C14 Culmination

After my first class ends, I go back to the library to teach a class on literature and search for any coaching techniques for my new handles—the journalism team. I try not to think about Mark or Liam while I teach the class. I need to concentrate on the students who come to ask questions.

However, the school is abuzz with hushed voices by the time lunchtime arrives. One of my co-teachers comes and says, “The principal is calling for us.”

I wonder, what is it this time? When I reach the staff room, Mark is already talking to one of the senior teachers. They look at me with disdain, as if I should not be called here. They speak in low voices while glancing at me, their eyes full of contempt.

“What is happening?”

My co-teacher cannot answer because Principal Abra is coming out of his office. “I am sure you have heard the rumor.” He clears his throat before saying, “but none of it is true.”

He glances at me and then at the teachers. “Teacher Cassie is not my mistress. I also don’t have any mistress.”

I blink and look around. The rumor is about me being a mistress?

“As for the rumor that she is also the mistress of our student and his father...” I balk at that. “I doubt any of it is true.”

I raise my arms. “If I may interject—”

“There is a picture of her with Lukas,” Bitch-Hilda informs.

“What picture?” I ask.

This time, my co-teacher whispers, “It is you with Lukas in his house while you are entering.”

Oh, that. “The nurse knows about it. I only brought him to his house because he complains of a stomachache.”

“All mistresses say that excuse,” Hilda says.

I look at her. Did she and her police officer husband watch me until they could take that picture of Lukas and me?

I snort. Thankfully, I am able to stop myself with Lukas’ father. I glance at Mark, whose lips are pinched together in anger. Ha! So he and Hilda were still seeing each other. That’s why he forbade me from leaving my house last Friday. The asshole. He is still cheating on me. Thankfully, I ended things with him already.

The principal clears his throat again and says, “I have asked them not to spread those false rumors.”

I feel relieved by this announcement, but I am not happy that they spread those lies in the first place. “We should search for the people who are spreading these rumors. This is not a good reputation for our school.”

“We also need to clarify why Lukas’ father, Mr. Reeves, is giving the school such an enormous sum of money.”

Principal Abra shifts his attention to bitch-Hilda. Her husband is a police officer. Mr. Ellis surely knows that Mr. Reeves is actually Mr. Chapman. So, no matter how big the money is, I am sure it is not a fortune for a Chapman.

“It’s for improving our computer room,” Principal Abra says. “If you’d like to see the account, I can give it to you. I also sent it to the regional office to avoid corruption doubts.”

Bitch-Hilda looks away. What does she want with me, anyway? I’ve given her what she wants. Mark is still screwing her. I didn’t have sex with her husband—the thought alone makes me gag, and I don’t even try to take revenge on her. No, that’s just too much of a hassle.

“That’s all I have to say. Everyone can go.” Principal Abra dismisses when no one has spoken. He shifts his attention to me and says, “Teacher Cassie, please stay for a few minutes.”

I nod and watch the other teachers walk out of the room. I sigh and wait for the principal to say his piece.

“I want you to know that I’m not your enemy.” I frown at him. He clears his throat again before continuing, “Mr. Reeves, or rather, Mr. Chapman, donates money to our school. He is happy about the progress of his son.”

“He told you who he is,” I state. “Did you help him keep Lukas’ last name?”

“Yes. Mr. Chapman requested it. His son was expelled from his previous school because of mishaps with another female student.”

“I hope he didn’t impregnate anyone?”

“He didn’t, but Lukas is being forced to marry the female student.”

My lips curl up. So, the female student wants to become a Chapman, huh? “And the allegations?”

“It seems true, but Mr. Chapman did not allow the marriage, since they are both young.”

“And?”

“And nothing.” He looks at his hands. “Mr. Chapman is very wealthy,” he says, as if it is already an answer, which means that Mr. Chapman used his money to hush them.

“However, the problem lies with your reputation.” He clears his throat again before saying, “Mr. Ellis is a police officer, and I think he will attack your name soon.”

I stare at him for a moment before asking, “Principal Abra, are you asking me to resign? “

“No,” he answers quickly, and then sighs. “I want you to know that I will support your case if ever it comes to that.”

“It’s that bad, huh?”

“Yes.”

“And if I fight back?”

“You will need to manage and handle all the drama. If you are ready for that, I will help you. But right now, all I can do is punish Teacher Hilda and Teacher Mark... We will transfer both of them to different schools. And if that happens...”

“Teacher Hilda’s anger will just flare up. She and her husband will do more to damage my reputation.”

“That’s what I think.”

We look at each other. In just over a year, I am already facing this kind of problem. I thought that being a teacher would be a peaceful type of life for me.

“You are a good man, Principal Abra.”

“I am not, Teacher Cassie. I am just trying to defuse the situation before it escalates and costs me my job.”

I smile at him before I walk out of his office, shutting the door behind me.

*********

I delivered my resignation letter to Principal Abra today, even if he rejected the idea. After announcing it to the students, Alinn said nothing while the journalism team looked at me with sadness. They’ve been hoping for an interview. I even prepared the proper ways to coach them. But now, I can’t anymore. I still hope they win, though.

I really thought about the resignation. However, the drama involved in fighting back is something that I don’t want to handle. If I start the fight, I am sure I will not go down until I... I shivered in fright—until I destroyed their lives. I don’t want to do that.

After today’s last class, I returned to my room and packed my stuff. Jason knocks on my classroom. He’s probably here to see me off. However, my smile vanished the instant I saw the panic on his face.

“Teacher Cassie, I think we need your help.”

“My help? Not about the interview, I hope?”

“Worse. It’s Alinn. I think she went crazy and is now beating Lukas.”

The instant I hear it, I drop whatever I am holding and run out of my room into the hallway. Alinn is atop Lukas, her fists coated with blood. Worse, Lukas’ face is also bloodied!