16 HATS OFF HATRICK

Chapter 15

The senior year is not even in the middle and I already got called in the principal's office thrice. I knock on the door of Principal Hay's office. He says, "Come in." I poke my head through the door. He was going through some papers and when he looked at me, the disappointment in his eyes shattered me to bits. He gestured me to have a seat.

The last time I was here, it was for the case with agent Savvaro. The memory still gets me chills. I took my seat opposite to principal Hay and hang my head.

"Ms. Ryan." I looked up and met his eyes. "Whose plan was it?"

"I only mixed Jalapeño powder in the frosting. But the spring was done by someone else. I never meant to hurt her." I would cry any moment if he kept that stern look on his face.

"That was not the only reason I called you. What about your English paper? How was it?"

I remember the assignment I was given yesterday. I was so messed up after dad's visit, I took one of Jeremy's old papers and copied it after doing some editing. I kept my head down because I knew what was coming.

"Mrs. Lee came to me with the paper and told me that you have never done it before. Why now?"

I met his gaze for a few second then put my head down again.

"What would your mother say?"

"I don't know, she died," I finally opened my mouth.

My mom died two years ago. She was diagnosed with cancer when we were in New York. We had to come back to Evergreen Wood, because we couldn't afford staying there after all the expenses of mom's treatment. We moved into our old house. Dad stopped giving my school fees, he could only afford one of ours and Jeremy was chosen as he had less years of school left. The school offered me a full free studentship in exchange of a few social works and good grades. I studied as hard as I could.

Sometimes at night, I would sit beside my mom and hold her hand all night. I would talk to her in her sleep. Tell her about all that had been going on in school. dad was never the one to listen. he never had the time. Sometimes I would just stare at her in awe. She had pale yellowish skin like mine. I got the grey eyes from her too. But my mother had silky black hair. I always wished I had black hair like mom. But Jeremy and I both inherited dad's dirty blonde hair.

After a few months of receiving chemo, the doctors declared my mom stable. Those were the best days of my life. Dad became close again, Jeremy started smiling again. We were all having a great time. Mom and I used to plan all the places we would visit once she was fully recovered. She always loved Paris. That made me love Paris too.

Principal Hay observed me for a moment. He was probably the best principal ever. He had a short height, round face and round glasses. With that heartwarming smile, it is impossible to fear him. He was the one to testify me as eligible for a full free studentship. I hated to disappoint him.

"Is it your father?" There was pity in his eyes.

I wasn't unable to talk. But still I preferred nodding my head.

"What happened?" He was so genuine, I started missing having a father figure around.

"He came home yesterday. He forfeited us from his inheritance."

"I am so sorry," he replied with a low whisper and put away the papers on his table to a side.

"He is marrying Nova. She fears that he might give us everything and leave her child nothing."

"She's pregnant?" I nodded and he sighed.

"He came with some blank checks to get out of his responsibilities." I took a sharp breath and he understood I didn't want to talk about it anymore.

"look Ms. Ryan, I've seen the spark in you. The talent in you. You are a very bright student. So, I will be expecting you to work hard to get the attention of Yale. Copying papers might give Yale something to hold against you. Is that clear?"

I was looking at him awestruck. My only goal now is to get a scholarship for Yale, otherwise my grandparents and Jeremy can't afford my college.

"I'm going to put these papers away and pretend it never happened. But you have to give me your word that it would never happen. Deal?"

My eyes were watering on its on. But I gave him a smile and said, "Yes sir. It would never happen again. I would work hard to get that scholarship."

"You would've made your mother proud."

I think about his words for a while. If my mother was alive would she have been proud of what I achieved all these years?

I remember the day I came home and found the house empty. After mom became sick, my grandparents moved in to take care of mom. But there was no one. I went upstairs and looked in mom's bed room, but it was empty. I tried dad's phone, gramp's phone and even granma's phone which she never picks up. Though Jeremy was in practice, I tried his phone to know if he knew anything. But no answer.

I calmed myself saying that there is a reasonable explanation for everyone not receiving their phones at the same time. But I wasn't stupid. That's when I heard the door bell. I opened the door to find Jeremy or Dad. But facing me was Noah.

"Hey, I brought something home with me?" I asked wondering if he came to take his papers or homework or something.

"Uh, no." He shook his head awkwardly. Then Mr. Flickermen came from behind. That's when I knew something was wrong.

The next thing I knew, I was in Mr. Flickermen's car and we were heading for the hospital. Noah was holding my hand and squeezed it occasionally. I tried to cry, but I couldn't find any tears. Somewhere in the back of my mind I was convinced this was a dream.

We entered the hospital and found my grandparents and Jeremy in the waiting area. Dad was shouting at some doctor. Jeremy stood up to grab me before I could enter the ICU, but he was too late. I pushed open the glass door and there she was.

My mom lying in the hospital bed. She seemed lifeless. But the monitors showed faint heartbeats.

Jeremy came behind me and grabbed me by my waist and dragged me out of the ICU.

The doctors said her life force was burning out. Dad sat lifeless on a chair staring at something beyond. My grandparents couldn't stop their crying, after all she was their world. Jeremy and Noah were the ones taking care of everyone. Talking to the doctors.

When she was gone, I stared at her for a long time. Feeling hollow. Jeremy put his arms around me and that's when I cried.

"Ms. Ryan?" I get out of my memory when principal Hay calls my name.

"I know it's hard for you. That is why I cut a lot of slack for you." I wasn't sure if the phrase worked that way but he continued, "I could expect a little in return. nobody knows about the paper. They'll know you got busted for the cake. It could've been otherwise."

"I know. And I am forever grateful to you."

"You're dismissed," he said as he took the papers from the corner of the table and put them in the shredder.

I stood up and thanked him one more time. I couldn't help thinking if it was someone else as principal, would I have still been in this school? I opened the door to get out but principal hay called out.

"One more thing. Jalapeño in frosting was a pretty good idea." he smiled at me and I grinned back. "Tell Mr. McFrey that I would be keeping an eye over him.' Then he winked and I got out of the office.

********************

"He said that?" Noah asked me with a fake expression when I told him what principal Hay said about the Jalapeño.

"Yep. So what about tomorrow? You sure Susannah remembered to bake the cupcakes?"

"Here," he tossed me his phone. "Call her yourself."

I know better than to call Susannah and asked if she remembered something or anything. She would freak out and give me a lecture about how irresponsible we teenagers are and we think that the adults are irresponsible as well. So I toss Noah his phone back.

"So tomorrow, we attack." We clinked out spoons and got back to the yoghurts I brought from home as hallway snack.