Chapter 76: Chapter 76
“Please, wait for a minute.” The secretary said and punched a few digits on the telephone. “Okay, sir.” She said and looked at them. “You can go in.” She said.
They all went in. The principal was surprised by the number of people that had come to discuss something very urgent with him. “All of you?” He asked and they all nodded. He looked at the guest that was sitting before him.
“Sorry for the inconvenience, sir. I did not know they were this many.” He apologized. The man nodded and said, “It’s nothing. They are students, after all, they surely have the right to talk to you. I will take my leave.” He stood up and was about to go when Aria looked up and saw him. She smiled widely and went to hug him. “Dad.” With that, everyone turned towards them. “What are you doing here?” She asked. “Came for a little discussion.” He answered and smiled at her.
Jake stared at the man before him. Twelve years. It has been twelve good years since he last saw him. He remembered how he walked out of the house that morning. How he hurled his bags out that morning. How his mother had begged him not to leave her. How he had called for him but he turned deaf ears to him. His eyes suddenly became teary. “Dad.” He mumbled with a choked voice. Aria's dad froze as he heard that. He slowly turned towards Jake. “Jake.” He called out as he took in the sight of the young man that stood before him. Just a spitting image of him when he was a teenager. Aria could not comprehend what was going on. She stood there, shocked. Ellie and Elsa just watched the entire drama unfold. The anger they felt while they walked straight to the office long dissipated. The tension in the office increased. Everyone held their breath. That is if possible. Jake stood there, fighting his emotions. The urge to hug his dad. The urge to cry on shoulders. The urge to hit him for leaving his mom. But he did not. Instead, he forced a smile and said, “long time, no see.” His dad stared at him for a while. “Extend my greetings to your mom when you get home.” He said. “My mom does not need your greetings.” He snapped angrily and faced the principal. His dad sighed and flashed a smile at Aria who did not know how to react to the sudden change of situation before exiting the office. Everyone exhaled and faced the principal.
“I am listening.” He started, not feeling fazed by what had just happened.
Jake was the first to speak up. “Concerning the charge against Ellie. About her cheating.” He said. Ellie tugged at his arms and he glanced at her. “You don’t have to do it.” She whispered silently. He removed her hands and said. “First things first.” The principal narrowed his eyes, giving them the go-ahead to explain themselves. “She did not do it,” Jayson affirmed. The principal smirked in surprise. “Really? Evidence to testify that.” He requested and Jake, who fighting his inner demons, played the recording, his eyes went wide as he listened to it. He knew somewhere in his mind that the girl did not do it. But what could he have done?
“Outrageous.” He remarked, infuriated. “And if I may ask who’s voices are these?” He asked as he looked at them. They all looked at Aria who gulped slightly. “Erm, Shawna and Tessy.” She answered quickly for them to avert their somewhat scary gaze away from her. He picked the telephone that was on his desk and punched a few digits before placing close to his left ear. “Send for Shawna Greene and Tessy Downs for me right now.” He ordered.
**
“Strange.” She thought with her fingers in her jaws.
Shawna did not know why she was feeling this way. Ever since a junior came to tell her that the principal requested her presence, she had this bad feeling in her guts. Like… she just did not know. “Shawna, do you perhaps know the reason the principal called for us?” Tessy spoke up, making Shawna flinch a bit as she was still deep in her thoughts. Shawna hissed out angrily and frowned at her. Without answering her question, she marched angrily to the management block. “You…” Tessy ran after her. They passed through several corridors and finally got to the office. “You can go in.” The secretary informed her. Shawna formed a bit of a polite smile while Tessy just nodded. They pushed the door open and as Shawna looked up, she stopped abruptly that Tessy bumped into her. “Ouch.” She winced out as she rubbed her forehead. “Move away.” She cried out when she saw that Shawna was not moving. She looked up and saw several pairs of eyes glaring daggers at them like a predator who was savoring his prey. She swallowed hard. “Move closer, Shawna.” The principal urged her with his hand in a come-hither motion. Shawna's inside was beginning to freeze in anxiety and nervousness. Like what the heck is going on?
“Shawna, I respect your parents a lot but what you did is quite outrageous.” The principal expressed in an unfriendly voice. Shawna bowed her head while Tessy feasted on her fingernails, scared. Like how the fvck did they find out? No, she must not give in. Shawna looked up abruptly and said. “Sir, I don’t seem to understand what is going on?” A look of surprise crossed everyone's faces. Jake clutched his fist trying to prevent himself from bursting out. “The sheet that was found in Ellie's question booklet, it was reported that you were the one who put it there.” The principal claimed as he adjusted his glasses. Teddy gasped and Shawna pinched her to keep quiet. Tessy winced silently as she pushed Shawna's hand off her. Shawna chuckled lightly and said. “Please sir, did whosoever report this bring evidence to back it up because I see no reason why I will do something as insolent as that.” She responded. Aria scoffed at her. “B*tch” she muttered under her breath.
The principal looked at Jake and said. “Play the recording.”