[Jarvis Harding]

Hadn't the answer key mess unfolded, this would've been reparation test day. To be fair, I'm thankful this happened. It allowed me to see through the façades plastered on most of my schoolmates' faces, including the ones I thought would be my best friends forever: Jay and Audrey.

I can't be at peace until I can prove Nona had nothing to do with the theft, though. I promised her I'd help her find the culprit no matter what it'd entail. So, here I am, still pondering my next move. Since I can only count on my own forces, I don't have to take anyone else's opinion into account.

Taking advantage of the fact it's Friday, I patiently wait for the last class to end so that students and most staff leave. Only a couple of janitors are left. I have to study every move of mine and act quicky before the janitors pass by to clean. They may ask a lot of questions. I have no time for those.

I walk briskly but quietly towards the Principal's office. He left early, which means I have a better shot at inspecting the room without getting caught, at least not straight away. What a mess. How can I find anything amidst the chaos?

I start tidying up, piling up files in order and placing them on the right desks. Then, I take a quick peek at a set of papers stapled together. I notice "Answer Key" written in Times New Roman and bolded. Oh, my God. What if it's what I think it is?

I extract my phone from my pocket and take as many pictures as I can. Then, as I'm sure I don't hear footsteps, I leave the office, carefully closing the door behind me. Good. The janitors haven't passed by yet. They must still be taking care of classes. God, how slow they are!

Well, this is supposed to be good for me. Yet, I feel like it's too good to be true. Anything can go wrong at any time, so I must be ready in case they catch me. Since the school will close in an hour at most, I leave the premises. I'll show the proof to my parents, then ask for advice.

***

I spend the weekend wondering what I still need to do in order to be believed by everyone, not just Nona and a few other people with no interest in ostracizing me. As long as I know what I do, I should be fine. Thanks to yesterday's finding, I've come to realize the answer key was simply misplaced.

It was to be expected, though, because of that mess. Can't the Principal, Vice Principal and teachers be tidy? They're always ready to call us students out for being messy, but they themselves can't set a good example for us. Shame on them.

At dinner, Mom and Dad notice I'm not really into conversation. On the other hand, Nona understands my silence. I feel like she's aware that I have a bomb ready to throw. Mom anyway asks me, "Is everything okay, Jarvis?"

I let out what I discovered, being fully honest with the others. "Do you remember the infamous answer key for the reparation quiz I was supposed to take? Well, it turns out it was simply misplaced. No-one stole it. It's been there, in the teachers' room's mess, all the time."

Mom and Nona ask in unison, "Did you really sneak in there?" The former is shocked and terrified; the latter is thrilled. Typical of Nona. If she doesn't get in trouble, trouble gets to her.

I precise. "Yeah, I did sneak in there. And also tidied up a little bit. That mess was unbearable. I also took pictures proving the answer key sheets were already there." I show two different sets of photos: one before my direct intervention, and the other one after I cleared up part of the disaster.

Nona is in awe as a realization hits her hard. "Wow, I can't believe those assholes needed a culprit to cover their lack of attentiveness. Seriously, what's their fucking problem?" Mom relates to her point of view.

However, Dad is somehow skeptical. "This doesn't prove one point, though. How can we be so sure it was just casually misplaced? There has to be more to it." I think he has just given me an idea. Something big that will force the school to take responsibility for ruining Nona's life over an allegation.

***

Here I am, at 6am, at the back of the school, on my own. It rains, but it doesn't matter. All I care about is saving Nona's face, as well as teach the rest of the school a lesson on accountability. Mistakes happen all the time; it's okay, provided one owns up to them instead of shifting the blame on others.

It looks like one or two janitors are already inside, starting the usual early morning cleaning and maintenance that's required every Monday. I slowly approach the back door to open it; I hesitate as I hear my phone vibrate in my pocket. Just a notification from Facebook.

I ignore it as I directly turn the phone off for the time being. I pull the door and enter, before closing it quietly. The janitors have cleared the area. I must be careful-the floor is still a little slippery. They must've cleaned this area of the hall first.

I walk towards a secret room, which is usually locked. It's where school security stand. Expecting to have to pick the lock and then brownnose the assigned stuff, I'm shocked to find out the door is wide open... and the security room is empty. I guess I'm lucky. There has to be a catch, though. Going in can't be this easy.

As I enter, I lock the door behind me. Yeah, the key was inside. This means that someone must've been here before, but forgot to shut the room. Anyway, with the limited time I have, I start going through the files in the computer, only selecting the ones regarding the theft of the answer key.

It takes me thirty minutes to do so. Quite a long time. I'm surprised no-one has passed by yet. I must move, or my chances of getting all proof and leave unscathed will go down the drain. I copy the files three times: in two separate USB pen drives, as well as my phone, which I only turn on for the occasion. Done.

I close the folders; then, I try to remove the logs of my access, but fail. I hope I can at least remove video footage of my presence here. That will get me in trouble if I'm caught, unless I strike a deal with the security stuff-which is quite unlikely. They won't like my intrusion. They'll report it to the Principal or, worse, the police, if they find out.

I hear an increasing noise of footsteps. More people are coming inside. Perhaps even the security. I have to wait for it all to fade before I can get out of here. Timing matters now. Any faux pas can get me in deep trouble. I grind my teeth so that I don't let out a single sound.

After what seems to be an eternity, I'm ready to turn the key. I open the door slowly, exit the video footage room, shut it and carefully leave the area. That's when the first bell starts ringing. Now comes the most difficult part: getting to class without looking suspicious. It's hard, knowing I'm surrounded by tattletales.

I guess those are no longer a concern of mine. I hear someone calling me. "Jarvis Harding?"

I turn to find the Principal with his arms crossed. I wonder what he wants from me. "Yes, sir? Is there anything I can do for you?"

"In my office. Now." I think I've been caught. He must've learned about my little mission looking at footage through the teachers' room. Or, maybe, even about what I posted on social media over the weekend.

Why do I sound like I'm the one in trouble when he has way more explaining to do?