Chapter 9:

Damien:

I sat on the bench outside my apartment, clutching the envelope holding $215 that I had stolen. As I stared at the envelope, I began to hesitate. Sure I had gotten into fights, beaten up people, cut school, but steal?

Did I really have to steal?

I couldn’t believe I was stooping so low. I couldn’t believe this. Money had never been an issue for me as I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth until I’ve been forced to live here by myself. Should I go back and return the envelope?

No. Damien, what are you thinking? You need that money or else you’ll be sleeping on the streets, god damn it. Besides, you’ve already stole it, what’s the use of bringing it back? Just use it and pay the rent!

I stood up, slipped the envelope into my pocket and slung my schoolbag over my shoulder and headed into the apartment.

“Bzz. Bzz. Bzzzzz.”

I took a quick glance at my phone and realized I had 5 unread messages and 3 miss calls from Miss Paige.

2.15pm

Damien where are you? Did you take the 215 dollars?

2.17pm

Damien where are you?

2.20pm

Please answer my calls.

2.21pm

Damien answer me now.

2.23pm

Damien if you did take the money please go back and return it. It’s not too late yet.

I ignored her messages, closed my phone and slipped it in the other pocket of my pants before knocking softly on Mr Evans, the landlord’s door, “It’s me, Damien.”

“Come in.” He replied after a couple of seconds.

“Well, well. I’ve been expecting you, Mr Morrison.” Then landlord began as soon as I entered as he placed the newspaper that he was reading on his desk. “I suppose you’ve brought the money that you owe me?”

I stayed silent for a few seconds. I slipped my hand into my pocket once again and touched the envelope.

“So? Have you brought it?” Mr Evans prompted, impatiently.

“I need more time.” I replied, “Just three days.”

Mr Evans cleared his throat before speaking. “I’ve think that I’ve already given you enough time. Do you think I’m doing some charity work?”

He paused and sighed, “Look, if you don’t have the money then I’m sorry. You will have to pack up and leave. I have other clients wanting to rent the apartment. I’ll give you one day to pack your stuff and leave. So, do you have the money?”

I sighed, pulling out the envelope from my pocket.

April:

After an hour of searching for the missing money, our efforts were in vain. It was still nowhere to be found. My heart sank. That small, flame of hope that maybe, just maybe it might have been carelessly misplaced somewhere had been extinguished by disappointment.

If Damien had really stole the money, he certainly would be expelled from school, or even worst, put behind bars. Why? That idiot. Why couldn’t he just put down his ego and let me help him.

I looked at all the messages I had sent him. He isn’t replying me nor is he returning my calls. What should I do?

 “I think we should make a police report.” A teacher suggested.

“I think we should search for it once more. What if the money was just misplaced?” Another teacher suggested.

“But we’ve searched the entire place and it’s nowhere to be found!” Miss Emily wailed in frustration. “Ugh. I should have been more careful…”

Suddenly, the door swung open and “I heard the money for the school fund is missing. Is this true?”

A few teachers nodded their head to confirm. Mr Parkson shook his head and a small frown appeared on his forehead. He thought for a moment before concluding, “We should call the police.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, casting frequent glances at my phone in case Damien decides to reply my messages. The uncomfortable feeling began to grow with every passing minute. I needed to find that damn student of mine.

I stood up, preparing to leave the room when Mrs Thompson stopped me. “Miss Paige,” She called, her voice had a hint of menace. Her lips formed a sinister smile as she questioned me accusingly, “Weren’t you the last person in this room before the money was missing?”

I was raging inside but I composed myself, willing myself to remain calm. I inhaled deeply before replying calmly, “Mrs Thompson, I’m afraid that you’ve mistaken me. I did not take the money and have no reason to do so.”

Mrs Thompson narrowed her eyes, she stood up and walked towards me.

“Then why do you wish to leave just when Mr Parkson suggested that we should call the police?” She challenged. “Well, you were the last person in this room before the money is missing, if it wasn’t you, then who?” Mrs Thompson raised her voice as she pointed her finger at me, accusing me of theft.

That was it. “If you think I stole the money,” I threw my bag onto the floor and its contents spilled all over the floor, “Then find it.”

“Miss Paige is innocent.” A familiar voice defended me, “The money is with me.”

I spun around and saw Damien Morrison leaning against the door of the Teacher’s Lounge, he held the envelope up for everyone to see. “I took it and I’m here to return it.” He announced as he placed the envelope on the nearest desk.

I stared at him with mixed feelings; disappointment, anger and relief before looking away.

“Mr Morrison may I know why did you steal the money?” Mr Parkson questioned him sternly.

“Why should – “

“Damien, answer the question.” I interrupted him as I shot him a glare. If he doesn’t watch his mouth, he would definitely get expelled, even the big donation that Mrs Morrison is willing to donate to the school wouldn’t help him.

Damien remained silent for a few seconds before he explained, “I needed money urgently to pay the rent for the apartment. I had the intention of returning back whatever I had taken after I’ve made enough.”

Well, at least he had good intentions of returning back the money.

“Then why did you return the money now?” Mr Parkson asked curiously as he took the envelope from the table and started to count the money.

“I didn’t want to get Miss Paige into trouble because of me.” Damien replied.

                                               ~.~.~.~.~

“It’s not over yet.” I took my things and gestured for Damien to follow me, “Follow me to the detention room.”

Damien was lucky that Mr Parkson let him off with a stern warning and without any punishment. It was a very light punishment for an action so severe and he was fortunate. The reason why Mr Parkson is being so lenient to him is probably because Mrs Morrison is providing donations to the school.

Once we entered the detention room, I closed the door and gestured for him to sit down. “You do know you were lucky getting away with such a light punishment, right? You could have gotten suspended, expelled or even jailed, do you know that?” I lectured him, sternly.

He looked at me nonchalantly and stayed silent.

“Didn’t I tell you that I can help you if you are facing financial difficulties?” The disappointment and anger inside of me was building up. My cheeks were warm and they felt as though they were radiating heat off me.

At that moment, Damien stood up. “I don’t need your help.”

“So you’d rather steal?” I raised my voice, “You’d rather be put behind bars then to ask for help? Is your ego worth that!?” I yelled at him, unleashing all the anger, disappointment that I felt.

Damien pushed the table aside violently and shouted back, “If my ego was that big, I wouldn’t have came back and returned the damn money!” He kicked the table and it over turned, “Yes, you can help me. You can provide me money for one week, how about the next week? How about the next month? How about the next year? Huh? You can’t help me forever!”

I grabbed his arm to stop him from leaving, “I’ll help you as much as I can, now sit down.” He did as he was told and muttered something that I didn’t catch under his breath,

I glanced away from him as I felt myself calming down. “It was hard, wasn’t it?” I asked him softly, “Having to decide whether to return the money.”

Again, there was no reply.

I’m glad you made the right choice.” I sat down next to him and placed my hand on his, “However, you still made a mistake and for that mistake you will face some consequences and that is, you’ll spend 1 week doing community service after school.”

“Okay.” He simply replied, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

“One more thing, I guess since you didn’t pay the rent you have nowhere else to stay, right?” I bit my lip, I’m probably digging my grave but… “If you have nowhere else to go, then stay with me.”

“What?” Damien blurted out in shock.

“Stay with me.” I repeated.

A/N: Sorry I haven’t been updating very frequently. Been really busy but I’m back and I’ll try my best to update often. I hope you guys enjoyed chapter 9 even though it’s a little short. Please drop me some comments, it would really make my day and LIKE LIKE LIKE if you like this chapter :D