REALLY, A THIEF?

The next day being a Friday, I went to school really prepared after repeatedly giving myself words of encouragement in front of the mirror in my bathroom.

I got to school only to notice that Lily was absent. I wondered why she isn't in school yet. This was unlike her. While waiting for her, I decided to keep my mind occupied. I brought out a book from my backpack with the title, Keeping A Calm Mind.

Half way through it, Mr rude arrived and immediately walked up to me.

"S.B, I can see your friend isn't in school yet." He pointed out the obvious.

I cringed at the abbreviation 'S.B' but I calmly replied, "yes, I know that."

"You didn't say thank you, yesterday," he reminded.

I dropped my book. "Why should I? You stopped them but literally said they can continue after the classes end. That isn't an act worth saying thank you to."

He glared at me. "You are really stubborn. You never agree to anything I say."

"I cannot agree to something so unreasonable," I snapped.

"Alright. I will make you say thank you to me today, I promise you," he declared before walking out.

I did not bother with him. I was more worried about Lily. I was about making a call to her when I saw her walk into the class with a gloomy expression.

I rushed up to her. "Lily, are you okay?"

"Not really. My dad is down with a high fever. A private nurse is taking care of him at home and my grandma will be coming today to look after him. My dad rarely gets sick. I can't remember the last time it happened," she mused.

I gave her a warm hug. "Don't worry, Lily. Your dad will recover before you know it," I assured.

"Are you sure?" She asked, sounding so unsure.

"Yes, I am very sure. He is your superhero remember," I encouraged.

She smiled and nodded.

After assuring Lily, we got ready for class. During the Economics class held my Mrs Paula Jones, a student complained about his missing notebook. I recognize that student as one of the two who started the little paper game yesterday—Kelvin.

Mrs Jones had everyone turn out the content of their backpacks on their desk and once I did just that, I saw a different notebook. I picked it up and frowned.

"That is my notebook," Kelvin immediately shouted, dragging the notebook out of my hand.

"I didn't take it!" I quickly said.

"How did it get into you backpack then?" Mrs Jones asked with a frown.

"I really don't know." I was puzzled.

"She took my note book. She is a thief," Kelvin said in a high pitched voice.

The chanting of 'thief' echoed throughout the classroom.

"I didn't steal his notebook. What do I need it for?" I asked, making sure my voice was loud enough over the repeated chanting.

It died down once Mrs Jones warned the class to reduce the noise.

She turned to me. "You alone know the answer to that."

"She didn't do it," Lily came to my defense.

"Why do you think so?" Mrs Jones asked with a brow up.

"She is my best friend and she would never steal," she replied.

"The book was found in her backpack. I'm afraid to say, young lady, but you don't know your best friend," Mrs Jones stated.

"I know my best friend very well and I know she is being framed," Lily angrily said.

"Framed?" Mrs Jones asked surprised.

"Yes," Lily nodded firmly.

Just then, Courtney spoke up. "I saw her sneakily hiding something earlier."

And just like that everyone started voicing their opinion of what they think they saw me doing. I was so shocked as I sat there rigidly. My eyes glistened with tears. This is wrong, so wrong!

"She didn't," Lily barked at everyone.

Mrs Jones spoke. "The class is saying she stole it but you are the only ones saying otherwise. I'm sorry but I choose to listen to the voice of masses. If there is no evidence that she was actually framed then Miss Raymond will be getting detention for a week."

After saying that Mrs Jones waited for a while for us to provide an evidence but we didn't have one and so she walked out of the classroom. I turned to Rex angrily. He sat on his seat with an amused smirk. That bastard! I was sure ready for anything but being called a thief wasn't something I expected. I ran out of the classroom in tears with Lily calling after me to stop but I didn't.

I ran until I saw a door with a sign saying, Music Hall. I wiped my tears away, quietly opened the door and entered. No one was inside except for a man, probably in his mid forties cleaning the instrument. I asked for permission to stay and he granted it.

I picked out my favorite musical instrument, the violin and started playing.

"You play well," he said after sometime.

I smiled. "I am only good with the violin. I hopefully want to learn others as well."

He nodded and asked, "so did you sign up for music?"

"Yes, I did," I replied.

"Good then. Once the music classes commences next week. I will make sure you do," he assured me.

"Are you the music instructor?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes. Call me Mr Dwayne," he introduced himself.

"Is nice to meet you Mr Dwayne. I'm Sydney Raymond," I replied.

He smiled. His smile was enchanting as the symphony of music. We talked more and then he decided to let me continue. He went back to cleaning the instruments while I continued playing the violin. I realized that playing the violin helped me cool down a lot.

I remembered the chanting of thief and then the tears came back to my eyes but I quickly blinked them back. I hate stealing so how I can I get involve in the act I hate so much. I can take any name label but not one that will ruin my reputation.

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