Behind Closed Doors

four

It's 7 in the morning and everyone is busy doing their morning activities.

Students are stressed about the upcoming yearly election.

Teachers are busy preparing for the election as they are trying their best to make it as peaceful and accurate as possible.

Last year's election experience was a horrible cheating issue. And this is the reason why they are full force for this year's election.

Aliah is now in the faculty meeting with her colleagues. Sam is sitting beside her.

"As I was saying we must pay attention to the filling of candidacy. Just because they are popular doesn't mean we will just let them. We should focus more on their quality. Is that clear?" The head of the faculty staff said.

"Yes Sir Laurien." They responded.

"And I would like to assign Ms. Arson for this. Since she's really suitable for this. Would that be okay for you?" Everyone turned to her with anticipation.

Aliah's serious expression radiates a dominant presence. She nodded with a confident gaze. Mr. Laurien smiles with so much pride in his eyes.

Mr. Laurien treated Aliah as her daughter. The moment they met up until now, he really had respect for her.

Aliah is not just a teacher, she's more than that. She firmly stands on what is right.

"This election would be taken seriously from now on then."

"Especially now, Ms. Arson is not easy to please. I bet those students will now back out"

"I'm starting to think that there's no one who would take even a single step to run this year."

Some of the faculty staff laugh at this joke.Sam place her hand on Aliah's thigh.

"That's okay." She assured. Aliah is not someone who will laugh at someone else's joke. She's a very sensitive person. Luckily, Sam is always there for her.

An hour later the meeting ended.

Aliah and Sam were about to walk out of the room but Mr. Laurien stopped them.

"Ms. Arson can we discuss something before you leave?"

Aliah turned to Sam.

"I'll go ahead. May class ako pa ako." Sam smiled at her and gave her a quick hug.

Aliah walked up to Mr. Laurien.

"I know you Aliah, don't take them seriously okay?" Mr. Laurien smiled at her.

Aliah remains silent while looking at him with inquiring gaze.

"Please sit down." Mr. Laurien pointed the chair in front of his table.

"I have some requests."

"Make it direct." Aliah said seriously, Mr. Laurien chuckles.

"We still have a month to prepare for this. And I want you to list Miro as the president." Mr. Laurien became serious as he explained.

Aliah narrowed her eyes.

"You're not going to dictate me with that. Besides we want to avoid an unfair election so why would you do that? Miro is known here as a trouble maker. Do you even realise how risky it is for us to let her in? It doesn't make sense at all." Aliah's voice became hard but she kept her emotions collected.

"You don't get it, do you? Miro is a brilliant kid, the reason for the trouble about her was because she's seeking fair treatment."

"Do you remember the first time she got in trouble? It was because she stood up for what was right. There was a girl who got catcalled, Miro fought for her."

"People treat her as a bad guy because they can't accept the fact that she's doing something good for others."

"Matalino ka naman, Aliah. I know you will understand once you witness it." Mr. Laurien explained trying to convince Aliah.

Aliah became confused with everything. But she chose to remain quiet and think about it.

___

Miro is now walking to her last period for today.

"Come on loser! Give it to me!" She heard someone inside the washroom. She went and pretended to wash her hands in the sink.

"No! Stop!" Another voice. Followed by a hard slap.

"Stop doing this please." She heard cries inside the cubicle.

Miro stood there, her eyes burning in anger.
She hated it when someone was being abused.

The door swang open and reveal a man. He walked out of the washroom. Miro checked the woman inside the cubicle and saw her crying. She didn't comfort her and went out.

"Hey!" She called the man and turned to her.

"What?" The man asked in annoyance.

"Are you gay?" Miro smirked at him.

"What did you say?" The man raised his voice as he approached her.

"I bet you are. Because if not, why are you hurting a woman? Why are you hurting her?" She pointed to the washroom indicating the girl inside.

"Why do you care?" the man pushed her and Miro stumbled on the floor.

"I see, bakla ka talaga." Miro stands up.

Miro and the man, stand facing each other, fists clenched.

The man shoves Miro, who stumbles.She recovers, delivering a swift punch.The man retaliates, but Miro dodges.

"That's all you got?" Miro looks at him in dismay.

"Napakayabang mo!" The man threw a punch at her. His fist landed on her left cheek.

Miro didn't even stumble this time, instead she smirked at him.

Miro: "You think you can just hurt me and get away with it?"

Man: "You're just a girl, what can you do?"

Miro: "I'll show you what I can do!"  she takes a step forward, fists clenched but the man swings at Miro, but she dodges again. Miro counters with a quick jab the man stumbles, enraged.

"You're dead!" the man angrily screamed.

"Try it!" Miro stands firm, her eyes blazing while her fist clenched.

"What's going on here? Ikaw na naman Miro?" Ms. Sam arrived and saw the man who was laying on the floor. She went to him and helped him up.

"Ma-Ma'am." Miro became uneasy as she tried to explain but Sam glared at her.

"I'll see at the principal's office." Sam said with disappointment. The man smirked at her as he walked away with Ms. Sam.

"Great." She mumbles as she caress her swollen cheek.

"Thank you." Miro's thought was interrupted when a woman walked out from the washroom.

"Are you okay?" Miro asked with concern. The woman nodded with a smile.

"Here. Wipe the blood on your lips." The girl extends her hand offering a handkerchief.

"No need, it's okay. Go to your class now." Miro declined. But the woman insisted.

"Take it." The woman smiled at her.

"I'm Den, btw." The woman said. Miro nodded acknowledging her.

"I'm Miro." She replied.

"Yeah, I know you. You're quite popular here." The woman scratched her nape. Miro chuckled.

"Ms. Lecaros." A cold voice made them flinch. Miro immediately turned to her.

"I'll go now, bye Miro." Den bowed and hurriedly walked away.

"Uh.." Miro opened her mouth to speak and closed it again when she realised she doesn't have anything to say.

"I demand an explanation." Ms. Aliah looks at her coldly as she crosses her arms. Miro avoided her gaze as she tried to find the right word to say.