The Campbells

Chapter 4

Mr Alfred walks in…
“Good morning class, hope you are all ready cuz I have a surprise test for you.” Monique always love these things, it’s like licking the cream off of a chocolate cake before you get to the main galour.

The test has commenced with Ivy sitting in front of her. Time is moving slowly-tick…tock…tick…tock…THUD. Monique looks down to see a crumpled up paper hit her leg. She picks it up and unfolds it. It was a chit filled with answers.

“That belongs to me” Ivy whispers. She turns around to see Preston shoot her a look and she knew he was trying to throw it to Ivy.
“Hello? Give it to me… or you can keep it. I don’t need it anymore cause in three… two… one…” Monique looks up to see Mr Alfred, her favourite teacher staring at her disappointedly.
“BUSTED!” Ivy finishes. “Monique? What’s that in your hand?” Mr Alfred starts.
“er…” She fumbles with the paper and squeezes it tight, putting it behind her back.
“Nothing…important-sir” She says, trying not to lie. She can hear Ivy and Preston giggling hard around her but she has no time to get angry. Her fave teacher is disappointed in her, what does she do?
“See me after the test, miss Campbell, in the meantime, I am collecting the chit and your papers and you are to sit there and think about what you’ve done.” He says, going back to his seat.

                            ***

“(Whistle blows) out onto the field everyone-in a file!” Coach Bieste shouts. Tyler, Ursula, Joseph, Tanya and some other ninth graders march out to the field. It is time for soccer practice and the boys are to go first. The girls sit on the benches along with Avery who came to watch Tanya practise.

''Whistle blows'' and the match kicks off. The ball is tossed around for some minutes, and then Joseph passed it to Tyler to score a goal. Tyler catches the ball, a little uncoordinatedly, turns around for some quickly and shoots. In the process, he twists his ankle which makes him aim off. The ball goes towards the benches in full speed; hitting Tanya in the middle of her forehead and toppling her onto the cement ground with a loud “BAM!!!”

“Tay, you alright?” Avery says, offering her hand to get up. This draws a small ask that’s asking questions ‘bout her wellbeing.
“Here’s some ice, I’ll take you to the nurse.” Bieste says,
“Practice is over.” She finishes with a strong voice. As Tanya is led away, she sees Tyler standing on the grass, numb. He was almost visibly shaking and his eyes are soppy.

                           ***

“Mr Alfred? You asked to see me.” Monique says, standing in front of his desk.
“Yes Monique. Can you please sit explain what this is?” he says; holding up the chit,
“I am really hoping it’s not what it looks like.”
“No sir,” she says almost sharply,
“it isn’t.” she tells him everything but doesn’t put Ivy in it (don’t know why).
“Well, I know and trust so… I believe you and I’ll just have to take your word for it. I don’t know what the panel will think though, but I will speak on your behalf. But for now, I’ll have to give you detention for the whole of tomorrow, before this is resolved. And that includes Preston too.”

                             ***

''Knock, knock, knock.''
“Who could it be, Tay?” Avery asks.
“I’m not so sure. Could you please, get that?”
“No probs.”
“Thanks.” Avery opens the door.
“What do you want here, numbskull?” she says with an insultive tone, “to finish what you started and break Tay’s head to bits?”
“Avery, please, let me in.” “No!”
“Tanya, I know you’re in there, please, tell Avery to let me in”
“So? What if she’s in? I’m not letting you.”
“Avery.” Tanya cuts in, “let him in.”
“Fine. But I want to know what he wants.” Avery says.
“I want to speak with Tanya-alone please.” Tyler pushes.
“I didn’t want you in and now, you want to be alone with her? Not a chance.”
“Avery, please.” Tyler continues.
“Leave now or I’ll call the nurse!”
“Ave, I can handle this.” Tanya cuts in. Avery leaves the room but is just outside the door.
“What do you want?” Tanya starts.
“Tanya, I am so, so, so, so, so, so, sorry, It was an accident, I swear… I didn’t mean it-honestly. Please… I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”
“Look Tye.” Tanya says,
“From what I’ve seen so far, you don’t have a good record with girls.” Tyler smiles shyly.
“Anyways, I know it was a mistake and a very painful one at that; but I’m ready to forgive you.”
“Thank you sooooo much.” Tyler says, relived.
“NEVER let it happen AGAIN.” Tanya says. “at least, you came to see me soo, I can let it go.”

They talk for some more minutes…
“Thank you so, so, so, so, so much; I will never forget what you’ve done.” He says and leaves, happily.
“What’d he want?” Avery pops back in and says, pointing towards the door in disgust.
“To apologise.”
“And you forgave him? Are you sure you’re okay? You know you hit your head really hard.” “Girl, what’s wrong with you? You are too soft.”
“Ave come on. He’s actually a nice… clumsy guy.”
“duh”
“Give him a chance… for me?”
“Alright. But baby steps okay?”
“Sure. Thanks Ave.”
“Is that all?”
“He also asked about me. I told him the nurse said it was nothing and I will be alright in no time.”
“*sighs, relived* I thought he was such a jerk not to ask about you… okay, I’ll give him a shot.” Avery finishes.

                           ***

          The Campbells are all at home and Monique is looking for a way to break the news to her mom. She’s in the kitchen, rehearsing lines.

“Mom, so today uh… there was a test and… No.”
“Mom, I was framed in test today so… No. ”
“Mom, you know sometimes in life, unexpected things happen and… No”
“Mom, I gotta tell you something…”
“What is it dear?” Sylvia says and Monique turns around to see her mom at the door way of the kitchen.
“Uh… how long have you been there?”
“Just came. Why?” She says, puzzled.
“Nothing… no-thing.”
"So, what’d you want to tell me?” Monique swallows hard then starts
“Mom” Monique says then pauses for a short while.
“I got detention.” She finishes saying, bluntly.
“WHAT?! WHY? HOW?.” She asks, surprised. All the questions rush Monique at once and she is numb.

***

“This has gone too far.” Luke says, driving home quickly.
“I can’t believe Nicole tried to pull that stunt on me. Like showing up on thanksgiving wasn’t enough; she shows up in my office, wearing only a thong and a bra underneath a wool robe. Her dressing must have been ignored because of the robe she wore to cover it. I can’t fall victim, I must tell my wife everything… yes… that’s what I’ll do… when I get home, I’ll tell my wife everything.” He says with a tone of finality, makes a sharp turn and speeds off.

***

         Sylvia and Monique are sitting on both ends of the couch and Monique begins.
“So mom, I got detention today.”
“Why? How?”
“Well…” she tells Sylvia everything and Sylvia is enlightened. They are done talking and hug but Monique can tell by the look on her face that she doesn’t like this.

''DING DONG''
“I’ll get it.” Tyler shouts while running down the stairs, heading towards the door.
“Evening dad.” He calls out.
“Good evening, Tyler. ”
“Good evening, dad.” Monique says.
“Hey honey, how was work?” Sylvia asks.
“Evening Monique.” Luke says in his ‘M-nik’ kinda way.
“Hey dear. Well, work is… something to talk about –after dinner.”

AFTER DINNER……..

Sylvia and Luke are in their room.
“So honey, what ‘bout work?” Sylvia begins.
“Dear… Nicole is hitting on me.” He says blankly.
“What?! Since when?” she sighs heavily and continues,
“Could evening could honestly, not get any worse. First, Monique and now, you. Can’t you guys look for a more subtle way to break the news to me? Huh?”
“What ‘bout Monique?”
“We’ll deal with that later.” She snaps.
“Luke,” she says, now calm “how did this all happen?” Luke explains everything to her from the beginning, till today.
“Well,” Sylvia says after a long, awkward pause. “That lady plays a hard ball. I’m scared she’ll take you away from me. Please, don’t fall for her, Luke; you’re mine.” Sylvia says worriedly. They talk about Nicole for a long while and then, comes a long pause from both of them. Later, she tells him about Monique’s and he seems to understand. They eventually go to bed.

************************************

Hey, readers.

I’m happy that you guys have been following this book till this point. I’ll try to make my updates more frequent. This chapter seems longer than the previous ones. I’ll try to keep that up (No promises).

Do you support what Avery did about not allowing Tyler entry at first?
Hmmm, last question. Who can guess what’ll happen during detention?
Only one way to find out. Until next time.

Don't forget to like, comment and vote...

+ Peace +