Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Pearl's POV

The next morning, I went to school alone for the first time without my twin sister. I’d insisted on staying back with her at home but my mom successfully chased me out of the house with a mop stick. Aurora had woken up with a bad fever and she was throwing up, I had to reluctantly leave her side to take my bath.

My mom decided to stay back and take her to the hospital for a checkup. Aurora while on her sickbed promised to meet me in school after if she gets better and I made her give me a pinky swear on that.

As I got down from the bus and the school building came into sight, I sighed and tears threatened to spill but I held it in as I held on to the strap of my school bag and walked in. all eyes were on me and as I walked past them, they were saying something with their eyes and their lips were moving as well.

I didn’t care because they were probably saying something about Aurora being absent and suddenly, I got really angry.

I got to my locker and opened it, dropping some of my books off to make my day easier.

“What do you want Jeremy?” I yelled as soon as he was about to touch me.

“Someone is cranky this early hour of the morning, didn’t Lucas…?”

He wasn’t able to complete the statement when Lyla pulled his hair from the back, pulling him towards her.

“Why are you so insensitive, dumbass?”

“What did I do wrong? I was only trying to fill her in,” He argued.

“Fill me in on what?” I asked.

“Nothing you should worry about, Pearl. Where’s Aurora?” She asked, trying to change the subject.

“Aurora is feeling a little bit under the weather but she’ll be fine and she’ll be back by next week,” The two of them nodded at the same time. “What’s going on, Jeremy?” I asked about what he had mentioned earlier.

He turned to look at Lyla and she cautioned him with her eyes. “It’s nothing you should worry about,”

“Jeremy, do you want me to call your mummy and tell her it was you who sold her gold necklace for a girl?” I threatened and before I could complete my statement, he used his palm to cover my mouth. I removed it angrily and cleaned my lips.

“Fine,” He said while looking at both Lyla and me. “Someone saw you with Lucas Anderson yesterday night and now, everyone believes you’re with him,” Lyla quickly interrupted.

I shrugged my shoulder. “It doesn’t matter as long as I’m not with him, I don’t care about the rumor,”

Turning to Lyla, Jeremy snickered. “You sure have a way of using words lightly,” Turning to face me, he said with a smirk, “They believe you’re fucking him and the news got to my mom and she’ll be inviting you both to her office later. Even though I’m still mad at you for what you did, I just decided to give you the heads-up,” He raised his hands before waving and walking away, leaving me in a daze.

“What?” I yelled.

“You should just calm down, Pearl. Shell probably caution you both or something but I believe it won’t be anything serious. I think so,”

I rested my back against my locker as I try not to imagine how worse my day could ever get. I miss Aurora so much and with this stupid rumor going around, I just want to go home. I want a break.

“Are you okay?” Lyla asked, touching my shoulder.

“Yeah, I’m good. I’ll see you at lunch,” I removed her hand and just as the bell rang, I went to class.

I sat at the corner, closest to the window and when I looked up, everyone was looking at me. I knew what was going on in their mind and funny enough, it could be worse than what I thought I knew. I brought out the math textbook and smiled bitterly as I realized it was for Aurora and not me. Quickly, before the teacher walked in, I sent her a text and waited for a response but I didn’t get any.

As the teacher walked in, she looked around as if she was searching for something and when her eyes landed on me, she nodded. “Pearl Augustus, you’re needed at the principal’s office,” She announced and murmuring began around me. I knew that would happen thanks to Jeremy being the principal’s son but I didn’t expect it to be so quick.

“Take your things with you, please,” She instructed as soon as I stood up. I picked up the textbook and my bag and walked out of the class.

I didn’t get to knock by the time I got to the principal’s office, her secretary was missing from her seat and the door was wide open, so, I just entered. Sitting opposite the principal was the devil in the black leather jacket, grinning at me. I glared at him and he made a cute face, if I didn’t hate him right now, I would’ve blushed.

“Take a seat, Pearl,” The principal asked, smiling at me. I quickly pike the seat beside Luke and dragged it far away from him before seating.

“I can see you two are not on good terms,” she noted.

“Yes,” I replied.

“No, we’re fine,” Lucas answered and I was forced to turn to look at him. He winked. That bastard had the guts to wink.

“I need to know, what’s the relationship between you both? There’s a weird rumor going on in school right now,”

“We have no relationship whatsoever, Principal,” I informed her.

“Are you sure about that, Augustus?” Lucas asked.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Why were you in my car yesterday night then?”

“Because you threatened me and bullied me,” I yelled.

“Even if I did, you could’ve gone back inside your house if you’re so innocent as you’re trying to imply,”

Speechless, I bite hard at my lower lip. “You’re a devil,” I spat.

He shrugged. “Whatever helps you sleep at night,”

The principal coughed and that gained my attention, I’ve been glaring at Lucas, thinking of ten thousand ways to kill him successfully and hide his body.

“I think I’ve gotten my answer, I want you both to stay clear of each other, if such a rumor starts again, I’ll be forced to invite your parents in, and Pearl, if he ever bullies or threatens you, report to me immediately,” She gave me her card and I collected it even though I already had her number.

“Mr. Anderson, you wouldn’t like it if I call your father in, so be of a good behavior,” The principal warned him. That moment, his eyes went dark and as he walked away from the principal office, he kicked the chair he was sitting on out of the room.

“Do whatever you want to do, I don’t give a damn,” He yelled before leaving angrily. It took me a few seconds to regain my senses before I left the office and planned to return to class.

My plan was sabotaged by Lucas who dragged me into a corner, pressing my back against the wall.

“Fuck off,” I yelled at him.

“Do you hate me?” he asked. “I thought you have a crush on me,” He said with complete arrogance. I knew this was Lyla’s doings again.

“That was a long time ago, now, take your filthy hands off me so I can return to class, I have a life unlike you,”

“Something is wrong, you have a sassy mouth but not a sad mind. What happened? Did anyone piss you off this morning?”

I found myself shaking my head.

“What happened?” He asked so softly and I could find myself doubting that it was really Lucas. I placed my head on his shoulder as tears ran down my eyes.

“I’m scared,” I cried out.

Lucas Anderson didn’t hug me or tell me it was enough, he just stood fixated at that spot with my head on his shoulder, I didn’t touch him as well but still, he made it appear as if he was there for me at that every moment that I needed the support.