Chapter 6 Cunning snake

Chapter 6 Cunning snake

Chapter 6

Eileen pov

Principal Willow arched her brows and in a surprised tone, she said. “Mr. Marlowe I’m surprised to see you here. What have you come to do?”

My dad replied with a hint of surprise in his tone too. “Surprise?” his gaze flicked from Principal Willow to Anna's side then back to Principal Willow. “You asked me to come because Eileen cheated.”

Principal Willow chuckled and shook her head. “No. I never asked you to come. I don't remember calling you.” she stared at my father with a creased brow.

“You never called me directly but you had asked my daughter to call me.” he turned to face Anna. “Right, Anna?”

Anna put on a petrified look, then clutched both her hands to her tummy, fiddling with her nails and her eyes squinting.

“Anna, didn't you tell me over the phone that Principal Willow had asked you to call me because Eileen cheated on her test?”

Anna stared soullessly at us for a while before she pulled over to my side to tug at my arms. “Dad, I was just scared about Eileen being caught with a cheat sheet. She's never done something like that and since Principal Willow had mentioned consequences for a cheater on the assembly ground, I was afraid she’d do something to my sister.” She sniffled in tears, then pulled away from me and walked over to my father's side.

She leaned her head and rested her small head on my father's side, and wrapped her hands around his strong hands.

She flashed me a weird smile—a smile of mockery and defeat.

“I just wanted to help my sister. I just don't want anyone to hurt her.” Tears fell on her face, and she turned to rub them on my father’s shirt.

My father’d hands caressed her head, and patted her back.

“You don't have to feel bad about anyone hurting your sister.” My father’s Adam's apple bobbled as he swallowed. “She does something bad and she deserves it if anyone hurts her. Why would she cheat?”

My father’s fierce gaze flickered to my side and I flinched in panic.

“So you’ve been cheating all this time to pass your exams? You scoundrel!”

My lips pursed at his words into a thin line and the tears I’d been fighting not to fall finally escaped, my chest heaving.

“Dad, you didn’t even ask to confirm me from m_” I hadn’t even had to privilege to pronounce my words when father stretched forth his hands to slap me.

“Don’t call me dad you prodigal daughter!” He yelled and when I looked at him in the eyes, he attempted to slap me again, but Willow was quick to hold his hands back.

“It’s okay sir. You don’t have to touch her. This is a school setting and students are definitely around watching things unveil.”

My father yanked his hands from the principal willow hands. “Why should I even ask you if you’re telling the truth? You kept passing all your exams in flying colors while Ana never passed. That actually meant one thing that you’ve been cheating!”

I lowered my gaze, and tears fell freely onto my feet, soaking my leather shoes.

Principal Willow ushered us all into his office then the moment she sat on her chair, she turned to Ryan.

“Please, Blackwood kindly get the girl here as promised.”

Ryan nodded and looked at me, then his brows knitted and his fist clenched by his side.

“Anna I’m going to punish you for calling your parents to inform them about school activities without my approval.” Principal Willow blurted while she rested her hands on her desk and glared in Anna’s direction.

Anna twitched and ran over to her father’s side to rest her hands.

Father spoke with a twinge of irritation in his voice. “And principal Willow, if I may ask. Aren’t parents supposed to know about what’s happening in the school?”

“Sure.” Principal Willow replied, while huffing out air.

“Then why the sudden attack on my precious daughter?” Father bellowed, the air getting tense and hot.

Principal Willow instead of answering him, took the conditioning remote to press, then her brows creased when she realized the AC was on already.

She fanned herself with her palms and spoke to herself. “Why is the room so hot even when the air conditioning is still functioning?” She paused then looked in my direction. “Miss Marlowe?”

Anna hummed. “Hum?”

“No I’m talking to Miss Marlowe.” She gestured to my side. “Can you please help open the curtains and the windows?”

“Yes, ma'am.” I obliged, walking over to the other side where the windows were.

I noticed a murderous glare was following me around and when I finally looked it was from my father.

He wasn’t smiling. His eyes spoke volumes. I’m afraid I might get cooked when I get home.

I returned to my previous spot, with my hands clasping behind me, and my gaze darting somewhere else other than my father or the principal.

What did Ryan tell the principal? Did he lie against me?

I couldn’t shake off all these negative thoughts that were running in my mind and head even when a small voice in my head was urging me to be positive.

I’m cooked if the principal should ever tell my father that I cheated which I never did.

Principal Willow had asked Ryan to go on and call a girl.

What if the girl came to testify against me that I cheated?

God! I feel like rolling on the floor, crying myself to a stupor until I fell into a deep slumber.

“Actually, “Principal Willow said, placing her hands on the desk. “Someone said Eileen never cheated in the test but,” principal Willow breathed heavily on her last words.

My father stole a glance at me before he looked away. I noticed a shocked look on Ana’s face.

My mouth dropped open as I tried to process every word. Really?

Had Ryan tried to vindicate me?

But why?

“And who was that?” My father's impatient voice erupted in the air.

“Ryan Blackwood the dude who just left my office when you walked in to my office.”

My eyes widened at my father’s ridiculous questions. “And you believe him?”

Principal Willow waxed dazed too at my father’s questions. Then she stuttered before she replied to him. “Y-yes sir. They sit together during the test.”

My father slammed his hands on the desk. “More reasons you shouldn’t have believed him.”

Principal Willow creased her brows. “W-why sir? Aren’t you supposed to be happy that your daughter DIDN’T ACTUALLY CHEAT?” she spelled out her words.

“I’m not surprised cause my precious daughter, Ana told me Eileen had discussed with her last night about cheating. If she could also cheat, then she would pass her exams.” He turned to face Anna. “Isn’t it sweetheart?”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Anna!” I screamed in shock. “When did I ever tell you that?”

“Sister I know we are supposed to be each other sister keepers but you did something bad so I’m not wrong if I speak out, right?” She looked at me with a faint grin before turning to face Principal Willow.

“Last night I was sad and crying because I normally fail below average in my test so I went to meet my sister to teach me how to pass cause she’s always been brilliant but I was shocked when she told me she always cheated in her tests.”

“Lies!” I cried out. “Stop accusing me wrongly.”

“What will I gain in lying against my sister? In fact, I saw you scribbling something on a paper.”

Principal Willow landed her hands on the desk. “Are you sure about your tales, Ana?”

Anna wanted to reply, but Dad talked on her behalf. “My daughter has never lied. She’s telling the truth.”

“Okay.” Principal Willow mouthed. “Let's wait until the witness is here.” Just as Principal Willow finished talking, the door opened with Ryan walking in with a girl I’ve seen around Anna most times.

“There she is!” Principal Willow pointed.

“Cara, did you actually put the cheat sheet in Miss Marlowe’s pocket during the assembly?”