CHAPTER EIGHT

MARIE RICHWOOD P.O.V

“Marie Richwood?”

“Shit,” I muttered, shocked by how shaky my voice was.

“Principal Francis?”

“I was told someone was impersonating my name on their first day school, what do you have to say about that Marie?” he asked quietly, putting his hands at his back like a disoriented preacher

I sent Nicole an icy glare, which she returned with equal fervor. I would deal with her later, I turned to Principal Francis and sent him my sweetest smile, one I had used on teachers at Dale High a lot, and it helped me escape Detention lots of times. They were all so magnetized by it.

“I am sorry about that Sir; I just needed to see Cyrus real quick and I knew he would not leave his books unless I used the name of a higher authority like yours”

“Is that so?” he asked incredulously clearing not believing a word I said. It was the truth though surprisingly

I nudged Cyrus who remained silent; his eyes were darting back and forth as though he wanted to escape Principal Francis presence. My body throbbed at the touch but knew I needed to help get him away from the Principal

I noticed Nicole was staring brazenly at Cyrus; she was so lost in her stare, that she did not see me observing her

Wanting to catch her in her snare, I turn to Principal Francis” Sir, if I may ask how you came to know we were over here?”

“How I came to know does not matter Marie, what matters now is how you both came to be stained with Paint on school property?, even children in kindergarten have overgrown all this” he said sternly, looking at Cyrus and I one after the other

“Marie sent Anna to the class to call ……”Nicole tried to talk but Cyrus caught her off smoothly

“She needed me to explain some things to her which she did not understand in class that was why she sent Anna to call me in your name Sir”

“And where is the book if I may ask? And why come to the football court?” he asked suspiciously

I was getting tired of the questioning though, my body still throbbed painfully from where Cyrus slammed me against the wall, and I might have to warn him not to do that next time

I smiled warmly at the thought, ‘next time’. I would agree our short make out session had been hot, I slid a glance his way but his gaze was on Principal Francis, he did not waver, so did Nicole’s her eyes were practically undressing him

I scoffed in annoyance. He is mine.

I was surprised when Cyrus pulled his map coordinates out of his pockets; I recalled he had been tracing the map in the library. He stretched it out for Principal Francis to see

“She called me here, because it was quiet and we are not breaking any rules, it was a free period. So she decided to call me” he turned to Nicole” What you witnessed in the classroom is not all there is to the matter, I was just being reluctant in class, I did not know her reason until I got here and Anna refused to tell me as well” he explained, indirectly insinuating Nicole had told Principal Francis

But the girl was none the smarter “What about the paint? You both have it on you?” she questioned eyeing me with so much gusto, I returned the look with the same intensity

“I tripped on the paint and splashed some on her as well” my heart skipped as he defended us both. What was Cyrus up to? There was a lot of change in a boy who ignored me the whole day and is now taking my side, or was he taking my side? He seemed to be apprehensive in Principal Francis presence. He might not be snobbish and arrogant after all, there seems to be a story there

“Alright then, you both should go to the administrative building, get new uniforms which you are to pay for tomorrow, do not make me remind you myself about the payment. Am I Clear?” he asked sternly

“Yes sir” we both chorused. I smiled cheerfully at Nicole who was scowling beside Principal Francis, I wondered the connection between them and why he would follow her over just because I called Cyrus.

Anna had said something about model parents, could his parents be involved? I knew Cyrus would not give me the answers I needed without some extra effort on my part. I might just have to look for some other way to get closer to my African prince and nerd.

“Principal Francis?” I called, carefully articulating my words” I did not have much interest in studying while I was at America but now that I am here I figured out I need to put in  lot of efforts”

“Meaning?”

“I was hoping, I could get a tutor, like the best student in the class to fill me in on some of the subjects, I was thinking Cyrus here could help me with that, since he is the best student and all” Cyrus turned to look at me puzzled

“How do you know that? He is a very good student, an excellent one at that. We are expecting a lot from him. He is the pride of Bells High school. He has gone to so many Competitions for the school and he has also won medals as well. So we are very special about him. But I will consider it an added honor to have him teach you Marie; take it as a gift from me to you. You won’t find a better teacher than Cyrus here. He is a very wonderful ornament for the school and his family. He is a very good student. We have high expectations of him” he said singing Cyrus’s praise

Ornament, isn’t that a little cruel? He is a living being. That explains his offish attitude; he really gets a little bit of love “Can you help me ask him sir? He gets cranky when I try to ask him for help. My classes today were so hard and I needed someone to explain the lessons to me. Can I ask if he can also come to my house? ” I pleaded nicely much to Nicole’s displeasure

“Surely, there is no need for that, are you not his seatmate? You can learn in school, he will teach you in school only” she deadpanned

“Nicole keep quiet, Marie is from America, so these things come quite naturally to her, it will take some time for her to adjust” I nodded innocently “ No, problem then, you look like a bright child also. I am sure with Cyrus’s teaching you should be as good as he is in no time” He faced Cyrus “You don’t have to worry I will take permission from your father, so you can go over and help her, is that okay with you? Cyrus”

Cyrus nodded, I must have shocked him into silence, or something else, but he gave no indication as to what. His handsome face had some emptiness in them. I sighed being called an ornament was definitely a mood downer. I would get pissed also if I was referred to as such.

“Alright, you two should go clean up, lunch will soon be over, Nicole come on, let us go”he called leaving in the same creepy way he came

Nicole however was not done; she sauntered over to Cyrus who arched a brow at her curious

“Are you okay? “She asked sweetly bringing a hand to his face to wipe off a paint had stuck to his skin, she tucked her hand in his” Come on let’s get you cleaned up? I will get your uniform from the admin myself”

“Shouldn’t you be doing that to Marie?” he asked his voice devoid of any emotion. It was hard to tell if he was displeased or not.

She flicked a gaze to me, and then flicked it back to Cyrus irritated “why should I do that?”

“She is a female, I am a male. That’s why. I can clean up myself thank you” He said dismissively, taking on that arrogant streak of his. He moved out of her reach and began walking towards the classrooms.

I whistled loudly, and followed Cyrus but Nicole’s words dragged me back” Leave Cyrus alone, if you are not going to stay. Don’t let him fall in love with you. If you won’t be by his side till the end”

Nicole’s words made my triumphant mood turn sour “And how do you know that?” that fact was just a suggestion my Dad had made.

She snickered “I have my ways. Just don’t make him waver. If you will not love him completely. He needs someone who can give him love”

“I don’t know about love but I plan on getting to know Cyrus better, if you have any problem about that. You can go hit your head against an electricity pole” I snarled. I was done arguing I turned away from her and began going after Cyrus

“I love him” Nicole called after me. I stopped in my tracks

“And I am not giving him up to you anytime soon” she declared.