10 The Fortunate Mishap (1/2)

”I wasn't expecting Joseph to be behind all this. What has he to do with me?” I said.

”He could have something to do with your past. For now, he's a suspect, let's keep an eye on him.” Shaun suggested.

”Claire, I have been looking everywhere for you.” Emily came in.

”I'll see you later.” Shaun took his leave.

”Aren't you hanging out quite often with him these days?” Emily asked as Shaun left the room.

”We are doing a project together, that's all.”

”I see, Claire, I got an idea. How about asking Shaun to act in the play along with you?”

”No, Emily, don't even think about it.” I shook my head in disapproval.

”Why? You guys seem comfortable with each other now. Please, Claire, we don't have much time left. Try asking him.”

”He would never agree to do it.”

”Then you should urge him to participate. We have no other choice.” she pleaded.

”Emily I am sorry but I can't, I don't want him to assume that it is something I want and that I still have feelings for him.” I earnestly reasoned.

”I understand, I'll find someone else.”

We were walking back to our class when I saw Joseph going to the hallway.

”Emily, do you know anything about Joseph?” I thought of getting some information about him from Emily.

”He was my maths teacher in freshman years. He has an agreeable personality but he's a misanthrope. People reckon that he is brash, cocky, and arrogant when he's just unsociable. There's nothing more about him that stands out.” she briefed me about Joseph.” Why are you asking by the way?”

”Nothing, I just saw him and got curious,” I replied.

I went to the staffroom to handover Ivan the assignments he asked me to collect from the students. As I was giving the assignments to Ivan, I took a little peep at Joseph's desk. I saw him working on his computer, and there was a bundle of papers on his desk. Within those papers I caught a glimpse of that paper I got the notes on.

Suddenly his phone rang, he got up and left the staffroom. I followed him out. He didn't stop in the hallway to take the call rather walked all the way to the staircase. I stood behind the wall at the edge of the staircase far enough to hear him talking.

”I told you not to call me during school hours. Are you threatening me now? I told you I'll take care of it.” he took a pause. ”Okay I'll meet you tomorrow night at the same place.” he hung up the phone.

I pattered to the hallway before he would walk up.

It was time for the rehearsals of the play so I went out of the school to the auditorium. I couldn't stop thinking about the phone call. Who was he talking to and about what? What place are they meeting tomorrow? I need to follow him to know but tomorrow's weekend, what should I do?

”Claire, I talked to Miss Mary about the replacement. She said she'll help us find the lead, she might send someone to today's rehearsal.” Emily said offering me a cup of coffee. ”I'll set the props for you to rehearse.”

”Okay,” I said thoughtlessly.

I went up the stage to practice my lines when Shaun entered the auditorium.

”What are you doing here?” Emily asked him as he approached the stage.

”I thought you needed me.” he glanced at me. ”Miss Mary asked me to join the rehearsals.”

”Oh, I see, so you are the replacement she's going to send. Great, here's your script.” Emily handed him the script book.

He went through the scene twice and came up to the stage.

”Why did you agree to do this?” I asked him.

”I couldn't say no to Miss Mary. Why? Are you not comfortable doing it with me? If you think your feelings might intervene in the play. Tell me, I'll refuse to participate.”

”No, you don't have to,” I exclaimed. ”I mean it's just a play, you don't have to trouble others. Also, don't be deluded that I have feelings for you.”I turned away.