Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Where is the Class President?
"Is that Taylor?" Heidi tapped the image, and it went full screen, zooming in on the guy's broad chest underneath a fitted grey undershirt. Undeniably toned and lean muscles in accordance to the beefy biceps doing akimbo. A loud swallow caught Heidi's widened eyes. She laughed as I glared at her easing ado.
She swayed her forefinger in the air. "I heard that. Can't get enough? This is his latest post in InstantGram."
Despite that I could check it later, all the population would swarm his post, and the social media platforms would use it as their advertisement. Anyhow, did I say I have InstantGram?
The bell chimed after our first teacher entered the room. Heidi glanced at me as I stared at the person standing in front of everyone. The buzzing whispers lingered in the room. The woman's jet-black hair with purple undertones cascaded down her body, slightly leaning on the desk. She put her paper materials on the solid surface and placed her hands on both sides. Her eyes glinted as she inspected us thoroughly.
The creamy beige vest had her nameplate pinned on it. The Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Jacob. How much could the day get any worse?
My hand casually brushed my fringe, and my head lowered. Heidi moved back to her seat, seriously observing the counselor and her reason for coming. Didn't Persia tell her I'd come by in her office once I am done with my prior agendas? Though, as if that honest female dog would wag her tail and obey whatever I would say.
Mrs. Jacob cleared her throat in a lengthy manner, doing it again until our eyes met. Oh man, here comes the mother version.
"Louisa." Her voice was commanding. Slowly, with hesitation, I stood up.
I had met Mrs. Jacob out of the school premises at one point. She got out inside an expensive black Benz with Persia in the backseat.
It was at the back gate. Hence, only a few owned autos, so people rarely go there.
Heidi and I were different. We used the parking lot to hide from teachers and killed time. Going back, Mrs. Jacob stood in front of Persia, the daughter who could barely look her mother in the eye. And the old lady stroked the girl's straight black hair, fixing the strands erecting.
While focused and engrossed in the mobile game, I nudged Heidi away as she kept tapping my back. Irritated. She could use her mouth to bring up what her interference was. Grimaced at how she did not stop, I darted at where her surprised eyes fixated on.
"A lady must be attentive in every detail of herself. Your looks are your asset, and no one can belittle you if you maintain your remarkable image." The Guidance Counselor strode across the gate with her sleek pencil skirt and elegantly wagged her petite back without unmoving the bag in her hand.
Heidi softly whistled and clicked her phone screen. The metallic slashing and battle cry in the background with a typical boss monster screaming its madness towards the player. I glanced at her play and glimpsed at Persia, standing there frozen.
It was the first time I saw a pretentious smile, forcing the line to curve upward but failing as she fixed her smooth, shiny hair on the rear mirror. It must have been tough to show that act.
Then, later on, I became one of the blocklisted students who often visit the Guidance Office for everyone-knows-why. In addition to Mrs. Jacob's incessant lecture regarding disciplinary action and the school rules, there came a moment I had to meet with Persia again. In that same suffocating, awkward closed room.
Meanwhile, as anyone could ascertain, the old lady had a thing to say to me. Her open mouth closed and beckoned me outside.
"Can you do that for me?" Windy nodded and supervised the class with the handouts she passed throughout.
Mrs. Jacob hissed the door close. Her movement was as elegant as ever. She faced a student who's opposite of her and her daughter, whom she tried to inherit even her persona.
She scratched her forehead and lifted her brows, evading eye contact. My fist clenched. Somehow, her attitude showed hostility towards the person in front of her. Either uncomfortable or in anger. I inaudibly sighed and looked the other way. Anyhow, I did not want to breathe the same air as her.
"What do you want from me, Mrs. Jacob?"
"You see, erm," she stammered. A new encounter I had not anticipated. The teacher's hand brushed her nape, conscious. She's trying to talk it out with me.
"Is this something about Persia?" Her eyes lit up. I knew it. She would not behave cautiously if not for her daughter.
Akin to others who prioritized their public figure, she would not care about how many rules I broke so long as it was not connected to her. Though, she reached out to me with worry.
She held her hands in front.
"M, my daughter is missing. S, she told my husband to find you if she ran away from home?" Her statement turned up higher. Unsure if I could be of help. I scoffed and lightly patted my lap, thinking while eyes outside the window at the mango tree.
I hardly recalled Persia asking for my help with regards to their family feud, let alone mentioning my name in times of trouble. My left foot tapped impatiently on the white tiled floor.
Heidi needed to hear this. Our dear friend was in hiding, and indeed, it had to do with the father.
"Please." I gazed at Mrs. Jacob's pleading look. Even though I have known Persia for more than a month now, it's unfair if I let my impressions of her parents rule over my rational judgment.
The food tray thunked on the glass table. Heidi hovered her feet over the long chair and peered at my impassive face and silence.
"How come your chewing is quiet, too?" The cafeteria flocked with students. I moved sideways and inched closer. I'm in no apt in detective work nor had the hobby to use my head in these affairs.
"Are you in? We can call the K-gang if needed."
"That's lethal. Our existence might get swiped out if this goes out of hand."
I sneered and jested,
"Are you afraid?"
"Damn, no! Let's put justice in the right place!-" I covered her mouth with the dumpling. Chuckled nervously as the students nearby analyzed our watchful eyes as if we were hiding something which would trigger suspicion. Heidi reacted crazily, fervently removing my hand with a piercing glare.
"I'll avenge your character. We'll get rid of the boss. What level are you on?"
Heidi giggled in delight. Whenever someone saved her losses from her favorite 3D game, she could forget anything else.
For now, I should stay away from any gossip related to Persia. Dang it. Why did I put myself into this? We had upcoming exams so I could graduate. Sadly, it would not appear a great commencement without the typical grumpy lady around.
The class for the day ended. Supposedly, Heidi and I would meet up at the parking lot. Yet, here I was, walking in circles, squinting at everyone too far from my spot.
"Yo, Lou!" I whipped my head behind and saw Tiffany and her two pals, wearing our army green Physical Education uniform. I nodded as my greeting.
Was it too hot to wear the long-sleeve jacket and the thick pants? Talk about coolio kids.
Nevertheless, their presence was not the right timing.
Tiffany removed the glow-in-the-dark sunnies on her head and hooked it on her collar. Her curly bangs suited ideally to her square-shaped face and light reddish make-up. My head withdrew as she leaned closer, showing her excited smile.
"Let's play skate. I still owe you one." The strawberry perfume wafted through my nostrils as I shifted my head to the other side and dialed Heidi's contact.
"Nope. I'm not free." The girl's phone beeped into the server's automatic system. Unattended.
"Oho, I couldn't count your available slots with my two hands!" She wiggled her fingers. The twin at her back snickered and popped their blue balloon gums simultaneously. I laughed and stepped forward at the twins. Tiffany moved back.
"Do you have more gums? I'm starving."
"Hold up." Rio, the oldest by seconds, slipped a packet of the stretchy sweet candy into her jacket's pocket and handed it to me.
"Aren't you really gonna join us?" reassured Tiffany, thrusting her face into mine. I shoved the packet to her and threw a piece of the gum above. The twin cackled as I extended my arms, feet adjusted backward, and they stepped aside. It's gonna fall! My mouth and eyes widened, arching my neck to save the poor candy from the ground but destined to get squashed by my teeth.
A loud horn startled us four. Hence, my eyes shut in surprise, for the little solid fella hit on my cheek.
"The heck's wrong with you?!" shouted Tiffany, tilting her head alongside her finger, pointing in rage at the black car coming in our direction. I put down her hand as I recognized the satiny appearance and a silver circle with a three-pointed star standing proudly in the center.
The driver slid down the front window. His greyed hair almost covering his head and eyebrows did not reduce the youthfulness in his face.
The youngest twin who owned a bob-cut ebony hairstyle, Ria gasped and murmured at her sister, "It's the baby face, Chairman."
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