Eye Of The Beholder-BWWM

Chapter Nine

 Chapter Nine

Chessica

Luther, the butler, opened the door to see the curly haired miss of the house standing with her head down. Next to her was a Peace Patroller. His eyes widened as Chessa swept past him and up the stairs.

, Mary appeared in front her before she could travel down the hall to her room. "Chessica Elisabeth Leos, where have you been?" The pitch of the woman's voice was so high, Chessa thought she might break the windows. She stood furiously in front of Chessa, her eyes budging out of their sockets. "Your father called wanting to speak with you. Imagine his surprise when I had to tell him you were nowhere to be found, though it was after curfew! He's furious, Chessa!" Mary began to weep in her hands. "I may lose my job!" she sobbed.

Instantly Chessa felt guilty. "Don't worry, Mary. I won't let Dad fire you." She reassured  with a pat on the distraught woman’s arm.

Mary just shook her head, "You have your own problems to deal with when your father comes home. He's not happy with you in the least. Go on to your room, now."

Chessa obeyed, growing heavier with every step. Numbly she took a shower and went straight to bed. Thirty minutes after she drifted off a knock on the door pulled her from her troubled sleep.

"Chessa?" Another knock. "Chessa? Your dinner's ready."

She ignored the person. She wouldn't have been able to eat if she tried.

                                                                            *        8       *

"I don't feel so good," Chessa said the next morning. She sat at the edge of her bed clutching her abdomen.

Mary gave her an I-don't-believe-you look. Chessa climbed back in bed and pulled the covers over her head. Mary left, only to return with a thermometer. She pulled the covers off of her.

"Sit up, Chessa and let me take your temperature."

She was not prepared for that, but she did as she was told. As it turned out her temperature was normal and she was in school before the final bell.

"You don't look good," Ava told her as she slumped in her desk. "I mean you look sick."

Chessa frowned, "I tried telling Mary. She wouldn't believe me."

"Mary?"

"My na- the woman who takes care of me."

"Maybe you should go to the nurse."

"No," Chessa sighed, "It won't do any good."

"Ms. Lake, Ms. Leos, would you like to share with the entire class?"

Snickers followed the annoyed teachers comment.

"No, sir," Chessa answered. Ava ducked her head.

"Then please, ladies, stop talking."

Ava shot her an apologetic look.

Chessa's smile appeared to reassure her no harm was done, and faded just as fast.

In the hall after class they spotted Mark and Gavin coming their way. Ava perked up and waved at the two boys. Chessa offered only Mark a small smile. Ava and Mark exchanged looks and the shy girl just shrugged.

Gavin

He shouldn't have been surprised at the cold shoulder Chessa gave him. But he was.

"What was that about?" Mark asked, his eyes following Ava.

He sighed heavily, "Chessica came to my house last night."