Chapter 5 5.

Tuesday, 23rd July, 2013.

Grace's frustration simmered as Nova continued to push her sense of justice. "Reporting him to the principal would be fair, Grace. He can't just bully you like that. Prefects are not above the law."

"You're not understanding, Nova." Grace rose from her seat, agitated. "He threatened me, can't you see? How can you still insist on reporting him to Mr. Conan?"

"You're not hearing me out, Grace." Nova pursued her friend. "I heard what you said about the threat, but that doesn't excuse his behavior. He needs to face consequences."

"You're not listening," Grace snapped back, marching away. "I'm going to the library. Clearly, you're not getting it."

"Wait, Grace. Are you mad at me?" Nova trailed after her, attempting to catch up. "I was listening. I'm sorry if it seemed otherwise. Please, just stop."

"I told you about the threat he made. Yet, you're urging me to report him. Have you thought about the potential consequences for me?"

Nova's face softened, understanding finally registering. "You're right, Grace. No one can know. If you already gave him your word, then we should keep it this way."

~•~

In his office, Mr. Conan, the principal of Ludwig Academy, flipped through a record book, engrossed in his task. He anticipated a day of students filing in with complaints, as Mr. Thompson was absent. The knock on the door signaled another visitor.

"Come in," Mr. Conan called, prepared to listen to more student concerns. "How can I assist you?"

"Sir, I need to report something to you."

"What is it?"

"One of the prefects was smoking on school grounds yesterday."

"Are you certain? And who is it?"

"Yes, Sir. It's Jayden Alcott, the sports prefect."

The room grew quiet as the principal absorbed the information before clearing his throat and dismissing the student. He immediately summoned Jayden Alcott to his office through his secretary.

"Is it true, Jayden? Did you smoke on school premises?"

Jayden nodded, offering no denials. "Yes, Sir. I admit it."

"Why would you do such a thing on school grounds? You could have gone elsewhere."

Mr. Conan's disappointment was palpable. "I have turned a blind eye to many of your actions, even when I shouldn't have. While some teachers questioned your behavior, I defended you. There's a reason I made you a prefect, Jayden. Don't let me down again, or I will have no choice but to take action. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. You may leave my office now."

Exiting, Jayden fought the urge to confront Grace immediately. He seethed but managed to contain his anger until the school day concluded.

When they were alone in the detention hall, Jayden finally confronted her. Slamming his fist against her desk, he forced her to the edge of her seat.

"What did you do?"

Confused and startled, Grace blinked up at him. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean."

Jayden's fury remained palpable. "I told you not to report me to Mr. Conan about the cigarettes."

Grace, still baffled, stammered. "I didn't."

"Liar!"

Struggling to find her voice, Grace defended herself. "Jayden, I swear I didn't..."

"Shut up!" Jayden's anger reverberated. He slammed his fist down again, sending her materials tumbling to the floor. "You're the only one who saw me yesterday. If you didn't report me, then you must have told someone who did!"

"I..." Grace's mind raced, recalling her conversation with Nova. She froze, words escaping her. "I'm sorry." It was all Grace could manage, her voice barely audible.

Jayden's menacing glare remained fixed on her. "You're going to regret what you've done. This school will become your hell, and I mean that literally."

After he left, Grace's ire redirected from Jayden to Nova, who had seemingly betrayed her trust. Fuming, she wondered how Nova could have gone behind her back to report to the principal.

~•~

Thursday, 1st August, 2013.

Maria had been trying to persuade Grace to begin her first chemotherapy session, but Grace was determined to wait until after graduation. Her diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia came seven months ago, and while the cancer was in stage I, Grace was apprehensive about undergoing chemotherapy due to the fear of her hair falling out before graduation.

Despite her mother's assurances that her hair wouldn't fall out immediately, Grace remained concerned about her appearance and the reactions of her peers. Only a handful of individuals, including Mr. Thompson, the principal, and Nova, were aware of her cancer diagnosis.

However, her relationship with Nova had soured since the incident involving Jayden. She missed her friend terribly, even though she held Nova responsible for the predicament she was in. Jayden had made good on his promise, making Grace's life at school unbearable.

Amid these struggles, Grace had to make a decision about her chemotherapy, and her mother was urging her to undergo the treatment. In the hospital room, an older doctor entered as they were discussing the matter.

"How are things going in here?" he inquired.

"She's refusing to start chemotherapy," Maria replied sadly.

The doctor turned his attention to Grace. "Would you like to step outside for some fresh air, Grace?"

Grace nodded, appreciating the offer. "Sure, Dr. Pete."

The doctor suggested removing her drip and returning in ten minutes. With a promise to be back in time, Grace left the room and went to the hospital garden to clear her mind.

Seated on a bench, Grace observed Kelv, a young patient in a wheelchair, picking flowers. Kelv had multiple myeloma and had already lost his legs at the tender age of eight. While watching him, Grace noticed a man in a baseball cap, shorts, and a basketball jersey – the attire of their school's basketball team. To her astonishment, the man removed his cap, revealing his identity as the biology teacher, Mr. Bradley Archer.

Curious and puzzled, Grace wondered why Mr. Bradley was at the hospital garden.