Libby touched her head. She felt hot. Her head ached and her throat sore due to the fact that she had been crying. She's also tired from the endless preparation for their Prom. And then Dan. "Oh, Dan, what were you thinking?"
She heard a knock on her door. She walked towards it and opened it. Mimi entered her bedroom. Libby's bedroom is far from simple. She has a queen size bed at one side with her Harry Potter bed covers, pillows and comforter. At the center of the room lays a big fluffy carpet and bean bags. At one side you can find a bookcase filled with different books and her desk with her laptop, a desk lamp, picture frames. She has a walk in closet connected to her bathroom.
Once Mimi entered, Libby smelled trouble. You can see it in her face.
"Let's go to Dan's house Libby," Mimi said.
Libby sat down. She felt dizzy. Honestly, she wasn't able to sleep the night before thinking of their next step. Dan confessed about putting the test paper in Mimi's locker. But after that he won't talk anymore. She has this feeling that what Dan said isn't the whole truth. Especially when they rewied the CCTV footage that Nikki brought.
"You want to go to Dan's now Mimi?" She looked at Mimi. Actually, this is the first time since her suspension that she went out of the house.
"Yes Libby. Please?" said Mimi. When Libby told her yesterday that Dan confessed, she can't believe it. She's thinking of reasons why he would do that because knowing Dan, he's not the culprit. Libby also updated her on what happened to their investigation - the CCTV footage, Nikki's snooping, their interviews of Steven and Brooke, and other witnesses. It doesn't add up.
Libby sighed. "Okay, but let me shower first. And eat breakfast downstairs okay?"
"Okay," Mimi sat down and opened a book she got from Libby's book shelf. "I'll wait for you here."
Libby shook her head while walking towards her bathroom. They need to end this today. Whatever issue or problem they have right now, they have to resolve this. With Dan's confession, Mimi can now return to school and her scholarship will still be granted. But the won't rest until they find the whole truth.
After Libby's shower, she dressed quickly. She doesn't want Mimi waiting for too long. When she's done, they both head downstairs to eat breakfast. At the table, Libby's parents and little sister Joana are already there, waiting for them so they could have breakfast together.
"Good morning Mom, Dad, Joana," Libby greeted her family cheerfully.
"Good morning Auntie, Uncle, and Joana," Mimi also greeted them.
"Hey Libby, hurry," grunts Joana. "Hi Mimi, how's Amy?" she turned to Mimi.
"She's fine," answered Mimi smiling. "She wanted to tag along today but Mom said next time."
"Mimi, it's so nice to see you here again," Melinda, Libby's mom said.
"Yeah Mimi, it's like seeing a sunflower within my roses," Jerry, Libby's romantic dad quipped.
"Ugh, Dad, we roses? Mimi sunflower?," complained Libby.
Jerry laughed. You are all like roses to me. Beautiful yet so stubborn like the rose's thorns.
"Ah, really," Melinda asked.
"By the way Mom," Libby said while eating. Her mom prepared a delightful breakfast of fried rice, sunny side up eggs, tocino (cured pork), hotdogs and toasted bread. "Mimi and I are going to Dan's house after breakfast okay?"
"You won't come with us? We're going to the mall," said Joana.
"I'm sorry baby, next time okay?" Libby turned to Joana. "We just need to finish something today."
"Oh, okay," said Joana.
"Sure Libby, message us later if you need anything from the mall, we'll buy it for you," said Melinda.
"Thanks Mom," Libby smiled.
They finished their breakfast and Libby and Mimi help out first with the dishes then went out. They head to Dan's house which is a twenty minutes walk from Libby's house. They knocked at their door. Grace, Dan's mom welcomed them. Libby noticed that Grace's eyes is quite red and it seems she just cried.
"Good morning Aunt Grace," they both greeted her.
"Hi Libby," she tried to smile. Then she turned to Mimi. "Hey," hugged her then said. "I'm sorry Mimi."
Libby and Mimi looked at each other. They think that Dan already told his mom what happened yesterday.
"Aunt Grace we need to talk to Dan," Libby said softly.
"He's upstairs," Grace said. "He skipped breakfast and doesn't want to come out."
"We'll bring him his food Aunt Grace, if you want," Mimi offered.
"That's a good idea," then Grace hurriedly prepared Dan's food and put it all on the tray. The two brought it upstairs and knocked on Dan's room.
"Dan, you're beautiful friends are here," they called behind the door. "We brought food!"
They heard dragging footsteps. The door opened.
"Dan, let us in, let's talk okay?" Libby said. Dan let them in. He seemed depressed. You can see sadness in his eyes. They put the tray of food on his desk. "Come eat first."
Dan sat down. He looked at Mimi. "Mimi, I'm sorry.." His voice breaks like he was about to cry."
Mimi held her hand up. "Eat first please." She gave Dan the spoon and fork." Libby walked to the fridge in the corner and get a canned juice. She got three cans and handed one to Dan, one to Mimi and opened the other one. She looked around Dan's room. It's in a complete disarray unlike what it usually looks. She started cleaning up while Dan eats and Mimi pretended to read. After a while Dan finished eating, they continue cleaning up then Libby and Mimi head downstairs bringing the tray earlier. They left Dan so he can shower.
When Dan's mom saw them and the now empty tray of food, she felt thankful.
"You can wait for Dan in the game room girls."
Libby and Mimi then went to the game room. Dan's family game room is state of the art. A hundred inch tv hang on one side, pool table, mini bar, dart board, mini bowling alley, play station set up, XBOX, big couch that fits at least eight person. They sat there. While waiting for Dan, Libby said "What are we going to say to him?"
"Libby, I think we need to know Dan's reason. Whether it's true or not that he put that test papers in my locker, we need to know why.." answered Mimi.
Libby sighed. "My heart aches. You know I'm glad that you're name is already cleared but Dan.. " her voice trailed. "He even helped us finding clues. He's so concerned about you."
"That's why I don't believe that he did what he says he did. He's up to something. I think he's covering for someone. Or he accidentally put that test paper in my locker. Remember that our lockers are placed side by side and we don't lock it?" Mimi said.
"That's a good point Mims," Libby said excitedly. Just then the door opened and here comes Dan. The girls looked at each other then winked. They need Dan to say the truth now.
"So Dan," Libby started. "Mimi wants to hear your side herself. Tell her what you told me yesterday."
Dan cleared his throat. He closed his eyes and began his story. "That night, I went to Miss Jimenez'office to sneek in. My plan is just to take a peep at the test papesrs, I had so much to do and don't have enough time to study on Algebra and Physics. I hid behind the couch until she went home. When the lights went home and I heard her footsteps walking away, I told myself that's my chance. So I checked her every drawer for the test papers. But I got nervous because of the time, I know that security roam around the hallways by seven o'clock. So when I found the test papers, instead of peeping, I brought the whole envelope with me. When I got out of the room, I locked it, then ran. When I was outside of the building I was thinking of a place where I can looked at the test papers when I saw the light at the gym. I went there and found it opened. I sat at the bleachers but I felt that I had to pee, maybe because I'm nervous so I left the envelope there in the bleachers then went to the restroom at the side. But when I'm done, I noticed that someone else was there, it's Steven, practicing, I panicked, hid, then left gym secretly. Yes, I thought about the test papers but I prayed that Steven won't notice it, will go to early the next day to get it then dispose of it. The next day, I came for it, thankful that it's still there, then left the gym. I proceeded then to our locker area, opened it, get one test papers to read it, but I heard someone coming so I opened the locker nearest to me, put it there, then ran. I then decided to go to the Photography Club room. But before going I made my way past the cafeteria, outside thru the dumpster then threw the rest of the test papers. That's it. That's all of it." Dan opened his eyes and looked at Mimi. "I'm really sorry Mimi. It's not my intention to drag your name to this whole mess."
Libby is studying Dan while he's talking. He closed his eyes the whole time. And he's telling the story like someone else told it to him.
Mimi on the other hand is smiling. She knew now that Dan is not involved in any way. He's also innocent. They've been together since Kindergarten so she and Libby can tell if Dan is lying.
"Dan," Mimi said softly. "It's us. It's Libby and me. Don't you think we can tell if you're lying or not?"
"We're also both a member of the Mystery Club. Before your confession yesterday, we found out so many things first regarding the case." Libby added. "Your story does not add up to what really happened. Dan, we already interviewed a lot of people who's involved here. And," she said slowly, "we have a copy of the CCTV footage. You're not at Miss Jimenez'office. You weren't even near the hallway that day or the week before."
Dan looked at them. He's in disbelief.
"The question actually that Libby and I want you to answer is - why are you doing this? Who's involved that you're trying to cover?" Mimi asked firmly.
"Uhm, well.." Dan stammered.
"Dan, we'll submit all the evidence to Headmaster De Jesus on Monday. So better tell it to us now. Let's finish this case." said Libby.
"C'mon guys, it's really me. I'm the culprit," Dan stood up.
"Why do you want to be the culprit Dan? It's not easy having a record. And you gave up your team." Libby also stood up went to Dan and held his hand.
Dan walked away from her. "You don't understand. I'm not covering for anyone. I did this. Guys, believe me." he insisted.
"Dan?" it's Grace. They didn't realized that she was listening outside the door. She's crying.
"Mom?" Dan is startled.
"Why are you insisting to be the culprit? Libby said they already have the evidence. They know who really did this. They just want it to hear from you. Do you want to be suspended badly?" Grace is feeling frustrated.
"Mom, no," Dan looked confused. She turned to Libby. "You guys knew? And didn't tell me?" He looked hurt.
"It's you who's insisting Dan. I told you earlier the Mystery Club members already gathered the evidence. And the CCTV footage and our interview from the witnesses confirmed our theory."
"We want to hear it from you. We know that they talked to you," Mimi added.
"Baby, just tell the truth okay? Please," his mom pleaded.
"Okay Mom," Dan assured her. "You can rest now. Or continue doing your video. Don't worry." He then guide his mom outside towards the kitchen.
"I can't believe you guys," Dan said. "All the while I'm having a mental breakdown and you just let me tell all this." He walked towards his basketball hoops, got a ball and threw it in the hoops. "God, I'm frustrated!"
Libby laughed. Dan looked at her angrily that only made her laughed harder. "I'm sorry," she said while tears fall down her eyes due to laughing. "You looked so cute when angry and frustrated."
"I'm not joking Libby," Dan said. "I'm really starting to get angry."
"Okay, okay," Libby controlled herself. "Whew!" She drinks her juice then continued calmly, "So tell us what really happened Dan. From the moment Miss Jimenez and Coach Bradley approached you."
"What?" Just then Martin walks in. "I'm sorry Dan, you're mom let me in and said that you three are here. So, here I am." He paused. "What did I just heard? Miss Jimenez? Coach Bradley?"
Dan is too stunned to speak. His goosebumps showed. Really Libby, and the rest of the Mystery Club. Wow, they really know who the real culprit is. Coach Bradley.