Chapter 20
Stella's POV.
The year is ending and the first term is also coming to an end.
Soon we'll be left with only six months to our final exams.
So far, I have been able to cover almost all the syllabus for senior high.
But I still got lots of revisions to do.
Jack had been assisting me a whole lot with Biology and Further maths.
It's not like I am not good at those two subjects but I still felt I need assistance with it.
In return, I promised to tutor him on literature after our final exams.
Well, I don't like owing favors so...
So far, I have been able to get rid of that lone feeling.
Though I have to admit that it hurts to see Steva with someone else but well.
As long as she's happy.
Though I hope that we'll be able to settle our differences soon and make up.
But it's easier said than done.
I am still a little hesitant to talk to her about this.
I believe that if we are truly meant to be then we'll end up together somehow.
For now, I gotta focus on my studies and education.
***
Steva's POV.

I have been keeping an eye on Tina and Gloria for the past few days now and I have come to realize that the two of them are pretty close.
They have a close relationship with each other.
But why didn't I notice this before?
Was I too blind then or what?
Then I remembered Gloria's words that she said to Stella and me about two months ago.
<< I wonder how long your friendship will last? >>
Wait, what if all of this was just part of her plan?
What if Stella is Innocent?
What if all that happened was a trap and a setup?
What if?
Why did Tina become friends with me all of a sudden?
Are they trying to set a trap for me?
What's going on?
My doubt was confirmed the very next day in class.
We were in class during the prep period where all students were required to do some self-study and revisions towards our upcoming final exams.
All of a sudden, The classroom door was opened and Mr. Yale our Visual Art teacher walked in looking very angry and pissed.
" Good day, Sir. " We Students greeted in unison the moment we saw him.
" Hm," He Simply Nodded.
" There's a problem. " He started.
" A painting of a mother and child is missing from the Arts studio this morning, So who went into the studio today? " He demanded.
I remembered, going into the studio earlier today to submit my Drawings to Mr. Yale earlier this morning but he wasn't in his seat so I came back to class.
" I did. " I said standing up.
Everyone was shocked I guess, it was like they weren't expecting me to just admit to entering the studio earlier today.
But why wouldn't I say the truth since I had nothing to hide.
" Oh, Steva, I was informed that you came there to Submit your drawings, is that right? " He enquired with a scrutinizing gaze.
" Yes, Sir. "
" You can have your seat, I believe that you weren't the one that took the art piece right? "
" Yes, Sir. " I replied with a smile as I proceeded to seat down.
" But sir, how could you let her off so easily? What if she was the one that took the painting? " Gloria's words rang in the classroom.
" Oh, do you have any evidence of her taking the Artwork? " Mr... Yale asked her sternly.
" Well, I... "
" Why don't we search her bag? " A red-haired girl suggested suddenly, she happened to be a faithful member of Gloria's gang.
" How are you girls so sure that Steva Davies took the Art piece? " Mr. Yale asked with an icy smile.
" I... "
"... "
The girls weren't able to reply.
What could they say?
Nothing.
" So you guys can't say anything right? " He said with a mocking laugh.
" Alright, so according to the procedure everybody's bag will be thoroughly searched and the one whom the Artwork is found in their bag would be... Expelled. " He stated.
Gloria smirked devilishly in her heart. " You are in deep trouble, Steva Davies. "
Soon, the search began.
They weren't able to find the artwork in any of their bags.
Gloria and her gang were completely shocked by this result.
They were completely certain that they had put the Artwork in Steva's bag so how come?
Not able to hold it anymore, Gloria spoke up, nailing herself to the cross with her words. " Sir, I don't think Steva's bag was searched thoroughly. "
" Oh, Why do you think so? "
" I think... " She trailed off.
" Were you expecting the Artwork to be found in her bag? Or what are you trying to say? "
" No sir, it's not that... "
" Then what? " He inquired impatiently.
" Well, earlier this morning I saw Steva sneaking out of Studio so I thought that maybe... "
" Hm, I get your point but too bad the Artwork wasn't found in Steva's bag, do you have anything else to say? "
" No sir. " She said.
Inwardly she was cursing Steva.
" Alright, Tina Quakers. " He called out.
" Yes sir. " Steva's deskmate immediately stood up when she was called.
" Did you go to the Arts studio today? " He inquired.
" No . Sir. " she denied Quickly.
" Okay, but I overhead some senior year one student complaining that A blonde-haired girl in final year bullied them in the studio today, How can you explain that? "
" That's not true, Sir.."
" Not true? So how can you explain the scent of your perfume in the studio? "
" I am not... "
" If I can remember correctly, your dad made you a One in the Entire world Perfume so what excuse do you have? "
" Yes, I indeed went to the Studio today but I didn't take anything out! " She refused to back down.
" Yes you didn't, but we've gotten evidence that you took the Artwork and planned to frame Steva Davies for it but you didn't succeed. " He said.
" I didn't, Sir! "
" Then how can you explain this? " He suddenly got a Pink leathered back and placed it on the table, then he brought out the Artwork from inside the bag. "
' Oh my! That looks exactly like my bag! ' I Exclaimed inwardly.
Then it Dawned on me what exactly was going on.
" You thought that this was Steva's bag and dropped the artwork inside it to frame her, isn't that right? "
" It isn't! "
" Joy, please get me the pen recorder. " He instructed one of the students behind him and almost immediately.
A blue pen came into view.
It looked like a normal pen but has a red ' off and on ' button on it.
Mr. Yale turned it on.
And then The secret came out.
The cat was finally let out of the bag.
" So? Do you still have anything else to say? " He asked Tina coldly.
" I.... "
" You can head to the Principal's office now where your fate will be decided along with your other gang members. " He said as his gaze swept through the Three girls at the back.
They cowered in fear as soon as his icy gaze swept through them.
Tina walked out of the class to the Principal's office where she reported herself along with the other gang members.
As she didn't want to bear everyone's cross, she managed to share the blame among the four of them so they were punished accordingly.
Before Mr. Yale left the class.
His gaze swept from Steva to Stella then to Steva again before he spoke up.
" Steva Davis, I hope you'll be wise enough not to lose the one person that is true to you. " He advised before he finally left the class after apologizing to the students for interrupting their prep.
' How did Stella get involved in this? ' I thought.
I then decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with Stella soon.
But how soon?
***
Wednesday arrived soon, on this day, Steva had planned to have a talk with Stella after school hours just before the latter went home.
She was aware that the latter often spent about an hour in the library studying before heading home so she had planned to talk to her then.
***
Stella's POV.
I was downstairs during the Society time with Jack.
We were walking in the field arguing about which department the most intelligent students were in.
We were arguing like children.
I argued that Arts students are the best while he argued otherwise.
We were still arguing when we heard a loud bang which was followed by a smoky smell.
I looked up and was completely stunned to see that The school kitchen which was two classes next to the Studio was on fire.
" Jack! Fire! " I alerted Jack who was a little distracted.
" Wait, what! " He looked up too and was shocked.
[ A/N: What now? ]