VOICES UNHEARD

 

CHAPTER TWO

      It was break time, but Alison could not find her friend Rachel. They had agreed on solving some mathematical problems together so they could be ahead of the other classmates. Alison preferred sitting at the front seat, because still with her glasses on, she couldn't see properly from a far distance. Unlike her friend Rachel, who preferred staying behind so as not to be noticed by anyone in class, especially the teachers.

      Alison grabbed her books and walked to the back row to sit down, hoping Rachel would show up any minute. She waited for a while, but Rachel was nowhere to be found.

       "Hey, Lucy. Have you seen Alison? I haven't seen her since this break time." Alison asked, curious and concerned about her whereabouts.

Lucy shrugged in negation and continued with the gossip she was having with her friends. Alison saw that they didn't take notice of whether she was with them or not, even though they were seat mates.

        "Oh Rachel, where are you now? She whispered under her breath. She thought about where she could have gone, but nothing at all was coming to mind. "Hold on, is she trying to dodge me because I said she would take today's revision? Alison said to herself, laughing calmly. "You're so dead Rachel, wherever you are. Please, come back." 

       Seeing that her stay there wasn't productive, she decided to take a stroll round the school, hoping to spot her along the way.

She checked some classes, even the cafeteria and the convenience room, but she couldn't find Rachel. She was just about to continue with her search stroll exercise when she heard the school bell ring. 

She wasn't expected to be seen outside at least five minutes after the bell, so she hurried back into the class. On her way, she spotted Rachel come out of an empty store room that had not been used for a while and she was alone. She decided to query her later on.

       After dismissal, Alison went to meet Rachel where she was arranging her books so she could leave.

       "Rachel, where have you been? Looked for you all over the school that my feet got sore." Alison said, feigning a frown. "You've been scarce nowadays." She added.

       "Hi Alison, I haven't been scarce, I've been around." Rachel responded, trying to avoid eye contact with her friend.

        "You were not in class at break, as a matter of fact, I waited on your seat." Alison queried, a little suspicious that she was hiding something.

        Rachel smiled calmly. "I left as soon as I heard the bell. I haven't been feeling too well, so I needed a place to stay, far from the noise." Rachel explained, placing her bag on her shoulder."

Alison because emotional. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were not feeling well. Why didn't you tell me? Alison asked, feeling like a really bad friend.

        "It's nothing that serious, you don't always have to share my pain with me. You've been great already." Rachel replied.

Alison shook her head in disagreement. "We are friends, that's what friends do. Please, don't keep such thing away from me alright. My mom will be here soon and you're coming with us." Alison finalized. Not wanting to hear her friend whine or disagree, she left immediately, hoping Rachel would follow suit.

       Rachel seeing that her mind had been made up already decided not to argue.