CHAPTER FIFTEEN: A VACATION

Because of what had happened, the dean decided to send all the students home for further investigation. So here we are, packing our things.

"I was happy when I heard that we'll have one week vacation, but I guess, in a sense we're still in college after all. Homework here, homework there... homework everywhere!" Oli mutters as he packs his things into his luggage.

"Zhena... Would you like to come with me?" I offered, as I see her looking rather sad while she does her packing.

She shakes her head and smiles at me,

"I'm fine. Mom will come and pick me up here, and then we're going to grandmas'" she answered.

I slowly nod my head, and was about to respond. Suddenly, we hear an insistent knocking on our door. We glance at each other, and then slowly look back at the door.

No one could blame us being scared because of what had happened. We all are nervous and shaking. We didn’t dare to move a muscle in case it might be alias Joe again. Maybe trying to kill us!

"It can't be alias Joe right?" Oli whispers, shaking in fear.

I look at him and then at Zhena, who quickly turns to me, as if she's gonna protect me.

I turn to look at Oli. He sighs. Then, both Zhena and I are confused when we see Oli straightened up, and he’s nodding as if he’s decided to just go and open the door.

And so he did, but the most amazing part is Oli took the broom from the edge of his bed and walked straight to the door. He stopped for a moment. Another knock. Zhena and I turn to look at each other then next to Oli. He gives us a smile that says, maybe this is my last smile… ever!

Oli opened the door and we were surprised to see professor Kristoff and dean Ilya. Oli is already striking out with the broom, but luckily professor Kristoff, catches it in his arms.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Oli said, after realizing it wasn't alias Joe after all.

Zhena and I sighed in as if a thorn were just pulled out from our chest.

"I'm so sorry, professor and dean Ilya... We were scared that it might be alias Joe trying to attack us again...so we..."

"That's fine, we understand." professor Kristoff said and then turned to look at me.

I was stunned. His eyes are staring at mine and they’re saying something I cannot understand. His eyes are like shining diamonds in the sky. But somehow his face says something else.

"Okay, girls, we understand your fear and that's the very reason why we’ve come here..." , says the dean. I look away, to avoid professor Kristoof’s awkward gaze.

"What is it, dean Ilya?" Zhena asks,

Dean Ilya cleared her throat and smiled bitterly to us.

"Aside from having a one week vacation...you are in a one-week suspension, an emergency suspension..."

"A what?!" we all ask, unbelieving her words. She looks down and slowly nods her head.

"It is needed. When the students are back after vacation, alias Joe might think you are here so he will attack you again for a second time. So we'll give you a week extension... Just for the three of you. Trust us." professor Kristoff explained.

We nod slowly as we try to take in what they have said.

"Anyway, your parents are already here except for Lara; they said they're on their way", dean Ilya explained.

"Do they know about what happened?" I ask

Dean Ilya gives me a little smile and slowly shakes her head. "No, but it would be nice if they know about it," I nod and look at Zhena, who gently rubs my back.

"We'll wait for you at the dean's office. Your parents are waiting for you and it's best for you to wait there; the safer the better," professor Kristoff explains.

We nod [our head] and i point to our luggage.

"We're still packing our things, we'll be there [maybe] in a minute or two," ani niya. The professor and the dean nod in agreement.

"See you, students," dean Ilya said, as she walks out the room with professor Kristoff,

We sighed and Oli closes the door. He turns us, looking very sad.

"Two weeks without my girls will seems like forever," he says, sadly.

Zhena then added "I guess this two weeks of vacation will give me peace of mind. It's a good thing for me though, I will have time to think for myself," she explains, I nod my head and smiles at them,

"I miss my family so...this is great for me too," I added. Oli then rolled over on the bed and clasped his head in both of his hands.

"I should probably visit some country, where should I go?" he murmurs.

Zhena and I laughed and shook our heads and walked to our bedroom to continue packing our things.

"How will you tell your parents about what happened, Lara?" Zhena suddenly asks.

I pause from putting my things into my luggage. I was stunned cos I hadn’t really thought about it

"I don't know...I don't even know if I should tell them the truth...it scares me..." I answered,

"But you know that you need to tell them, right?" Zhena asks, as if she wants to confirm something. I just nod my head and fake a smile.

"Of course, maybe at the right time," I told them. We fell into silence, focusing on packing our things.

After packing, we turned off all the lights, locked the windows and the restroom door. After we’d checked everything out, the three of us go out of our dorm room carrying our things.

Other students are coming out of their rooms too, carrying luggage and things. The hallways are so crowded that I start to feel anxious. I look down at my hands and Zhena holds them tightly. I look up to her and smile.

"Thanks" I mouthed. She smiles and nods.

When we turn to look forward, Zhena, Oli, and I see Tyler walking in the opposite to the students direction. In short, walking towards us, and looking directly at me.

My eyes widen as I look at him. Other students look, too. Maybe they’re curious as to what he's doing.

For the second time, I’m stunned that he has stopped in front of me. I stop and look up to him,

He looks so worried. His eyes say it all.

"What??" I ask him. He shakes his head and puts his hands on both of my shoulders.

"Are you okay?" he asks. My eyes slightly widen as I hear his words.

I look around, only to see bunch of students staring at us,

Tyler used his index finger to beckon me to face him,

"Don't look at them. Look at me, Lara. Answer me," he said. I can see by his face that he is deadly serious. He looks very worried.

"I... I am okay," I answer him, my eyes quickly turn to look around.

The people around us start to murmur some words and I am very anxious at the moment because of the unpleasant aura around me.

"I'm glad you're okay," he said emotionally, and suddenly hugged me.

I was stunned because of that sudden hug. Is he really hugging me? Is he concerned? Why is he so worried?

"Th-Thanks for asking, Tyler." I say, as I gently rub his back, a sign of thanking him for being worried.

He releases his hug and he smiles at me, as though he was very glad that I am okay and well, after what had happened.

"Would you mind if I join you on your way out?" he asks. I look at Zhena and Oli who are looking at us with mischievous smiles on their faces.

"A-ah, we're heading to the dean's office." I answered,

"That's okay, If you don't mind...I'll come with you..."

"What's up, Tyler? Why are you..."

"Just...let me do this, Lara. I'm very worried that alias Joe might come and attack you in the middle of somewhere." he said, as if he were warning me.

I look at Zhena and Oli again. And there, they nod their heads and smile at me. I look at Tyler and slowly nod my head that I will let him come with us to the dean's office.

-to be continued...