Chapter 9: 05|Troublemakers-2

"2" "1" we whispered together. As if on cue, a series of alarms started blaring from every corner of school. Alarm tones ranged from rooster to fire alarms- all annoying as hell. I bit my lip to stop laughing when a few girls, including Racheal screamed. Asher was barely controlling his laugh. Rose looked confused for a second but then she looked at us and she figured. "Find that bloody alarm!" Ms hill screeched. Asher and I jumped to camouflage between all the students who were 'trying' to find them. Focus on the quotes over trying. Everybody knew it was Parker sibling's doing and they knew better than to try a way out of our pranks. Why? Because we would have been the greatest pranksters of all time if that were a category in history. We purposely hid all the clocks at least probable places and we could clearly see that in eyes of every student. Well in glare of some too. "Asher and Astrid Parker! Principal office, NOW!" I winced at the volume of the announcement. Asher shrugged and smirked as he guided me out of classroom. The moment we were out, we fell into hysterics. The empty corridors were echoing with chaos of alarm hunt and our laughter. I high fived him and somehow dragged my feet to office. The secretary didn't even look a bit surprised seeing us and just gave us an amused smile. "I think you know your way." I rolled my eyes playfully as Asher winked at her. We entered principal office and man, was he furious! Damn, I don't want to be rude but it was so hard to not laugh at his red face. "Missed us?" Asher smirked. Let me tell you something, Principal Gomez is a short heighted, old and fat man with a lot of nerves protruding from his bald skull and even if somebody threatens me with a gun to not laugh at his red with anger face, I will fail. And that's what I did. I laughed at his face. Asher lost his self-control too and joined me. I tried, I really tried sobering up but damn, one look at the twitching nerve in his skull and I laughed again. "Shut up!" I would have laughed even harder if it wasn't for Asher slapping his hand on my mouth. Slowly but surely, I gained my ability to breathe again. "Mr and Ms Parker, firstly turn all these alarms off and then we will talk about the rest." "They will snooze automatically in-" Asher checked his watch "-a minute." See, we don't even deny our doing. Whats the point, when practically everyone knows it's us. Mr Gomez nodded. "Good. Now sit down, we have a lot to discuss." Okay, now that's a first. You see, dad is one of the trustees and hence considering our amazing grades and achievements, we both are let off the hook almost every time. So imagine my surprise when Mr Gomez said these words. "Mr Parker, there is no doubt that our lacrosse team has achieved new heights under your leadership and you're grades are also improving. If I didn't know any better, this has something to do with your genius siblings-" "Hey! That pierced right through my heart! I am not dense. Aiden and Astrid are bookworms." I glared at him while Mr Gomez rolled his eyes and continued. "And Ms Parker, you're not only the first female team member but also captain of our soccer team. We couldn't ask for a better captain and you've bought laurels to our team. All this, while maintaining amazing results in academics too-" "I try." I replied smugly. He glared at me before starting his rant again. "But" cue the dramatic pause "keeping all this aside, children of trustee or not, school is meant to teach discipline and it's about time we apply rules to you both too. It's not even second day of school and you both are on it again. Mr Parker, I put you on janitor duty for the 2 months-" "But I have practices!" "-After practices. You will stay after practices and clean this building to perfection for 2 month." Asher was about to protest but Mr Gomez cut him off by addressing me. I felt Asher sulk in seat beside me. "As for Ms Parker, it is no secret that she is competing for class valedictorian with none other than Mr Parker. I was originally going to ask him for this favour but now, as I don't feel comfortable in putting two troublemakers at one duty, I am assigning you the task to tutor Mr Alex Lawson in chemistry." "What?!" I screeched. "Nope, nah, no I won't do that!" "I didn't ask you if you wanted to or not. It's not a choice, it's your punishment!" "But why him?! He is a new student! It's only 2nd day of school and there weren't even any tests in which he would have scored badly!" "You see, Mr Lawson is an exceptionally bright student but let's just say that chemistry is not his forte. He asked for a tutor as he felt the need for it." "Can't you just appoint someone else? I am not very fond of him." Mr Gomez sighed. "Ms Parker, consider it as a warning or threat or whatever but it's about time you start following my orders else, talented or not, I will be forced to consider your position in soccer team. Especially when we have a talent like Mr Lawson." "What?! Are you serious right now! And what do you mean by a talent like Mr Lawson?" the last part left a bitter taste in my mouth. "He was the captain of soccer team in his previous school and according to his file, a few scouts have already offered him a place in some reputed teams but for some strange reason, he declined every offer." I was livid by the end of principal's chant in Alex's name. If he was so amazing, why would he ask for my help? To mock me? Kill me? What exactly is he planning? Is getting me tutor him also a plan? Why would he do that? Was he really low on self-esteem? Because I don't think anybody would have rejected an offer like that. I somehow managed to nod. My fists were clenched tightly and the urge to punch someone was stronger than ever. Asher noticed. "Firstly, you can't threaten my sister of something she worked so hard for. Especially when she is the one who rebuilt the whole team and dusted the ruined name of Eastwood eagles. Secondly, you are no in charge of team. Coach will choose the deserving one during trials and may god help you if you did something to her position out of grudge." I looked at my brother in pure adoration as he stood up for me. A small smile graced my lips and suddenly, instead of a punch bag, Asher looked like a teddy. I saw Mr Gomez fidget under Asher's glare. He may be the chill one, most of time but trust me, his glare can chill your spine in no time. You'd never like to be on receiving end. Mr Gomez gingerly nodded and we took it as our cue to leave. Asher guided me out and I tackled him into a huge hug as soon as we stepped out. I felt his frown melt into a smile against my shoulder. "Thanks for standing up for me." "Wow. That hurt Astrid-bear. I thought we were siblings." I rolled my eyes. "We are!" "Yeah, we are." He mumbled "And hence, it's my duty to stand up for my baby sister!" I rolled my eyes again. "I am a year younger, dude!" "Don't dude me-" "Oh, here you both are! What happened to staying out of trouble?" Aiden glared as I let go of Asher. Alex and Rose were standing behind him. My mood immediately soured. "Don't sweat it Aid, I am on janitor duty for 2 month and Astrid is new chemistry tutor for Alex." "What?" Alex choked on his spit. "Great, he doesn't like this arrangement too." I started pushing him to office "Now, all you've to do is say this to Mr Gomez!" I beamed. "Whoa! I never said that! I was just taken aback, that's all. I have no problem." My grin slipped. "But-" "Is there something we should know, Astrid-bear?" "N-nope. Nothing. Nothing at all!" my eyes stole glances at Alex who was looking down at floor. "Oh, look! It's almost time for next class. Let's go, Aid!" I grabbed Aiden's arm and started dragging him towards class. I felt someone's eyes on me and despite knowing exactly who it is, I looked back but I was surprised to catch Neal looking at me in a strange way from across the hallway. What exactly is happening in my life?