Chapter 13

During lunch time, the whole school was agog over Parker's arrest. Newspaper clippings perpetrated by some of the school's miscreants filled the hallway, the locker rooms and even the bathrooms. The clippings had Parker's picture on it, calling him all sort of names. For a moment, Amanda felt bad for him. Nobody deserved this but if he was found guilty, he deserved everything he got.

"If you ask my human side, I feel bad for Parker." Emily said.

"And your inhumane side says what?" Amanda chuckled.

"Well, not so much pity there." she said.

"It's just so weird. Someone who just came to the school and now, he's being suspected for murder. I wonder how his parents would feel especially his mum." Amanda said.

"Away from that. Leslie called yesterday, she'll be resuming school the following week. At least, it's over a month since her mother's death. She said she's ready to resume."  Emily sighed.

"Okay. We'll just be here to give her all the support she needs." Amanda said.

"Yeah".

"That reminds me, how is your secret admirer?" Amanda said, wiggling her brows.

"Oh please Am, I have none. Like I said before, the letters have stopped coming. Whoever it was got tired." Emily said.

"So how about Michael's proposal. Are you going to honor it?"

"I'm still thinking about it. You know, he's known for flirting a lot and I wouldn't want to drag myself into any of that. But I'm leaning on the side of accepting." Emily said, sipping her drink.

"You better. To be honest, if you ask me, I really don't see Micheal as a flirt like people claim he is. I mean, you can't judge a book by its cover." Amanda said.

Emily grunted, spilling some drink on the table. 

"Say that to Parker. We knew he was really on the dark side but we never knew he was capable of murder." Emily said.

"We still don't know that yet, he's still a suspect and we really shouldn't be pointing accusing fingers at him when we still don't know the full gist." Amanda said.

"Preach it girl." Emily hollered.

People stared, giving her the stink eye but it wasn't in Emily to give a damn about what they thought.

Just then, there was blaring noise as the speakers came on. The students knew that this was announcement as they waited patiently.

"Amanda Thompson please report to the principal's office immediately." the secretary said.

Amanda sat rigid in her seat. She knew why she was being summoned. As she stood up, she felt so many eyes on her but she reminded herself that she was innocent. She wasn't guilty of any crime.

"You've got this girl, just tell them the truth without mincing any words." Emily said.

Amanda smiled at the show of support as she made her way to the principal's office. When she got to the door, she took a deep breath before knocking. She was scared to her wits but she waved it off. After all, there was nothing she should be scared of, she was innocent and that's all that matters.

A deep voice within ushered her in. It was only once she had visited the principal's office this would be the second time but it hadn't changed. The same murals beautifying the office were the same with others she saw. Amanda met the principal and two plainclothed policemen, Parker was seated in their middle and the only available seat was the one directly facing him. Amanda took a seat, cognizant of the fact that all eyes were on her.

"Good morning Amanda." the principal said in his booming voice.

"Good morning sir." she said.

She gave herself a mental pat on the back at how well her voice was composed. She took a deep breath, calming her raging heart.

"I'm sure you know why you're being summoned?" He asked.

Amanda nodded, saving her voice for when she really needed it. The policemen remained quiet, one jotting some notes on a piece of paper.

"Good, Officer Mark will take over from here." the principal said.

Officer Mark was the one jotting things down. He closed his pen, facing her. He had a calm exterior and a pleasant face but beneath all that, Amanda knew he was one not to be messed with. 

"Good morning Miss, I'm officer Mark. I'll just be asking you a few questions concerning the case we're currently pursuing." He said.

"Okay." Amanda simply said.

"Good. Do you know this boy sitting here?" he asked, pointing at Parker.

"Yes I do".

"On what basis?" He asked.

The other officer whom she was yet to know his name began jotting down some things on the note pad.

"Here, in school. He's a new student." Amanda said, wringing her hands.

"I see. On the eve of the scammer's death, did you see the victim?" He asked.

Amanda nodded then she began explaining all that transpired. She left nothing behind and she could tell that the officers seemed to believe her.

"And after that, did you leave the area immediately?" he asked.

"Yes, I went to the Mart immediately. Parker left before I did so I have no knowledge if he still had an encounter with the scammer." Amanda said.

"Alright, that would be all for now. Thank you for your time Miss." he said.

"My pleasure".

"Thank you Amanda, you may return to your class." the principal said.

Amanda nodded, staring at Parker who had his head down. She soon left but deep down, she prayed that he was innocent. Even though she hated his guts, she didn't wish for him to go to prison. 

She made her way to the class which and already started. Thankfully, Emily helped with her bag which was currently resting on her locker. She settled in her seat, sighing at what she had just experienced.

"How did it go?" Emily asked.

Amanda narrated all that had happened, whispering so she wouldn't be caught murmuring in class. 

"Wow, so they're still holding Parker? I guess this issue is more serious than we thought."she said.

"Yeah, I think so too. I have a feeling Parker has done business with this guy before because it seems like they really have a strong relationship." Amanda said.

"True though. Whatever it is, I hope he's freed soon. I kinda feel bad for him. Murder is not a joking matter." she said.

Amanda nodded, wishing the same thing.