Chapter 96 Young kids

Chapter 96 Young kids

\[Charlotte's POV\]
It's been 4 days since our exams started and I'm growing anxious by the day.
'Counting your chickens?' Levi said, startling me out of my thoughts.
'Yep, they're 5.' I chuckled as Nurse Aime took the strap off my arm and gave me a pat there.
Levi laced my fingers with his. 'So, we good to go, Nurse?'
Aime sucked her teeth before hanging her thermometer around her neck. 'Actually. I need to speak to Charlotte.'
'If it's about H.A.S you'll have to say it to me too,' Levi kissed our entwined hands. 'We're in this together.'
Aime rolled her eyes. 'Fine. But not here. I'll text you the address.'


As we walked into the halls, Gracie screamed. 'TGIF!'
Levi glared at her. 'Dude, relax.'
Gracie blew a bubble in the gum she chewed. 'I'm too fired up to relax.'
Levi scoffs and asks Adolph. 'What's wrong with your girlfriend?'
Adoloh pocketed his hands and stand with us as we watch Gracie skip in the halls yelling "TGIF" to everyone she sees. 'Her mom will return from Quebec today and Next week Tuesday is the last day of our exam.'
I smiled. 'She's more excited than I am.'
'I'll be done with this school in no time. Class 4 and we're out.' Adolph clicked his tongue and waved at us.
'See ya.' Levi said to him then he looked at me. 'My lady, do you mind joining me for lunch?'
'I'd love to.' I flashed him a smile and he leaned down to kiss me.
2 weeks ago, I was confused about my feelings for this bloke. Now, I'm certain about my feelings and you all know what it is, don't ya?

\[Margo's POV\]
I'm glad today's paper is over. Just 2 more left and we're done. I saw Gracie skipping and yelling in the hallway. The sight of her makes me want to throw up. Ugh!
Right on time, my bestie called. I answered.
'Yeah, babe?' I went to take a seat by the wall.
'Hey, you,' Lin sounds chirpy all of a sudden. 'How's your exam going? You crushed it, right?'
I had to smile. Since our exams started, she's been helping me with all the answers. 'It was great. I nailed it.'
Adira sitting with Matty waved me over and I gave her a thumbs-up. Now, I feel guilty. Adira's the only one who's stood up for me and Lin in our downtime. Even if I don't share the answers to everyone else, she deserves to know about it.
'You know, Lin?' I turned away.
'Yeah?' She said.
'Margo!' Adira yelled for me.
I yelled back. 'In a minute!'
'Who's that?' Lin asked. There was noise in the background. It got louder till suddenly, it became quiet again. What the hell was she doing?
'It's Margo. Where are you?' I had to ask.
'A bachelorette party. What's up?' She chuckled and said something in German. I knew it wasn't to me.
'Adira should know about the answers you give me. Don't yell. She's got to know, okay? Her grades are suffering and her parents are really strict aboht her grades. If she doesn't become an HP student by the end of the semester, it's bye-bye to America for her.' I whispered so no one apart from Lin would hear me.
'Aww, poor thing.' Lin is probably pouting by now.
'So you'll give her too?' I asked cheerfully.
'Hell. No,' Lin had made it perfectly clear. 'She's not a friend of mine. You're the only friend I have in the world.'
'But I thought any friend I have is your friend and Adira's my friend.' I raised my voice and when I realised people were looking, I had to leave.
'Darling, I don't care if Adira's grades suffer. She and her cohorts replaced me with that English thot!' Lin was beginning to yell in my ears. For the very first time.
'Are you insane?! This is Adira we're talking about? What's wrong with you?' I yelled back. My mom would always say "grab the bull by the horns." This is exactly what I'm doing.
'You're pathetic!' Lin disconnected the call.
'Aargh!' I threw my phone to the floor and yelled.
'That sure has been through hell this week or is it another one?' Gracie was standing by the elevator when I turned to get leave.
Why is she everywhere? I picked up my phone and took one look at it. It's gone anyways.
'Nothing sure goes my way anymore.' I heave a light sigh and throw it in the trash.
'Sorry about that. Wanna talk about it? I'm a good listener.' Gracie smiled.
I shake my head. 'Nope. It's fine.'
I've gotta get outta here. Gracie doesn't need to know anything.
'Nope. I'm not letting you go off that easy. Drinks are on me. I know a guy.' She linked arms with me and dragged me along.

After listening to Gracie talk, I realised my life was crap. I've had it all but how much more her? She started talking care of herself when she was 5. Her father eas always away and her mother was working. That was till everything went to hell and the woman got arrested. Turns out her real name is Gracie stone and not Gracie West. She's adopted.
'You know, I've always wanted a sister. I wish I had one,' Gracie's words were slurred and she burped.
Then she went on. 'Sorry. Actually, I've found one in Melbourne. The first day she came here, it was me and her. Everyone was talking about my mom and what happener but Charlotte was different. She was scared of me and happy at the same damn time.'
She laughed and pats my arm, her face all red. I better call Adolph.
'Never lose a friend like Charlotte. If I were a boy, I'd marry her.' Gracie slumped he rhead on my shoulder and started snoring.
'Dear God,' I rolled my eyes. Then I flicked a hair off her shoulder. 'Pretty.'
She's really not a horrible person. Was I ever wrong about her?
'Young kids,' The bartender Uncle Joey came behind the counter.
I laughed and pinted at Gracie. 'I know, right?'
He took out a glass and a bottle of beer. Pouring one for me and him. Don't worry, he's cool with us. Thanks to Gracie.
'So what's your story?' He asker as he took a sip.
'What story?' I feigned ignorance, taking a sip myself.
He pointed at my face. 'I have a teenage daughter and there's this face she makes when she's troubled. That's the same face you're making right now. Out with it.'
I shook my head. 'Oh no. I'm fine. Just tired from studying for exams.'
Uncle Joey gave the loudest laugh I've ever heard. 'That's silly. I'm a parent. I know when you're lying.'
He isn't going to stop bothering me, is he?
'Fine,' I settle the glass on the counter. 'It's a friend problem.'
He looked at Gracie. 'She seems cool to me.'
'Oh no, not Gracie. Someone else.' I say.
'A boy, perhaps?' He asked.
'Nope, it's a girl alright.' I remember I have to call Adolph.
While the phone rang, I put it close to Gracie's face.
'Margo?' Adolph answers. 'Woah. Who's the pretty girl?'
'That's your girlfriend.' I rolled my eyes.
'Meine Leibe? Where js she? Where you at?' He asker immediately as I put the phone back to my face.
'We're at Es Co Bar.' I take another sip of the beer.
'I'll be there in a jiffy,' He took his blazer off the chair. 'Can you help her sit down somewhere? Gracie is a heavy sleeper and she might fall off her chair.'
'Sure thing.' I smile.
'Thanks.' He ends the call.
When will I ever get a boyfriend who loves me like this_?
'That kid sure loves her.' Joey smiled.
'Yeah. He looks like he'll die for her.' I roll my eyes.
'Jealous?' He asked, walking out to help me with Gracie.
'Obviously.' I scoff.
'Let me.' He carried Gracie off her seat.
She helped us get her to a lounge chair. I offered to stay with her. You know, safety reasons.
Joey and I talked. I told him everything. Not everything everything. I just told him Lim doesn't want to share answers with Adira and he gave me the same answer you're thinking right now - Ditch her!
Eventually, he had to return to the counter. In no time Gracie awakens.
'Ouch.' She groaned.
'Have a nice sleep?' I pinch her cheek and she laughed.
'Oh yeah. Studying can be a bitch.' Gracie sat up straight and yawned.
'Adolph's coming.' I tell her and her eyes practically sparkled. They're so meant for each other, aren't they? Don't smile. That was me being sarcastic.
Her phone rings and she answers with 'Meine Leibe.'
Like seriously, what's up with that?
Adolph comes over but he's not alone. He brought the whole gang.

\[Matty's POV\]
I watch Adira talk with Margo and wonder what she sees in me. I know I'm not perfect but please, I know my limits and I'm way beyond her level.
Mikry laughed out loud with Rose, Derek and Josie won't let go off eachother, Levi and Charlotte are God knows where, Jacob is talking with Scottie and Lenin. The other girls too. It's just me in my corner. I was startled when Adira crossed the room and gave me a hug.
'Hey,' She sniffed my neck and muttered. 'Sweet perfume.'
'Thanks.' I palm the back of my neck shyly.
At almost the same time we get a notification from the school community.
'It's a photo of Margo.' Adira looks puzzled.
Margo's photos is in a post that says :
CLASS 3C STUDENT INDULGES IN EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE.
We all looked at her and started laughing.
'That can be true.' Adira laughed.
I add. 'I know, right?'
Levi and Charlotte come down the steps. So that's where they've been.
'Have you heard Lin's message in the groupchat?' Levi asked. Charlotte looked like she had been crying while Levi was angry.
What happened?
'Okay.' Adira scoffed.
We all checked our phones. Lin sent a voicenote. I played and bit my lowerlip. Shit. It's a recorded message of Margo and you're not gonna like it.