Chapter 16
When Ella, Catania and Mia got to the school the following day, they were shocked with what they saw. Someone had been having some fun, and it looked like the work of Tom and Leo Blake.
The girls looked around and they saw soap in the drinking fountains.
They then looked to the teachers' car park; there was shaving foam on the principal's car and it clearly had Leo's name written on the side.
Ella looked at Mia, and she looked horrified.
"This just mean," said Mia.
Ella nodded in agreement, "but it's what Tom and Leo do."
"I know."
The girls were disturbed from their conversation when there was an announcement over the PA system. It was the principal, and he read out a list of names.
Leo was called.
Tom was called.
Josh was called.
Ada was called.
And, finally, so was Ella.
Ella's mouth dropped open. She knew why Tom and Leo had been called, and she didn't have to think too hard about why she was called.
Josh and Ada clearly dobbed her in.
They clearly told the principal about the slap, and clearly they also mention the wagging incident.
Ella didn't make eye contact with her sister or cousin as she made her way to the principal's office. She really didn't like this and taking her place on a seat next to Tom and Leo was seriously humiliating. Ella sunk down in her seat as she waited for her turn to go into the principal's office.
Ella didn't have to wait long before she, Ada and Josh were called in first. Ada scowled at Ella as both girls tried to get into the office. When they did, they took their places in the three chairs that were set up on one side of the desk and waited for the principal to speak.
Ella sat meekly in her chair as she listened to the principal, Mr Murphy, to speak. From the little time she had been coming to Sandy Beach High, she had heard about the principal. He was not as harsh as his father before him, the principal when Adam and Tasha were attending Sandy Beach High, but he was strict and firm, but fair.
Ella didn't care how harsh Mr Murphy was or not. She had never been in trouble with the principal before and she was kicking herself for letting herself believe that the first time for everything saying was true. She couldn't believe that she could be such an idiot to let herself believe it. She would never let herself think like that again because it was the biggest mistake she had ever made.
"Ella," said Mr Murphy, "Ada told me about the incident that happened a few days ago. Well, actually, the two incidents."
Ella lowered her eyes. She had never been so embarrassed in her entire life.
"Would you care to explain your side of the story?" Mr Murphy asked.
No.
Ella did not care to explain her side of the story. Mr Murphy would not accept her reasons for her actions as plausible, and she would get a harsh punishment.
"Ella?" asked Mr Murphy.
Ella looked at Mr Murphy, knowing that she was going to have to say something, "Ada is using Josh. They won't listen to me so I did it. I slapped Ada."
"Jealousy, Ella?" asked Mr Murphy, "I am afraid that is not sufficient. We don't tolerate that kind of behaviour at this school, and as for the wagging? Well, that is another matter entirely."
