'Valerie, what is the meaning of this?' Alexa asked, turning to look at her, and straightening up from her squatting position.

'What do you mean?' Valerie asked, still having the smug smile on her face.

'You know damn well what I mean, Valerie', she said, her tone rising. 'How can you come here and take Landon away without letting the school authorities know and most of all without my permission?'

'Were you scared?' she asked, leeringly.

Alexa was beginning to lose her cool. 'I am not joking ...