Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

Chapter 20: The promise.

"For the last time, do you know the repercussion of what you've done?". The tall, thin lady asked, towering over me.

Bent over on the ground, I groaned in pain from severe beating.
This was the umpteenth time she was asking that question.
And this was also the umpteenth time I replied her with the same answer.
"I didn't do it" I said, looking up at her.
The tall lady, who was the school's principal, folded her arms, sighing.
"All the evidence points to you, miss Adejare". She said, pointing to the black nylon bag from before.
"Not only were you caught trying to jump the fence to leave the school after curfew, you were also caught trying to escape with the huge amount of money you stole from the house mistress and it was found right in your hands, how can you still deny it and lie to my face?". She fumed.

I looked at her right in the face. It had come to this. Nobody would ever believe me because I was the non existent student who nobody knew, nobody vouched for, invisible throughout only to be visible when it comes to causing trouble.
"I already told you ma, it's all a misunderstanding, I didn't steal the money, I was framed". I said, with a shaky voice.

"Oh, so you just happened to be lurking around that area in the middle of the night holding thousands of naira in your hand? Which apparently, was the house mistresses missing money?"
I bit down on my lips.
I just realised this was their plan all along. They were going to steal money from the housemistress and use it to spend for their 'hangout'. If they were caught, they were going to pin it on Gloria. But fortunately for her, someone else took the bait. And that person was me.

"We called in three witnesses to testify, one of them identified as your close friend". She said.
That must be Gloria. I said within me, hoping and hoping that she said something positive about me. Principal James continued.
"She told us that your parents were having financial issues and youve been having issues keeping up your grades due to that. Was she right about that?".
I paused, then remembered the moment I was sharing my issues with my once called best friend. She had told me everything would be fine and even said she would share her pocket money with me if need arises. It was hard to believe that someone like that could easily be swayed.
But wait....why did she bring that up though?

"Why did she mention that?". I asked .
"Miss Adedeji, I understand that your schoolfees and pocket money may be too much for your parents to bear, but that doesn't give you the privilege to take what isn't yours, its a grave offence".she said.

"What? What do you mean? I said I didn't do it!". I started sobbing and regretting ever giving Gloria the trust I had given her. One moment she seemed faithful, the other moment, she was using my weakness against me.

Principal Collins sighed.
"That's not all, the other witnesses said they spotted you sneaking around the hostel at night yesterday. With that much evidences, I think it's high time you dropped the act and face disciplinary actions peacefully".

Sneaking around? I was only trying to tail the real perpetrators!
"What you did attracts severe disciplinary measures, including expulsion, you know that right?"
"But ma-"
"No more talk, your parents are here". She said, interrupting me.
"My parents?".

*************************

"You are such a dissapoinment!" My dad yelled angrily.
"The daughter of a senior police officer committing theft? Do you know how that sounds?"

A tear droplet fell from my eyes. I just needed them to believe me. Just this once.
"Dad I didn't do it, Mum you believe me right?". I tugged at my mom's arm, looking into her eyes, hoping that she would believe me.

She sighed.
"We are sorry we weren't able to provide enough for you, we tried, honestly, but as we can see, our best wasn't enough".she said calmly.

"Mom! What are you talking about? I said I didn't do it! Don't you believe me?!" I burst out in tears.