It was the second afternoon after the School Festival, a Wednesday afternoon. It was that special time of the day that everyone had been waiting for. It was the time for the last bell that signaled the end of classes, when everyone would wake from the sleepy lessons, free to flee outdoors into the clear sunny afternoon.
Annie packed all her belongings. Then she walked towards the front door, following behind the exodus of students from the classroom.
Saki was still at her desk just beside the door. The Asian girl was stuffing books and notes into her cloth bag. Derek, who sat beside her, got up to leave behind Billy and Reese, just ahead of Annie.
Suddenly, Keith McDowell burst into the classroom, shouldering his way past the boys. Yes, that Keith McDowell, the Unscrupulous Reporter.
"Hi, Keith," Annie greeted with her frostiest tone, one that promised to bring back the recently ended winter for another go.
Keith, however, appeared to be well insulated. "Ms Billings, can I interview you for the Fernham Post?"
"No, Keith," Annie declined, even though she knew he was going to start firing questions anyway. What interest had he in her?
As expected, he ignored her refusal. "Is it true that you got drunk during the spring break, that you drank yourself unconscious?"
How did he find out about that!? "No comment, Keith." A handy little phrase she had learned from watching politicians hounded by reporters on television.
Keith took his notepad and pencil out of his jacket pockets. "What about your opinion on alcohol abuse?"
Oh, she had plenty of opinions about that subject. However, she suspected that if she told him any of that, he would somehow twist her words against her. Blah, blah, despite knowing the dangers of alcohol, Annie Billings still succumbed to the lure of the drink, blah, blah. He would probably write something like that.
Thus, she replied, "No comment."
"You're underage. How did you get the alcohol anyway?"
Blah, blah, despite being underage, Annie Billings still got her hands on the forbidden substance, blah, blah.
"Look, if you want to know anything, just ask the police. They're the ones who found me." Whoops. She should not have let him know about that.
Blah, blah, -insert obvious statement about Annie, alcohol abuse and the police- blah, blah.
"The police are involved?" Keith was scribbling furiously. "So you got so drunk that the police had to pick you up?"
"That's not it." Actually, it was true that the police picked her up but anyone should be able to guess what was going to turn up in the paper if she told the whole story. And Annie did not want that to happen. "Just ask the police. I wouldn't want to undermine their investigation by telling you anything."
Another whoops. The word 'investigation' hinted that there was a greater story. Blah, blah, Annie Billings arrested by police for underage-drinking, center of police investigation, blah, blah.
Keith jumped on the word. "What are they investigating?"
After remaining tight-lipped for several more questions, Annie finally shooed the teenage reporter away with Detective Larioza's contact detail. She hoped the good detective had better experience dealing with reporters. She also hoped the good detective would not curse her for letting Keith have her number.
Blah, blah, Annie Billings jailed for setting Keith McDowell on the police, blah, blah. Like that would happen!
Saki was still there, with her cloth bag packed. Annie plopped herself down onto Derek's seat beside the girl.
"You heard?" Annie asked needlessly. The whole conversation with Keith had occurred right next to the Asian girl's desk.
Saki nodded slowly.
"He's probably going to write something awful again," Annie said. Saki would understand. She had been in the paper before.
Saki gave her a blank stare. "Based on what you told him, I myself would assume something awful."
Annie sighed. "You're right." Then she noted that Saki's stare had turned inquisitive. "No, I'm not you telling the details. It's just... um, you know, embarrassing."
And disturbing. To have been given alcohol without her knowledge, to have fallen unconscious, to have been found by the police, to have discovered that she had been robbed. So much had happened.
Saki nodded understandingly. She closed her bag, that same bag with the words 'Hope Blossom' embroidered into its cover. The flat glossy red pouch tied to the end of the strap looked like a recent addition.
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