Towering the Flames (SS#2) Under Major Revision

C H A P T E R 18

"I am so sorry for what happened. I promise that won't ever happen again. I will . . . Accept any consequences of my actions," mahinang ani ni Amethyst.

We're facing the Principal who is very disappointed to Amethyst, obviously because she's part of the Supreme Student Government. Hindi ko man hawakan ang babae ay ramdam ko ang panginginig niya, takot.

I am a softhearted person, kagaya ng paulit-ulit na reklamo ng mga kaibigan ko. Kasi raw hindi magandang gawing pang lifetime attitude ang pagiging ganito. Pero ngayon, wala akong maramdaman na kahit kaunting awa kay Amethyst.

She deserves to take an accountability to what she had done. Kung tutuusin nga ay dapat ring malaman ng Principal ang ginagawa niyang pagkakalat sa social media. It's cyberbullying. Aware siya sa bagay na 'yan because she's intelligent enough to understand things but she still chose the wrong thing.

However, I don't have a plan in mentioning that. Not because I pity her but because I don't want to get Cal involved to this. Ayaw kong marinig ang pangalan ng lalaki na 'yon at baka lumaki pa ang gulo. Nandito pa naman ang mga kaibigan ko. Although alam naman na nila ang puno't dulo, na si Cal ang dahilan ng pagiging agresibo ng isa riyan.

"As you should, Amethyst. I have known you for so long and this is the very first time that you violate one of our school policies that are specially proposed by the SSG Officers." The principal sighed. It's like she finally thought of a little punishment for Amethyst. "I don't want to tolerate you so clean the five vacant rooms in the GAS department floor. You have two days to do so."

Amethyst looked so down. Her friends tried to cheer her up but her eyes are about to water.

"Got it, Mrs. Fernandez. I will make everything done in 2 days."

"But please, I don't wanna hear bad things from you again. Hindi ko alam kung ano na lang ang iisipin ng ibang mga estudyante 'pag ang isang officer na tinitingala nila ang siyang nagsisimula ng away."

Yumuko muli ang babae. "I am really sorry. I promise to change."

Napabaling ako sa Principal nang tumikhim siya. "Miss Cattaneo, I am sorry for what happened. It's my bad that you're not the one who complained, but next time, don't be afraid to come back here if you're bullied."

"Thank you so much po."

"Your friend Allysa came here hours ago," she shared and glanced at my friend. "While Cal— wow— sent an email to the school yesterday, complaining about what happened. Akala ko niloloko lamang kami but he provided us evidences."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko roon. Ilang minuto akong humiling na sana ay 'di ko marinig ang pangalan ng lalaki na 'yon tapos ngayon ay siya pala ang . . . Pero bakit niya naman ginawa 'yon? Dapat ay kinakampihan niya si Amethyst kaysa sa 'kin. O 'di kaya ay manahimik na lang nang 'di magalit ang babae sa kaniya.

"He did?" Amethyst confirmed in a low voice, looking shocked and disappointed. Tumango lang ang principal sa kaniya.

"I have other things to do, ladies. Amethyst, apologize to Miss Cattaneo now."

Iritable na si Amethyst ngayon. Siguro, kaya niyang umaktong mabait sa harap ng principal pero nababasa kong maiigi ang mga mata niya.

"Pasensya na talaga, Chelsy. I didn't mean to hurt you and embarrass you in public. I hope you forgive me."

"Hindi naman sincere, ampp," bulong ni Pearly na narinig ng lahat na binalewala na lang namin. Siniko siya ni Johoney.

"Just don't do it again," sagot ko. Kahit na alam ko na malabo 'yong mangyari. Si Amethyst na 'yan, eh, na pumapangit ang ugali dahil lang sa isang lalaki.