Why Did It Happen?

(8)

“Well, well, well. Do you mind giving a relevant excuse for your behaviour down there, Ms. Evans?” asked the Principal – Mr. Richard Brooke. He was smiling and looking at me through the rim of his glasses. He was approximately sixty two years of age and was about six feet tall. He was an amiable man and had salt and pepper hair. His outfits were always branded, sometimes an Armani suit or sometimes a Gucci or Prada. No matter how boastful he seemed on the outside, he was a very humble and a grounded man from within.

“Yes Mr. Brooke, I’ll tell you everything.” I told him about the argument and that day beside the river.

“Well. Despite the fact that you have an acceptable reason, I cannot completely excuse you for your behaviour”, he replied, still smiling. “You shouldn’t have broken his fingers. You are one of our best students and I don’t expect one of my students to lose their temper so easily.” He said this in a very fatherly tone.

“I understand Mr. Brooke, but how dare he call Dan – I mean, Daniel a ‘cry baby’? He had no right to talk to him, or me like that!”

“Are you trying to defend yourself, or Mr. Smith?” Mr. Brooke asked, with a sly smile. I blushed a little but I don’t think it was so perceivable.

“I am just saying that whatever Shawn did and said down there, was utterly wrong and very offensive and I am NOT going to apologize to him or to his father”, I said in one breath. “He deserves to be punished.”

“I completely agree Ms. Evans, but your actions were wrong, even if not as wrong as Mr. Felton’s. You will have to apologize to me, for spoiling the decorum of my college, and also to Mr. Felton for breaking his fingers.”

“But Mr. Brooke...”

“I don’t want any further argument. Ms. Evans, please cooperate. I am definitely going to take strict action against Mr. Felton, but I don’t want his father to question me regarding your behaviour.” He came towards me and grasped my shoulders. He had a firm, yet a very soft hold.

“I love all my students, but I RESPECT especially you for whatever you have done for your friend, Mr. Smith, and the way you tackled Mr. Felton today was commendable. And yet, I am bounded by my oath to treat all my students equally. I hope you will not let my request go waste.”

I looked up at him with a sullen face, and said, “Okay Sir. Pardon me for my behaviour. I’ll apologize to Shawn too.”

“Thank you Ms. Evans”, he had taken off his hands from my shoulders and was standing with his hands clutched behind his back. “Coming to you Mr. Smith, I assure you of an apology letter from Mr. Felton’s father by tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you Mr. Brooke”, Dan said, and we left his office.

“Oh God!” I said, stamping my foot. “Now I’ll have to ask for forgiveness from that cockroach.”

“Well, you should. He might not be able to use his fingers for a quite a long time”, Dan replied.

“Shut up Dan! I don’t give anyone the right to talk to me – or to anyone whom I love – like that.” I was still very furious.

“To whom you love??” Dan asked. I immediately regretted using the word ‘love’.

“Yes. I love my family and all my friends, and I can go to any extent to protect them.” Dan was smiling lightly. The damage was done. Now, it couldn’t be repaired. In spite of me being a good liar, Dan always picked up my lies faster than anyone else. I don’t know how he did that.

Hi!! This is quite a short one, but as I had said earlier - it will be compensated ;)
Give me your views about Richard Brooke and the understanding that Scarlette and Dan had... I'll be waiting for the comments :)