Clapping Monkey

Chapter 3. The Principal

I m still in confusion regarding what just happened. I was finally about to end it but then I was saved by a priest. He said he will give me a reason to live. I am a fool for actually believing him. I met him for the first time. I guess I was intrigued when he said he will give me a reason to live within 3 months. I am not sure what kind of mess I have gotten myself into.

"I am home, mom. Don't bother about my dinner, I am not hungry. I am tired so I am going to bed".

"Hon, your step-father brought fresh pizzas for you. Why don't you have a bite? "

I ignored her and making my way through the living area went straight back to my room and locked it.

"Don't bother her. I guess she is still not comfortable with me" Robert's words were even more hurtful. He made it looked like I am wrong here.

Robert is my mom's husband and my step-dad. On the outside, he looks like a joyful family man but he is rotten on the inside.

My mom and dad separated 3 years ago and when my mom won my custody, it was the best day of my life. My dad was an entrepreneur but he wasn't very successful. Soon, he got addicted to alcohol. He became irritable and my mom and dad fought constantly. It took a toll on my mental health. They finally got divorced and I have been living with my mom ever since.
He too was a kind and loving guy and I knew that he cared for us but as time passed he became worse.

Then one year later, my mom met Robert. I met Robert before my mother did at a feast organized by our town. My friend, Claire and I, attended the fest because she wanted to meet this guy from a dating site. There she met Robert, they dated for a week and then Claire told me that he lied to her about his age all along. He tried to take advantage of her.

When my mom introduced Robert to me, I told her the truth. I always considered him a paedophile for hiding his lying and hooking up with a girl of his daughter's age.  It turns out he was a master manipulator, he knew that Claire had a problematic household and she would never support me against him.
He was right but from then on, I distanced myself from him and hated my mom for being such a foolish person.
All these recollections made me tiresome and before I knew it I was fast asleep and when I woke up it was already 8 o'clock. How come mom did not wake me up?.

"Mom! I am late. I won't have breakfast. I am heading to school"

I finally reached hell. This school was hell for me. It was a catholic all-girls school. We all started our day by invoking God's blessing. After the whole prayer show was over Sister Theresa started with today's announcement.
"Girls, As some of you know that Sister Gina, the former Principal, of school is no longer with us. May she rest in peace. I am going to introduce our newly appointed principal, Father
Jude. "
I glanced at the petite figure on the stage with pale skin. As I saw his face, the whole world collapsed. What are the odds that my "saviour" is my new principal? This is a whole another level of coincidence. From a distance, all I could make out were his clothes as a shiny ring on his finger.
I tried making eye contact with him. He saw me for a second and ignored me. His expression did not change a bit and he looked as if he saw me for the first time.

I was still in shock when Claire walked towards me.
" I thought you would not come to school tomorrow. My sister, Karen is ready with the plan . I trusted you with this, she will reach there to meet him at around 10 o'clock. Now tell me how is your mom going to see it".

"Don't worry Claire, The plan changed a bit but my mother will still see it. I already texted her from an anonymous number and send her screenshots of the conversation and told her that the unknown account as Robert and she can see it for herself at Clark's cafe".

" You did not tell me about the plan change". I could see that she was a bit agitated.

" I have to go somewhere. I promise I will tell you everything later."

"But where are you going? "

" To meet the new principal ".......