LIFE WITHIN THE HALLS

Sandra

Friday,  19th March, 10:30 a.m.

The day of Hill Academy's 30th anniversary celebration had finally arrived, and the assembly hall was buzzing with excitement.

The who's who of Bel-Air's elite had turned out in force, including reps from the Ministry of Education, the mayor, and even some personalities from the White House.

Parents were all dressed to the nines in what they deemed to be their most luxurious outfits, while students were eager to make a good impression.

The hall was decked out in banners reading '30th Anniversary', and news reporters with their cameramen were on hand to capture every moment. Student leaders took their seats in the front rows, with the rest of the student body filling in behind them.

It was shaping up to be a memorable day.

On the surface, everything seemed to be falling into place. Kelvin Cooper had stopped texting Jayden with Chloe's AnonymousX account, and Victoria had been busy perfecting her anniversary speech.Even Gideon seemed relieved after confessing to framing Kelvin Cooper to us, though I was sure he hadn't told us the whole truth. But as for me? I was just pretending to fit in, all while hiding my true intentions.

I had enrolled in the school with one goal in mind: to find out the truth about what had happened at the school's night party two years ago. What Principal Wilson had told me was garbage, and the media's version of it was also total trash. It couldn't have been the truth.

After a number of performances and speeches, Ms. Murphy, the MC for the ceremony, called upon Victoria to take the stage.

Victoria, who was sitting at the high table with her parents, got up and walked confidently to the podium.

She positioned the microphone to her height. "Good morning, esteemed guests, faculty members, fellow students, and press," she began, glancing briefly at her speech paper. "As we gather here today to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Hill Academy, I am reminded of the remarkable journey that has brought us to this moment. Thirty years ago, my late grandfather, Austin Gregory Hill, had a vision—a vision of creating an institution where students could not only receive an education but also be inspired to dream beyond the confines of their—"

Just as she was hitting her stride, my phone and everyone else's blew up with a notification, disrupting the serious mood.

I couldn't resist checking it. I unlocked my phone and tapped on the notification to find a live video stream by AnonymousX, which had almost 15,000 viewers.

The live video showed two boys in the school's basketball jackets in a state of terror, screaming for help as they ran through the hallways. It was as if something was chasing them.

Shock rippled through the hall, leading to a chorus of hushed conversations.

"Oh," I heard one girl whisper to another, "I remember when those two guys from the basketball team used to make fun of Kelvin Cooper, the student who stole exam papers, by making him sprint through the hallway when teachers weren't around."

The other girl nodded. "Karma is a bitch!"

A news reporter from News Channel Eight stood up from her seat, demanding answers. "Mr. Principal, what's happening here? Is this what's been going on behind the scenes?"

The live stream cut off, and the two guys from the video burst into the assembly hall, their desperate cries echoing off the walls.

We all gasped as they dropped to their knees on stage, begging for forgiveness. "We're so sorry for bullying you, please forgive us!"

The lights flickered out, sending most of the students into a panic — but I wasn't that much scared. Out of nowhere, a male voice spoke up through the podium mic.

"Once upon a time, a young boy's dreams were shattered in this very school."

The room fell silent, except for some nervous whispers. Fear gripped us, with some trembling and others exchanging confused glances.

I joined the many scrambling for our phones, quickly turning on our flashlights. The weak beams of light revealed a teenage boy's figure on the stage.

The lights came back on, bathing the hall in a steady glow. Before us stood a guy, his eyebrow patched up with a bandage. In his right hand, he tightly gripped a Glock 19 gun.

It was Kelvin Cooper — I recognized his face from the photograph.

"For those who don't know me, my name is Kelvin Cooper. I was a student here two years ago," he said, walking up and down the stage. "Those who know me would say I left school out of shame for stealing exam papers... But it was all made up! I was framed! I was innocent, but nobody, not even those who claim to stand for good," he looked at Victoria, "believed me." He began to weep. "My father died of high blood pressure when he found out I had disgraced him — a disgrace I didn't even commit! I didn't get the chance to explain to him that I was framed."

Whispers and murmurs filled the auditorium as Kelvin's revelation sank in. I waited patiently for his next words.

"What did I do wrong? Was it my fault for witnessing a murder? Was it my fault?"

Witnessing a murder? Gideon didn't tell us that part when he confessed to framing him.

"I'm here today not just for my sake, but to get justice for a weaker person like me who lost her life at the hands of my perpetrators," Kelvin pulled the trigger and added, "You want to know who I'm talking about? Ask Gideon Vanderbilt."

I turned to where Gideon was seated, but he wasn't there. Squinting, I searched until I spotted him shuddering and cowering beneath his chair.

"Gideon, come out," Kelvin called, pacing menacingly while tapping the gun against his palm. "Don't be a coward!"

"Please forgive me. I beg you," Gideon's voice pleaded as he emerged from under the chair. "Please!"

"You don't have to apologize," Kelvin said. "You're not at fault. Henry used you, knowing how desperate you were to reclaim your position as class valedictorian."

The mention of Henry's name sparked confusion among the gathering.

Henry shot up from his seat, his face contorted with rage. "What nonsense is that! Don't you dare drag my name into this!"

"Why? Are you scared that everyone will know Pearl Adams didn't commit suicide but was rather murdered by you, Henry Miller?"

Kelvin's words echoed in my ears like a broken record. Tears blurred my vision, mingling with the chaos around me. I felt as though my heart had shattered into a million pieces.

"Are you insane? I'm not a murderer!" Henry's voice boomed. "Tell them, Gideon, tell them it's not true. Tell them Pearl took her own life."

"No!" Gideon screamed, covering his ears. "You killed Pearl, Henry. I was there. And that's why you manipulated me into framing Kelvin for stealing the exam papers. You said if Kelvin doesn't leave school, he'll report not only you but me too, since... Pearl begged me for help, but I stood by and did nothing because a part of me wanted her out of the way, for taking my place as class valedictorian."

I listened in stunned silence. My heart raced, hands trembling, and lips quivering.

"Yes, Dad, that's true," Gideon turned to face a man in an executive outfit. "I watched someone die, and it's all because of you. You made me feel worthless when Pearl took my position. You caused me sleepless nights. I've spent two years of my life with regrets."

I mustered all my strength, rising to my feet. With a fierce blow, I marched over to Henry's seat and struck him hard.

"You killed my sister! I'll make you pay!"

Then, darkness engulfed me as I collapsed onto the tiled floor, the last thing I heard being voices calling for help.

My eyelids fluttered open to the sterile surroundings of a hospital ward. Victoria and Jayden were by my bedside, their faces etched with worry. They helped me sit up, and I told them my hidden identity.

My birth name was Emma Adams. I was Pearl's sister, and I had come to find out the truth behind her death. Mr. Wilmer, whom I had met at one point, had decided to help me after hearing my story and even legally adopted me as his daughter.

The three of us, in a tearful hug, turned toward the television screen in the room, listening as the news anchor made the announcement:

"Following the events at Hill Academy today, the school has been shut down for a week by the authorities. Investigations are underway regarding the bullying and injustices suffered by Kelvin Cooper, as well as the death of Pearl Adams two years ago. The police have vowed to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice, and those responsible will face imprisonment if found guilty. Stay tuned to News Channel Eight for all the latest updates..."