PAINTED BLACK.

Chapter Eight.

Dami and Remi could not visit Christy on Friday evening after school because she was so terribly upset she had asked to be alone. But the next day, she phoned for them to come over and they soon were there.
Her eyes looked stony.
"If this was ever seen as a joke before, it's not anymore. Someone really evil is out there trying to paint my name black, but I'm going to find that person out. And when I do," she had a sudden manic gleam in her eyes, I'd make them pay dearly."
Dami and Remi gave each other scared looks.
"I have glued all the notes to my scrapbook, except the cardboard, of course. Now, I'm going to make a list of those who might have reasons enough to do this to me, in our class, and I need your help." She finished.
They sat on the bed, with Christy in the middle. She began with the list.

POSSIBLE PERPS AND THEIR MOTIVES

Stephen- He's already known for criminal acts. This may just be another idea of fun for him. But when did he learn my handwriting? And when did he get the brains to suddenly organise such stuff? Stephen may be known for bad things, but he's certainly not known for intelligence or cunning. But, one mustn't underestimate a perp.

Precious- She's always been jealous of me because I was picked for a spelling contest in Junior School 1, which I won, and she'd hoped desperately that she'd be picked and that she'd win. She may be trying to hurt me bad and, maybe, she learnt my handwriting.

Moyo- She's totally evil. She's snooty and she's not friends with anyone, except her hangers-on, who follow her everywhere. She has rich parents, and she's super proud. She's a walking high-school queen-bee stereotype. She may be trying to hurt me, as she does everyone.

Christy paused to think, Dami offered.
"What about Wunmi? She never really got over that time in primary school when you told on her in Math class."
"Oh, yes! That's true. But if she's the one, then she really knows how to hold a grudge. I was just being a child. I'd add her anyway."

Wunmi- She still dislikes my guts for telling the teacher she was doodling in class.

Remi added too. "How about that weirdo that sits in the back of the class? Pepple, Purple or whatever his name is. No one talks to him. This may just be his way of gaining attention. Who knows?"
"Popoola, yes. You have a point." She added him to the list.

Popoola- The class' big time weirdo. He doesn't have any friends. This may be his way of getting his much-needed attention.

"I'd add one more person to this list." Christy said.
"Who?" Dami and Remi asked at the same time.
"Mr. Peter." She replied.
"What?" Dami exclaimed. Remi just stared at her.
"Yes, Mr. Peter. He may be the one, coz he probably found out about the missing phone, you know, Remi's own, which I took from his bag. This may be his way of getting back at me." Christy told them.
"Are you crazy?" Remi spat. "What would a teacher be thinking, sending such notes to his students? If he's going to punish you, he'd either give you detention or report you to your parents. But give such evil notes, not even just to you, no Christy. I think this note thing is really getting to you." He finished.
"Yes, it IS getting to me. My whole life's being ruined and I'm trying to solve it, so there!" Christy snapped.
"I think you're being a drama queen." Remi retorted.
"Drama queen?! How can you...?"
"Alright, you two! That's enough! Christy, Remi is right. You are reaching!" Dami cut in. "Here's what we'd do. On Monday, during break, we'd look into those perps lockers for any clue, again. And you must take that silly idea of Mr. Peter out of your head, okay?"
Christy sighed. "Okay."