Supernova

6: Brothers

TW: CPTSD

Oddly enough, the fact I'd gotten someone fired was the least of my concerns that afternoon.

"What?" I asked, staring at the principal with wide eyes. "What do you mean?"

She cleared her throat. "The Wang Corporation is one of our school's biggest, uh... supporters. I have been asked to contact them if anything should happen to you. It would be unprofessional of us to let their future director get hurt, I'm sure you understand."

If only she knew I had no chance of ever leading anything.

My grandfather had established the Wang Corporation a long time ago with several of his business-friends. By the time my mother (his daughter) and my dad took over, it had grown into a gigantic corporation with shareholders all over the world.

Considering what my parents think of me, I'd be lucky to even step foot in a Wang office. I've never liked that type of business, which is why I'm at a school with nobodies, as my father so gently put it. It's nearly guaranteed that I'll end up as a well-known graduate, no matter what I do in the future.

So it's not surprising that they've gotten into the school's pockets. Probably so there's no way I can be expelled or put in detention.

"Oh. So... So that's why Teacher Geum is going to be let go? Because they said so?"

"Yes. We take them very seriously." The principal's voice is slow and clear, like she isn't completely sure I understand her words. "Not the fact that he tried to grab me and shoved someone else away?"

She can't mask the panic in her eyes. "Well- That too, of course. Teacher Geum acted unprofessionally, which he will be punished for. However, we need you to sign a form-" she pushes a clipboard toward me, "-saying that you won't press charges against Haruman High or any of our current employees."

I look at it briefly. "Did any of the other students sign this?"

"Sora," she hums, leaning forward with an overly sweet smile, "in addition to being one of our students, you're also a member of the Wang Corporation. That's what we're asking you as. This is just to simplify the process of getting this signed."

The paper seems innocent enough, and I don't have any reasons to doubt the principal. "Sure," I mumble, nodding. "Thank you, Sora, you've really helped us." She watches me like a hawk as I write my name on the dotted line.

All I can think of as I'm ushered out of the office is my parents. They're still here. They're still in my life. I feel invaded until I remember that I'm not meant to feel that way. Haruman High doesn't matter to me, and neither does the apartment. None of these people mean anything to me.

"Wait, what are you doing here?" I ask, registering that I'm in the hallway. The exhaustion from what happened in the closet has started to catch up with me. I didn't even notice that the majority of my class was outside until the door behind me had shut.

One of the girls looks at me with hopeful eyes. "What happened?"

"I'm not sure I understand..."

"Hey, we know you have an in with the school. What are they going to do about Teacher Geum?" one of the guys ask, arms crossed. His pose is demanding, like he's going to intimidate me into speaking.

He knows? They know?! How did any of them even register my existence? I've done everything I can to be invisble. "Uh... He's being fired. Let go, specifically." The hallway instantly errupts in cheers, and I flinch.

"We've been waiting for this for ages! Thanks, Sora!" one girl tells me, her grin wide. "You're welcome," I reply, trying to smile back. "Talk about using your powers for good. If you need anything, I owe you."