C3 Confession

< ʙʀᴏᴡɴ'ꜱ ᴍᴀɴꜱɪᴏɴ >

Thirty minutes later, Esmeralda descended the stairs with her dog pet trailing after her.

“Good morning, Esme.” Joan sarcastically greeted, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Good morning, Mom.” Esmeralda mumbled, seeming guilty for getting ready for school this late.

“Why are you just coming downstairs?”

“I... I wasn't feeling the urge to go to school.” She sincerely responded.

“Why?”

“No reason.” She lied.

Joan let out a deep breath while shaking her head.

“I don't even know what to say to you, young lady. Anyway, your siblings already left for school. Do you want me to drop you off?” She asked.

“Uhm... no.” Esmeralda shook her head as she slung her backpack over her left shoulder.

“Why do you always refuse me to take you to school or even come over to see how you are fairing there? I don't understand you, Esme. Or is there something you are hiding from me?”

“What can I possibly hide from you, Mom.” She rolled her eyes.

“I get calls from Carmen and Camden's teachers but definitely not from yours and_”

“We can't be having this conversation now. I'm off to school!” Esme cut her mother off and started walking towards the door.

“Since you refuse to let me take you to school... Can I at least send you some money for the transport fee?” She asked, bringing her child's step to a halt.

“I would really appreciate that.” Esmeralda smiled.

Joan scoffed, bringing her phone out of her handbag, and started scrolling through the apps. She clicked on the bank transfer app.

“Your account number.” She said.

Esme quickly called out her account number, waiting patiently by the door.

A few moments later, she heard the chime notification sound of her phone and quickly pulled it out of her pants pocket.

“100k dollars? That's too much, Mom.”

“Is that the 'thank you' I get?” Joan frowned.

“Forgive my manners. Thank you so much for the money. I really appreciate it.”

“No hugs or kisses?”

Esme chuckled and rushed back to her mother. She embraced her and kissed her lightly on the cheeks.

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome. Now, off to school or you will be very late. Do you want me to call the principal and have him_”

“No!” Esmeralda quickly cut her off. “I'm sorry but I don't think that's necessary. I will take whatever punishment given to me for going late to school.” She said.

“Are you sure? I don't want any bruises on my beautiful daughter's body.” Joan smiled.

Esmeralda forced a smile to her face. If only her mother knew about what she was going through in school.

“I will be fine, mother. I am always fine.” She responded.

“Won't you have breakfast before leaving?”

“I am late, Mom. Bye.” She ran out of the house immediately.

“This girl always wants to live a simple lifestyle.” Joan sighed and headed for the front door, calling out the maid in charge of the house whenever everyone was out. “Sally!”

“Yes, ma'am.” The maid rushed out of the kitchen and stood in front of her madam, slightly bowing her head.

“I am off to work now. Take care of the house, okay?”

“Okay, ma'am.” Sally replied.

“Good. And also feed the dog. He means a lot to Esme, it will break her heart if anything happens to him and I don't want that for my daughter. Is that clear?”

“Very clear, ma'am.”

“Alright. Take care.” Joan left the house as well.

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< ꜱɴᴏᴡʏ ʜɪɢʜ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ. ꜱᴇɴɪᴏʀ ꜱᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ >

The school bell rang, and students from their various lessons started coming out of the classroom, filling the once quiet hall with their loud chattering and laughter.

Amongst the throngs of people was Camden and his two best friends; Ricco and Harley.

Ricco has been friends with Camden for four years and they were both on the school football team while Harley is a tomboy who has been friends with Camden all their lives.

Harley is the only one among Camden's friends who knows about Esmeralda's true identity. Although, she promised to keep her mouth shut.

The three of them walked down to their lockers which were horizontally beside each other.

“How was class?” Harley asked the two boys, picking out her next subject textbook.

“I hate further maths!” Ricco pouted, opening his locker and leaning against it.

“Why then are you attending the lecture?” Camden questioned.

He shrugged. “I don't even know. I must be high on something.”

“You've been attending the class for four years, so are you trying to tell me that you have been high on something for four years?” Harley raised a questioning brow, a smile playing at the side of her lips.

“I guess so.”

Camden slammed shut his locker very hard and turned to face Harley and Ricco.

“Where is Oscar?” He asked.

Harley and Ricco looked around the hall in search of any familiar face that was their friend but they were met with students they know and some they do not know at all. In other words, Oscar was nowhere to be seen.

Oscar was the last member of their group. He has been friends with them for three years. He is more close to Ricco than the others. While Camden and Harley are more close to each other.

“Do you think he skipped school today?” Harley asked.

“He didn't mention anything to me about skipping school. Did he tell you anything?” Camden asked Ricco.

He shook his head. “No, he didn't. Should I give him a call?”

“Yea_” Camden was cut off by Harley.

“Speak of the devil.” She nodded her head to the end of the hall. The two boys turned around and saw Oscar making his way towards them with a deep frown on his face.

“Hey, guys!” He greeted them as soon as he got to where they remained standing, in front of each of their lockers.

“Hey...” They chorused, giving him a questioning look.

“Why are you all looking at me like that?” He asked, unlocking his locker that was near Ricco's.

“You are late.” Camden pointed out the obvious.

“Yeah. I know.” He murmured in reply, tirelessly.

“Are you alright?” Ricco queried.

“Mm-hmm. Don't I look alright?” He asked, staring between the faces of his friends.

“You don't,” Harley answered without beating around the bush. “You look so exhausted and... sick. What happened to you?”

“Wait, are you seriously sick?” Ricco raised a questioning brow, watching him closely as he waited for an answer.

Oscar was quiet for a few minutes before saying,

“I have a confession to make,”

“A confession?” They repeated in sync, exchanging glances.

“What kind of confession?” Camden inquired.

Silence hung in the air as Oscar took his time to continue talking.

After another few minutes of keeping shut, he finally opened his mouth to talk.