Graded Hearts

Chapter 20 : Away

Third Person's PoV

"Sit." Leighlagh's dad uttered firmly.  Out of nervousness,  she followed abruptly. She was looking at his father as if she was under arrest for doing such terrible crime.

"I was informed about your case. We will have the formal proceedings tomorrow. It is better that you don't get involved.  Just stay away from this after you attend the initial proceedings, I'll handle it myself."

"Dad."

"The evidence was clear Leighlagh. It was clear that you were at fault. You're lucky that you don't have to face the consequence of your action. I'll do with all my power not to ruin your name."

"Dad...I p-planted the test answer k-key on A-alekhine's b-bag. I even u-used Hunter's video to s-sabotage h-him. I t-took Alice's p-phone dad. I did all of those. With my own hands. " Leighlagh's body was trembling while her words were conveyed in a shaky manner. She's not getting into her sense, all she thinks was the the things that she did, to Alekhine,  to Hunter and even to Alice. She was like a scared child with no place to go. Her eyes was to soft to even stop her tears from streaming.

"Come to your senses  Leighlagh, all of those were nothing!"

"It w-was nothing?"

"Look, this is a just a small bump in your road Leighlagh.  This is nothing compared to all the challenges you have encountered. Just follow your road map well, I will make sure to clear all the things that comes in your way. Just follow what I tell you. Harvard University is in your hands now. Don't let that chance be taken away."

"But dad--I c-cheated. " She said as she fully understand all the wrong things she did.

"So what? I'll talk to your principal tomorrow. I will furnish a copy of your records without any bad marks. I'll transfer you to other school better than your current academy. You will not suffer Leighlagh. You will just act as if nothing happened."

"Act as if nothing happened?" What about everything she did?  What about Alekhine?  What about Alice and Hunter? What about the people she hurt?

"Isn't it what your gonna suppose to do?"

"No dad. "She looked at him. "I'll face the consequences of what I did. Let me do what I think is right." They deserve justice, and Leighlagh believes that she deserve to suffer, to feel the agony, to feel the pain.

"What?! Do you hear yourself Leighlagh?! "

"This is the right thing dad. We've been avoiding it all this time."

"Do you think I will let you ruin my name?! I told you to just follow the path I made for you!"

"You...you just want me to follow your path well?" She asked the question softly as one tear dropped. Suddenly,  she's feeling a bit weaker, trying to suppress the eager sadness. So that was it.

"The best thing you could do!"

"I-I wonder... is there even an end to this journey?" Leighlagh asks in a lost voice. It's gotten harder and harder everyday to endure the pain,  to control the voices on her head. Sorrow seem to be all she know how to feel. And she's staring to be drown in all the waves of sadness and guilt.

And she's wondering, how can you cry when you're already empty?  Why does emptiness feels so heavy?

*****

"By the way, I already changed your surname. You'll be using Rodriguez from now on. I fabricated it as soon as I heard you got caught. Media might get involved in this issue, Harlstone Academy is quite popular as premiere school. It's better to protect our name."