STRANGERS

Chapter 6- Oblivion

Why am I being accused of something ridiculous? Who would do such a thing and frame me up? Sir Andy isn't the type of person who'd get mad but the situation is serious. I had no choice but to come with him to the principal's office. For the record, it's my first time being called to the authorities. This'll suck for sure.

On our way to the office, we passed by the rooms in the school hallway and I could hear the students murmuring about me. Everyone was glaring at me as if I am a criminal. But I kept on walking with my head held high, trying not to shed a tear. At last, we got to inside of the office. Being exposed outside is worse than this.

"Ms. Santos, is it true that you've stolen your adviser's  phone?" The Principal asked.

"I absolutely did not, Sir. I am innocent and I'll prove you wrong!" I answered.

"How is that, Ms. Santos? Remember that you are just a transferee here. You better tell the truth and end this now." The Principal uttered.

"Andrea, I am so disappointed in you. You are such a bright and responsible student, why would you do this to me?" Sir Andy stated out loud.

"No. Why are you doing this to me? Why don't you believe me like the way you do? Trust me. I didn't attempt to steal your phone! It wasn't me! Someone framed me!" I shouted back at him.

"Quiet down, Ms. Santos. Sir Andy, I think she's right. There are some circumstances that the person might have been framed by someone else. Why don't we check the cctv footage of the outside of the room?" The principal said.

That's a great idea! Why didn't I think of that in the first place? This time I'll be proven innocent.

"Shall we?" Sir Andy said while he was looking at me straight into my eyes like he was doubting.

The staff inside the office prepared the cctv footage. Good thing that the school has those. They come in handy once in a while.

Somehow I was relieved and cleared my thoughts. Everything will go well after this. I promise.

"Take a look at this." The Principal said.

The footage showed three people who came out last. The first who came outside was me. I was then followed by two persons. Who could they be?

"Could you zoom it in for me?" I requested. 

The video was zoomed in and that left me shocked. Steph and Dale were shown in the video. I can not believe my eyes were seeing this.

"The culprit might be either of the two. Andrea left the room without bringing anything with her and she isn't in a hurry. Andrea is innocent." The principal justified.

Thank goodness someone believed in me.

"I'll let this go for now. But I'm watching you, Andrea. Go call on Dale and Steph. Bring them to me." Sir Andy stated.

This jerk is still doubting. Well, I don't care. I stormed out of the room and went back to our classroom. Everyone's faces were worried. But I found Steph and Dale sitting in the corner. They were not saying a word. As I got closer, they were surprised.

"What did they say?" Steph asked.

"Are you alright, Andrea? Dale added.

"I'm innocent but the principal wants to see you. You guys were shown in the cctv footage wherein you were the last who got out of this room." I said.

Steph and Dale were shocked. Their faces were clueless.

"Don't worry. I'll come with you. Let's go!" I uttered.

We ran to the Principal's office
and barged in.

Sir Andy was glaring at Dale and Steph.

"Who among you took Sir Andy's phone and put it inside Andrea's bag?" The Principal asked.

"It definitely wasn't me." Steph uttered.

"I didn't take it. You have no proof. The only thing you have it that footage which only contains the outside scene. You can't put the blame on us!" Dale insisted.

The ambiance inside the room was getting serious. Then I've noticed Sir Andy's hands were shaking and he's perspiring a lot.

"It seems like we make a judgment based on that footage." The Principal uttered.

The video was still playing and it showed that Sir Andy was the last person who left the room. He walked passed the janitor who was cleaning our classroom window.

"Mr. Arevalo, it looks like you were the last person who left." The Principal said.

"What? Me? Ugh well you cannot blame me, still." Sir Andy said in a boastful way.

As soon as he finished blabbering, the janitor came to the office. He was just in time.

The janitor was anxious about what's going on. But he looked at Sir Andy in a shock. Why?

"You can wait for us to finish. Just be outside for a while." The principal uttered.

"No! Let him speak! I'm sure he has something to say, too! He's in the scene, afterall." I insisted.

The janitor did not leave and he stepped up. He cleared his throat and said,

"I saw everything."

"The kids didn't touch neither the teacher's table not their bags. They only left their belongings inside and they've gone for lunch." The janitor added.

Sir Andy's face looked as if he was guilty of the crime.

"But I've seen Sir Andy placing something on a student's bag and immediately got out after that." The janitor uttered.

"Enough! You've done enough! Now get out!" Sir Andy shouted angrily.

"Students, you can leave. Mr. Arevalo, you stay." The principal said.

Sir Andy was rude. Steph, Dale and I left the office. We were dismissed and I went home. What will happen to Sir Andy? I hope he'll get punished for that cruel act. But why did he do that to me? Is he trying to grab my attention? Or does he hate me that much? Whatever the reason may be, I hate him. From this point onward, he's a stranger to me.