Of gilbardo

Chapter Twelve

Twenty years ago, Downtown highlands

Justine walks to the front porch of the Lewis house. She'd promised to bring the school assignment over to Juliette's house because she couldn't make it to school on that day. The news of her illness reached the school. Gabriella, Jolie, Viviane, Louisiana and Danielle promised to visit later in the evening. Justine heard some murmurs coming from the window but didn't want to eavesdrop. She was about to ring the doorbell when she hears Juliette say her name. Out of curiosity, she walks to the window and could clearly hear everything. They were talking about the prom that was held two days ago.
"I didn't know how I would have felt if I wasn't crowned the queen." Juliette was saying.
"Yeah, I know, and that's why I paid Mr Samurai to make sure you are the queen. Look at you, you've got the best qualities. Beautiful, tall and slender. You deserve that crown over again." Ms Lewis praised.
"Thanks a lot mum. It's always been my dream to be a princess. But I'm still surprised."
"About what honey?"
"That Justine was to take the crown. Justine? Comeon..." She laughs off. "If it was Jolie or maybe Viviane I would have no reason to be surprised. But Justine? I'm more charming than she is."
"Look darling, to be a queen isn't about how dashing you look, it's all about qualities. How you relate to everyone, how affectionate you are and so on. I knew that from my school days. So you should continue to be a sweet girl."
"I'm trying." She sounded like she was chewing on something.
Justine couldn't believe everything she heard. The prom queen was rightfully hers but Mr Samurai was bribed. She rings the bell in disgust and it was flung open by Juliette.
"Here." She threw the book on her feet. "The school assignment. You weren't feeling well so I thought I should bring this to you. It is strictly to be submitted tomorrow. If you fail to do so, you could repeat the grade." She was walking away. Juliette was surprised at her attitude. On a normal day she would stay and they would gist a little.
"Is there something I should know." Juliette looked concerned.
Justine was expecting her to run after her but she didn't. Justine turns around. "I now see the real person you are. A cheat. So tell me, when you were you planning on telling your friends that you aren't meant to be the prom queen but me."
Juliette held her eyes and mouth open in shock. "How...? Did you listen to..."
"Are you surprised?" Justine did a thin smile. "I can't believe you even looked down on me. You've loosen the trust and friendship I have for you."
"I'm sorry Justine." Juliette caught up with her. "please forgive me." She was on her knees.
"Juliette what is the problem?" Ms Lewis called. She was standing at the doorway.
"Mum, she heard everything. We are in trouble mum. If this news leaves here, Mr Samurai would be fired, and I could be expelled."
Juliette was still on her knees. "Please don't see me get expelled. Our friendship shouldn't be cut off because of something this mere. I admit what we did and what I said about you is wrong, please forgive me."
"Forgive my daughter would you. For the relationship you have built from the first grade."
Justine was quiet and finally spoke. "To err they say is human to forgive is divine. I can't just let go of the friendship we've built this past years. We'd made promises to ourselves, remember. I forgive you. And you don't have to worry about me saying this to anyone. Gabriella, Louisiana, Danielle and Viviane would be here at any moment. Stand up and stop crying." She helps her up.
"Thank you. Goodness, I'd thought for a bit that I was going to lose a friend." Juliette was relieved. "Thank you." She smiled a thank you grin which was not reciprocated.
..
Juliette offered her friends pasta and sauce. They talked and laughed about Louisiana's argument with the maths teacher. The mantlepiece kept the room so warm away from the cold outside. Though the room was hot, Louisiana didn't let go of thick jacket she was wearing. According to her, she still felt cold. Gabriella was wearing pj's and some bright Christmas design knee-high stocking. Viviane wore a green quilted scarf around her neck. Jolie wore some pyjama and a stocking cap.
"Gosh, he was so rude." Louisiana stated.
"She told him that his breath stinks." Viviane said and they exploded into laughter.
"Poor Mr Charleston." Juliette was in between laughs. "I can imagine his face reaction."
"He was awestricken at some moment." Justine says.
"Literally that man is insane. Like seriously, why would he force Louisiana into answering a question when she isn't for the class." Gabriella munched on the meal.
"I stayed back because I wasn't feeling too well. If I'd the slightest idea that he was going to pressure me into answering the math question, I would've walked away even before he started teaching." Louisiana was drinking from the can soda.
"Girls, sorry to interrupt your conversation. Here's some fresh cranberry drink." Ms Lewis came with a jug of fruit juice and placed it in front of them. They thanked her and she threw smiles at them before leaving.
"Where you punished?" Juliette says.
"She wasn't. Mr Charleston was at fault and not Louisiana." Danielle spoke.
"How's your health." Jolie looks at Juliette.
"Kitty, I'm good to go." Juliette smiles.
"We were worried sick." Gabriella says.
"I'm okay. And thanks a lot y'all for caring."
"What're friends for?" It was Danielle.
..
They were leaving and Juliette was hugging them goodbye. She promised to be at school the next day since she was feeling okay. They'd stayed for so long and it was past 10pm. Together Justine, Anna, Jolie, Viviane, Danielle and Gabriella waited for the Autobus that was heading to the southwestward direction.
"There's something I think you girls should know." Justine spoke up after having a long thought.
Gabriella gave her hair a little toss and looked up. "Is it something bad?"
The girls were staring at Justine. "I think so." Justine says.
"What is it?" Danielle said.
Justine was telling them about what happened earlier. "Y'all got to promise me that you wouldn't let this out. This stays between us."
"How dare she?" Danielle bit her upper lips.
"The guts they did that." Louisiana was swearing.
"You mean to say the title would've been yours." Viviane uttered.
"And she did those horrible remarks about you. She should be punished. I'm thinking we should suggest something. Maybe some plan to punish her for violating our rules. She needs to be taught a lesson." Danielle was suggesting. "Something that would scare the hell out of her, and then we would reveal to her later that it was only but some plan."
"Do you have anything in mind?" Jolie said.
Danielle was thinking for a while. "Come let me tell y'all." They joined heads together and was agreeing to it. Some minutes after, the horn of the bus blared.