181 Days of Madeline Jesty

Chapter 38: Down and Up

When Jane started to bawl her eyes out and repeatedly say sorry, Margaux came to her side and caressed her back. We were all stunned by her drama, and disappointment was clear in Sister Antonia's eyes.

"I was . . . I was forced to lie by that man!" she began, her voice muffled because of her hands on her face. "H-he was clearly harassing Maddie . . . and . . . and when we came, he blackmailed us and told us he'll do bad things if we complained."

Bad things? I wanted to laugh. That's the president of the Drama Club for you.

I looked at Mickey, who was half-amused, half-confused to confirm if we had the same reaction, and then at Steph, who now had her brow raised. They probably knew she was telling her own story.

But why, though? Wouldn't it be much more beneficial if she would tell I was the one at fault? Either way, I didn't want to be grateful, not after she sided with Michael. All of this, surely, was for her own sake—although I didn't know how saving me could possibly be of good use to her.

Sister Antonia sighed. She then turned her head to Steph. "And you? Isn't he your uncle?"

"Yes, Sister," Steph replied. "But although we have the same surname, we barely know what each of us is up to."

"But he said he was here to fetch you. Why didn't you tell him to get a pass?"

"I did! When he insisted he'd be the one to drive me home, I told him to get a pass because I knew our security guards wouldn't allow him to enter. But one day, he messaged me that he was here."

"Tsk, that's a terrible security issue," I whispered but made sure they heard me. To them, the school's reputation was much more important than anything else. Who would have thought that this saddening truth could be an advantage at times like this?

Steph agreed with my statement. "I didn't question it anymore since it's the school's system."

"We have to investigate who among the security guards allowed this man to enter without a pass," Ms. Lilian added. "And we have to tell the security office about this issue."

"No," Sister Antonia said. "We'll have to suspend them right away. This is our students' safety we're talking about."

For a nun, she was too unforgiving, not to mention contradicting. Just a while ago, she put the blame on me, and now she's worried about our safety. Make up your mind, Sister.

"What did Mrs. Jacobs say?"

"I sent her a call," Ms. Lilian replied, "but I was directly answered by her secretary. And I quote, 'Let the school decide what's best for her daughter.'"

"I see."

I wished I didn't hear that . . . that my own mother didn't care about me. The stinging feeling wasn't good for my confidence, and my hostility and hatred toward my mom only worsened.

I was transported back to reality when Sister Antonia loudly clapped twice. "The flag ceremony's about to end. For now, Ms. Isles, let your uncle know he's banned for coming here."

"Yes, Sister," Steph replied.

"Ms. Foster," Sister Antonia called Ms. Lilian, "call the security office. Tell them Mrs. Cecilia and I will meet them later at five." After Ms. Lilian nodded, she turned her back and faced the window. "You may now go back to your rooms."

We all stood from our seats. Steph exited first, and then Mickey, followed by Margaux and Jane, who were holding each other dramatically yet unnecessarily. Before I went out the door, I heard Sister Antonia say, "I'll be watching you, Ms. Jacobs."

I knew Ms. Lilian heard that since she was beside me, but we only glanced each other after we're out of the room.

"You heard that," Ms. Lilian warned me. "Her eyes are on you."

"That's a warning, isn't it?" I whispered so only Ms. Lilian could hear me. "Is it because her niece was involved?"

She shrugged. "They're so used to your recklessness."

"I am reckless, maybe rebellious, but I know whom to put my sympathy to when needed. But Sister Antonia? She was all smiles, but I didn't even feel she was relieved I was okay or she was sorry I was harmed."

"I don't know. But what I know is that you're brave." Ms. Lilian smiled and patted my head. "You knew it was you who needed justice, and you didn't back down. Maybe . . . just maybe . . . many people are threatened by your progress."

When my brows met, she further explained, "You see, many are noticing you are starting to care. You have this reputation of being this naturally smart student who doesn't care about her life. But now . . . you do. Or you seem like it. We notice these changes, your potential, Maddie, and I'm sure I'm not the only person rooting for you. But some people believe that someone has to go down when someone goes up. So for them to stay on top, they will continue to step down on others."

Some people meant Sister Antonia. Maybe Jane too.

"But this is why I'm here, Maddie, as your teacher . . . your second mother—to tell you that you can reach for the top without pushing others down. That the best thing to do is to lift each other up."

I smiled back. Oh, how I dreamed of being patted on my head by my own mother. But for now. Ms. Lilian's words would do.

"Now, I need to get working. Go with your classmates."

I nodded and walked fast so I could reach Steph, but Steph, once again, avoided me and ran away. Maybe she needed space, or maybe she was embarrassed by what her own uncle did. Whatever the reason was and although I was hurt, I acknowledged her feelings. I'd try again tomorrow.

"Give her time." Mickey appeared behind me and then subtly placed a folded paper inside my pocket. She turned left afterward, probably to go the restroom.

When I reached the classroom, only the three of us were there—Jane, Margaux, and I. Minutes after our arrival, nearby chatters were heard. The ceremony must have ended.

"Bitch." I heard Jane say, though she was not looking at me. Margaux seemed surprised by the cuss. "I didn't do that for you."

"I know," I mumbled. "You always do things for yourself."

She could've dismissed that, but she responded, "Not all the time."

Before I could ask what she meant, our classmates already entered the room, and the once silent space became filled with insipid conversations and gossip. The question who benefitted from Jane's lie remained unanswered until the end of the day.