Egress

Four: NIGHT OF THE BLOOD SKY

🎧 Music Recommendation: Paro by Nej 🎶

(Actually, it's not an English song, but it's very catchy and nice. Happy reading!)

Warning: There are a few curse words mentioned in this chapter.

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  Tap

  Tap

  Tap Tap

  Tap

  He drummed his fingers on the wooden desk, creating a rhythm of beats. A pair of eyeglasses rested on the bridge of his nose and shielded his sky blue eyes which were fixated on mine. His auburn hair was combed and gelled back, not a single strand falling onto his face.

  Goosebumps developed on my skin due to his intense gaze. I knew I was the innocent victim, but his gaze made me feel as if I was a guilty criminal waiting for a death sentence. Then, the beats he drummed on the desk strayed to an irregular pattern, perhaps indicating the beginning of a conversation.

  "Eve, Hailey, nice to see you both again," he began before averting his eyes to Hailey.

  "Mr Liam, before you say anything, you should know that this slut–"

  "Language, Hailey. You wouldn't want a harsh punishment, would you?" he asked, resting his elbows on the desk and intertwining his fingers.

  Before Hailey could reply to his words, I said in a calm tone, "Sir, my feet hurt. May I take a seat?"

  "Of course you may, go ahead." He tilted his head to a chair that stood before his desk.

  I sat down, but when Hailey was about take a seat too, Mr Liam's gaze turned cold as he said, "I would prefer you standing, Hailey."

  She clenched her fists, taking a step back, and when our eyes met, she slid me a dirty look. Her moss green eyes spoke a thousand words to me, telling me how much envy and hatred rested on her heart. She turned to Mr Liam and asked, "Can I say what I wanna say now?"

  Without waiting for his response, she continued, feigning innocence, "To be honest, it's Eve's fault. She steals everything and everyone from me, and she even dared to accuse me of hurting her."

  "Eve, may I hear your side of the story?" Mr Liam asked as he shifted his gaze to me.

  "Yes, sir. Here I was, minding my own business till Hailey appeared and stepped on my already hurt feet. Then, we argued, and she suddenly pinned me to the floor, yelling at me. This happened before a teacher caught us and brought us to you," I narrated, deliberately unmentioning the part about Melissa so she would not get in trouble.

  "Is that true, Hailey?"

  "No, she's a fucking liar, a good-for-nothing rat, and a clever bitch. Isn't it obvious she's lying?"

  Mr Liam slammed his palm on the wooden desk. "Be silent," he commanded, his blue eyes turning icy. "Hailey, I've put up with your indecent clothes, but I will not tolerate your choice of words. Eve, here, has been nothing but tolerable and calm while you have been the complete opposite. Do you want me to call your parents?"

  In all my years of being in the same school as Hailey, I had never seen her flinch in fear, but it seemed today was a day of surprises. I watched as she turned pale; her eyes were wide, and I even caught her lips quiver faintly.