Clemency (DNF)

xii

I sit through boring lectures of Literature and Geometry until lunch break. The only interesting thing that happened today was Mrs. Fitzgerald in Literature sarcastically burning Charlotte for putting down her phone. Some kid in the class yelled out "Need some ice for that?" Unfortunately, Mrs. Fitzgerald wasn't in such a nice mood. "Need a detention for that? Yes? Sure, my dear, here you go. You can head right over," and shooed him out the door.

I follow the mob of students in the hallway who chitter away like birds. I tune them out by placing my earbuds into my ears and putting The Chainsmokers' Roses on a high volume, jamming out inside my mind. This song. I mouth the words and bob my head, unconsciously following the herd towards the cafeteria.

I get in line for my food after I grab a tray and pick out my lunch, handing the lady a five dollar bill for my fries and milk carton. I'm still bobbing my head and I close my eyes for a second at my favorite part when I collide into someone. My fries drop everywhere as my tray goes flying and bangs to the tiled floor. My milk carton bounces once and drops to the ground, undamaged, fortunately.

I look up, my eyes glaring holes into the person in front of me. My face is probably red from anger, as it feels that way. I finally register who it is. Ah, of course, Charlotte.

"You. What the fuck is your problem, huh?"  I seethe.

She scoffs. "Me? Couldn't you watch where you were going instead of prancing around blindly to that shitty music of yours?"

"You did that on purpose, you must have! Ever since that day, you've had some sort of illogical spite towards me! Why?"

"That day? Why don't you tell us what that day is, Miriam? That day you led Emily to kill herself?" She shrieks out the last words.

I feel a hand on my arm, and I immediately know it's Ethan. I tilt my head faintly his way. His lips are set in a firm, determined line, but he still looks somewhat calm.

"That was not her fault. Don't you dare try to make her feel guilty, Charlotte."

She lets out a short, humorless howl. "She's tricked you into believing her, hasn't she? She killed your sister, Ethan! Snap out of it! Face the truth!" Her voice his high and screechy, hr face turn beet red.

"Enough!"

I whip my face to the doors of the cafeteria, where Principal Silvia is standing. She looks furious. Uh-oh.

She click-clacks on her high heels a few steps toward us. All three of you, to my office, now!"

"But it wasn't our fault, she--" Ethan begins to protest.

"Now!" she bellows.

I grab Ethan's arms and pull him along with me to her office. Don't wanna get her any angrier.  He tries to resist a little, but gives in soon enough. He murmurs profanities towards Charlotte all the way to the office. Speaking off, Charlotte marches swiftly across the hallway, her head held high. She fiercely nudges me out of her way with a pointy elbow and I roll my eyes. Could she be any more childish? She is soon out of sight when she turns the corner, with the speed she's walking at. 

We reach Principal Silvia's office and sit outside as we wait for her. I'm careful to sit a few seats away from her, with her two seats to my left. Ethan sits to my right. He still looks mad, his thick eyebrows furrowed, and his full pink lips pulled into a frown. Wait, what? Why am I thinking about his lips? No. I slightly shake my head as if that will get rid of the thought, and notice Ethan looking at my, an amused glint in his eyes, that smirk back. Well, at least he was less angry now.

Mrs. Silvia finally walks up to us in all her glory, and steps inside her office after motioning for us to follow. 

Once we're all seated, me in between Charlotte and Ethan, I look up at Principal Silvia. She sits back in her chair, her arms crossed over her chest. "Now, why ever would you want to disturb the only time you get to eat and relax with each other? Mind explaining? Miss Charlotte?"

"Well you see, Principal Silvia," Charlotte starts, her best vulnerable face on. I roll my eyes, seeing through the facade. "Miriam was carelessly in her own world, not caring if she hurt anyone with her childish dancing. But she did, and then she decided to blame it on me!" She places a hand on her chest and clenches it, stretching her lips into a thin line.

I am about to object, but Mrs. Silvia speaks before me. "And why should I believe you?" She pretends to look interested in what Charlotte is abot to say but I know she has better things to do than to deal with bratty teenagers who can't solve their own problems.

Charlotte gapes at her, speechless. 

"I mean, I did hear you accusing Miriam about very seisitive and big incident," Dr. Silvka continues.

"Well its true! You can ask Miriam herself. She bullied poor Emily, to the point where she decided to commit suicide!"

I imperceptibly started to shake my head. I had understood now. Ethan had made me understand that it wasnt my fault. Sure, I might've been a  small part of the reason, but Emily had decided way before my bullying that she wanted to commit suicide. And she forgave me. She was such a pure soul, Emily was. And I tell Dr. Silvia exactly all that.

She is silent for some time, and then she turns to Charlotte. "I realize I'm being light on you for such a case, but you will serve an hour detention today after school. You are dismissed."

"Fine. Thank you, Principal Silvia," she grumbles and leaves, shutting the door behind her rather loudly. 

"Okay, now to you. I'd would prefer if you discussed this matter with our guidance counselor. I can set you up with an appointment. Would you prefer one session for both of you, or each of you seperate?" 

I take a little time catching up to what shes saying, so Ethan answers for me.

"Together would be better, right Mimi?" 

My head shoots up at my name and I come back to the present.

"Hm? Yeah, yeah, definitely."

"It's settled then. This Friday, you will visit your guidance couselor during your lunch period." She rips off two slips from a pad of purple slips and hands one to Ethan and the other to me.

"You are dismissed."

:-:-:

A/N: So, see, when people do things like vote, or comment, or even add this story to a reading list, I feel honored and I feel encouraged to write more, so I do. So thankyouthankyou × infinity to all the people who have done so and hopefully will in the future.