Crossing Boundaries [COMPLETE]

The Unraveling

After nursing a mild headache from the night before, Chris decided to drive back to the suburbs. But instead of heading to his parent's place or Tiffany's, for that matter, he headed for L-S.

He was sticking to the decision he just made hours ago. Something must be done and if Tiffany had no plans of fighting back, he'd start a fire that would push her to exact retribution. He maneuvered the vehicle to the empty parking lot.

Chris picked the right day to visit his former school. It was the weekend so the place is practically empty. No crowds of people to cram around him. With the cap from the previous night over his head, he strolled from the parking lot to the school. He shaded his denim eyes with a pair of specs.

His plan to investigate wasn't a hundred percent foolproof. In fact, it was a weak strategy without Plan B or C. The main goal was to convince someone to underhandedly help him find out about the so called evidence. When that happens, he would persuade Tiffany to take the matter to court.

Thinking about it, Chris realized the first step might be much easier to rack up than the latter one. Something he would worry about later on as he arrived at his destination. As if luck would have it, the principal's secretary is someone he was very much familiar with.

Melissa is a couple of years older than him. She was always fond of him, laughing at his jokes. However it should also be said that she doesn't like him the way most girls would roll at his feet. What they are are purely platonic acquaintances.

As he approached her, a grin formed within his full beard. He then stationed himself in front of her cubicle and muttered in almost a whisper, "Mel..."

Melissa's green eyes were as bright as emerald gems when she saw the owner of the voice. She was about to let out a shriek but Chris rested his index finger vertically at the middle of his mouth. "Don't you want Principal McCarthy to know you're here?" she murmured.

"I'm here for something else, Mel." Chris was straightforward. This could be attributed mostly to the fact that her allegiance was to him and his sister, Carly. "Can you join me for lunch?"

Melissa tapped her fingers on the table, thinking about what Chris might ask of her. "This is urgent, isn't it?" Chris nodded his head. She glanced at her watch. Almost lunchtime. She allowed the voices in her mind to debate for a second, then nodded. "Let's go. Pick the place."

While they were moving for the school's entrance, Chris sputtered. "One of the favors I would have to ask. Maybe it's safer at your place." His shades were now nestled quietly on his sweater. He winked at her, trying too much to be charming as if he wasn't charming enough already.

"Alright then, drive thru and then lunch at home."

*

Melissa's house was tidy although there were stacks of toys sitting on the corner of the living room. Her kids and husband weren't at home, which is good so Chris could really talk with her.

He chomped on the burger, giving himself some breathing time before unloading the favor on her. Melissa, sipping Diet Coke, was waiting patiently for him to speak.

"About Tiff..." Chris started.

"I knew it." Melissa clapped her hands together.

"You don't believe she did it.." more a statement than a question.

She shook her head. "Not for one second. That lady is too nice for her own good to do something as preposterous as that claim."

"So why was she fired without the lawful procedure?" Melissa coughed from the piece of fry she was munching on. She stroke her chest. Chris passed the soda to her. "You know something, don't you?"

She nodded lightly. "Working at the office, I hear things you know."

"So what happened?"

Melissa dragged a long sigh. She recalled the events as if it were yesterday. "Leading up to her firing, the board had an emergency meeting. The boy and his parents were there. Voices were high. The parents wanted to sue. The board trying to evade one."

"McCarthy was in on it?"

"No. She was only tasked to do damage control... Anyway, the board was able to convince the parents of the boy not to sue. In exchange, Tiffany could no longer teach in the country at all. Apparently, the mom is a relative of someone from the Department of Education." She paused to fill a couple of glasses with water. One she slid towards Chris, the other she drank the contents of. "So, McCarthy had Tiffany called to her office."

"How'd she make Tiff agree to the terms of the board?" Chris gripping the glass of water dangerously.

"The usual speech of saving the entire school's honor, for all the students who are studying there. A lawsuit could mar the community and that's something both McCarthy and Tiffany don't want to happen." Melissa shut her eyes. Contemplating whether she would tell him more. "And just as the board suggested, McCarthy etched a bit of fear in her. She talked about how a video and photo can damage not just her career but her personal life, as well."

A PICTURE! A PICTURE! Chris was told about a video, but never a picture. "What picture?" he inquired.

"If I heard correctly, the picture was the more incriminating evidence. I'm just not sure what's in it."

"Mel," Chris pleaded, his peepers at an all-time obscurity. "Can you get a hold of these pieces of evidence they were talking about?"

Melissa looked at him in horror. "How can you ask that of me?"

Chris was even surprised by his own response, his tone desperate. "Because I want her name cleared. I want her to win this battle. I want her to be the same Tiffany I knew."

She didn't know what to make out of what he just disclosed. "Chris, I don't want to lose my job." She had three kids to feed.

Chris rested his fingers along his brown hair, staring at the kitchen counter. He didn't think about that. Someone might lose her job again. "No. You're right. I didn't realize that. I'm sorry, Mel." He rose from the bar stool, tapped her shoulders. "Thank you, at least, for telling me what happened." His smile was limited. "I'll drive you back to L-S." He started walking towards the main door.

Melissa was still sitting back at the counter, something brewing in her mind. Would she or wouldn't she? Finally, she followed Chris to the car. "Alright," she said loud enough for him to hear.

Chris rushed to her, giving her a grateful hug. "Thanks, Mel. I owe you forever."

She patted his back. "Now, now. I can't promise anything but I'll dig into it. And you don't owe me. Let's just get our lovely Tiffany back on track, shall we?"

For the first time today, Chris plastered a real smile. "That's something I intend to follow through."