Rejection Kills

Damage

ROSALIA'S P.O.V.

"A-Are you being serious right now?" My voice had never sounded so shaky before. I couldn't believe what I just heard. Maybe I misheard and my mind is overthinking. That hope came crashing down when Principal Jones released a deep sigh that seemed to echo in the room.

"Unfortunately, I am. As of right now, there's a case being investigated on you at the moment. The Species Committee has reason to believe that you cheated on the exam." 

My heart suddenly dropped to my stomach. A sinking feeling of despair washed over me. At the same time, my entire body began to shake uncontrollably as everything around me became numb. I could feel my heart rate increasing by the second. No way. Just, no way. This isn't happening. Not to me. There's no way I cheated. I know I didn't cheat, so why am I being told that I did? All I could think of was that a mistake had been made. 

"I...I...d-didn't...," The words wouldn't come out of my mouth. My throat felt parched all of a sudden and my lips quivered in fear. I'm completely terrified. That was an important exam not just for me, but my entire species. To say that a disgraceful act as cheating was done is a disgrace to us all. I would bring all werewolves a bad name, and other species would look down on us. Principal Jones's hands gently grasped mine in a comforting matter. "Rosalia. Look at me." 

I let out a shaky breath. Her command wasn't strict, but calm and soothing. My hands stopped shaking as much as I built up the nerve to look her in the eyes. Her face portrayed her voice. Calm and collected. If only I could do the same, I'm sure my face tells the story of a girl who's going to break down at any moment. "Listen to my words very carefully. I KNOW for a fact that you did not cheat on that test." I couldn't help but stare at her almost unbelievingly. Not over the fact that she believed me, but because I assumed she wouldn't. Did I have so little faith in myself? 

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision completely. Using one hand to cover my face, I couldn't help but silently cry. I almost felt ashamed to be showing my emotions in front of my principal, but my emotions got the better of me. I felt hurt. Embarrassed. Sad. With a little reassurance. Just a little. She was shocked by my reaction. I guess she was expecting me to show relief, but I guess at this moment I'm realizing more and more that even in this second life, I'm facing many obstacles. I faced many in my last life, and for the longest, I thought I handled them pretty well. Why is it now that a simple act of a misunderstanding is breaking me to show tears openly in front of someone? Deep down I know it's because for the first time, ever, I'm being accused of wrongdoing. One that I did not commit. And not only does that hurt me, but it also scares me. 

"Rosalia. Everything is going to be alright. I need you to calm down. This can be fixed, I promise you," Jones grabbed a tissue and gently dabbed the never-ending tears that leaked from my eyes. I let out a soft breath as I sniffed here and there. She's right. I need to calm down. Nothing's set in stone yet. This is all just one big misunderstanding, and it can be fixed. I just need to fix it. 

"Do you feel better now?" She asked concerningly. I feel a bit better for letting some of the emotions out, but deeper inside I can't describe the uncertainty that l feel, but I nod my head anyway. She sighs as she rubs her thumb on the back of my hand in a sweet gesture. "In a week, you'll have a meeting with the committee to discuss the situation. I will be present with you to argue your case on how you didn't cheat." 

A week. I'll have to talk to one of the most important figures in history to explain myself. The thought of sitting in a room full of scary adults who might view me as every bad thing in the book sends dread into the pit of my stomach. I don't want to do this, but I have to.