Ashley was Michael's sister. She was smart, pretty, and intelligent like her twin. She was Michael's twin and they were so identical. They were both ten years old. Michael was an extrovert while his twin was an introvert. Ashley brought to school a wristwatch that her mum had given her. It was an expensive wristwatch, though it was chichildlike away. Mary who was sitting down beside Chrysolite kept on praising Ashley for such a gorgeous wristwatch.
"Do you want the wristwatch?" Chrysolite had asked Mary.
"Nah, I got one prettier than that at home. My dad even traveled to Australia to get me the latest Rolex wristwatch."
Chrysolite shook her in disbelief. Some of their classmates were laughing at Mary as usual. They all knew her code; telling lies.
"Ashley?" Mary called.
"Yes," Ashley turned to look at her.
"Get one for my friend. She admires your wristwatch." Mary told her. Chrysolite nearly gawked when she heard that. When had she admired the wristwatch?
"Oh, I'll get you a free one then." Ashley smiled at her.
Mary suddenly felt pissed. She was the one who wanted one for herself, she was only being thoughtful so her classmates would think her a good friend.
"But I don't need one.",hrysolite said to Mary.
"Tell me, you do not like her wristwatch?" Mary said in a drool.
"Yes, it's pretty. Who wouldn't but I don't want it."
"Then let it be. After all'll get a new wristwatch from her."
The bell rang for break, most pupils went out for the break period including Mary and Chrysolite. All that Mary thought of was Ashley's wristwatch and it couldn't leave her mind. She studied the classroom and no one was in the classroom, she removed the wristwatch from Ashley's school bag. She had decided to own it but when she heard footsteps approaching the classroom, she quickly put it into Chrysolite's bag. Then, she went about like nothing ever happened.
Later, the pupils returned to the classroom and Ashley began a thorough search for her wristwatch. "Michael, did you take my wristwatch from my school bag?" Ashley had to ask her brother.
"No, I didn't.", Michael answered her, puzzled by her question. "Are you sure you left it in your bag?"
"Yes, I did. But I can't find it no more."
Sardius looked from brother to sister. "Why don't you check your locker?"
"I just did but it's not there either." She answered him.
"Report it to the class teacher then." Sardius had to suggest.
"No, I think I'll ask around. I must have probably misplaced it. But I'm quite sure that I left it in my school bag."
"Don't ask around, a thief wouldn't tell you he's the one who stole your wrist watch.",ardius spoke out smartly.
Michael had to nod to that. "He's right Ashley. Just go and make a report. No need ask to astound."
At first, Ashley was reluctant. She didn't like going to meet any teachers to lay a complaint; sometimes the questions the teacher might ask would give her a headache. Both Sardius and Michael decided to go with her.
"No, I think I'll go alone.", she told them.
She returned with Miss Laurel, who was their class teacher. Miss Laurel had on wina e blouse on grey skiskirter heels that seemed leveled. When she stood before the class, the class suddenly went dead.
"Have any of you seen Ashley's wristwatch?" Miss Voice rang out for all to hear.
No one said a word. Most of the pupils were looking at Ashley lwhether you lose your wristwatch?"
Mary-Jane stood up politely after signifying with a raised hand. "Mary was talking about it, I believe she must know her whereabouts." She was using the same intonation Mary's mother had once used. Some girls were already giggling to catch an act.
"Will you be quiet? It's not a laughing matter." Miss Laurel warned then turned to face Mary.
Mary shouted at once. "No! Miss Laurel, I didn't take the wristwatch."
"No, you did not. You stole it." Janet corrected.
"That's enough!" Miss Laurel said.
"Did you take the wristwatch, Mary?" Miss Laurel asked Mary.
"No ma. I only saw it when Ashley was flaunting it while in class."
"Then sit."
Mary sat down and shot the three musketeers a glare.
"You should know this by now. Being a thief isn't a thing of glory. If it's in your custody, or better say if you saw it, you should return it while I'm being nice." Miss Laurel threw a warning.
No one said a word.
"Now, as I touch you. You're going to stand up, go over to your locker which is at the back of the class, bring out your school bag, and pour out its contents. We have to find that thief today." She said as she started with the pupil who sat in the front row.
Each student did as he or she was told until it got to Mary's turn. When nothing was found in her bag, everyone was quite shocked.
"If that wristwatch cannot be found. Every one of you will contribute to the funding of that wristwatch!" Miss Laurel said strictly which aroused reactions from the pupils. "Be quiet, this should teach you not to cover up for a thief! Next!" She called out to Chrysolite.
Chrysolite came forward with her school bag, unknowingly she poured out its contents. Both books, pamphlets, tiny pieces of paper, and the wristwatch fell out and the classroom roared into murmurings and whisperings. Even, Chrysolite was quite shocked to see the wristwatch in her bag. At once, she looked over at Mary who acted like she didn't see that coming.
"So, you're the thief!" Peter who sat at the back of the class cried out.
Sardius was shocked, he knew Chrysolite was never coveted for what was not hers. She could afford two of those wristwatches, why would she steal Ashley's wristwatch? Michael said nothing yet he looked surprised. Ashley was already angry, she was looking at Chrysolite with disdain. Chrysolite had the guts to steal her watch after Mary had wanted her to buy Chrysolite a wristwatch. How greedy of Chrysolite!
"Is this your wristwatch?" Miss Laurel asked Ashley who stood and came to retrieve her property.
"Yes, it is mine."
"I didn't steal it, Miss Laurel! I'm not a thief." Chrysolite tried to recover from the shock.
"But it was found in your bag!" Ashley said angrily to her.
"I don't understand. I didn't put it in there." Chrysolite tried to explain.
Mary-Jane mimicked her and her friends laughed. Mary didn't come out to defend her, she was just sitting down unaffected by it all. It puzzled Sardius the more. No one was on her side, no one believed her. She was waiting for Miss Laurel to be in favor of her.
"Why did you steal it Chrysolite?" Miss Laurel asked again.
"I didn't steal it, Miss Laurel. Someone must have kept it in my bag."
"Can you hear yourself Chrysolite? Who would do such a thing?" Ashley was still bitter by Chrysolite's greed.
"I don't know."
"How can you not know?"
Chrysolite glanced again at Mary who was sitting perfectly still. "It's Mary." She said.
More reactions broke out again. "It's not me! Not me!!" Mary defended.
"But it was you who wanted this wristwatch?" Chrysolite reasoned.
"What shout at me! I'm not the thief! I only asked Ashley to buy you one 'cause you said you like it." Mary retorted.
Chrysolite was stunned. Was this Mary? Going against her? Lying to cover up her dirty acts? "Yes, I said I like it but I'm not the thief!"
"Am I the thief?"
Chrysolite was almost staggered by Mary's audacity. How dare she? Her so-called friend was framing her. It was impossible to think straight, her body had known no emotional pain as this before. The friend she always held dear was never her friend after all. Now, she would be punished for a crime she never committed.
"Give the wristwatch to Ashley and follow me."
Like a thief, Chrysolite returned the pretty object to the owner and followed Miss Laurel out of the classroom. Sardius kept on watching Mary who was smiling and when she caught him looking at her, she looked away.