Elsa followed Jake as he ran towards the principal’s office. They saw her seated on the chair with her face in her palms. She was obviously crying. They walked towards her slowly.
“Ellie.” Elsa called out but Ellie did not reply. Jake went on to tap her gently. She flinched and looked up. Her eyes were red and puffy. Her sister and Jake were standing there. Elsa smiled bitterly and took a seat beside her.
“Elsa.” She called out in a broken voice.
“What did the principal say?” Elsa inquired as she took Ellie’s cold hands into her palms.
“The vice principal said that it is either I get suspended or expelled. They already called granny to come over.” She choked on her spit as she tried to blink back the tears.
“Did you do it?” Elsa asked and this made Ellie look up in surprise.
“I mean, did you write that?” She asked again and a dry, empty laugh burst through Ellie's lips . Some tears found the chance and escaped. They dripped down her face. In the laughter, you could sense bitterness and astonishment. She stopped laughing and looked at her sister.
“You… you also think that I will cheat?” She asked her. She smiled sadly and sniffed in.
“Elsa, how could you ask such silly question?” Jake rebuked. Elsa was beginning to get on his nerves because of what she was doing.
“Ellie.” He called out but she did not look at him. Like this guy really did his best when he came to studying with her. He explained each and every part of the topics she did not understand.
“I believe you.” He said softly. She looked at him with eyes wide open in surprise.
“You do?” She asked, not believing her ears. He nodded his head gently and said, “Yes, I do.”
She stood up and hugged him. She started crying. He was the very first person to have ever said that to her.
<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Rachel was shocked. Like did the management of Shining Stars High just gave her a call?
She hurriedly changed her clothes and carried her bags. She stepped out of the house and locked the door. She waved at a cab that was passing by. She got into it.
“To Shining Stars High.” She said and the driver nodded. Shining Stars High was so popular that even little kids can direct you to the place. Thoughts roamed her head, trying to figure out what really they had called her for.
Hope these girls has not done anything bad? She thought it herself as she was wishing the car could just develop wings and fly.
The driver drove straight in front of the school. She looked at the school and alighted from the cab. She gave him his pay and walked into the school. She saw several blocks and saw a writing on a particular block, ‘Management Block’. She walked towards it and entered. She passed some corridors and came face to face with principal’s office. Then her eyes moved a little away from the door and saw some students standing and talking. She walked towards them.
“Hi, dear. If I may ask?...” She was still talking when these students turned towards her. The questions were cut up in her throat as she took notice of her granddaughter. Ellie’s heart had increased rate at which it beat as she saw her grandmother. Elsa only stared at her, expecting the worst.
“What happened…” She was still talking when a feminine voice interrupted her. She stopped and turned towards the secretary.
“The principal said you can come in.” She said with a polite smile. Racheal turned towards them and studied Ellie before entering the office.
“Jake.” Ellie said as she hugged him tighter.
“Ellie.” He replied as he hugged her back.
“Ellie, the principal sent for you.” The secretary announced. Ellie nodded and hesitantly pulled away from Jake. She looked Jake and he smiled sadly at her. She walked into the office with her heart in her throat.
“Good day, sir.” Racheal greeted as she smiled towards the principal.
“You can have your seat, ma’am.” He said and he gestured towards the chair. She sat down and looked Ellie who had just entered.
“Good day, how have you been?” He asked.
“Fine sir… erm… anything wrong with me being summoned over here?”
“No, it’s actually nothing to be worried about. Just a minor issue that needs discussion.” He assured her with a feigned smile.
“Move closer, Miss.” He said and using his hand to urge her in a come-hither motion. Ellie came closer with her head bowed. Racheal dimmed her eyes on her and looked back at the principal.
“You see your daughter here, she cheated during the examination. And that too the first day. It is too early. She did not even bother to establish her stand in the school...” The principal explained.
“What?!” Racheal screamed, cutting him off and stared at Ellie with eyes wide open.
“Ma’am, please. Keep your voice low.” The vice principal said as she came into the office.
“Ellie, is this true?” Racheal asked as she slowly stood up. Ellie took a step back, knowing fully well what was coming for her.
“If you take another step, I am going to hit you so hard that you are going to bleed. Answer me, did you cheat?” she seethed.
“I…” Ellie hiccuped. She was tired. Tired of everything. Tired of trying to prove to everyone that she was good also. Tired of the fact that the people that were her blood and have lived with for the past nineteen years of her life thinks so wrong of her. She trusted them to the extent that she was sure that they would have her back whether she was wrong or right. A lone tear slid down her dry cheek.
“Answer me.” She yelled angrily that it even made Jake and Elsa flinch.
“Granny…” Ellie called out. Before anyone could have interfered, Racheal already landed a slap on Ellie’s cheek.
“I did not bring you up this way. I taught you to always be fair in all you do. I gave you rules and principles you should follow. Tell me what else is there that as a parent I did not do for you. Your parents died, leaving the two of you to me to fend for. I told you that I had no money to sponsor you girls to high school. You guys took the entry examination without my knowledge. I did not say anything. And yet the little thing that you could do to make me happy about this, was insult our family’s name. You brought such shame to us. Oh, Eric.” Racheal cried out as she looked up. Eric’s was her father’s name.
“You left such a child to me.” She said and tears prickled Ellies’s eyes as she heard this. She sniffed in.
“Tell me why can’t you emulate your sister’s behavior?” She asked.