My friend named Z.

Chapter 6: Kevin

 

10th April 2011

Months passed and I've gradually been moulded into a rebellious, rude, horrid  kid, courtesy to Z. My recent attitude was a huge contrary to the meek girl I once used to be. 

 

I proceeded to the office and told the school clerk that the principal wished to see me again. 

"Oh Natalie." She shook her head. " What did you do this time?"

"Nothing. " I frowned and proceeded inside. I had enough to deal with today ,without nosey school clerks breathing down my neck.

The only pleasant attribute about the office was the powerful air conditional.  It was a cool respite to the boiling heat outside. I walked past the waiting area. There were two girls slumping on the blue chairs, eyeing me in disgust and a man engrossed in reading the paper.  I took little notice of them and tentatively walked towards the room at the far end of the office. 

"Ah yes. Natalie. Sit down." The principle pulled out a chair, giving me a hypocritical smile. "Do you want to start, or shall I?"

I remained silent.

The principal's strong peppermint perfume stung my nose.

Mrs Holly was a plump woman in her mid-forties, cladded with her usual long skirt and purple blouse. On her desk, was her red designer bag and countless medals and plagues that the school had attained over the years.

  "Natalie. We are all trying to help you with whatever you are going through now." She put her hand on my shoulder and looked at me with, I presume, false concern. " But you've got to speak up."

"There's nothing wrong with me." I replied solemnly and glared back at her.

"Natalie, you have always been a good, straight 'A' student, but you have been skipping a lot of your classes out of late. And yet you tell me that nothing is wrong?"

I ignored that remark and turned to Z who had been unusually quite since I stepped into the office. 

"Is it the stress? Family matters? Bad company?" Ms Holly just didn't know when to quit.

I snorted and turned to Z. " Hah. Bad company."

Z did not answer. She was staring at the man sitting at the waiting area, who was reading the paper. I glanced at the man outside, and then back at Z. 

" Earth to Z ! Earth to Z!" I mentally shouted to her.

" What is your problem? " She finally snapped back. 

" Caught you starring!" I laughed almost out loud. "Come on he is not that good looking!"

Z was unmoved. Her eyes were still transfixed on the man outside. 

" Ask for his name." 

  " Wow. Ask for his name?!" This time,however, I couldn't contain my laughter."Z! Seriously?!"

" Natalie ? Are you alright ?" The principal was shocked by my sudden outburst.

Damn I blinked hard remembering that I was still in this stale office. I straightened myself.

"Eh yeah.. Mrs holly.."I gulped and looked at Z. 

"Go on. Ask for her for his name!" Z was serious. 

"I.. erm.. I-I would like to know the name of the man seated outside at the waiting area."

I frowned at Z, cursing under my breath. This is so embarrassing and not to mention, stupid.