My Date for Prom (ON HOLD)

Chapter 3 - The Strange Encounter

I wake up with the smell of pancakes in my room. Don't ask me how I know. When it comes to food, I have a really perfect sense of smell.

I quickly get up and get dress. Then I went to the kitchen.

"Mom, did you just made pancakes?"I asked just as I enter the kitchen and sit on one of the counter stools.

"Yes. I did."said mom from behind me. That was shocking. Since when did she start to become more motherly? It's not like she's not motherly at all, all these years. She is the perfect mom you could ever have but she rarely went to the kitchen except for asking our cooks what she wants to eat.

"Mom? You did not knock your head or something today, right?"I asked with concern. I don't mean to be rude but she's just so weird today.

"Of course not, silly. I just felt like cooking. I'm gonna get dress. Enjoy your breakfast!"she said cheerfully. I watched her leave until she dissapear from my sight.

Well, that's unsually weird.

"Hey, Kathy. Good morning."Ethan greeted."What's wrong with her anyway? Did she just made us pancakes?"he asked with wide eyes. It seems he was shocked by mom sudden change too.

"Well, yes Ethan. I'm also quite confused."I said to Ethan.

"She haven't cooked anything since our father's disappearance. What do you think that means?"he asked me.

"Honestly, I don't know."

                            ......

The school bell rings. The sign for student to get their arse in class. A lot of grunt and curse could be heard from some student. Then they made their way to their class. Leaving me here all alone searching for my books from my locker.

I really need to hurry up or else I would receive some nasty comment from Mrs. Brim, who teach us History. And she's in my first class today which is a bad sign for someone who is still searching for her books. Urgh. 'Sorry but damn,  books! Where are you? Ah. Found it.' I quickly half run to my class when I bumped into someone.

"I'm very, very sorry. I am really sorry."I panicked. Bumping into someone at this time would lead me to a very unpleasent future.

"It's fine. Really. You don't have to keep apologizing."said a man who strangely looks familiar. He wears a really fine tailor-made suit. He is maybe in his early forties based on his looks.

"Could you do me a favour? Do you mind showing me the way to the principal's office?"he asked.

'Oh. I actually really mind. I'm already late for my class. I would be screw if I didn't go right now.' But of course I didn't say that. I just bumped into him. It would seem rude.

"Yeah. Sure."I said putting on a smile. I have a really bad feeling about this.

We walk silently to the principal's room when he start to ask me my name.

"I'm Kathy. What's yours?"I asked him back to be polite.

"I'm...Johnny. You could call me John."he hesitate.

"Okay."

Then we walk in silence again until we arrive at the principal's office.

"Thanks for showing me the way. I really appreciate it."he said.

"You are welcome. I need to get to my class back. Nice to meet you."I said then turning back when he called my name.

"Excuse me but what's your last name? If I may ask?"he asked.

"It's Wellington."I smiled and start running to my class. It was weird though. I thought I just saw a glimpse of a shocked expression on his face.

Oh well, whatever. I have more important things to do. I'm so dead.

                             ......

"Miss Wellington, where have you been?"asked Mrs. Brim just after I enter the class.

'I've been to London to see the Queen.'if I say this maybe it will ease the tension in this room, or maybe not. "I'm showing a man to the principal's office, maam."I said nervously.

"Really?"she asked while fixing her spectacles on the bridge of her nose with her plump finger. "I'm calling the principal to confirm your statement. If I find you are lying, you are getting detention today young lady."she said with a stern face. "Now go to your seat." Then she call Mr. Bridge, I guess to confirm my 'statement'.

I just shake my head and went to my seat. Teachers these days are so prejudice. I know there's a lot of student who missed school on purpose but that doesn't mean all of the students. Even though school is not on of my favourite place but I still need to graduate so I don't miss any class at all especially not on purpose.

"Hey, Kathy." Erica greeted me from her seat which is next to me.

"Oh. Hey."I smiled at her.

"What's with the ruckus? You're 15 minutes late and that teacher was furious."she said with a made up serious face.

"I'm helping some man I bumped to the principal's office and she didn't believed me."

"That's unbelievable!"she said with wide eyes.

I laughed. "I know right."I said. "Where's your beloved brother, anyway?"I asked her.

"Oh. He's not very well. He gets sick often. We kinda get used to it by now. He have anemia."she stated.

"Sorry, then. I don't know about it."I said, feeling guilty.

"No. Don't be sorry. It's fine, really."she paused for a moment."He just act strong so he could go to school and act like normal teenagers. He's also big-headed which quite annoying for me."

I think she said that just to clear the air. She seems sad about it but shake the sadness away.

"Miss Wellington and Miss James, have you girls finish copying my note? If not, stop talking and star writing." Mrs. Brim said when her back is still facing us. How the hell did she knew we were talking? She gotta have some sort of sixth sense.

"Yes, Mrs. Brim. We're copying your notes."we said it at the same time and giggle quietly.

                             .....

The last bell rings, a sign that the school was finished for today. The sound of teenagers cheering like it's the last day of school, the screeching sound of illegal skateboarders in the hallway and teenage girls squealing with their friends everytime a hot guy pass by. Some couple are even shamelessly smooching in front of their locker which is a gross sight.

I am so deep in thought when someone tap my shoulder. I almost freak out but stop when I turn to back to see that it was Erica. Who was grinning with books on her left hand and her phone on the other hand.

"Why are you sneaking out on me like that. I could punch you in your face accidentally and get a minor heart attack." I exclaimed.

"Oh, come on. No one is going to get a heart attack from just a tap on their shoulder. Chill."she said casually. "No one have ever done it to you?"she asked.

"Nope. Except a weirdo like you, of course."

"I'm offended."she said with a fake sad face the burst out laughing. "Do you have any free time today?"she asked me.

"Not really. Why?"

"Do you perhaps want to go to my house. You know, visit my brother. I'm tired of taking care of him and those little rascals."

"Maybe not today. I have music class. Maybe tomorrow."

"Okay, then. Bye."she waved me.

"Bye."I waved her goodbye.

"Oh, Kathy"she half screamed at the front gate"I'm glad we're friends. It's been so long since he has ever smile back without faking it."she said and walked away.

"Glad to know."I honestly don't know who's she talking about. Which he?