Suppliant

by Laura Tree

  Chapter 6

  “Layla Sanders to the principal’s office,” the intercom announces right before the lunch bell.

  Damien gives me a quick concerned look, and I just shrug my shoulders. I haven’t ever been in trouble at school, so I have no idea what this visit is about. I did apply to a scholarship a few months ago; maybe the principal received news on the outcome.

  “I’m Layla Sanders. I’m here to see the principal,” I greet the secretary.

  “Right this way. He’s expecting you.” She motions me back with a grim look on her face.

  “Please take a seat.” Principal Rayes stands upon my entrance. His office is a typical principal’s office. He has two chairs in front of his desk, as well as bookshelves along all of the walls. Everything is messy and disorganized. It’s a miracle that he can find a pen in this pig sty.

  “The reason for your visit is not a pleasant one.” He says while shutting the door for more privacy.

  “Oh.” It’s all I can say.

  Principal Rayes takes a seat in his chair, his arms folded in front of him and his eyebrows drawn. “You see there’s a problem. One of the students, Sally Hansen,” he says, and my heart sinks instantly, “has misplaced her purse. See this normally wouldn’t concern you, except that three students said they saw you in the girls’ locker room getting into Sally’s locker. They witnessed you take her purse and place it into your personal locker.”

  I want to deny the statement instantly, but I know that it wouldn’t matter because Sally’s daddy has so much influence at the school, being a major donor. I didn’t do this!

  “What do you have to say for yourself?” He stares into my eyes.

  My mouth goes dry. “I’m not a thief,” I say, shaking my head back and forth. I want to argue with him and tell him everything that Sally is rumored to have done, that she’s a psycho, but I know that it won’t do any good.

  “Well it seems that we are in a bit of a pickle. If you won’t confess to the crime, then we will have to check your locker. Please wait outside while I call in Sally.”

  I stand to leave the office on wobbly legs, when it comes. The vision is as clear as day; Sally Hansen is putting her purse into my locker. That little bitch. She turns and laughs to her buddies about how much “the mutt” is going to pay.

  I’m so mad that I want to scream.

  The office waiting room chairs are full, so I have to sit in one of the chairs just outside the door.

  Damien approaches with a concerned look on his face. “What was that all about?” he whispers. I just shake my head at him, too mad to talk. He crouches down in front of me and places his hand on my knee.

  The burning runs up my knee, and his eyes are level with mine, his face closer than ever before. “Tell me.” Is it just me, or are his words laced with tension?

  His concern helps to relax me. At least he’s here for me to vent to.

  “Sally Hansen accused me of stealing her purse from the girls’ locker room and putting it in my locker. I didn’t do it, but it’s in there. We’re going to my locker as soon as she gets here so that she can prove it.” I don’t know what he thinks.

  “How do you know that it’s in there?” he asks

  “It’s a gut feeling,” I say, not wanting to tell him about my vision. “I’ve known Sally my whole life and have seen her do far worse than set someone up for petty theft. I have no doubt that she put her purse in my locker.” I’m trying so hard to keep it together.

  “I have never been in trouble before. I didn’t do this. I’m not sure if I will be able to graduate, or if I will get arrested.” Sweat is dripping off my brow.

  “Of course you didn’t do this. I was with you all morning. I’ll talk to the Principal.” Damien’s defending me means the world. He is the best friend that I could have asked for at the moment.

  “It won’t matter. They’ll have the evidence, and Sally gets what she wants because her daddy is rich. It will be our word against hers and her three rich friends. There isn’t a chance in hell that they’ll believe us.” I normally don’t curse, but times are calling for it. Damien nods in agreement.

  “I will take care of it.” His hand squeezes my knee quickly, and he stands to walk away. He leaves me to ponder his meaning. How is he going to take care of it?

  I drop the thought and start worrying about my future now that I’ll be pegged as a thief. Will I lose my job at the library? Will I still be accepted into college? What will my parents think of me?

  Sally Hansen arrives at the principal’s office with a knowing smirk on her face. I wish I could bottle and sell her confidence. I would be a rich woman.

  The principal steps out with Sally following. I’m instructed to step into the line. My nerves are a mess the whole way there. I just know that I’m going to get busted for something that I didn’t do. I know that life isn’t fair, but come on! This week has been horrible. Can’t the fates give me a break?

  The principal stops, and we all crowd around my locker waiting eagerly. He turns his key and pulls it open. It’s exactly as I left it. Not a thing is out of order.

  I see shock written all over Sally’s face when I chance a glance. I know from the vision that she was expecting to find her purse there. How did Damien do it? Is that what he meant by he would “take care of it”? Why would he dare to move it? What if he had gotten caught? Where in the heck did he put it?

  “Well, Ms. Hansen, it appears to not be here. Let’s check your locker in the girls’ locker room.” A look of horror flashes across her face as a smile crosses mine.

  I can’t stop thinking about what my parents are going to think if I get in trouble now. They’re going to say that I’m acting out because I found out that I am adopted. I just hope this all gets straightened out. I really don’t want to have this on my record, besides it is not like Sally has any proof right now.

  We walk around the corner to the girls’ locker room, and my stomach sinks. What if it’s not there? Principal Rayes stops so suddenly that I nearly knock into him. He takes a minute to unlock Sally’s locker, and then pulls the door open with a bang.

  “Is this the purse that you were supposedly missing?” he asks, holding out a coach handbag between his forefinger and thumb. Sally’s face turns red as she starts to storm away without a word. So if she did put it in my locker and tried to frame me and was unsuccessful, she couldn’t rat me out without telling on herself.

  “Ms. Hansen, do wait, dear. I believe that you owe this young lady an apology.” He gestures toward me.

  Sally’s face turns redder as she whispers, “I apologize.”