Musketeers

14

There were only very few times I skipped the first period morning class, and those had acceptable reasons. It is only this year when I had failed to attend some classes when the teacher asked me to look for the twins. Argh. My studies are compromised because of those two...

I felt a sudden pang of sadness with disappointment when I remembered the reason why I was absent in today's first period.

"They had checked the rooftop before the bell, and they didn't see you. Have you been there the whole time?" Mara asked as we walk.

"Yep. I fell asleep... Er... Who went there?" I noticed we are not going to the faculty room. "Mara, where are we going?"

"To the principal's office." She checked her phone, "Come on, let's walk quickly."

My heart palpitated at what she had said. Principal's Office? But it's just my first offense! I held Mara's left arm, "Mara, why are we going to the principal? Is it because I skipped the first class?"

To my relief, Mara laughed. "Of course not! We only had a seatwork, because Ms. Junio did not go to class. Actually, we won't be having a teacher for the whole day."

"What? Why?"

"An emergency meeting and preparation." She looked at me, "No, I don't know what the meeting is about."

I laughed. "I was just meaning to ask you that. But, what do you think is the reason?"

"Oh our classmates had asked me the question a hundred times so I thought you'd ask," She siged. "Maybe some important persons are coming. Remember during our fifth year when the Minister of Education visited? It was announced two days before the arrival and the teachers freaked out." She laughed at the thought.

I did not respond since I don't really remember that time. Instead, I focused on what I should be doing after this. I will look for the owner of the necklace, then I will--

"Rose? Here's the office," Mara called.

I stopped. I am walking away from her. "Erm... S-Sorry. I spaced out.. hehe."

She frowned, "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes! I'm good. Let's get inside," I said and pushed the door open.

Ganymede and Janeth are also there. The principal, Atty. Alejandro Gomez, is sitting opposite them at the long mahogany table. He is a strict-looking, beefy man; stout and small though he may seem, but many teachers had told us he was a black belter in his younger years. Our adviser Mr. Gacayan is also there looking calm but quite deep in thought.

"Good morning sir," we greeted both. Sir Gacayan motioned us to sit on the chairs next to Ganymede. Mara sat beside her and I settled myself on the last chair.

Atty. Gomez cleared his throat before speaking, "Ladies, sorry to bother you in your class today, but I just want to talk to you about the incidents that happened a few weeks and a last week ago." He paused to look from Janeth to me, then continued, "I want you to know, and please do inform your parents on the matter, that the school had done everything to solve the pranking. However, we are deeply sorry that we still have not caught the perpetrator."

None of us answered. Honestly, I don't know what to say so I looked at Mara. The other two are looking at her too.

Mara, aware that we expect her to say something, seemed a little anxious. But she nodded, "We understand, Sir. If we have something we can do to help, we are very much willing to do so."

Woah. She's really gifted at things like this...

"Thank you, but I daresay we don't want to trouble you with the investigation, given that you have so much in your academics." He smiled at us. Then cleared his throat again. "Anyway, the very reason I called for you today is to ask you a small favor."