Between the Lines✔ [COMPLETED]

[8] A Silent Scream

Malory

I stroll my way to the principal's office just as the break interval bells goes off. Mrs Bev is on the phone when I get there, laughing over whatever. I stand and I wait, and she gestures to the seats but I refuse. She ends the conversation and rests the phone down to look at me. 

She smiles. "Lloyd. What can I do for you?"

"I've come on Davidson's behalf," I tell her. 

Over the weekend, I'd pondered over just what I was going to say to Ron and Olivia –and to anyone else who was going to inevitably ask about Kyle.

"Have you now?" She asks, raising a brow in interest. 

Yes, I know. It must be strange hearing this from 5H's Malory Lloyd –the sworn enemy of Kyle Davidson from class 5S.

I ignore the perked interest and continue my report with a straight face. "He's sick. He won't be here for at least another week."

"How are you certain of this sickness?" She asks me. "Am I to just take your word for it?"

"Davidson and I are trying to cooperate –acknowledging the deal we've made with you and the teachers about the scene in the play. He told me he was sick, and I have seen him since that conversation. You know as well as I do that I wouldn't ever vouch for him. He's sick." 

I always knew I could be quite a debater if I really wanted to be. My lies were more often than not on point, and I usually had great points when it came to most topics.

I always know what to say. 

"It's true that you'd never really vouch for him..." she says, taking my case study into account. "Very well, then. Thank you for the report. No marks will be deducted as long as he's ill. He will need to bring a signed excuse, however, stating that he was ill. Take that message to him for me?"

No problem. No problem at all.

"Sure," I say, turning to leave the office.

Olivia and Ron are outside, waiting for me. They're both sitting on a bench, and Olivia stands the minute she spots me strolling out. 

"So?" She inquires.

"She won't deduct marks as long as he's ill. He has to bring a note though."

Worriedly, Ron goes off in a little bit of an overly dramatic emotional crisis. "I really think we should go the extra mile and check up on him... I feel guilty as the best friend."

Someone hold this poor kid and wrap him in a blanket. He deserves a better best friend who would share things with him. 

"You've learnt to be his best friend even in his decision to keep quiet about things –as you've told me. Don't worry, Ron. I'll keep an eye on him. After all, I'm the only one who knows how to keep us both in check," I say.

Then suddenly it's like something I've said has pissed him off and he starts scolding me. "You piss him off, Malory. You both piss each other off. And you checking up on him all by yourself doesn't make me feel any less guilty."

"Okay, whoa. Breathe," Olivia says, surprised by his change in attitude.

"We're cooperating right now," I say to him. "And anyway, Ron, it's not like this is the first time in his whole life he's contracted a fever. He'll be fine. Jeez, you're such a mom."