Getting My Reputation Back

Jayden dragged Lucretia along the corridors with Mimie and Crystal following from quite a distance. He was so pissed that he could even feel his blood boiling through his veins. He finally came to a halt when they got to the hallway, swinging Lucretia to a position where they stood facing each other. He shot a deadly glare at Lucretia and she needed no one to tell her how pissed he was.

Jayden was always the smiley type of person who doesn't get angry easily but as things were now, Lucretia was really seeing a different version of him as she has never seen him like that before.

She tried to explain things to him but he rose a hand which suggested she kept whatever she wanted to say to herself. For a second, he felt like walking out on her but then, there was so many questions running through his mind at that moment which he needed answers to.

"What were you thinking Luc–? Did you even think of it's outcome? Why let your ego get the best out you?"

"I'm sorry Jay but she...." Lucretia began to explain but then Mimie and Crystal interrupted, finally catching up with them; panting heavily. They stared from Jayden to Lucretia as they tried to catch on their breath. Crystal was the first to speak up after getting her voice back.

"I think you guys should calm down."

"And I'm trying to do so here Crystal but it totally seems impossible. Was fighting Daisy all she could think about?"

Crystal and Mimie both had no answers for this question. They sighed, taking a quick glance at Lucretia who stood staring at her feet. "Come on Jay–" Mimie stroke his arms. "See, you're making her feel bad already.

Jayden stared at Lucretia for the second time and that was when it dawned on him that he shouldn't have gone so hard on her. He would have done the same thing if he was in her shoes. He instantly took her hands into his, with remorse written all over his face.

"I'm sorry Luc, I shouldn't overreacted like that."

Feeling the sincerity of his apology, Lucretia smiled faintly as she nodded in response. "It's okay Jay. I know you guys are worried about me. Maybe you're right, I shouldn't have gotten into a fight with Daisy."

They talked for a while and when everything had settled down, Jayden reminded Lucretia about their earlier plans. She in turn, asked him of his findings so far. There was nothing much Jayden has gathered on his own since his initial plans was to meet up with Lucretia then go on ahead with her to meet the waiter who was willing to help them. Fortunately for them, Jayden found out that the hotel that Daisy took Lucretia to was one of her Dad's numerous hotels.

With rapt attention and much anticipation from the girls, he explained to them his plans. Lucretia stared quizzically at him, her face was blank and one could not tell if she was happy or angry.

"So..., are you saying we're gonna skip school today?"

"Exactly." exuded Jayden roguishly.

Lucretia glanced thoughtfully at Crystal and Mimie then back at Jayden with a set smile.

"Mm..., do you think this is a good idea?"

"Why not? We'll leave Mimie and Crystal to cover up for us."

"Hey–" Mimie cut in, "Aren't we all going together? We're all in this together remember?"

"I know Mimie but some have got to stay back and cover for us. Don't you think?"

Crystal, who kept staring thoughtful at them with a calculative look all along instinctively chipped in, siding with Jayden as everything he just said kind of make sense to her after her critical analysis. "I think Jay is right here Mimie. It's better we let them go alone. Moreover, we still have the video circulating on YouTube to deal with. Right Mimie?"

She hastily added, glancing at her with a sly grin. Mimie looked confusedly at her but it was instinctively replaced with an appealing grin as their earlier discussion with Philip to meet up and find ways to get the video off the net crosses her mind. "You're totally right Crystal." she exuded.

Both Lucretia and Jayden were surprised at her sudden reaction but they shrugged it off anyway since they were already running late and have to take their leave before attention dawns on them if they don't want to be caught.

Moreover, the bell may rang anytime time soon for classes to begin and it will be very difficult for them to escape. Making very sure they were not being watched, Mimie and Crystal assisted Jayden and Lucretia out of the walls of the school through the back gate.

"You guys should take care and don't forget to text if anything goes wrong." cautioned Crystal.

"Fairly. You guys should go back now and be careful about Daisy. I know by this time she will be roaring like a wounded lion."

"You should have thought about that earlier on before getting into a fight with her. Come on, you guys should get going now." remarked Mimie.

"Okay, okay, we leaving." she sighed, slightly dragging Jayden as they took up the pavements to the main bus stop which was some few minutes walk away. Mimie and Crystal also left taking the corridors to the hallway.

Philip checked his wrist watch and it was almost time for the bell to rang for the first lesson. At that moment, the bus pulled up in front of the school. He took his bag and rushed out of it. He was about to glide into the school's vast compound when he noticed two familiar figures hurrying off the opposite direction to the main bus stop.

Watching skeptically at them as they rounded the corner, the thought of going after them dawned on him. He retrace his steps about to go after them but stopped midway when his earlier plans with Crystal ranged in his mind. He glanced at the direction they took once again and retreated to the school's gates; sauntering in.

He got to the hallway and found it in such an usually chaotic state with almost everybody murmuring about the same thing. At first, he thought it was about the video circulating on YouTube but then the mention of Daisy and Lucretia's name made him think otherwise. He was about to ask one from his colleagues when the bell went off. All the students dispersed, taking up the corridors to their various classrooms.

"I guess it has to wait. Anyway, where is Crystal and Mimie?" He sent his eyes lurking through his surrounding but didn't see them anywhere in sight. He knew at that instant that he would end up turning late for class if he tries to find them at that moment so he decided to do that after the first lesson which had about 30mins break before the next.

He doubled his steps, heading for class when Mike and Eugene ran up to him.

"Hey, thought you guys were in class already?" He glanced at them both, quiet surprised to see them.

"How could we when your lovers decided to devour each other at school even before lessons begin?"

"What!" He stopped in his tracks.

"You heard me right Phil... Come on, let's keep walking if we don't want any problem with Mr. Louis" commented Eugene, dragging him along. "Jayden managed to take Lucretia away whiles we took Daisy but the worse part is that the principal heard about it and has invited both parents. Anyway, do you know where Lucretia is?"

"Mm..., no. Well, do you guys know about the video circulating on YouTube?"

"Yes." replied Mike, "We tried calling you about it but your line was busy. I even left a text."

"So..., do you think your brother can help get it off Youtube and other social media platforms?"

"I think so. You should chat him or call him and see."

"Alright, I will do that when we settle down."

With that said, Philip pushed the class room door opened and they sauntered in. Luckily enough for them, the lecturer was not yet in. They all trod to their seats and settled in. True to Eugene's words, Daisy wasn't present in the class which told him that she was in the principal's office but he couldn't say for Lucretia as he saw her leave with Jayden and he totally had no idea where they were headed to.

Thinking of which, her parents had also been summoned and Philip was pretty sure she had no idea about it. For if she had, she wouldn't have moved an inch from the school. Knowing Lucretia well, he doesn't need anybody to tell him that she hadn't told them anything yet and they finding out like this was really going to be a total catastrophe especially with her fighting and also skipping school. He sent his eyes lurking around for her friends but then remembered that he had that class only with Lucretia since her friends had their own separate classes every Wednesday mornings.

Philip rummaged through his bag for his phone. He tried Lucretia's line to give her the red light but there was no answer. He tried severally but there was still no answer. He thought she was ignoring him so he left her a text at least to keep her informed before giving up.

He was about to text Mike's brother when the lecturer walked in. He quickly shoved the phone back into his bag. Mr. Louis on placing his things down, asked them to bring out their textbooks and they wasted no time starting the lesson for the day under Geography.

As soon as the Lecturer turned to the board, Philip took out his phone and texted something to Malvin, Mike's elder brother.

CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS VIDEO FROM YOUTUBE AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA?

He waited patiently for a reply and within few seconds, his phone vibrated. He checked and it was from Malvin.

SURE, I WILL GET IT DONE SOON. WHY DIDN'T YOU GUYS TELL ME EARLIER? HOPE LUCRETIA IS OKAY?

Getting this assurance from Malvin made him feel relieve and at peace. That was the least thing he could do for her. He sighed, texting him back.

YES, SHE IS.

Malvin replied back, sending his regards to her and then went offline. The feeling of satisfactory flashed through Philip's face for the first time in a long while as he sent his concentration back to the lessons. The lesson went on for an hour more with the students listening on with rapt attention.

On the other hand, Lucretia and Jayden were busy in town getting glues and finding evidence. They first went to his father's hotel where they inquired of any of the workers who were available on that day the event took place. Fortunately enough, she wasn't on her day off. She explained to them everything that took place; giving vivid description of the person who brought Lucretia and there was no doubt that was Daisy and her friends. They further asked if they came with any guy but she made it known to them that they were all girls who came. With no more questions to ask, they went to the camera room where they requested for the camera footage for the room in which Lucretia was sent to and also the day the incident took place. They went through for a while and spotted a guy booked a room next to the one Daisy booked but rather ended up going to the one Daisy booked.

"Please pause here." Jayden interrupted, "Can you send it back a little and zoom out that guy's face?"

"Sure sir..." answered the control room guy and did just as he was told.

Jayden saw from the instant who the guy was after his face was zoomed out. It was Ethane, one of the rich kids and bully in the school. They requested for a picture and a copy of the footage and rushed out of the hotel has they still had the waiter at Daisy's party to meet.