Chapter 9 The blackmail material
Alex
I tapped my fingers on the table, forming a rhythm as I read the textbook. It was more like I was skimming the pages because I couldn't comprehend what I was reading.
There were so many emotions fighting for dominance inside me. I couldn't decide whether to be angry or amused. The former emotion definitely flooded me when I first saw the state of my car. I instantly knew who was behind it.
She was careful, but she wasn't too careful. My car dash cam recorded everything.
I checked my wristwatch again. It was ten minutes past the time I asked her to meet me at the library. I didn't expect her to not show up again today. She knew I wasn't bluffing when I said I should send the video to the principal.
I knew all about her college dream life with her two best friends, how the three of them planned to go to Harvard together so that wouldn't have to separate after high school. It was ridiculous.
Knowing Cecilia, she wouldn't anything to come between her and that dream so she would do everything to protect it. Which is exactly why I targeted it.
I took a screenshot of the draft text to Watkins email that included the video and sent to her so she knows what happens if she doesn't show up. I asked her to unblock me when I gave her my car keys so she can fix the vandalized area.
I should have just let it go. It's obvious she would do anything to get out of this. But for some reasons I can't explain, I don't want to let it go. Maybe it's too prove to myself that I can survive a few days with her without us fighting, I don't know why.
Cecilia replied to my message almost immediately.
Cecilia: you wouldn't dare
ME: don't try me.. If you don't show up in five minutes, I will hit send..
Cecilia: go to hell, Asshole :/
ME: I vacation there
She sent me a middle finger emoji and an eggplant emoji after. I chuckled and put my phone face down on the table. She was angry which meant she would come if only to piss me off.
I felt my body drum with anticipation at the thought. My phone buzzed on the table. I picked it up with the expectation of seeing another text from Cecilia cursing me out, but the message I got was from Nancy.
Nancy: Barry is here and he's pissed. Where are you? Didn't school close like hours ago?
ME: I told him I picked up find extra curriculars at school.. I'll be there as soon as I can.
Nancy: hurry up! I'll cover for you but I don't know for how long.
ME: thanks Nance, I owe you.
I had barely finished typing that response when I heard footsteps coming towards me. I don't need to look to know who is. I will recognize that goal floral scent anywhere.
“You're fifteen minutes late.” I say as I look at her at last.
“But I did show up in five minutes like you asked. Don't I get points for that?” She scoffed and sat down.
“Not with you come late and I had to threaten you into showing up.” I frowned.
“Can you stop referring to that? You asked me to show up and I did, you didn't say anything about showing up early.” She shrugged.
I had to stop myself from making a comment about that. She intentionally twisted my words to make me mad and I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction. Just like I wouldn't give her what she wants and call the whole thing off.
She smirked at me and pulled out my car keys from her jacket pocket.
“Your car is sparkling just as you asked. Can you delete the video now? I already did everything you asked. I repaired your car and I showed up.” she said.
“First no, I'm not deleting the video. You'll just do something else to antagonize me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Come on, a little trust here? I'm already making up for my mistake.”
I ignored her question. “How did you get the car fixed so fast? The repairman told me it would cost me three grand?”
“Woah! Three thousand dollars? That's too much.”
I frowned in confusion. “How much did you spend?”
“Twenty bucks for a towel and bleach. It was just spray paint, nothing serious.” She shrugged.
I blinked in surprise. I couldn't believe I was almost duped of three thousand dollars. It was another reason I was so pissed. When I took the car in for repairs and I heard the exorbitant price.
“Okay.” I picked up my car keys and put it in my pockets. “Now bring out your books. Let's start with that assignment from Mr Green's class.”
“So you're not going to delete the video?” She asked.
“I'll delete it when I want to, not when you want me to, so you better start reading.”
She glared at me while I smirked. Then she flipped me the middle finger before bringing out the books I asked her to.
We began studying, starting with the assignment. Cecilia was surprisingly cooperative. I expected to threaten her with the video again to get her cooperation, but once we started, she brought her A game.
I couldn't understand why the school felt the need to assign a tutor for her. She was one of the brightest students in class. Sure, she was a bit rusty because she had been away for so long, but it was nothing a quick revision can't fix. This entire hassle seems unnecessary.
But I didn't say that. I explained the assignment to her and she got a hang of it quickly. I sat back and watched as she did the whole thing on her own. I gave her a few questions from last sessions and she got all of them right.
When I asked her about it, she said, “I studied when I was in the hospital. I did all the assignments and quizzes too. Amber and Luke used to bring them to me.”
Before either of us noticed, two hours had already passed. The timer I set for the tutorial beeped just as Cecilia finished answering a question.
“Beautiful coincidence.” She grinned.
“Don't get too happy yet, I still need to grade them before you leave.” I dragged her paper towards me.
“You're a sadist, you know that?” She said.
I ignored her. She scoffed at me and went up to drum her fingers on the table.
I graded the paper. She got everything right except one. The hardest question on the list. I liked it out to her and she frowned.
“That's because you were rushing me.” She scoffed.
I explained the questions to her one more time before wrapping up the tutorial.
“I'll send more questions to you for you to solve.” I said as I packed my books off the table.
“Why? We studied for two hours.” She winced.
“And we still have a lot to cover.” I stood up and swung my backpack over my shoulder. “Don't be lazy, Celia.”
Her eyes flashed with anger. I smirked at her and began walking out of the library. It took a few more minutes before she catches up with me. I had almost reached my car.
“Can we talk about the video?” She said.
“No.” I say and opened my car. I checked inside just incase she did something to it. I wouldn't put it past her.
As if she read my thoughts, she said, “I did not put a snake or any type of rodent in your car.” She scoffed.
Her eyes brightened with an idea and she began walking away.
“Where are you going?” I asked confused by her sudden change in action.
“I'm going home. Where else would I go?”
For some reasons, I didn't believe her. But I didn't question her too. I just nodded and got into my car.
I was about to start driving when my text notification went off. I immediately checked to see who the message is from. It's from Nancy again.
Nancy: Barry is pissed. He says you aren't picking up any extra shifts and that he'd fire you if you're not here in thirty minutes.
ME: on my way. Thanks for covering for me.
I dropped my phone and drove out of school in high speed. I was anxious about getting fired, but there was also an uneasy feeling I couldn't shake off.
The feeling that someone is following me.