phidel returned her smile, watching from her bed as Isla sauntered over to her and sat on the bed.
“Just got home? ” Phidel queried.
“Yeah.” Isla nodded. “I heard about you and Auntie Jerome. Guess it's still about Phidelia.” She remarked.
“I hope mum will understand me Isla.” Phidel commented. “Me getting to Wesley High in the name of Phidelia is the only option we have if we're to find her.” She continued.
Isla understood how devasted Phidel was to find her sister but then, she thought she should take her time and not rush in making decisions.
“You should understand Auntie Jerome too Phidel.” She addressed. “I believe she also have her fears. Just give her some time.” Isla encouraged and Phidel nodded.
It was by then almost nearing dinner so Isla excused herself to her room to change her uniform and refresh up.
Within the next 30mins, everybody gather around the dinner table and had their meals with less awkwardness.
******
The evening was by now getting cozy with almost everyone retiring to their beds but Tina was still wide awake. She was behind her study table staring on the screen of her laptop when Lucas slowly pushed the door opened, gliding in. She hastily snapped the screen shut on seeing him.
“What’s that?” Lucas queried with a furrowed brow.
“Well nothing. ” She quickly answered but Lucas wasn't convinced. He knew his sister like the back of his hand; she only act weirdly when she got something to hide so he decided to take a guess.
“Are you watching porn?” He muttered quizzically which made Tina scoffed.
“Crazy, who do you think I am?” She blunted. “Where did you even get that idea from?” She added and Lucas snorted.
“Okay, okay, I'm leaving now.” He shoved his bag well over his shoulders and glided out, leaving Tina to herself once again. By now, she had brushed off whatever happened in the school off her head.
Seconds turned to minutes and minutes to hours. Soon it was already nearing midnight. Tina was still up behind her laptop with whatever she was doing when she heard what sounded like footsteps in the corridors linking to her the rooms. Her pulse ramped up.
“It's nothing,” She told herself, “I'm imagining things.”
But then, the knob on her door clicked once. She froze– all her breath trapped. She was most definitely not alone. Someone was in the house. Except... Lucas was staying over at a friend's house tonight, Mom was at a friend's bachelorett party, Dad had a business trip and Nanny Betty was still at Aunt Stella's bakery.
Tina set aside her laptop, straining to hear,but her heart pounded too loudly and her breathing was harsh...
Tina crept into the corridors, lurking around. It was empty...yet her heart wouldn't settle.
Something wasn't right here. She could feel eyes on her once again.
"Weapon,” her mind screamed, “I need a weapon!” She hastily darted to the kitchen which was close by, towards the wide, granite- countered island. Like always, nanny Betty had left her chopping knieves out.
Tina slid her fingers around the rubber grip, appalled by how much her hands shook.
That was when she saw a shape in the window over the sink. A reflection.
She whipped around, a cry breaking from her lips. But nothing. No one. Her pulse roared and confusion flashed through her. She threw a glance back to the window and realized the reflection was just herself.
Her breath whooshes out. “idiot.” She scoffed. “You are one big flipping baby, Tina.”
Just when she thought it was just her imagination, fingers closed around her ankle. Tina screamed.