When Chrysolite returned to the classroom, she was so calm. She didn't talk to anyone not even to her seatmate, Mary. Mary didn't bother to finish up her act.
"Birds of the same feathers flock together." Janet made short, nasty snorts trying to mock Chrysolite.
"No, no, no, that's not it. Evil communication corrupts good manners." Mary-Jane amended.
"That's even better. Chrysolite is only naive, innocent, and....what's that word again? Stupid." Janet remarked while Janice made loud shrieks.
Sardius who sat two rows away from them was angered by this. He had a folded fist trying to punch something. "She's not the one," he said to Michael.
"But we have a proof." Michael certainly had to believe what he saw. He sat back in his chair, a straw of grass in his mouth.
"I know Chrysolite. Stealing wouldn't be her last resort." He gave a furrowed look trying to emphasize what he knew about Chrysolite.
Michael shot him a sideways look. "Good thing, you know her this much but does she even know you too?" He leaned forward.
"People change Sardius. Many hide behind a facade. You just knew nothing of her." He dusted both hands of his like there had been dust then returned to his previous sitting position.
During break period, Chrysolite went to buy herself some snacks beside the cafeteria with the money her Granny had placed in her bag. While she was returning to the class, she was waylaid by the three musketeers.
"You stole and you have the guts to walk around with no shame at all." Mary-Jane stood in her way, hitting her slightly against her shoulder.
Chrysolite said nothing but turned the other way, Janice stood in her way again and hit her hand so that her snacks fell from her and scattered on the floor. Chrysolite knew she couldn't fight them all three. Three against one! She bit her lower lip fighting back the urge to deal with them all. Janice smashed some fish pie, hamburger, and crisp fries under her feet, throwing a laugh as she did so.
"Let's go," Mary-Jane said, fully satisfied when the snacks had transitioned into waste.
Sardius who was coming out of the classroom with Michael was watching them. "What are they doing to her?"
"Leave them to their business. It's not ours." Michael clearly warned. He looked calm and coolheaded as always.
"But she's innocent." He said looking at Michael to see his reason.
"That's what you think. The better for us to mind our business. She's already known as the culprit, can you change that now?"
Sardius knew Michael was right, so they walked past them like it was none of their business. He only glanced towards Chrysolite who happened to look at him and Michael while they walked past her. A tear fell off Chrysolite's eye as she walked into the classroom.
Ashley who was sitting and was scanning down a book, looked across to her. Something prompted her to talk to Chrysolite. Her anger against her had subsided. "You shouldn't have stolen it Chrysolite. I would have bought one like I promised you I would."
"Keep your sympathy to yourself? Do you think I'll steal that?" Chrysolite sat down looking downcast.
"But we all saw the proof."
"Didn't it occur to you that the same Mary who had told you to get me a wristwatch was not defending me? My friend?"
Ashley didn't think of that, but if one had thought about it, it did make sense. But that didn't solve anything either way.
Ashley returned to her seat thinking about Chrysolite's words. Yet, she could not get anything out of it. When the school's activities were over for the day, Chrysolite decided to walk home. She didn't want to be the center of attention on the school bus. She waited by the school's gate for Mary but Mary was nowhere in sight. She had told Mary that she would like to talk with her but Mary was probably afraid that Chrysolite would have to deal with her.
"Chrysolite!!"
She turned at once when she heard her name. Sardius stood in the distance, he had possibly come down from the school bus when he noticed her absence. She rolled her eyes as she stood waiting for him while he ran to her.
"What is it?" She asked as soon as he caught up with her. His hands were on his knees, he was slightly bent, trying to catch his breath.
"Why aren't you following the school?" He stood straight, slinging his school bag on his left shoulder.
"I don't want to."
"Why?" He asked as he walked with her.
"I don't feel like it." She answered.
He walked quietly beside her, suddenly he busted out at her. "Why didn't you say you weren't the one? Mary had the stronger proof, why didn't you fight her at least? All proof showed you were the thief."
Chrysolite stared at him calmly then continued walking like she didn't hear him.
"Chrysolite," he called.
"Don't call my name again!" She yelled. "Why didn't you do something? Why didn't you fight for me, huh? You just sat with Michael like some princes of Egypt. And you assume in your head that clean judgment would automatically come if I fight Mary?" She yelled at him.
Sardius saw a flash of red in her eyes which glinted so brightly that it startled him for a minute. He had never seen anything like that in her eyes before. Chrysolite bit her lower lip trying as much not to explode.
"Chrysolite, your eyes." he pointed.
Her tone changed at once as her hands crept up to her eyes. "My eyes? What's wrong with my eyes?"
"Did you put something in your eyes?"
"No, what's there?"
"It's red. Did you wear lenses?" He came forward to touch her face.
Chrysolite slapped his hand. "How can I wear lenses? Don't be dumb." She said irritatedly. Then, she rubbed her eyes with both parks thinking about it again. "Is it gone?" She asked.
"Yes." He shot her a lame look.
"Don't look at me like that."
"How?"
"Is it still still?" She ignored his question, bringing her face closer so he would see. Then, she changed her thoughts, blinked, and turned away. "It's probably because I cried. Let's go home." She said to him as she walked on. It never occurred to Sardius that she would break down and cry, he thought Chrysolite was a tough girl who would never break down.
*******
"Where's mum?" Chrysolite asked as she walked into the house. Corral Marble stared at her in surprise, Chrysolite didn't even bother to even greet her.
"Is mum not in?" Chrysolite repeated as she walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and took out a bottle of water. She returned with the bottle of water and stared at the person by the door. "Aren't you coming in?" Her brows rose questioning.
Corral Marble stared back at what she was looking but she saw no one there. "There's no one there."
Timid Sardius walked in and then greeted Corral Marble.
"Come in Sardius. Is your mother home yet?"
"No ma,"
"Ma Corral Marble, I'm hungry. Is there something to eat?" Chrysolite placed a hand on her stomach.
"Didn't you get something with that money I put in your school bag?"
"I did." She looked away remembering what had occurred in school. "But it wasn't enough to last me." She added.
"I prepared some cookies for you. Mum will be back to prepare dinner soon." Corral Marble motioned with her eyes toward where the cookies were. They were in a bowl on the table. But, Chrysolite didn't go to it, instead, she sat on a stool close to her Granny. She wanted to say something but didn't know how to start.
"Is something bothering you, Chrys?" Her granny asked.
"No." She shook her head in negation changing her mind.
"I'm just hungry, that's all." She went over, picked up the bowl of cookies, and glanced towards Sardius. He was looking around nervously like it was his first time being in Chrysolite's house.
Why is he being so dumb like this?
Chrysolite asked herself inwardly as she threw in a cookie which was shaped like a star into her mouth while watching Sardius.
"Sardius, do you also want some cookies?" Corral Marble asked looking over at Sardius. Sardius nodded. "Do come with me. I have another in the kitchen for you." She smiled at him.
While they were in the kitchen, Sardius was forced to tell Corral Marble what had transpired in school. Corral Marble didn't waste any second, she came to the parlor and told Chrysolite what she had heard from Sardius. Sardius wishes the floor would open up and swallow him, what would Chrysolite think of him? A rattle mouth? She shot him a glare which certainly said, she would kill him when this was all over.
"You know what? This won't do, I think I might have to come to your school?" Corral Marble finally concluded.
"My school! What for?" Chrysolite shouted.