Strings and Stitches

Chapter 4

I didn't want to be the last one to find out so I told Megan to steal one as soon as they arrive. "They always arrive an hour before lunch and are handed to everyone after or during lunch," Megan tells me.

I sigh, hoping and praying that my story won't be there. Mr. Wright catches us talking and I quickly turn my attention to my notebook. Megan does the same thing and also flips her notebook to the next page. I pretend not to notice Mr. Wright walking to our direction. He stops in front of my desks and asks, "Is that another of your daily mantra writings, Ms. Stunning?"

I jerk up and close my notebook in defence. His beard is in a fine line. How does he know about my daily mantras? My expression must be something that looks absurdly shocked, distressed and downright obvious because I did not expect his answer.

"Don't worry, you wrote it in your essay. It's your way of 'coping', am I right?" he stresses on the word 'coping'. I tense up. Of course, he read it in my diary of an essay. Figures. What else did I write down? "As always, the two of you," he looks at Megan, "are both exceptional writers as ever."

I feel Megan grip my sweater from below the table. I turn to her and see that she has a flustered look but she's trying to make it look like she's blushing by shyly smiling at Mr. Wright.

"In fact, the both of you should be proud of yourselves," by this time, the whole class' attention is directed towards us. "Everyone, as you all know, I always feature certain excerpts of a few selected essays and as a spoiler, I'm proud to say that these two wrote such captivating essays that I can't help but let their talents be put to waste by passing up the chance to hide their talents from the rest of the world. By lunch, all of you should be able to read their essays," he turns his attention back to the two of us and he's eyes fixes themselves in a genuine manner.

By this time, Megan is in the verge of ripping my sweater while I, on the other hand, am gasping for air, internally. "I know the both of you will be remarkable in the future. Keep it up." he winks at us and with it, my impending death.

The bell rings and Mr. Wright dismisses us.

While everyone packs and leaves for lunch, Megan and I are left in the classroom, frozen in our seats. We neither look nor talk to each other. I'm completely frozen to death. My hearts pounding inside and I have a serious case of mental block or mental shock.

Megan's the first one who snaps out of it after a few minutes but she doesn't turn to me. God just gave back her speech and she asks me, "What now?"

I don't even answer her. From mental block, my head is suddenly filled with a thousand reasons. I'm trying to convince myself that this is just a dream which is so dilemma-driven typical. But then the 'what ifs' come crashing down and solutions and prevention plans scatter themselves in my brain. We still have thirty minutes before they pass it around, we should be able to dispose of everything by then.

Reality slaps me through Megan's palm and I yelp in pain, "Ouch!"

"Ice queen, what should we do?" she yells at me.

"I don't know," I glare at her.

She sighs and lamely rests her back against her chair. "We could, burn it all before anyone receives any," she shares my own idea.

"They'll just print it again and by next week. Before Summer comes, what then?" I slap her for reality's sake.

She sighs before grabbing her bag. I watch her leave but I stop her, "where are you going?"

"Anywhere but here," her stare looks exhausted than ever. Not the usual jumpy Megan. "You coming?" she asks.

Without a second thought, I grab my bag and slip my things inside before leaving the school with her.