Bad News

Chapter 3 - Uncalled Memory

Sandra will love the poem I made today in school. She maybe a book nerd but she will love this poem since it's about her. I smile at the thought of my sister crying because of happiness.

Mrs. Green had asked us to write a poem in English class. She said it could be about anything we like; animal, shoes, book, or even people. Let your imagination run wild, she said. I could write about my mother who never fails to amaze me. Or my father who never fails to make me laugh even on my bad days. But I chose to write about Sandra since I adore her so much.

My feet tapping nervously againts the concrete outside school. It's almost six in the evening yet I don't see my father's car to pick me up. This is really odd. Sandra never late to pick me up from school, she knows exactly when I finish.

I turn my eyes to the parking lot just to see there is only one car left, the principal's. Almost everyone already went home, leaving me standing alone. The chill air makes me want nothing but curling up in bed while listening to Sandra's stories about fairies.

"Grace?" I look up to see Mr. Brooke standing right beside me. "What are you doing here, love? It's six o'clock, you should be at home."

Oh my gosh, he is so tall! I feel like a dwarf beside him. "My sister hasn't picked me up, sir." I told him truthfully.

He was thinking about something for a few seconds before asking. "Cassandra, isn't it?" he asked and I found myself nodded at him. "She was one of my daughter's friend in school and I happen to drove her once to her home. So, I could take you home now, if you want?"

He is so nice. But I still can't ignore the fact that he is my principal, the most powerful person in my school. But I also don't want to wait here all night. The sky is starting to darken and the air makes me shiver. Why would my sister abandon me anyway?

"If you don't mind, sir." I finally answered him.

But he was just smiling. "Of course not. Come on, it's starting to get dark."

The car ride was not as awkward as I thought it would be. Mr. Brooke casually made small talks. He asked me about school, my favourite subject, my grade, and what I don't like about school. He assured me that it is okay to tell him about my opinion regardless his position as principal.

We stopped right outside my house. He didn't lie when he said he knows where I live and for that I'm glad. After saying thank you and refusing his offer to walk me in, I got out of the car and walking to the door. I knocked several times but no one is opening the door for me.

What's going on? Why my mother doesn't turn on the lamps?

I was about to knock again when someone taps my shoulder from behind. It was Joe, my neighbour. "My mum told me to bring you over because your parents are in the hospital." He said in a low tone.

My eyes blinked twice before realising what he just said. "Hospital? Why? What's going on?" But he doesn't answer. "Joe? Are they okay?" I can't think about anything else. "Where's my sister? Is she there too?"

"Come on, Grace. She's waiting for you."

I have no choice but follow him to his house which was only beside mine. There are literally so many questions swimming in my head. What happened to my parents? Why are they in the hospital? Where is Sandra? Why do I have to go to the Johnson's?

It's not like I hate them. They are nice, especially Joe. He used to come to my house and played on the back garden with me and my sister. But since he was accepted into Oxford two years ago, he barely comes home, so we don't really talk that much.