Kiss Of Death

07

“Thomas Andrews and Alexandra Gonzales, please proceed to the principal's office.” The announcement echoed through the hall,  Xandra herself had no idea why she was called to the principal's office aside from her failing grades.

The moment she entered the office, Thomas stood up and pointed at her, “She's the one whose crazy! Not me! She's just like that damn Velasco—”

“Calm down Mr.Andrews!” the guards was having a hard time trying to keep him calm, Xandra almost did not recognize him.

“Ms.Gonzales, can you please take a seat here, and we have already reached out to your mother about the motorcycle, Mr.Andrews here claims that you have been...using the motorcycle at the parking lot?” her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“Motorcycle? You mean Alfred's motorcycle? Well, yes.” She nodded, her confusion still visible.

Thomas scowled, his voice dripping with accusation. “Yes! The one that was left behind by Alfred Velasco! You were with him, weren’t you? Where is he?! Everyone knows he has been missing, why do you have his keys?!”

Xandra repeated, her heart racing. “What do you mean? I was just with him; he’s my friend!”

The principal interjected, his curiosity piqued. “Can you please clarify? Where was the last time you saw Alfred Velasco?”

Xandra’s mind raced back to their last meeting in the park, where they had laughed and talked about everything and nothing. “I was with him just a few days ago at the park. We were hanging out—”

The principal raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident on his face. “Are you sure about that? His parents reported that he hasn't come home weeks ago,  That’s why we’re taking this matter seriously.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Xandra said, she was sure that if he had his own problems at home he would most likely tell her, so it didn't make sense why he would leave home.

He was just…” She hesitated, trying to find the right words. “He was just at the park, and we were talking about life...”

“At the park, at the park! Are you really sure you aren't going insane?”  interjected, his tone mocking, as he stopped anxiously pacing back and forth.

“Mr. Andrews, that’s enough,” the principal snapped, turning his attention back to Xandra.

“I need you to focus. If you saw Alfred recently, it’s important that we know where and when. This could help us find him and clear up any misunderstandings.”

Xandra felt a surge of frustration, she could not help but question whether she can really trust them, feeling a little hesitant that maybe Alfred wouldn't want her saying anything.

The principal sighed, realizing that he won't be able to make out the real truth between the both of them,  but he knew something was not right, there was something off about the entire situation.

                                  —

Xandra stood outside the principal's office, feeling anxious as she waited for the guidance counselor and principal to finish their discussion with her mother. She couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversation, hoping to gain some insight into why they had called her mother to school, but she couldn't make out much what was it all about. She felt a heavy weight on her shoulders.

Finally, her mother emerged from the office, looking pale and worried. She took Xandra's hand and pulled her away from the school, heading towards the car.

"What did they say?" Xandra asked, her voice trembling.

“It doesn't matter," her mother replied, her tone gentle but firm. "You're fine, honey. You're just stressed about academics."

Xandra's heart sank. She couldn't believe that her mother would deny what was happening to her. She knew that her mother was just trying to protect her, but she wished that she could understand what she was going through.

Xandra and her mother sat in silence on the drive home, both lost in their own thoughts. When they finally arrived home, her mother finally spoke up.

“Why didn't you tell me you were getting bullied?” now Xandra was the one who could not speak, but she tried to brush it off, “That was before, everything is all right now. I have a friend now.” She answrred calmly

"You know, sweetheart," her mother began, her voice soft and tender, "I know things have been tough lately, but I want you to know that your health is just as important as your academics. You don't have to be the valedictorian or the class president or anything like that. As long as you're happy and healthy, that's all that matters," she continued, her words carefully chosen.

Xandra felt a sense of relief washed over her. She didn't realize how much she needed to hear those words until now, and she felt tears well up in her eyes. She smiled back at her mother who continued to speak, her voice filled with compassion.

"You know, it's okay to let go of the pressure now, just—just don't ever get involved with him or anyone of his friends again." her mother said, her voice breaking a little as she spoke. "I know I've never told you this, because  I want you to toughen up in this cruel world, but I have always been proud of you.” Xandra hugged her mother tightly, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. She felt like she could finally let go and be herself, and that was a feeling she never wanted to let go of.

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