Thin As Water

22.

AN: This chapter contains the spanking of a teenager, you have been warned. Also, it's rather long to make up for the last, short chapter.

"Thank you for joining us, Ms. VanderArt. Ms. VanGrayson." The headmistress nodded to Lil.

"What seems to be the trouble, ma'am?" Daisy asked politely.

"It would seem that there was a physical altercation between you and Ms. Larson this afternoon. That is what you claim, is it not, Ms. Larson?"

"Yes, ma'am." Tina nodded.

"What sort of altercation, ma'am?" Lil interjected.

"Ms. Larson claims that Ms. VanderArt slapped her. There is a mark on her cheek."

Tina turned her head and Lil noticed that one of her cheeks was more red than the other, and that a hint of what looked like a bruise was on her cheekbone.

"Ms. Larson, why don't you explain again what happened." 

Tina nodded to the headmistress and began. "It is known that I used to be friends with Lilian and Daisy. After the prank that was pulled on Lilian two weeks ago, I believe Daisy has been upset on her behalf. I was walking down the hall past Lilian and Daisy's dorm when Daisy called me inside. She threatened me to stay away from Lilian and leave her alone. She looked really upset so I stepped forward to try to calm her down, and she slapped me hard. I left and came here."

"Ms. VanderArt, what have you to say?"

"I didn't do it, ma'am. I haven't seen Christina since lunchtime."

"Ms. VanGrayson, do you have anything to add?"

"What time did this occur?" Lil looked hard at Tina.

"Around 3:45, I'd guess." Tina answered evenly.

"Were you in your room at that time, Ms. VanGrayson?" The headmistress asked.

"No, ma'am."

Lil's mind was racing. Tina set this up well. She knew that I'd be out of the room for a while filling out the form.

"Well, it would seem that the stories do not line up." The headmistress glanced between the two girls in front of her.

Daisy didn't do it, I'm sure of it. But how to prove it?

Lil looked for a flaw in Tina's story. There had to be something, anything!

"Christina, why would Daisy wait to confront you for over two weeks?" Lil questioned.

"It was an opportune time. You were not in the room, and I wasn't with my friends."

"Why were you walking past our room? Your room is before ours."

"I was coming from the other direction. Had to drop something off to someone down the hall."

That's a lie. There's one flaw.

Lil's eyes landed on Tina's cheek once again. The bruise was a greenish color. Lil glanced at the clock. 4:00.

Two flaws. The bruise wouldn't be that dark already.

A solution popped into Lil's mind suddenly, one that nearly caused her to stumble backwards. She could easily prove Daisy's innocence, but proving where the bruise was from, that would be more difficult. Her solution was quite simple, but could had disastrous results. Was it worth it?

Lil glanced over at her friend. She looked pale, and her legs were shaking slightly. Lil closed her eyes, trying once again to forget the look on Daisy's face from two months before. Daisy was worth it. No matter what happened.