... In other news...
For the third time this month, the police have returned empty-handed, while a group of individuals with ages between 14 and 28 are spreading fear among the citizens. In an interview, the Chief stated that there are no conclusive proof to apprehend the suspects, despite all the obvious signs pointing at this group. This time the victim was a 90-year-old woman on her way back after visiting her great-granddaughter in maternity. The suspects subtracted everything off value the woman had in her possession. Luckily, the paramedics confirmed the victim is in good condition despite the fright the incident caused her.
The police is still expected to take a stance, as this, despite being a fortunate incident, the same can't be told about the previous situations....
Third incident this month and is only the beginning of September, I thought, turning the TV off and swallowing the last of my cereal. Well, at least the grandma was fine, but the news lady was right; those who fell victim previously weren't that lucky. I placed the dirty bowl in the sink and grabbed my phone. No matter how much I scrolled, social media was full of these guys; news, articles, enraged opinions, and call-outs. And it looked pretty much the same no matter the platform I was on.
Oh, well. They all happened all the way across town, so not much to worry about in my area; however, words of putting in place a neighbourhood patrol have been going back and forth.
Never mind. School was about to start, and I wasn't planning on being late from day one. With the construction of the new building finally completed, the first part of the day it was bound to be some sort of orientation. After all, we needed to at least know where our classes are.
"Ready?" my bestie welcomed me with a smile as I locked the door behind me.
"You realise we have a doorbell with a purpose, right?" I asked as I came closer.
"Yes... and?"
"And a phone, as a matter of fact?" I raised an eyebrow at her practiced nonchalance.
"Meh, we have plenty of time and just look at this weather. You wanted me to rush you out, get to school early, and be no longer able to enjoy it?"
"If you want to enjoy the weather, why are you waiting under the tree?" I asked, looking at her amused. "Spill it. What's up?"
"You know I signed up for the advanced art program, right?" she left the side of the tree, and started walking by my side slowly, as she spoke.
"Yes... that's the only thing you talked about all summer long, although I probably should've said no, as payback for it."
"You think it's funny? Look at my face! I haven't slept a wink."
"Because you are going to draw for extensive periods of time and build your portfolio for university? Yeah, I mean I wouldn't sleep either if I had to go to school and do what I love the most."
"You are an awful friend, did you know that?"
"What did I do?" my voice pitched.
"You know they haven't finished the studio, and they don't know when that's going to happen, and you make fun of me now, but what if they never finish it while I am still in school? The program is not happening, Rya!" she said everything in a single breath, slapping the air with her hands, frustrated tears threatening to spill at any moment.
"I know nothing of that. What do you mean? I mean, who even told you that, and why in the world would you believe them?"
"Don't lie to me," she continued to whine, strangers on the street turning their heads towards us. "It was in the school's newsletter."
"It wasn't in mine; are you sure you read the right one and not a prank one?" I looked at her as if she were about to go crazy.
"Oh, for fuck's sake, Rayna! Are you seriously gaslighting me right now?"
"There's nothing here!" I snapped at her, pulling my phone out and scrolling through the Newsletter. "Not a single mention of the Art Program, so what the actual fuck has gotten into you today?"
As a reaction to my reaction, she pulled out her own phone and shoved a completely different newsletter in my face. "Then what the heck is this?" she shouted. "It's the school's official email, so not a scam, nor a prank. So? What is this?"
"Give me that and stop acting like I have any fault in this." I jerked the phone from her hand and scrolled through the letter. Nothing mentioned in mine was mentioned in hers, but before the confusion settled in even further, I spotted the issue. "Have you noticed the title of your newsletter?" I asked, looking at Mara's teary eyes.
"Newsletter?"
"No, dummy... 'Art Program Students Only' and if you read a bit further, it will still take place, only in one of the regular classrooms until the final touches are done."
"Wait, what?! How?" she snatched the phone from my hand and scrolled like a madman.
"It's written right here. Did you even read the whole thing?"
"Aah... maybe?" With a sheepish smile spreading across her face, whirly and almost biting her lips like a child she fought to hold back her tears after doing something she was specifically told not to do.
"And furthermore, you had the audacity to take it out on me." I looked at her expectant, with a crooked eyebrow and holding back the smallest smile. "Well?"
"I'm sorry," she pouted like a child caught red-handed. "I..." she stuttered, "I..." then frowned. "You did not just pull your mother's 'mum' face on me to get an apology!"
I burst out laughing and putting on my mum's occasional demeanour, I added. "Responsible women know how and when to take accountability."
"Oh, fluff you." Mara shoved me softly. "But seriously, I am sorry. It's just, this means so much for me and it can open so many opportunities... but even so, definitely not an excuse to treat you this way."
I hummed her way softly in response.
"Can you forgive me?"
"Nope," I said flatly just to ruffle her feathers.
"Great, the bitch is still out." She crossed her arms and continued to pout, while my mouth fell open for a brief second, just for both of us to burst out laughing in unison.
"Anyway, what's this all about wanting to introduce uniforms or something?" I asked Mara once we caught our breaths after laughing like two crazy old ladies.
We neared the school gates with every step we took, while chatting loudly and cheerfully, not as if we had combusted into spontaneous argument mere minutes ago.