Six

I sat at the large window, the best spot in my room, in solemn silence. I sat there hoping I could watch Damien like I used to. He strolls around the estate with an elderly man, his dad possibly, every evening. I've seen him once with a boy on a wheel chair, maybe his brother. I believed he hasn't noticed that I lived opposite his house. He wasn't out today and I felt more empty as minutes passed.

A light flicked from the window opposite the street. With the help of the streetlights I could see clearly who it was -- Damien. My heart melted , though I wondered how long he had known, how long he'd also watched me. Gosh, I am imagining things.

He waved at me and I waved back. He had a blue polo on and his hair was packed up in a dough.

"How are you doing now?"He wrote on his window. I just nodded. He smiled and wiped it off.

"Where did you go?"I did not return to class and I know he must have searched the whole school for me. I wonder if that's really the work of a class monitor. What can I say? I've neverr been one.

"Somewhere." I also wrote.

"Why did you bleed? Has it stopped?"

I just nodded.

I saw him sigh heavily, scratching his forehead. 

"Let's talk here 917 654 8765"

Did Mr President just offer his number?

"No phone"I wrote. It was partially true. My dad inspects my phone daily. Chatting with anyone especially him, is no-go.

"Bad liar."

"Keep your number."

He wiped it off.

"Why are you always with Liam?"

"Not your business."I was pissed so I left the window.

*

When i got to school the next day, there was a kind of chaos in the main hall. A crowd of students were all over the notice boards. Those in groups jeered noisily. I jostled my way to the front row, what I saw shocked me to the bones. The picture is out!

Soon everyone around noticed me and their jeered grew louder. Amidst their noise, a girl announced to me that I was being summoned by the principal. 

Damien was already at the proncipal's offie when I got there. Principal Dane had an unusual grin on her face. I felt like the devil.in their midst. If only Damien had stayed away from me, he would not have been in this mess. I'm trouble, always trouble.

"I'm highly disappointed in you two."She began her speech. "This picture went viral overnight, it's even on the parents forum." She turned her laptop and showed us. The headline was creepy "Top Student caught kissing in the Principal's office."

I knew immediately that it was Liam. I just could not figure out why he changed his mind.

"This is a big stain on the school's image. Some parents would withdraw their wards." She snorted. "That's probably none of your business but you need to know. Miss Kam, Damien! What were you thinking?!"

"It's not what you think Principal Dane."Damien said. I wished I could tell how he felt from his facial expression but it was really void, numb, expressionless.

"Tell me if you have any explanation!" She hissed.

"I don't know if I have an explanation. It wasn't photoshopped. It's quite real But..."

"What?!"The impatient principall interrupted. His bluntness also surprised me. A little lie would have saved our butts.

"You little..."She trailed off. I feared she was going to have an heart attack.

"Calm down Principal Dane." She glared at me. I had to explain. "We didn't "Kiss"" I emphasized on the word "Kiss". I needed that "gross" effect. The room was quiet for a while.

"The picture does not show a kiss, does it? Why are you all thinking things?" Damien said.

"Oh you explain to me how you both got in that awkward position."

Then I saw the first sign of a stifled smile, play around Damien's lips. Is it funny?! Tsk...

"Miss Kam fell on Master Damien accidentally. "He paused, seeing how his unseriousness affected the principal. "She tripped over some books on the ground while exiting your office. I was waiting for her on the couch. Nothing unusual. Besides, that was her first day as a student of this school. We barely knew each other. Try to understand."

"Who would believe that story?"

"You've always believed in me Principal Dane, what changed?"

"I should be asking you that, Damien Smith. What changed?!"She looked more frustrated than the culprits. "Paige Kam! What do you have to say?!"

"He's right."I pouted. "That's just a picture taken by some jealous student."

"Who sent it, Principal Dane?"

"Anonymous. The number that sent it isn't reachable anymore."She cupped her forehead in her palm.

"Kam, you've barely spent a month here. What would your uncle thinks when he sees this? What about the school committee? What if you get expelled for this?"

Then I knew she was worried about us. How sweet?

Though, I couldn't have cared less about being expelled. She knows near to nothing about what I should be worried about.

"And you damien, you risk a suspension. Do you know what that does to you? Your scholarship application to college. This spoils the whole thing. Do you ever think before..."

"I didn't do anything."

"You go explain that to the school committee. The picture explains itself kiddo!"

I saw damien fight back words. He didn't need to explain to her. I kind of felt pity for him. All I had was revenge on my mind.

"But It's just a fall" I said.

The principal hissed. "You know what? You two, leave my office right now."

I went out to find Liam. I was ready to vent all my anger on him. I saw him at the stair case, bickering with his friends.

"Liam!"I yelled. He laughed.

I faced the others. " Excuse us, please"

They exchanged glares with Liam and left.

"You dare send that..."

"I didn't."He looked a little serious but that didn't get to me."i swear. I cherish my honor. We had a deal."

Wham! I smacked his face. He slapped me back and pinned me against the railings.

"Calm down. I did not send the pictures. And do not hit me, ever again!" He let go of my arms harshly. "Go find the culprit elsewhere!"He left. I ran after him.

"Do you know what you have done?!"

"I don't care"He said.

"I hate you!" I shrieked.

He hissed. And I...pushed him. He rolled down the stairs, like a log of wood, fell unconscious to the ground, in his pool of blood.

Paige! You killed someone! 

I didn't know how to feel, just wanted to die too.