PRICELESS EXCHANGE

LAST DAY OF EXAMS

We went to school the following week feeling so downcast. We had missed out the competition and also the chances of visiting the history home of Queens. As we walked into the classroom, I saw Molly and her friends laughing and sneering at us.

They're behind it, I whispered to Tonia

of course they are, it's past now she whispered back as we walked to our seat. Just then, Sara walked to meet us.

Where were you guys yesterday?, we were looking everywhere for you, she said with her hands akimbo

um.. we were kidn*pped I blurted and everyone turned to look at us.

kidnapped? Sara asked in surprise

yeah we were, Tonia replied

have you reported to the school authorities? a blond female student asked

I noticed Molly and her friends turned as the question was asked

oh no, but rather we informed the police about it, I lied and I could see their countenance changed.

Tonia looked at me and I smiled

oh and what are they doing about it? A boy behind me asked

well, they're looking for the people behind it and they have a suspect already. Tonia said and I smiled as I turned to look at Molly and her friends. I could see how they shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

oh that's great, but who could really be behind it? Sara asked

well, let us leave the police to do their job, I said with a smirk.

whatever, Sara said waving her hairs backwards. The test is coming up next week and I would like to have Tonia back, Sara said

I turned to look at Tonia and she turned away at once.

um... would you mind joining us? cause there's no way I'm gonna leave Sophie alone, Tonia said

what! why!!! because I let you sit with her? Sara asked angrily

please Sara let her sit with me, you could join us let's take the test together

no need for that, it's fine Tonia, you snitched on me because of someone you don't even know, after all I've done for you.. Sara said angrily

it's enough Sara, it's vice versa, you benefited from me and I benefited from you too, we help each other remember? Tonia asked

fine! you can go to hell! she slammed and walked out

I'm sorry, I said as I turned to look at Tonia

it's fine, she said softly with sadness on her face.

**

The test was written in a week time, and after the test, The students who won the music competition were taken to the history home of Queens which was located at the Queen's apartment.

I can't believe we missed, I said to Tonia after the students were taken out

me too, I said

hey don't worry, you might be chanced some other time, Andrew said and we both nodded.

At closing hours, the students returned and they all chatted happily as they returned. Tonia and I stood at the lobby watching them as they discussed in low tunes.

wow Princess Tanya's dress is so beautiful, probably the most magnificent dress I've ever seen, a girl said as they walked past us

yeah.. I believe that dress possesses magical powers, the other one said

no it's all a myth, I don't think so, the first one said

Her dress.. I muttered inaudibly as I thought about what they said. Just then, Molly and her friends walked past us

wow this is the most amazing tour ever, she said and giggled

It was really a sight to behold, that dress is one in a million, Cassy said

.. gosh I can't wait to see her in that dress, Lucy said happily

wow, I'm glad we made it unlike some losers, Molly said and they all laughed

I want to give them a piece of my mind! Tonia said angrily as she tried to walk towards them but I held her back

hey, let the sleeping dog lie, come on let's go.. I said.

***

In a twinkle of an eye, our exams came and I couldn't wait for the exams to be over so I could go back home to spend the holidays with my parents. I have missed them so much despite the fact that we do talk often on phone. Tony had returned back our phones to us. He said he took them from Molly after threatening her about reporting her to the school authorities.

We all knew she was behind it and so it didn't came as a surprise to us after Tony related everything to us. After the last papers of the exam, Miss Gina assembled all the music students of Queens

I'm really going to miss you guys a lot during the holidays, she said with a smile

we will miss you too, we all echoed

Please don't forget to always practice, cause our beloved princess would be coming just after the holidays...

she's taking too long already, a student said and everyone began to murmur

yes due to personal reasons, but be rest assured that she's coming back to Queens Miss Gina said

and everyone cheered.

wow, I can't believe we're free!!! Tonia exclaimed as we walked into the locker room

what plans do you guys have for the holidays? I asked

I don't know yet, but Andrew do sure have a plan, she said

I'm gonna miss you guys and I don't know if I can really cope, I said sadly

me too Sophie, I've been thinking about that lately, she said and we both hugged tightly. Just then, Jeff strolled past us with Zoe and they both stopped in front of her locker. I watched him hug her so tightly and they kissed passionately

don't look, Tonia said to me

I.. will try to get over him, he doesn't even care about me, I said

Hey, someone said behind us. We turned and saw Tony smiling.

hi Tony, I greeted

hi Sophie, he said and turned to Tonia. How are you? he asked

I'm fine, she muttered.

um.. can I have a word with you before we depart? he asked

She turned to look at me and I nodded before walking away. Gosh, when I'm I gonna have a boyfriend? I asked myself as I walked out of the locker room. I began to fantasize how it would be like to have someone who would love me and always be beside me. Just then, Someone ran into me and I lost my balance and almost fell to the ground when he held me by the waist and pulled me up to himself. I raised my face to look at him only to find Andrew before me with his hands around my waist. I was lost for a moment as we both stared into each other's eyes for a while.

um.. I'm.. I'm... sorry, he said adjusting his glasses as he took his hands off me

oh.. um.. it's fine I stammered as the moment became awkward.

I was searching for you guys... he said trying to avoid my gaze

oh we were at the locker room. Tonia is with Tony right now, I said

um.. ok... he said.

Can we wait for her at the field? I asked and he nodded. We both walked out together to the field.

As we sat on the field waiting for Tonia, I noticed a lot of male and female students hugging and kissing each other passionately. I turned to look at Andrew and noticed the uneasiness on his face. Our eyes met and we both turned away at once.

After a moment of silence, I asked,

Who are you gonna miss the most during the holidays?

you! he blurted and my heart skipped. I turned to look at him and he turned away.

um.. I'm.. gonna miss everyone... and you too... he said.

oh.. really?. I'm gonna miss you guys too, I don't know how I'm gonna cope without you guys... I said

But you'll have your parents with you, he said

yeah... just that.. I just wish you guys could come with me to mariossa, I said

oh? um... it's great! But would you mind visiting our home before we go to mariossa? he asked

really? wow! that would be great! yes... I'm gonna go with you guys! I exclaimed.

Really? he asked eagerly

yes! I exclaimed as I hugged him.

Tonia walked out to meet us

what's the excitement about? she asked

Sophia's coming home with us! Andrew announced.