50: C50 Chapter 50

C50 Chapter 50

I trailed behind the teacher like a prisoner, walking down the aisles. The classes were ongoing so that nobody I came across along the way to the main building where the school principal's office was. This situation at least protected me from the mocking faces of those who would eagerly watch me led to my punishment.1

The school principal had been waiting in his room talking to someone whose back was leaning against the chair where she was sitting on. Undoubtedly, the girl with blond hair was Angeline. She sneered at me just at the moment I entered the room and reached her side. She assumed that I was defeated. It was the end of my world. If the case was about the photographs, I had Vera who would prove that I was innocent. She would divulge that the photos were edited and it was all Angeline's evil plan to discredit me.

I did not protest even though the school principal did not let me have a seat. It was like he judged me as a defendant even before he found out who was wrong in this case. In his eyes, a student like me would always be a suspect.

"Do you know why I summon you?" He finally addressed me after ten minutes passed.

"If it is about the pictures on the board, I can guarantee that all the photos there have been edited," I spoke up.

"You talk a lot." The school principal commented. "Let's take a listen to the witness."

"The witness?" I repeated not because what he said was not clear enough but I almost believed what my ears just heard.

"Could you please bring the witness in, Mr. Tanto?"

"Yes sir," that Physical Education teacher with the strapping figure and bald head strode out and got back inside in few seconds with the girl behind him. It shocked me that Nina appeared with her face down. She was only sighting at the floor where her feet stood.

"What did you behold yesterday after school?" The school principal interrogated her. His sharp eyes were so intimidating.

"She was walking into the restaurant hand in hand with the around forty-year-old man. They looked like a dating couple having romantic lunch. The worst, she wore our school uniform." I felt like the lightning struck me. It was not like Nina that I saw the last time, being bullied by her gang. Her mouth was trembling when she confessed. Everybody should have known that all the things she conveyed were a lie.

"Nina, how can you say bad things about me? You know me that I am not such a girl. I don't even date anyone."

"All is clear." The school principal accentuated.

"But, you must verify whether or not the pictures are true."

"The statement from the witness is strong evidence to confirm that you are guilty. Your act has defiled the school," he decreed.

"It's not fair." I took a glance at Angeline who smirked in a very sly way.

"You must take one week of school leave to do a deep reflection on what you have done."

"I can't accept the decision against my consent."

"I don't want to hear your argument. You can study at home starting tomorrow."

The school principal signaled me to get out immediately after the decision had been made. He did not even allow me to say my last word as a defense. Before leaving, I gave my final look at Nina who was numb at her place. That girl looked away as if she was sick of me.

It was as though just yesterday I made up my mind in front of the school gate hopelessly to quit. I ran from Vera who strongly persuaded me to stay. I ignored her sob and shout. Today, the time traveled me back to that unforgettable sad moment yet I was forced out of the gate although I wanted to hold out.

It was only one week. I comforted myself. Everything would be back to its orbit once one week was over. I vowed to get up no matter how many times I fell. I promised to achieve the goal I had set.

With my grip clutched on my bag, I paced down the curb. The passersby wondered why I was outside of school at this hour. Few might infer that I truanted. That kind of thing was no longer of my concern.

I slowed down my steps since I was thinking of where my destination was. If I got home earlier and my mother was at home, I would be in trouble. She could figure out that I had a problem. During my school break a week ahead, I could pretend to go to school. It would be a good idea to study in the central library in the city center. Thus, my mother was not getting suspicious at all.

I kept moving with plans in my mind. My brains worked hard to consider which best plan I could implement. Before taking the right turn on the T-junction, my ears caught something. I thought it was just a group of dropped out teenagers who joked around. Yet it was not like they were making a joke. They were persecuting someone. And it was shocking that they were not dropped out boys as I concluded. These five guys were hoodlums. My heart even raced when I just noticed that it was the one very familiar squatting in the middle of those men. Kevin kneeled with both of his hands on his head. He murmured like imploring for their mercy.

I froze with my mouth gaping. It was not something I had ever surmised that Kevin, the most superior at school submitted before those I had no idea who they were. Kevin couldn't have a debt. His father was too rich. Besides, why didn't they contact his parents for money?

I was still speculating when all of a sudden, one of them took a pistol out of his jeans pocket and almost pulled the trigger. And the stupid me, screamed out. Had never I thought that I would be a heroine or whatever it was people call those who endangered their life for others' lives.

"Stop it!" They all turned to me. My world might end in a few minutes.

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