An injustice
The morning sun had barely risen above the school's iron gate when I stepped into the compound. All my efforts to steady my breathing were fruitless, and my stomach churned with uneasiness.
Just like yesterday morning, students turned towards me, grinning from ear to ear. Some smirked while others sneered. It's just as if my presence here is a kind of scandal.
Well, I hate to be here. If not for the twenty-four-hour ultimatum to deliver the case in my hand, I wouldn't be in school today.
I hadn't taken more than ten steps when one of the school's prefects intercepted me.
"The principal wants you in his office immediately."
I sighed, turned towards the principal's office, and arrived inside a few minutes later.
Principal Mortimer's face was stern, and his cold eyes bored into me, while Derek Mackrell sat snugly beside his father and glared at me.
"Miss River," Principal Mortimer mumbled when I sat on a chair facing the three of them. "Can you repeat your accusation against Derek Mackrell?"
I swallowed a large amount of saliva and then voiced the words out despite my trembling voice. "Derek assaulted me inside the school's old restrooms yesterday. He sneaked after -."
"Liar!" Derek screamed with feigned indignation. "She was the one who asked me to meet her there, and then tried to seduce me when I arrived. She sustained the injury at the back of her head when I pushed her away."
The principal offered a one-sided grin, while Derek's father nodded approvingly.
"That's not true," I cried with a broken voice. "He's twisting everything. I never invited him, nor had any idea he was sneaking after me. Jace Calder is my witness. He was the one who -."
Derek banged the table in front of him with his two fists. "Jace Calder is one of River's boyfriends. He saw me with her and had no idea what was going on before attacking me."
"Derek!"
Derek looked me in the eyes and then shrugged. "River is not as innocent as she looks. She had been playing with all the boys in her class, and things only got ugly because I failed to do what she wanted."
The principal's expression hardened further. "Miss River, can you tell us what on earth you are doing inside the school's old restrooms during the school hours?"
"I...I ran there to hide."
"And why are you hidden?"
"Does it matter, Sir? I asked in a louder voice. "We are here because of Derek's assault, and not because I skipped class to hide inside the school's restrooms. "
The principal waved at me to reduce my voice. "I think you don't understand the seriousness of your accusation against Derek Mackrell. Derek's family had been the most generous benefactor. Without their support, students like you won't even be here."
Derek's father leaned forward and then said in an authoritative tone," I want her to answer your last question. "
"I was hidden because students were making fun of me."
"And why are they making a jest of you?" The principal asked again.
I cursed under my breath. Damn bastards. And then stared at my toes sticking out of my torn canvas shoes
"Cheap slut.. answer that damn question.",Derek murmured.
Derek's father leaned back. "I will withdraw my financial support to this school if this girl's name remains on the list of the scholarship program."
The principal nodded gravely and then turned towards me. "You may finish this term since it has already been paid for. But inform your mother that she must pay for the next academic session. Otherwise, you will be dismissed from this school."
The principal's words struck me like a blow. The scholarship was my lifeline. Without it, my mother could never afford the fees.
"Good decision, " Derek said. "Liana River is a bad egg here. She is a cheap girl who loves chasing boys and causing trouble. "
Derek's father smiled at his son, glared at me, and then stood up abruptly. "I have an important meeting in an hour. Please excuse me."
Derek also stood up, stuck a tongue out of his lips to mock me, and then stepped out of the principal's office.
"We all make mistakes, River. I hope you will learn from this and be a better person in the future," Principal Mortimer mumbled and then waved me off. "Please excuse me, and don't forget to close my door on your way out."
My cheeks burned with anger. I wanted to scream at the principal and curse Derek and his father. But all I did was to force a smile, stand up, and waltz out of the principal's office. I agreed that the blog post had been a mistake made in a moment of vulnerability. But making me the villain when I am the victim is an injustice that didn't sit well with me.
I went in search of Lyra Vane and met her sitting beside Alec Thorn inside the school cafeteria.
Lyra looked up with one perfectly arched eyebrow as I stepped closer.
"Well, well. Look who finally crawled out of her hole, Alec. Your charity case, girlfriend.
Alec growled and looked murderously at me. "Stop teasing me, Lyra. You know I would rather die than stand close to this dirty thing."
DIRTY THING!
The words ringed on my head. Alec had called me a dirty thing and then laughed along with the rest of the crew. I feel like turning and racing out of the cafeteria, but the threat on my head forced me to keep walking, and I only stopped in front of Lyra and placed my palms on the polished surface of the table, and then leaned towards her.
"Where is the package?"
Lyra blinked. "I'm sorry."
"The case. The one I gave to you last night."
Alec looked up from his tray of meals and asked, "What is she talking about?"
"She must be crazy. I have no idea."
"Please, Lyra. They threatened to come to me if I didn't deliver the package in twenty-four hours. "
Alec's face had turned from curiosity to anger when he asked in a slightly raised voice again, "What the fuck is she raving about, Lyra?"
"Nothing to bother you about, love," Lyra muttered back, offered her most romantic smile, and then turned towards me. "So, little Miss Cindrella. Are you ready to save your skin?"
I bobbed my head.
"Have you suddenly turned into a dummy?"
My voice trembled when I answered back. "I will do anything you want, please, Lyra. Anything. Just give me the case back."
"On your knees, then."
"Bloody hell," Alec said, stood up, frowned at me, and then muttered, "I thought you would have some sense and avoid Lyra, but I was wrong. Your recent humiliation taught you nothing. "