The walk to the Principal’s office feels like walking on hot coal and all I want to do is run. But Ms. Johnson is right beside me, her arms crossed, silently warning me not to cause anymore trouble.

It hurts that, despite being a good student, excelling in extracurriculars and serving as the school captain, my one stupid mistake has ruined everything or at least my student image, something which is really important to me.

When I reach Ms. Morgan's office, I have to force myself to knock and somehow manage to say “May I come in?” It reminds me of those awkward moments when your family forces you to get on stage and dance when you are eight. It's really an inevitable embarrassment, something you hate but have to do anyway.

“Yes, Juliette. I was waiting for you,” Ms. Morgan replies from behind her desk, which is buried under what seems like hundreds of piles of paperwork. The way she sits reminds me of an ancient emperor and I am the peasant awaiting the death sentence. And of course, the last line is among the top ten worst things you can hear from your principal at times like this.

Tentatively, I walk towards her and take the seat opposite her. She doesn't say anything, only flips through the latest magazine with disinterest. Her spectacles perch on the bridge of her nose, her hair the colour of the moon and her signature red lips give her the look of every villain in every teen movie. I am just waiting to see if she is the hero or villain in my story.

My heart is on my throat and I am sweating from places I never knew I could. Even breathing feels difficult. Right now, the golden welcome cat on her desk, with its paw waving slowly, feels mocking as if it's saying “Hail the Emperor.”

“Uh… Ms. Morgan..” I say, the words barely passing my lips.

For a moment she doesn't reply, then she looks up from her magazine, her eyes holding a kind of pity that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. “I am sorry to say I am disappointed in you Juliette."

“I am sorry, Ms. Morgan,” I say, my voice wavering by the end.

“It's not me you should be sorry to.” I can practically feel the disappointment in her voice, making me want to throw up. “Your writings contain many insulting things about your fellow peers and even your teachers. Any form of violence be it verbal or physical is not accepted in this school. I know you are a good student but even this can't save me.”

This can't save me? What does she mean by that? Is she going to expel me?

“I am sorry Ms. Morgan. Please try to understand that I didn't mean anyone to find out about it.”

"Juliette, I can't do anything, your writings broke our school's code of conduct. Even if it was something personal, using words like murder isn't acceptable," she says, taking her time punctuating the word murder, making me want to bury myself under her paperworks. "Besides, you should apologise to the staff and your classmates, especially Alex. Your writings about him were quite... bold, to say the least," Mrs. Morgan says, her voice trailing off with a hint of discomfort.

I want to sink into the floor. She wasn’t supposed to read that, nor was anyone else. Why is this happening to me?

"But it was private.I never intended for others to read it.”

"Despite that, we have to suspend you. Your writings caused a lot of distress to students and staff. It wouldn't be fair to them otherwise."

Suspend? The word hits me like a punch to the gut. My future feels like it's crumbling—perfect scores, the perfect student image, being school captain—all slipping away.

"I didn’t—"

"It’s final. You may leave now."

I can't leave. Not today. Not when everything I’ve worked for is slipping away because of some stupid mistake. If I get suspended, I won't be able to get into a good university. And if I can't go to a good university, how will I face others? Most importantly, how will I face myself?

"I didn’t mean for anyone to find out. Gianna posted it online without my permission. If you’re going to punish someone, it should be her."

"Why don’t you sit in my chair, Juliette? It seems you have a lot of guts talking back to your principal," she snaps, her voice tight with anger.

"I’m sorry, that wasn’t my intention, Mrs. Morgan. I just wanted—"

"I’m not the one you need to apologise to. Apologise to the staff and the students, especially Alex."

Just then, the office door opens, and in walks the last person I want to see right now. I don't want to see his face, not after what happened. I am still angry at him for using my words against me.

"Oh, Alex, come in. We were just talking about you."

Why would she say that? That's so humiliating. I want to hide under the desk, anything to avoid facing him. I can’t look at him; I’m too embarrassed to be seen like this—miserable and out of options.

"About me?" I hear the confusion in his voice as he takes the seat next to me.

“I think you know what to say, Juliette.”

Taking a deep breath, I swallow my pride and say,“I…I am sorry for writing mean things about you. I didn't think anyone would read my writings." I don't look at his face, just his shoes that look effortlessly polished. Even if the world turns upside down, you can never find a speck of dust on him.

“Okay… you can leave now. I think you understand Juliette that the decision regarding your suspension is final." And it is her telling me to leave.

Before I can say or do anything, Alex cuts in "Mrs. Morgan, it wouldn't be a good idea to suspend her."

“How so?”

“Juliette is the school captain and suspending her would only harm the school's reputation, something that you care about so much.”

His last statement makes me purse my lips to stop from smiling. Well, it's true no one cares about the school's reputation more than her. Last year, she called an emergency meeting because someone had left a single piece of gum in the Chemistry lab. She had talked about how it was a major threat to our school's pristine image and by the end, we were all instructed to petrol the hallways like gum spotting agents.

She contemplates for a moment, chin resting on the palm of her hands. I am holding my breath by the time she says, " I think you're right Alex," she sighs and looks at me."I guess you got lucky today.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Morgan,” I say, sounding relieved.

"But the discussion is still not over," she adds, her eyes, the literal proof that she is enjoying my struggle. She really is the villain in my story.

“I am not going to suspend you but that doesn't mean you are not getting punished.First, you need to individually apologise to everyone and stay back after classes to clean the school grounds.”

I nod, not even caring if my neck snaps in half. At least it's better than getting suspended.

“Also, whatever is going on between you two needs to be resolved after the whole fiasco with Juliette.”

"No, nothing's going on between us. We sometimes fight but we also like each other a lot. It's nothing. We're friends.” I say, hoping my voice sounds normal.

Just as I say that, Alex holds back a cough or maybe a chuckle.

She looks at us and says, “I doubt that very much."

“It's true Ms. Morgan. There's no bad blood between us.”

But she decides to ignore us and says“I need the two of you to work closely and work as a team instead of as rivals and find a common ground.”

“What?Closely?”

“Common ground? Impossible.”

We both speak at the same time.

“See that's what I am talking about. After today's incident, I am not letting anyone jeopardise our school's reputation. If you don't agree with me, then both of you will be removed from your captaincy.”

I shut my mouth, letting the arguments fall down the drain.

“What do we need to do, Ms. Morgan?”

“I believe the best way for people to overcome their differences is by putting them in a high-stakes situation. While I can't create such a scenario for you two, I do want both of you to participate in the Annual Scavenger Hunt as a team this year. I think this will give you the perfect opportunity to build your teamwork and clear all the differences that you may have."

The Annual Scavenger Hunt… our school's tradition that takes place in a month. Each year, the seniors participate in the hunt, while the juniors are responsible for creating it. Last year, I was part of the decoration committee, and I remember hating it– too much work and a lot of arguments.

“Of course, Ms. Morgan,” We both say at the same time, in that awkward way you do when you see a classmate in a shopping mall and have to make small talk even though you don't want to.

I try not to look disturbed. I glance at Alex, who looks equally displeased but resigned.

“Good.You may leave now.”

Thank you♡´･ᴗ･'♡