DISTRESS

CHAPTER 15

"Come to my office after class," that's what the principal told me when she spotted me walking in the hallway. It even caught the attention of the students passing by who gave me a look as if they're telling me I'm in big trouble again and it serves me right. They're so easy to read honestly.

What could she want from me now. To be honest, I don't want to guess anymore. She's still annoying as always though I admit that she's admirable for her persistence and resilience to get closer to me. I've actually never met a teacher who is so dedicated with their student or am I just the only one who is receiving this kind of treatment from her. The latter actually made me feel uneasy and kinda relieved at the same time. It's a bit of a mixed feeling actually.

Classes started smoothly and normal as usual with no one bothering or getting on my nerves. Before I know it, I was heading my way to the principal's office. Going here like all the time is starting to become an everyday habit now. At first I loathe every second I'm here but now it's not as bad anymore as back then. Maybe because I'm gradually getting used with the principal's never-ending favors and approaches just to get close to me.

"What is it this time?" I asked taking my sit on the chair across her table.

A tiny smile creeped in the principal's lips and I knew right there that she's happy to hear that I didn't sound rude when I asked her and this made me groan internally.

"There's something I want to give you." she smiled, rummaging her bag.

I watch at her while she is busy looking for who knows what in her bag. She didn't tie her hair in a neat bun like she usually do instead she tied her hair in a messy bun which is why I can see strands of stray hair falling on the side of her face which somehow made me want to reach out my hand and tuck the stray strands of hair behind her ear. I immediately stopped to urge to do anything cliche and corny all of the sudden. I have a feeling that it will only raise unexpected suspicions. It still looked good on her though even if I don't do anything. Glancing at the fancy and expensive clothes and accessories she's wearing once again made me realized that she's definitely out of my league. This is why I don't like associating myself with wealthy people, they're just simply too difficult to handle.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when she finally found what she was looking for. "Here." she said handing me a brand new phone.

I looked at the phone then to her then back on the phone again before leaning away. "Do all teacher's buy their students brand new iPhone?" I asked sarcastically, furrowing my eyebrows.

She was a bit puzzled with my response but she didn't make any attempt to retract her hand that is still holding the phone. "I just thought this would be easier to contact you in case of an emergency. I didn't mean anything wrong with this."

I sigh, "seriously you rich people just want to flaunt your wealth to beggars like us," eventhough she meant nothing but good, it still insulted me in a way. "I'll politely decline your generous offer."

"Please take it Dawn. It worries me whenever I can't keep in touch with you. Who knows what might happen to you while you're away from school."

Hearing her words made me unconsciously reached my hand towards my forearm and gently clutched it. I can feel my flesh throbbing from last night's incident, it left another bruise but I don't mind since it's not visible to anyone.

That bastard appeared out of nowhere and shoved me aside. My forearm got hit on the edge of the table before I fell down on the floor. He was angry to find that there was no food, like he's even eating. He's the type who doesn't eat that much. In fact, I never saw him eat any food in this house so obviously his sudden outburst caught me off guard.

"What if I still don't want to?" I stubbornly dared her. That's when I remembered that she's way more stubborn than me.

"I'm sure you know what I'll do if you don't. Just take it, please. I promise there's no ulterior motive behind this." she insisted, handing the phone once again. "Just consider this as a friendly gift from your favorite teacher," she said with a playful smile.

The uneasiness I felt a while ago disappeared in a blink on an eye after this woman's last remark. She really has a way with her words. "How confident you are to say that you're my favorite teacher," I said, raising my eyebrow at her which made her chuckle.

"Am I not?" she asked looking expectantly at me with a bright smile.

"No, you're not." I shrugged.

She gasp dramatically, it almost made me chuckle. "I doubt that." she smirked, taking my hand then placed the phone on top of it. "You're not allowed to return this phone."

"Which means I can throw it," I retorted.

She looked at me in disbelief. "Aren't you being too mean? You could at least keep it rather than throw it away," she almost looked like she's about to pout.

I let out a breath. Thinking it's impossible to keep this charade going anymore so might as well do what she asks. "Fine. I won't throw it, happy?" she smiled again. "But don't expect me to be using this. I've been accustomed to not having any phone for a long time so it's not like I'll be using this anytime soon," I added and she nodded her head right away as if she understood exactly what I meant. 

"Now that's settled. I have one more thing to discuss with you," she started.

"Let me guess. It's about the field trip," I said taking the initiative to finish her sentence. I already have a rough idea that she'll bring this up for this is all the seniors talk about since it's been announced this morning. "I'm not joining," I added.

"What? Why? It'll be a great experience for you before you finally end your highschool year."

"No, thanks. You can't expect me to mingle with them when what I'm doing all this time is the exact opposite," I argued. There's no way I'm joining the field trip which is nothing but a waste of time. I'd rather work than join this nonsense.

"Dawn you can't refuse this. The field trip is mandatory to all graduating students and if any of the students fails to join they won't be able to graduate," she explained.

Who the hell suggested this stupid rule and why the hell did she accept this? This is clearly unfair. Not only do I hate being surrounded by noisy fools but joining the field trip also means I need to pay and have my own pocket money which is unreasonable. I'm not stupid enough to agree with all that madness when it won't even benefit me at all. "Still a hard pass," I know I promised to graduate but with all the burden I'm carrying, it's difficult to keep going. Not when I'm struggling to survive as much as possible.

She sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I know you'll never change your mind but please give this a thought first. The field trip will start the day after tomorrow so you still have one more day to think about your decision and I hope you'll choose to graduate rather than not to, just because you hate the people along with it,"

I hate to admit it but what she said definitely had a point. I don't need to associate myself with any of the student's during the entire field trip. However, that's not the only problem, there's still that bastard. I'm pretty sure he won't allow me to leave and join just like that. He'll most likely beat me to a pulp the moment I open that up. Nothing good happens with that asshole.

"Whatever." I replied nonchalantly, sliding the phone in the pocket of my hoodie then I stood up and made my way towards the door.

"Should I give you a ride?" she asked.

"I think you're asking way too many for one day," I glanced at her.

"So it that a no?" she propped her left elbow on top of her table and rested her cheek on the back of her hand.

I shook my head in disbelief. "Isn't that obvious," I retorted before finally taking my leave. "I don't know if you're just plain stupid or you just honestly don't have any idea how misleading everything you do are," I added in a whisper once I'm outside her office.