Her Miracle

CHAPTER 17

The clouds were dark as I walked towards Izzy’s house. It was early in the morning yet it seemed like it was the opposite. Some cars rushed passing by me, as their tires splattered bits of mud at my freshly washed pants.

What a good way to start the morning!

I hurried as I walked towards Izzy’s house, clutching on my bag. She had great timing. The moment I reached her driveway, she also had gotten out of her front door.

“Good morning, Andy!” She greeted me giddily.

She wore her turtle neck top paired with a mini skirt and a coat. The outfit wouldn’t be finished with her boots. Isabelle Lenyx’s fashion statement even if it was raining. With the way she’s in a good mood, she must have had a great time knowing the dude she’s going out with. He makes her happy so far. I hope she’ll finally introduce him to me. At least to let me know him better than just knowing him by how Izzy reacts to it. 

“Aye! Great morning indeed…” I answered monotonously.

“Is there something wrong?” 

I showed her my pants with splats of mud. “Cars in a rush early in the morning is what happened.” 

“Yikes! Come on, get inside the car. I have wet wipes.” She motioned for us to get in. 

I sat comfortably inside her car and she hands me the wet wipes she retrieves from her glove box. I smile at her as my way of saying thanks. She then drove on our way to school. I twist and turned at the back seat as I wipe the mud that already stained my pants. 

A few turns and we now arrived in school. Kai’s car wasn’t in the parking lot yet. He must be running late. I got rid of the wipes in the garbage can and walked inside Willoughby.  Students were huddled in their respective groups of friends. Izzy and I walked side by side as we walked the runway with eyes glaring at either of us. Izzy’s beauty or my usual label.

Izzy turned to me and whispered. “Is it just me or their stares are different?”

“I can’t really blame if my best friend looks like a model on a rainy weathered town.” 

She scoffed at my comment. 

I continued to talk to her as we made our way to our lockers. “Are you coming with me to the carnival-like the usual?” 

“Yeah! Of course, I will, Andy! I’m excited about the rides. The parade will be the usual colors of the town theme which is getting old and boring. The Lacrosse team is already called wolves. And the town likes bears… which is which?”

I chuckled at her response. She was right. Willoughby’s Lacrosse team was already known as the Wolves. The town whenever it’s the anniversary, they promote bears. The town would be expected to be filled with balloons and all the town colors like it was the 4th of July. 

“It’s the usual parade. They like to keep it the same. It’s been like that for years.” 

“Yeah, right. The parade is the only thing that hasn’t upgraded in this town.” 

“The carnival is the only thing left interesting in this town. The rest just makes me wanna puke in disgust.” I uttered. 

I opened my locker and fetched out the books I needed for my first class. It was English for today. There were reading assignments given and I haven’t done them. I’m too engrossed in all the work that I forget sometimes. There’s no problem in working so hard for something that you really want to do in life. 

“Is Kai coming? Have you seen him? Where is he anyway?” Izzy squinted her eyes, looking around for Kai. 

I conclude, Kai was getting weirder already. Something was up we didn’t know. This wasn’t him. Other than getting accepted in the Lacrosse team. 

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him for a while. I thought you see him more than I do. I’ve been working hard for the past weeks. But I bear good news!”

“Which is?”

“Kai did get in the list for the accepted players in the Lacrosse team this year.”

“Really?” She squealed in a high pitched tone. She felt like she wanted to jump up and down with my news. 

“Yeah, Aiden told me.” 

“And he even didn’t bother to text and call us about it. What a jerk is he becoming?”

“I don’t know… Aiden is barely being an ass too. I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Also heard that the new boy is taking a place in the Lacrosse team.” She mocked, “And those girls Danna and Kehlani who've been following Calyx the entire time? They’re such desperate girls. “

They’re really scared of him even if he was younger than them. Coach might be convinced of how physically fit Calyx is. He might be advantageous for the team. I also would wonder how they’ll cope up with someone new. But Calyx did clear my name for a short while. People forgot about me. 

My mouth agape in surprise. “He is? Wow, the star players must be that threatened by him. Ryder? My brothers? It’s good news. And even if they follow the new golden boy of Willoughby, people still like them except us.” 

The bell rang and it was time to get to class. There were still no signs of Kai. The rest of the Willoughby students rushed into their rooms. The fuss people were making reverberated along the hallway. We finally turned our backs from our lockers and made our way to class just like everyone else. 

Ms. Perri sat patiently in her teacher’s desk while students filled up the room. Kai wasn’t in his seat either. I nudged at Izzy before she took her seat. In gaining her attention, I gave her the look of the empty seat of Kai. She sighed as an answer and shook her head. 

Students kept piling inside, slowly filling the room. Still no signs of Kai. Where the heck is he? This is more than odd. The final bell rang. Which meant that classes were going to start. 

Ms. Perri cleared her throat, earning the attention of the entire class. She stood up. She never fails to amaze me with her outfits. If Izzy did make something out of her wardrobe, Ms. Perri did too. I continued staring at the door in case Kai came in late. He’s never late. 

“Okay, class. Before I start talking about our readings, Principal Austin has given all the teachers 10 minutes to spare in reminding you all about the field trip, you juniors, are going to have a few weeks from now.” Ms. Perri shared with confidence. 

She continued, “Principal Austin also did this since homeroom is far later in the day than your first subjects. Well, as we all know, it’s not the first time for the Juniors of Willoughby to get out of Castle Rock. If you have the field trip, the Seniors have-”

“The camping which is happening before the academic year ends…” 

The voice came from the door. It was Kai who was fresh out of the shower. Did he just oversleep for the first time in history? If this reaches his dad, he’s a dead man. Sheriff Waters never trained his sons to be late. And knowing the position he holds in the town with the Sheriff's department, he doesn’t want his sons to put him in such a bad position. He did expect a lot from all his sons. Mostly, Kai. Since he was the youngest. 

Ms. Perri tilted her head towards Kai. “Mr. Waters, you’re late.”

“I’m sorry, Miss. Fortuitous events…. I promise it won’t happen again.” His voice sounded apologetic. 

“Just make sure. I wouldn’t want to keep sending you to detention and we don’t want this to reach your father, don’t you?” 

“Yes, we don’t.”

“Come on in, Mr. Waters. Take your seat. You didn’t miss much.” 

Kai made his way to his seat, dropping his bag to the floor. His hair was tousled, together with his Jacket that was wrinkled. I fixed my eyes back to Ms. Perri who continued discussing the field trip. 

“Where have you been?” I hissed at Kai whose face was worn out. 

“House stuff…”

“So it’s okay if it reaches your dad? But you’re scared that it would reach him? Something is obviously not making sense here.” I whispered loud enough for him to hear. 

Izzy just snubbed at him, focusing on Ms. Perri. Kai also didn’t bother answering me. Something is really fishy here. Something I didn’t know. I listen to Ms. Perri's words.

“The field trip of you, juniors, would be going to the sights in Sandy Hill and Lockeswood. Both the towns that surround Castle Rock. Specifically not only for your geography class but also for English. I’ll be talking about what you’re going to come up with once it’s the week before you’re going to have the field trip. Permits are also going to be given weeks from now once finalized by the school. Any questions?”

Murmurs of “None so far” echoed. 

Luke, the guy who bothered Ms. Perri on the first day of class up until now, raised his hand. 

Ms. Perri motioned for him to ask whatever he wanted to ask. 

Luke stood up from his desk. “Miss, so uh… Will Andrea Miller be finally getting out of town as she wishes?” 

My eyes shift my gaze at Luke who really loves bothering people. Here I thought, Willoughby students had forgotten me already because of Calyx. 

“Sit down, Mr. Saunders. If you’re just raising your hand for your own benefit better keep it to yourself. What vlogger would you be if you don’t even treat people fairly in school? If you don’t stop, I don’t mind calling your parents right away for a conference.” 

He pursed his lips and sat down back in his seat sloppily. Ms. Perri’s words shut him up. Which was a rare but great sight to see. He got the taste of his own medicine. 

Now, Miss Perri proceeded with her discussion about Beowulf. I’ve seen the movie. Angelina Jolie starred in it. I’ve read a couple of things about it online. I don’t think it’s necessary for me to read more about it or the actual book. In the end, you realize there are two Beowulfs. 

Izzy and Kai didn’t bother to chitchat. We usually whisper at each other. Kai seemed uninterested but kept his eyes anchored on Ms. Perri. Izzy leaned her head on her hand under her chin. She also was bored but it seemed she already finished the book. She knows how this discussion would end. 

The discussion was all about Beowulf and the symbolism and stuff. Ms. Perri did discuss it pretty well. She made us understand it more. 

She was cut off by the bell in time for the second period. People grabbed their notebooks and out of the room. Yet Ms. Perri managed to yell. “Ms. Miller, kindly stay. Let me talk to you in a sec. Wouldn’t take long.”

I met her gaze. She doesn’t scare me though. I motioned for Kai and Izzy to go to class without waiting for me, The rest of my classmates were now out. And I went my way to her in front of her desk. 

“Wouldn’t you want to report the bullying?” Ms. Perri demanded.

“What for?” I crease my brows in confusion.

“Luke Saunders has been bullying you. Verbally. Bullying is a serious matter that should be taken action for.” She explained.

“Miss, I hate to tell you but… it’s useless.” 

“Why’d you say that?” She responded with calmness in her tone.

“I’m lucky to have a teacher who cares and doesn’t judge me for what I want. But the entire town does have their perception of me. It’s not just the students of Willoughby throwing daggers at me. It’s the entire town. Thank you, Miss Perri. I appreciate it with you having the initiative. But it really won’t make a difference.” I shrugged.