THE NARCOLEPTIC GENIUS

CHAPTER 9

The next day, Marybeth noticed Joseph wasn't in school. He was never late for school. She got worried and looked at Debby to mouth out, "Where's Joseph? " Debby simply shrugged her shoulders. Marybeth wanted to call him but class begun. The whole day, Joseph didn't show up or text either of the girls and they were worried. They tried to call him but his phone was unreachable. So when they saw that he had disappeared for too long, they decided to visit him at his house.

They rang the door bell and a woman opened the door. Joseph lived with his aunt. He lost his parents when he was in the tenth Grade and his aunt, his mother's younger sister, took him in.

Cecilia Oakley was a woman in her early thirties. She had a small slender body and was just slightly taller than Marybeth. She had brown hair in a razor cut and had grey eyes. She was an elementary school teacher by profession and they definitely didn't have it easy.

"Oh, Marybeth, Debby, it's been a while. Do come in, " Cecilia said. "Oh no aunt don't worry about us. We're not staying for long. We just came to find out if Joseph is okay. He hasn't been coming to school and it's not like him so, " Marybeth said. Cecilia's face became dull. "Joseph, is in the hospital. He was attacked on Monday while he walked back from home. Whoever attacked him hit his head real hard and he had a concussion. So he was unconscious for a few days but he's awake now. Though still recovering and I still have to work so I decided to keep him in the hospital to get maximum attention, " Cecilia said.

Through everything she said, Marybeth and Debby's facial expressions became more worried and shocked. Soon they thanked Cecilia and left. While they walked, Marybeth said, "I wonder who would do such a thing. The streets aren't safe anymore, " Marybeth said. "To be honest, they've never been but you're right, this is terrible, " Debby said. "I feel horrible. Last I saw him, he looked like he wanted to say something but I guess he respected the fact that I was with Cameron. Do you think he got himself into trouble? " Marybeth asked looking at Debby who was suddenly lost in thought. "Debby, " Marybeth said taking her hand. "Huh? Ahh, sorry I was just processing something. Yeah, you're right but what trouble? " Debby asked as they continued walking. Marybeth just shrugged.

When Debby arrived home, she received a call from Andrew. She rolled her eyes and picked it up. "Heyyy, " he said. "Oh, we're still pretending nothing happened? " She asked with a sarcastic tone. Andrew was confused so he asked, " Pretend? What do you mean? Did I do something? I don't remember us fighting. " "Oh please, don't play dumb. You know what you did, " she said. "Babe, I really don't know what you're talking about, " he said. "Then let me tell you. Joseph hasn't been coming to school these days and I just found out that he is in hospital. He was attacked and beat up so badly. Now we've seen this happen before. A dork crosses your or Cameron's path and he's in for it. Let me guess, Cameron told you just what to do. He probably held Joseph up like a punching bag for you, didn't he? " She said.

Andrew took a deep breath and let out a sigh. "So, you really believe I was involved? " He asked. "Yes, yes, I do. You've always been Cameron's minion. Following his command and protecting him like royalty. Whatever the deal with that is. It's pretty obvious. I'm just hurt that even after what we've become, you don't want to be nice to my friends. I was close to them first before I was close to you so I won't tolerate anything or anyone that'll hurt them, " she said and immediately cut the call.

Andrew didn't even want to call Cameron after this, he wanted to look him in the eye and show just how mad he was. He immediately got up from where he sat and headed out.

Cameron was in the living room of his parents luxurious mansion having a glass of champagne when Andrew barged in.

"Hey, care to join me? " Cameron asked. "Why did you beat up Joseph? " Andrew asked ignoring the offer. "Coz he's just a nerd that thinks can outsmart me, " Cameron said. "You can't keep doing this, " Andrew said. "Why? " Cameron asked with an arrogant expression. "Because I'm blamed instead. People will think I did it. I don't even blame them coz I've done it before but I'm no longer like that. Because of you, Debby is mad at me, " Andrew said.