CHAPTER SIX — IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK.

Chapter 06.

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK.

Lauren's POV.

I dragged my steps as I walked behind Camille like a criminal who's been brought before the court. I walked past the tables which had a few retort stands, conical flasks, pipettes and burettes on them.

It seemed to me like a practical had just been concluded, or perhaps was just about to begin. But there she was, Agnes, looking out through the window with her back turned to me.

“She is here.” Camille said, like some maid sent to fetch me.

I wasn't surprised with the kind of attitude Agnes was pulling off. I mean, she's always had that, uhm, what's the word again? I can't recall. However, she just wants to feel like she's on top of the world, dishing out orders like some employer, and always wants things to go her way.

Last time someone brought it up, who was it again? Oh, right! Camille. Last time she brought it up, Agnes erupted like a volcano. We all knew how it ended.

However, on this, I knew that I was at fault, because I'd given her my word to show up at her birthday party, but I didn't.

“You weren't going to come?” she asked, turning to face me with a raised brow.

“I was. I just had…” I sighed, and lowered my head.

I didn't have any excuse. If anything, I should have just followed Camille when she told me about it.

“I am still mad at you for what happened last night.” Agnes said, walking towards me. “I am not going to pretend like I'm not hurt, because I am. I expected you to be there. You gave your word, Lauren. How could you go back on your word.”

“I know that nothing I say right now would mean anything to you, but,” I paused, lifting my face to her. “Things happened, and I couldn't come.”

“Oh really?” she scoffed. “So this is what you planned on telling me when I asked, right?”

“No, it's… it's the truth.” I said, in a soft voice. “I couldn't help the situation.”

“Your mom said something different to us.” she shrugged her shoulder. “You didn't show up because of the scar on your face, or am I wrong?”

I caught the hard note in her voice.

“Hey, take it easy on her.” Camille said, nudging her in the arm discreetly.

I knew it would end up this way. And guess what? She didn't fail to disappoint me.

“In as much as I would like for you to be wrong, you're right.” I said, my throat tightened with tears. “I just couldn't show up at your birthday party looking different.”

She turned her face away as if realizing that she shouldn't have said something like that. But I could understand how she felt. Or perhaps, I was only doing all I could to understand how she felt.

“Still, you should have showed up.” she said, her voice dropped. “You know quite well that anyone that tries to hurt you would have me to contend with. I wouldn't allow anyone treat or make you feel less of yourself.”

“I just didn't know what to do.” I said, blinking back tears. “I tried wearing make up, but it was still there. I had no idea what to do to make it go away.”

“Come here,” she said, opening her arms.

I took some steps, and she wrapped her arms around me in a warm embrace.

“I am only mad at you because you didn't show up even after giving me your word that you would.” she said. “But it doesn't mean that I hate you. I mean, you all are the best friends one could ever ask for and that was why I wanted to spend my day with you all.”

“I am sorry.” I said, trying to steady my voice.

“It is not a problem.” she said, holding me at arm's length. “Besides, it's gone. There's always a next time. Just don't make the same mistake again.”

“Alright, I won't.” I said, with a brief smile.

“So, where in the world where you?” she asked. “We searched the whole school for you, but couldn't find you.”

“Uhm, someone came to see me.” I said. “I didn't think I would stay this long. I thought it would be a brief conversation.”

“Who was it?” Anita asked. “Your boyfriend? What's his name?”

“Come on, Anita.” I said. “I have no boyfriend, and you know that.”

“Well, then tell us his name because I'm sure it was a man.” she said. “So, who is it?”

“Alright, I'll tell you.” I said. “His name is Conrad Miller.”

“Conrad Miller?” Camille reiterated, narrowing her gaze at the words. “Are you sure about that? Or perhaps, are you mistaken?”

She exchanged puzzled glances with Agnes and Anita, before returning her gaze to me.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked, noticing the weird looks on their faces. “What is going on?”

“I have no idea who you met, but did he really tell you that his name is Conrad Miller?” Anita asked, in a curious tone. “Or are you just saying this because you found the name somewhere and fell in love with it?”

“No.” I made a face. “Of course not. He was here some minutes ago, and we spoke. The reason Mrs Stephens came to fetch me was because he wants to speak to me.”

“No, it can't be him.” Agnes said, shaking her head. “There is no way in the world that it's Conrad Miller. I mean, if he really did come to this school, then I would have known.”

“Yes, we would have known.” Anita said. “So, it seems like you heard, and saw wrong.”

“There is no reason for me to lie to you.” I said, trying to study their faces to know what was going on. “Besides, if there's something going on, don't you think you should let me know.”

“Let you know?” Agnes asked, narrowing her gaze at the words. “Are you kidding right now? You just said that you saw him. If you really did see him, then there's nothing else you need to know.”

“I don't understand.” I said, moving my gaze from Agnes to Anita, and back to Agnes. “Help me understand what's going on. I have no idea who he is.”

“Are you kidding?” Agnes scoffed. “If this is a joke, then stop it. How can you say you have no idea who Conrad Miller is. I mean, there's no one who doesn't know him. Besides, if you have no idea who he is, then how are you certain he's the man you saw? It could have been someone else.”

“No, the man I saw wouldn't lie to me about something like that.” I said, shaking my head. “Besides, I met him last night, and that was how I got to know him.”

“You met him last night?” Anita gasped, her hands flew to cover her mouth as she turned to face Agnes.

“Is this what I think it is?” Agnes asked.

“No, it's not.” I said.

She must have thought that I ditched her birthday party intentionally just to see him, but that wasn't the case.

“Lauren,” she called, with a stern look on her face. “Don't lie to me. Where did you meet him, and what were you doing with him? Besides, what time did you meet with him?”

“Quarter to nine?” I said, with a shrug because I wasn't really sure.

“Is that so?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest, and shifting her body weight to one foot.

“No, it's… it's not what you're thinking.” I stuttered.

“What exactly do you know that I'm thinking of?” she asked, looking me straight in the eyes.

“That is enough now.” the voice came from behind.

I turned back, and found Mr Griffith standing by the door.

“I will need you all to leave this place now.” he said, taking some steps forward. “There is about to be a practical class in here.”

I thought as much too. Although, when I walked in earlier, it seemed like a practical session had just ended. But taking a second look at the arrangements of the apparatuses, I realized that the practical was yet to begin.

“We aren't done with this conversation yet.” Agnes said, and walked away.

Anita followed behind her.

“Aren't you coming?” Camille asked, walking towards the door.

“I am right behind you.” I said.

“Lauren?” Mr Griffith called as I got to the door.

I paused and turned back to him.

“I didn't ask you to leave.” he said, taking a step forward.

Camille and I exchanged puzzled glances, then I returned my attention to him.

“You can go on Camille.” he said, looking past me. “I need to speak with Lauren, alone.”