Promises Beyond The Veil Of Light ( Pt 13 )

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Part Thirteen

 

 

The bell went for start of school as Jason ran across the playground and in through the entrance, eager to inform his mates of the news on who had arrived at his house. Mr Forbson the headmaster came out of his office just as Jason ran passed his door.

 

“Jason Gilbert, is there a fire?” He questioned the boy as he closed the door. Some nearby kids giggled at Jason's humiliation before continuing on their way.

 

Jason stopped in his tracks. Mr Forbson was a slim fit figure of a man with tanned skin and dark hair that was always tidy. He might have looked slight in stature but was a force to deal with and was the one person Jason feared most. “Uh! Sorry sir, thought I'd be late for class.” He was seething inside but wouldn't let his feelings be known.

 

“Well you know the answer to that Gilbert?” It was the one thing Mr Forbson hated most and he never saw any reason for running in the corridor.

 

“No sir.” Jason gazed confusingly at the headmaster. His mind was on other things rather than trying to work out what Mr Forbson was going on about.

 

“If you need to run before class, then it's obvious you should get here earlier, wouldn't you agree Gilbert?” Mr Forbson stood sternly waiting for a reply.

 

“I suppose so sir.” Was all Jason could think to reply, feeling his cheeks burning red with embarrassment.

 

“No suppose about it boy. Now get to your class...and walk.” Mr Forbson never liked disciplining pupils in front of the other children, but in this case he wasn't about to let the moment go.

 

Jason kicked his heels and sauntered off down the corridor apologizing as he went. “Yes sir, sorry sir.” Under his breath he uttered, “stupid twat.” The other kids were already in the classroom as Jason wandered in and over to his desk.

 

Miss Willis hadn't arrived, so Jason eagerly began ordering his mates to gather round. “You won't believe the latest news.” He declared getting all excited. The other boys looked at him waiting to hear what he had to say.

 

“Come on then, spit it out,” uttered Danny sitting on the desk eager to know.

 

“Mina, that weirdo came to live with us last night.” He gazed around at the other boys faces to gauge their reaction.

 

“What she wanna come and live with you for?” probed Danny laughing at the idea.

 

“Dunno. I didn't stick around to find out.” Jason knew Mina's mum had passed away, but didn't care to share the news with the others, so just shrugged his shoulders and continued. “In any case she wasn't there when I got up this morning, looks like she's done a runner.” He declared. “Just hope she doesn't come back cause I can't stand her.”

 

Danny took some gum from his pocket and offered it to Jason just as Miss Willis walked in. Jason grabbed the gum as Danny quickly removed himself from the desk and jumped back in his seat.

 

“Morning class.” she sang in a high pitched voice. The class chorused back. “Morning Miss Willis.”

 

Miss Willis pointed at Jason. “I'll have that gum before it goes in your mouth. You should know the rules by now, no eating in class.”

 

Jason was fed up of being reprimanded, that's twice now and he'd only just arrived at school. Getting up from his desk he walked to the front with gum in hand ready to give it over. “Ain't fair Miss, how come Danny's not getting it? It was him that offered the gum in the first place.”

 

“Just hand it over Jason. You should know me by now, I'm not angry.” After placing the gum on Miss Willis's desk, Jason turned to walk back to his seat as all the girls apart from Mia smirked at him. He was mortified and wanted to smash someones head in, but knew to keep his cool so just tried to ignore it returning to his desk and sulking.

 

Mia hadn't seen her friend for a while, she knew Mina's mum had been ill, but didn't know she'd died because there was no way of finding out. She couldn't go through the veil of light to the other side of the forest because of the magic. She also had no idea that Jason had seen Mina until now overhearing him talking. Mia was desperate to question Jason on Mina's whereabouts, but knew he'd just tell her to get lost in his usual nasty way. Mia decided she'd ask Miss Willis when class was over, feeling sure the teacher would know.

 

An hour seemed to drag by as finally the bell went for end of lesson. Miss Willis announced everyone was dismissed. Mia packed her books away and waited for everyone to leave the room before making her way up to the teacher. Miss Willis was cleaning the blackboard thinking about her next class.

 

Approaching the front she coughed. “Excuse me Miss Willis.” Mia got her attention as the teacher looked over her shoulder seeing the girl standing, looking troubled.

 

“What is it Mia? You seem lost.” Miss Willis was surprised to see her still standing there and not making her way to the next class.

 

“I was just wondering if you know where Mina was? Only I've not seen her since Friday.”

 

Realizing Mia hadn't heard the sad news and thinking she probably should have told everyone at beginning of class, Miss Willis expained. “I'm afraid Mina's mum died at the weekend. I thought you might have known being her friend.”

 

Mia took a breath needing to sit down. “No I didn't know." She must be feeling so alone! Thought Mia. It was so frustrating as the only contact she had with her friend was through school.

 

Making a suggestion, Miss Willis could see the distress on the Mia's face and thought it would help to speak to Mr Forbson. “It's best if you speak to the headmaster, he knows when she's coming back to school.”

 

Mia's mind was in a whirl, she was so worried for her friend. “Thanks, I'll do that.” Leaving the classroom Mia made her way down the corridor to Mr Forbson's office, she always felt nervous speaking to the head, but it had to be done.

 

Knocking, the headmaster called out. “Come in!” In his usual low tone.

 

Mia pulled the handle down on the door and entered. Mr Forbson was sat at his desk. It was a large office with cabinets and a couple of paintings on the walls. Mia noticed a copy of Monet's Water Lilly Pond, but she had no idea what the other was.

 

Art was one of Mia's favorite subjects, she would often enjoy trips to art museums in school holidays, which most of the other kids found strange for a ten year old, but Mia wanted to be an artist when she grew up and never felt a connection with others her own age until she met Mina.

 

The head looked up from his books. “Hello Mia, shouldn't you be at your next class ?” He noticed the girl seemed flummoxed and upset.

 

Mia took a deep breath and began to speak. “I've just found out about Mina's mum dying sir, but have no idea how to get in contact with her.” The fluorescent lighting in the heads office was very bright, making it seem a lot lighter than outside as Mia gazed out the window rather than staring Mr Forbson in the eyes.

 

The head realized what a shock the news must be. "I'm sure Mina will speak to you when she comes back to school. All I can tell you is that she's moved into a foster home."

 

Mia shifted on her seat. Poor Mina, she must feel so alone! Was all Mia could think.

 

“I can see you're upset, I'll get your teacher,” Mr Forbson wasn't used to dealing with situations like this. As he went to leave the room, he turned to face Mia. “You know I'm sure Mina will be fine." 

 

Mia knew the headmaster had no idea what Mina was really like and how different her life was to a normal child of ten. She remembered the diagram Mina had drawn of her world's system of underground tunnels that badgers lived in which fascinated Mina.

 

In her friend's magical forest the creatures weren't afraid of Mina and her mum. She'd told Mia about birds that would come and eat food out of her hand and talk to her in their own way, also how the wolves would call out at night.

 

Mina had also spoken of companion growing; how certain groups of plants would sing and communicate living in harmony like special souls meant to be together. But that some plants like humans were afflicted by others.

 

Mia remembered especially how Mina had told her that no plants grow well near wormwood due to its toxic leaves. “If you want to grow decent strawberries, then plant them under borage leaves, they'll thrive.” Mina had told her. It amazed Mia how much her friend knew.

 

As Mia was deep in thought, Miss Willis walked in with the head. “How are you feeling now?” Inquired her teacher.

 

“Okay," Replied Mia. Not wanting to show her true feelings. 

 

“Here's some water,” said Miss Willis.. Mia took a sip unaware of just how dry her throat was.

"I suggest you get to your next class Mia. I'm sure Mina will speak to you when she returns." Mr Forbson wasn't about to give out addresses to any of the children, no matter what.

 

Leaving the head's office Mia felt lost and couldn't wait for Mina to return, as she sauntered off down the corridor to her next class.

 

It all felt so strange in school without her friend, Mia felt alone and wondered if it was actually herself she was feeling sorry for. She knew Mina had her magic and was sure she'd be okay, but Mia had invested so much time in her friend that there wasn't much room for other friendships to blossom. “Oh well, suppose I better get going,” she muttered under her breath. Salvaging whatever confidence that was left, Mia was now glad to be going to her favorite art class. At least it would take her mind off Mina for a while.

 

To be continued...