DISTRESS

CHAPTER 10

Originally, I was planning to run away the moment I'm done with work. However, with the principal already waiting outside the backdoor and with manager, assistant manager and the twins tailing behind. Escaping is no longer an option. This just got even more complicated.

Looking at the principal, I didn't expect that she would actually wait. What about her husband though. I bet he wouldn't like it if he knew that his wife is wasting her time with her student. Arghh why am I even bothering myself with them. It's not my problem to worry.

"I was hoping I could talk to Dawn alone," the principal started wearing her usual kind smile as she glances at the 4 women behind me.

"I don't trust you and she's my employee so whatever it is you want to say to her you'll have to say it with us here. Take it or leave it." Manager said stepping in front of me followed by the twins who stood beside me and assistant manager on my other side. Aren't they being a bit excessive at this point that they really have to shield and barricade me?

Manager and the principal had a brief staring contest. The tension between them is too obvious. They just literally met a while ago but it already seems like they are after each other's throats. I was about to step in between them to break this overwhelming atmosphere when suddenly they smiled. Though anyone can easily tell that their smiles were obviously fake. "Fine. I just want to know why my student is working when she's still a minor which is a clear violation of the school rules."

"Sadly, the reason why Dawn is working here is strictly confidential and whatever the cost for the violation of the rules, I'm willing to take responsibility. You don't know her situation so might as well back off," manager is clearly provoking the principal. She doesn't usually show this side of her so it's a bit unsettling watching her behave like this.

"You know that doing part-time jobs is against the school rules yet you still did it. Is there really a valid reason behind this?" this time the principal's question is directed at me. She's trying to be sensible, like always. And that somehow made me feel guilty for lying.

"Yes," was all I could utter. I can't even make myself to look at her. As if sensing my anxiousness my body warmed up followed by the twins sudden embrace.

"I understand. I'm in no position to demand some answers from you but just know that you can always talk to me," why is she being like this? I'd rather see her get angry at me than this. "Before I leave, I just want to remind you that there will be a meeting the day after tomorrow regarding the ceremony and preparation for the upcoming graduation. So don't forget to inform your guardian beforehand," she added.

"Sure, we'll see to it that her guardian will attend the meeting," manager replied. The principal nodded her head then smiled at me before taking her leave.

I looked at the manager in disbelief and she just smiled at me. What is she thinking? Don't tell me she's planning to attend the meeting in my parents behalf. No! I hope not. Though her smile is telling me otherwise. I have a bad feeling about this upcoming meeting.

"Don't worry about it. We'll take care of it." she smiled ruffling my hair, messing it in the process. "For now go home and rest. We'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Bye puppy see you tomorrow," the twins said in unison then gave me another hug.

"Be careful on your way home," assistant manager said, her tone still serious as ever.

I was left dumbfounded and it took me roughly 5 seconds to recover and eventually made my way home. What just happened?

That night, I went to sleep bothered by the thought of manager's words as well as what the principal plans to do now that she finally found out I was doing a part-time job. I'm sure she's thinking a lot of things now and that bothers me. She might not punish me for what I did but I'm pretty sure there's going to be some sort of exchange in return for keeping quiet. All the things that kept racking my brain eventually made me exhausted and fall asleep.