Chapter 2 2.

"Mr. Thompson, it was an accident, there is no need to punish the student," Mr. Bradley tried to sound reasonable, but from the look on Mr. Thompson's face, he knew that the man wasn't going to settle for a plea.

"Bradley, you're a teacher for that matter. How could you allow such indecent behavior to go unpunished? I would like to speak to both of you in my office. Now," Mr. Thompson had decided.

Grace's head was down all the while Mr. Bradley had tried to talk to Mr. Thompson. She hadn't said a word, knowing that the Discipline Master might even become provoked.

As she followed Mr. Bradley who was following the Discipline Master, she suddenly felt an impending doom looming over her. She was suddenly aware and conscious of how grave the situation might turn out to be, especially if Mr. Thompson later decided to extend words to the Principal.

She could imagine so many scenarios. If gossips were to spread, the original story might change along the way. And maybe some might even think she was indulging in an immoral act with a teacher and was caught in the male restroom.

Bradley too was lost in deep thought, wondering whether or not Mr. Thompson had overheard the conversation about the cigarette. If so happens, God forbid, it would be the end of his career and Mr. Moore, who had secured him the job, wouldn't give a care about it. If anything, he would only find him another job. Of course, that too would be in exchange for another filthy act.

The teachers around here would also be happy with his dismissal. Or more precisely, thrilled by it. After all, some of the older teachers didn't like the idea of having such a freshly out-of-college, arrogant twenty-four-year-old intern sitting amidst them in the staff room as they gossiped about others.

Often times, he wished that they could mind their own businesses and stop trying to ask him so many questions about his background. When he stayed silent because he couldn't find the right words to use in his explanation, they mistook that for arrogant behavior. Though he didn't quite fathom the reason why they would perceive his quiet demeanor as arrogant when he had nothing to boast about.

He was never proud of himself, nor was he ever proud of his achievements. Being an intern teacher wasn't even something to boast about, he thought.

And of course, he so much wished he could make them understand that he was just at Ludwig Academy for a short period of time with no intention of stealing anybody's job.

Even though he was loved by most of the students, especially the basketball team, he always felt like an outcast among the teachers. He felt like the older teachers specifically hated him. They envied him because the Principal was becoming fond of him and would sometimes invite him to his office for coffee and talks.

"Take off your shoes," suddenly, Mr. Thompson was saying to Grace. "Immediately, student!"

Grace looked beyond her knees and her eyes met with her white sneakers. God, what a day! Only black cover shoes were allowed in the Academy, but today of all days, she was wearing white sneakers because she couldn't find the second leg of her regular school shoes.

Grace bent over, pressing one knee against the floor as she struggled to pull off her sneakers, which she thought would probably stink from all the running.

"Collect the shoes and wait for me in my office, Bradley," said Mr. Thompson. And to Grace, he ordered, "Get back to class, student."

Grace glanced up at the Discipline Master as though she hadn't heard clearly. But when she was sure of what those words meant, she began to walk past him.

Mr. Thompson made sure that Mr. Bradley was out of earshot before he called Grace once again. "Student!"

Grace stopped and turned around slowly. "Yes, Sir?"

"I'm letting you off for the first and last time only because of your health. Do not take advantage of that."

"I understand." She wished in her mind that her parents hadn't extended words about her illness to Mr. Thompson.

"However, you shall still serve your five days detention starting from today."

"Of course, I shall." She replied with a nod, almost satisfied that Mr. Thompson had decided to punish her and not take much pity on her. She would've hated it otherwise.

After classes were over, Grace stood by her locker, arranging her books at the same time, waving at Nova until she exited the hallway. It was time to go home, and Nova was lucky to have fled from Mr. Thompson so she didn't have to serve detention.

"Lucky bitch," Grace sighed and closed her locker. As she was heading towards the detention hall, she thought about Mr. Bradley once again, reminding herself of the trouble she had caused him.

In the detention hall, there were so many junior students playing and making the hall unbearably loud. She sat down, exhausted, not just mentally but physically too.

She had had enough in one day.

Although she was back to thinking about Mr. Bradley, she didn't fail to notice the sudden changes in the hall. Everywhere was suddenly so silent as though a grim reaper had appeared to mute all the students at once.

When Grace turned her face, she was startled to see Jayden Junior Alcott standing over her head.

"Get lost," Jayden scowled down at her. She was sitting in his chair where he would usually sit to make a roll call, ensuring every detention student was present on time.

At first, Grace didn't understand what he meant by "get lost." But she could sense some kind of threat and negative vibes coming off him as he kept scowling. Then she realized what he meant, and so she picked up her backpack and moved into the next seat.

There, she sank in her seat, feeling so overwhelmed by the day. With Jayden Alcott, the evil prefect, in the same space with her, she couldn't even begin to imagine how things would turn out before the end of the detention period.