Chapter 3 Friends

“ No matter your circumstances, remember life is a beautiful gift. ”

****

Meanwhile, Cecile, who was left standing in the corridors, dusted her uniform, before picking up her pink backpack from the ground and dusting it with her handkerchief.

“ Will you ever learn? You'd even embarrassed yourself on the first day of school. What a clumsy girl. ” She shook her head, with a helpless high.

She strapped her backpack around her, before treading on the path Joel had just taken.

***

Joel had just taken a step into the administration block when he recalled how nervous most students were whenever they had to step into this block.

Yet, he didn't feel nervous despite knowing that this summoning might be for his good or bad, though the worst that could happen was that he'd lose his scholarship. But he shouldn't be afraid since he'd done nothing wrong, right?

***

I knocked on the door thrice, and only twisted the knob when I gained permission to and slowly made my way into the magnificent office, which looked more like a library than an actual office.

The lighting wasn't too dim or bright, just normal as I love it. Not like my opinion mattered anyway.

I caught sight of the principal, Fredrick Henderson who sat behind a gigantic desk filled with diverse school reports. A laptop was seated in the middle of the mahogany desk, which he had his eyes glued to.

Despite the number of papers on his desk, it didn't look crowded at all. Then it struck me that there's nothing like being too busy, as we often make time for things and people that are important to us.

Given how busy he is, Mr Fredrick could have left his desk looking disorderly, yet he chose to be neat.

Unlike what I'd been expecting, Mr Fredrick wasn't using a spectacle like most men his age. It made me wonder, just how different we human beings are from each other.

“ There you are. Joel Maverick. ” I was brought out of my thoughts at the sound of his voice.

“ Good day, Sir. ” I bowed as a form of respect.

“ Good day to you too, Joel. ” I was stunned by his smile. Am I dreaming?

“ I'm sorry if my summoning was so sudden. You must have been wondering what you've done wrong to have been summoned all of a sudden, isn't it? ”

“ Yes, Sir. ” I replied awkwardly, still not used to the lightness of his tone. Mr Fredrick was rumored to be very serious and strict, so what's going on here?

“ Well, I was told to pass you this envelope. ” He fished out a brown envelope from one of the desk drawers and handed it to me.

“ Thank you, Sir. ” I bowed on receiving the letter from him.

“ You are welcome. Keep being an exceptional student. ” His unexpected compliment made a smile form on my lips. “ I will, Sir. Thank you. ” I bowed for the umpteenth time.

“ You — ” The sudden opening of doors, interrupted him as we both stared at the door at the intruder. Who dares to enter the principal's office without knocking?

It didn't take me so long to find out who it was, Cecile Grayson — The girl who had bumped into me earlier.

She walked confidently into the office, as if it was hers and bowed when she got to the principal's desk. “ Good day, Principal. ”

“ Good day to you too, Cecile. How many times have I told you to always knock before walking into someone's office? ”

“ I’m sorry, I forgot. I will try not to next time, Principal. ” She nodded dramatically and I couldn't help what their relationship was, watching the camaraderie play out between them.

“ Joel, meet my youngest niece, Cecile Grayson. ” My lips formed an o, at his words.

“ Nice to meet you, Cecile. ” I smiled, trying to act formal.

“ It's you, Joel! ” As expected, Cecile couldn't hide her emotions.

“ Yeah. ”

“ You've met? ” The surprise in his voice was evident and I couldn't help smiling.

“ Yes, Principal. I'd bumped into him earlier, he was a gentleman in making sure I sustained no injuries. ”

[ A/N: Aw, I love Cecile's character already! What about you, guys? ]

“ When will you quit being so clumsy, Cecile? ” Though he was scolding her, I could sense the amusement in his voice.

“ I don't know, Principal. ” He shook his head helplessly, before turning his gaze to me.

“ Thank you for saving her from falling, Joel. ” His words got me surprised, and I was at a loss for words for several seconds before finally finding my voice.

“ It's alright, Sir. I simply did what anyone would have done. ”

“ Aw, How humble. ” Cecile's silent mumble caught my attention and I couldn't help sighing. How could someone be so open and shameless?

“ Cecile! ”

“ Sorry, Principal. ” I was no longer surprised at how fast it took her to bow.

“ You'll never change. ” He sighed helplessly. “ Anyways, you should wait here while I send someone to call on the student's president to show you around. ”

“ There's no need for that, Principal. ”

“ Oh, Why not? ”

“ Because Joel here can do that instead. ” My eyes dilated in shock, at her words. Me? I still wasn't sure I'd completely forgiven her for bumping into me earlier. “ Right, Joel? ” Our eyes locked right at that moment and I got lost in her orbs, the ones that remind me so much of my love, Jemmy.

“ Is that okay with you, Joel? ” I smiled at the uncertainty in his voice. It seemed like he'd finally realized how much of a handful his niece was.

“ It is, Principal. ” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

“ Okay, You can both head back to class now. You can start the tour at your leisure time, later. ”

“ Alright, Principal. ” I bowed along with Cecile, who I somehow felt was an expert at it.

“ Hm. You can leave now. ” We nodded, as we made our way out of the office.

“ Joel. ” I paused in my steps to stare at her. “ Thank you for today. ”

“ You are welcome. ” I smiled, not expecting that from her.

“ Friends? ” She stretched her right hand towards me and for a moment there, I didn't know how to react. How could I tell her that I wasn't ready for a friendship? How can I tell her I was probably too broken to care for another person?

“ Friends. ” I nodded, shaking her hand reluctantly.

“ We'll be the best of friends, Joe. ” It felt like my brain stopped working on hearing the nickname.

Jemmy.

Only she called me that.

I stared at the girl in front of me who was a replica of Jemmy and I wondered.

Do I want to be friends with this girl, who reminds me so much of my lost love? Do I?

.....

A/N: Awn, what do you think, guys?

Awaiting your responses!

Take care (⁠*⁠_⁠*⁠).