Chapter 3

Mrs. Cooper tapped her knuckles on the polished surface of her table, trying to gain Caden's attention. Since they had entered her office, his gaze had been filled with animosity towards Ruby, while Ruby herself maintained a composed demeanor, looking straight ahead at her teacher.

Clearing her throat, Mrs. Cooper addressed Caden directly, holding Ruby's cellphone in her hand. The screen displayed a picture of Ruby with her chocolate and milk-drenched hair, taken before she had cleaned up. It served as evidence of the prank he had played on her.

Slowly and menacingly, Caden turned his head towards Ruby and replied, "Yes," with a hint of pride in his voice.

Mrs. Cooper pressed further, "Was anyone else involved?"

"No one. It was only me," he claimed, shouldering the blame entirely. Ruby couldn't help but wonder why he would lie and take all the responsibility upon himself.

But there was someone else involved—the person who had recorded the video.

Sighing, Mrs. Cooper rubbed her temples gently, showing signs of fatigue. "This kind of behavior is not tolerated at Willowbrook High School. Playing pranks on fellow students is strictly forbidden."

Caden argued, "It was a harmless prank."

Mrs. Cooper briefly glanced at Ruby, who stood with proper posture, her hands clasped together, maintaining a neutral expression. Then she shifted her gaze back to Caden, who had folded his arms across his chest, displaying impatience and anger.

"It wasn't harmless. Her hair was a mess," Mrs. Cooper emphasized, thrusting the cell phone forward to show him the incriminating photo.

Caden rolled his eyes dismissively.

"It took her an hour to clean up, and her jacket was ruined as well," Mrs. Cooper added, searching for more reasons to scold him. She couldn't help but feel that wasting a perfectly good milkshake should be a punishable offense.

"Ma'am, I missed the first lecture, and it's my first day here," Ruby interjected, unable to hold back.

"Yes, exactly," Mrs. Cooper nodded firmly, although she didn't entirely agree that it had caused any significant harm. After all, Mr. Smith wasn't known for being a particularly effective teacher.

Mrs. Cooper shook off the thought and focused on Caden, attempting to maintain a stern expression. "I have excused too many of your mischiefs. This, however, is too much and shouldn't go unpunished," she said, resting her elbows on the table. "But, if you apologize..."

Ruby couldn't approve. She didn't want to hear his apology. She wanted to see him face the consequences.

"I'm not sorry for what I did," Caden interrupted, cutting her off. "I don't feel any remorse," he confessed bluntly.

Mrs. Cooper shook her head in disbelief. His stubbornness seemed impenetrable. "Too bad, Caden Miller. You've just bought yourself a month of d-"

"Wait," he interjected. "Aren't you going to ask me what she did?"

Mrs. Cooper furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"

"You didn't tell her? Maanya, right? Go on, tell her what you did," Caden gestured with his head.

Ruby knew this was coming. She had anticipated the repercussions of her actions, even though it had been in the heat of the moment.

"Ma'am, I... I was angry," Ruby began, her voice frail. "I didn't mean to do it, and I deeply regret my actions. I'm sorry for what I did."

Mrs. Cooper questioned, "What is 'it'?"

Caden knew she would take her time to confess, and by the time she did, Mrs. Cooper might view it as a mistake rather than a serious offense.

"She slapped me," he snapped, stepping closer and turning his face to give Mrs. Cooper a better view of his swollen cheek imprinted with Ruby's hand.

Mrs. Cooper's eyes widened in shock. "Violence isn't tolerated! How could you slap him?"

"Ma'am, I'm..."

"What she's done is worse because my cheek hurts. I couldn't pay attention to Mr. Smith because of the throbbing pain," Caden confessed, a smug satisfaction evident as he observed Ruby's helpless expression. It seemed as if she might break into tears at any moment.

"At least she's sorry for her mistake," Mrs. Cooper concluded.

Mistake. There it was again. He hated that word. Just because someone repented for their crime, did it make them any less of a criminal? His cheek might eventually stop hurting, but his wounded ego was beyond repair.

“You’ll be serving detention, Caden. You’re dismissed now.”

After Mrs. Cooper dismissed Caden from her office, she informed Ruby that they needed to have a conversation. Caden's disappointment was evident as he groaned in frustration and left the room. Ruby stayed behind, her anxiety growing as she wondered what awaited her.

Mrs. Cooper, with a serious expression on her face, requested Ruby to take a seat. She began, "Ruby, what you did was unacceptable. Violence is never justified, regardless of the circumstances."

Ruby nodded, feeling the weight of her actions. "I understand, ma'am. It was a mistake, and I deeply regret it."

Mrs. Cooper sighed, her stern expression softening slightly. "Apologies are a first step, but they don't erase the consequences of your actions. Slapping another student is a serious offense, and it cannot go unpunished."

Ruby's heart sank as Mrs. Cooper continued, "You will also serve detention for a month, starting tomorrow, just like Caden."

Ruby felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. Part of her was glad that she wouldn't be the only one facing consequences, but another part dreaded the month of detention that lay ahead.

As Caden made his way back to the classroom for the second lecture, a mischievous smile spread across his lips. He saw an opportunity to bring his own version of justice. He knew Ruby's weak spot now, and he couldn't wait to exploit it.