Blizzard Girl ©

Chapter Sixteen:

When I woke up again, it's because if some sunlight hitting my eyes. Sunlight in London is a phenomenon. During the winter months, it's a miracle. Which is why I simply stared at the glaring sun rays shining on my pillow. Then I yawned and the plan Percival talked about last night came back to me.

Of how I'm supposed to befriend a French Heiress in order for Percival to kill her--and of how I wanted no part in it.

During breakfast I was very quiet as I heard my parents, Mr. Bunter, and Jason talk animatedly. Charlie was the only one who openly noticed my silence at the time. The look of suspicion on his face did cut like a knife though.

Even though Charlie, Jason, and I promised to keep my secret between us, Charlie didn't trust the person I've become. I ate my breakfast as fast as I could so I could get ready for school without suspicious looks being thrown my way.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I completed the class handouts I got. Today was Friday which was turn in your week load of homework day at Blackwood Prep. As I slung my backpack on my shoulders and headed to the living room freshly dressed and ready to go, I heard Mr. Bunter's home phone ring. Mr. Bunter's had an old fashioned rotary phone that was connected to a voice message box. Why Charlie's dad didn't get around to getting those new cordless phones I don't know. I looked at the phone as it stopped ringing and the voicemail message rang loud and clear. "Hello! You have reached the Bunter household. Please leave a message after the tone," rang out Mr. Bunter's voice.

After the beep I heard, "Ventisca, this is Rachel. I would've texted you if you had a phone, but you don't have one. Then I remembered Charlie gave me his home phone and he told me you and your brother are staying with him and his dad so--" I decided to pick up the phone before the rambling resumed.

"Hello?"

"Oh, hello!" said Rachel cheerfully. "I was calling to see if we're still going to meet after school to get ready for.the dance."

"Right! Of course, where are we going to get ready at?"

"Well, I was thinking we could get ready at Mr. Bunter's home," said Rachel lightly as I heard a woman in the background yell out her name. "We could get ready with less motherly interference," she huffed out.

"Don't be too sure. My mom and dad are home and my mom loves taking snapshots." I heard Rachel groan and I laughed.

"I was thinking of Mr. Bunter's place too because Percival knows that place too and could pick you up there. Charlie told me you two already went out on a date and--"

"RACHEL!"

"Coming!" yelled Rachel weakly. "Well, I have to go, but I'll see you at school."

"Okay, and I'll see you after school at Mr. Bunter's home."

"RACHEL ALISON DAVIES!"

"Bye!" Rachel squeaked before the line got cut. I placed the phone back on it's holster as I sensed someone behind me. When I turned, I saw the decorative mirror hanging in Mr. Bunter's living room. I leaned towards the mirror to stick my tongue out at it.

"What are you doing, Ventisca?" asked Mr. Bunter as he entered the living room to grab his daily newspaper from the coffee table. He stared at the phone and then back at me. "Bad phone call?"

"Uh, no. Not at all, but I have a question."

"What question?" asked my mom as she entered the living room, coffee cup nestled between her hands. "There's no parent-teacher conference coming up is there?"

"Ugh, I hope not. I hate those things," replied my dad as he made his way to the couch, ready to turn on the television." I felt like I was ganged up on by three adults--well two; dad was distracted enough searching for the t.v. remote.