The NEWBIE

Chapter 32

***32***

ELSA

"Paging, Jack Austin and Elsa Hansen. Please proceed to the Principal's office NOW."

After that, the speakers went off. I wanted to die on the spot. But gladly, the bell rang and everyone filed out of the corridors. But what's so good at being called at the Principal's office so early? This would've been the same scene that happened when I first arrived in this school but today's situation wouldn't be a welcome address from the Principal.

***

I sat still in front of Principal Myers, my hands were actually sweating. There was an empty seat next to me and I know for sure who that chair was for.

We waited until the last guest arrived. There was a loud knock on the door. I was about to stand up to open it but Principal Myers just nodded and went for herself. The door opened so I peeped from behind. My teacher from English class was there. I thought it was him. But when Principal Myers fully opened the door, just behind my English teacher was Jack.

"This bastard was caught wandering around the hallway after the bell already rang." He said.

Jack stayed quiet but his eyes spoke loud enough. The same cold look.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Arnold. You may now go back to your class." She answered and let Jack inside. Mr. Arnold bustled off. Principal Myers closed the door and made Jack sit next to me.

"I am hoping that you two already know why I called you here." She started off.

I thought this was a time for me to defend and tell her what really is the truth.

"What you think is a mistake, Principal Myers." I started rather strongly. "Someone out there was brave enough to fake those pictures. We weren't actually kissing! The person just got the angle that we're kissing but we're not - "

"Ms. Hansen," she interrupted me. "I've had enough of your explanation."

I thought she was being unfair. She needs to hear the truth and not those lies from the school paper.

"That is not why I called you two here." She continued. My brow raised.

Principal Myers opened her drawer and placed a picture on her table. The same picture that ruined everything.

"That is what I am talking about." I tried not to raise my voice. "What other reasons could we be here for, Principal Myers?"

"Let us settle down, children." She said rather kindly. "If you don't mind, Ms. Hansen, let me talk first."

I still think she was unfair. Just let me explain and we'll be all done here.

"I do not mind if you two kiss each other or whatsoever, what I am concerned of is that this campus is covered with these photos and we all know what rule you had just broken."

I finally understand why we were here. I felt my cheeks flush. I was absolutely humiliated. I really should have let Principal Myers talk first.

***

JACK

Once again, I was entertained by Elsa's defensive personality. The way she stands up in front of the principal impresses me. I couldn't even speak up in front of Principal Myers. Very brave.

I placed my index finger on my chin and just stared at Elsa while she talked.

"That is what I am talking about. What other reasons could we be here for?" Elsa spoke.

But then, Principal Myers answered, "I do not mind if you two kiss each other or whatsoever, what I am concerned of is that this campus is covered with these photos and we all know what rule you had just broken."

That was quite a huge slap on Elsa's face. But then, it was still wrong to blame us.

I spoke, "But having our faces on those photos don't mean we're the ones who broke the rules."

Elsa turned her head at me. She actually didn't think I was going to speak, did she? Or maybe she just forgot that I was in the room?

"But do you KNOW who posted these photos all over the campus?"

"No, but - "

"Then since we still do not know who did this then it's close enough to send the two of you to take down every picture in this school."

"What? It's freezing cold out there. That's bullshit." I said. Oops.

"Mr. Austin, I'm warning you." Principal Myers told me, as she raised her index finger.

"But can't the school janitor take care of that?" Elsa added.

"The janitor had enough snow to take care of." She said firmly. "Now, I will inform Mr. Rodriguez to excuse both of you from his class because of a certain task. Is that clear?"

Elsa looked like she still had her defenses on. I simply took her arm so the two of us wouldn't have to go for another punishment.

"Sure, Principal Myers." I said and stood up, still not letting go of Elsa's arm.

"What? We're going to die out there." Elsa whispered, but I didn't mind her and pushed her away.

"If you don't want any other punishments then you might as well follow my lead." I whispered back.

She kept her mouth sealed and both of us stormed out of the office. Both of us didn't speak to each other while we took down the pictures in the hallway. Almost every wall was covered with it. How the hell did this guy post it around school before sunlight?

But as we got to the library, a guy just went out of the black room with a stack of papers in his hand. Elsa was still busy taking down pictures from the trophy stand. But as he clumsily walked, he hit a table and drop everything. He looked flustered. I just sighed at how stupid he is and went down to help him.

"Jesus, let me help you with that." I said. The guy looked more flustered when he saw me. Okay?

As I came closer, I come to realize that the papers that fell weren't ordinary paper.

"H-hey, wait," he said but I already took one of the papers. It's the photograph.

So it's you.

*Credited to: thehopefuls