The principal opened the door and looked around. "Why was the door locked?" The student entertaining the class stood up and explained, "We were... decorating our class so... we didn't want others to see it yet", the student tried to make up an excuse.
The class nodded frantically, including James. But the principal was not too interested in the welfare of the class. She looked over at James and signalled him to follow her to her office.
James felt uneasy. He has never been called to an office at all. He followed the principal from behind until they arrived at the office labelled "Principal Office" which they both entered.
Inside the office, Maribel, Josh, and one other boy he didn't know were seated, alarming James. James uneasiness grew further. 'What are they doing here?' James could not help but ask.
Due to past experiences, students that were summoned by the principal along with their parents usually means trouble, either in form of punishments, suspension, or worse, expulsion. But that was just his speculation.
Seeing Josh seated there, it was obvious that he did something that was wrong, but he did not understand why he was called. When he sat next to Maribel, the principal then brought out some papers and arranged them to the table.
Then the principal looked at Josh. Josh, who always had this aggressive aura, was unusually silent and sober.
"Josh, recount what you just told me right now to your mother", the principal said without smiling. Josh straightened his back uneasily and stared at his mom, who ignored him.
"Uhm, during the break, I was in the computer room researching on my assignment, when I saw vulgar images popping up on the screen. I initially thought it was some kind of censored ad, so I cancelled it. But the message kept popping everywhere on the screen, distracting me from completing my assignment."
Maribel's eyes twitched uncontrollably, and she subconsciously glanced at James, but she kept her emotions in check. The principal sighed and coldly stared at Josh. "Was that everything you told me?" Josh hesitated nervously. "Uhm no..."
The principal interjected impatiently, "Then continue recounting your story." James then knew something was amiss. Vulgar image, Josh, computer. Wait a minute!
"I was about to call you, but just as I stood up and head to your office, Kevin... uhm... Ke..vin told me he saw... em... uhm... James using the computer I was using, and probably did not properly close all of his previous work."
James' mouth dropped agape in shock. "What?!" He could not help but exclaim loudly. "Zip it, James. Kevin, are you certain that it was James that you saw using the computer before Josh?" The principal asked, her forehead creased with a frown.
"Yes ma'am", Kevin replied affirmatively. The principal then handed the papers she was holding to Maribel, but she declined. "No, I don't want my mind to be contaminated any further, just keep it", Martha said, pushing the papers back to the principal.
The principal nodded and put the papers back in the drawer. She then looked at James, who was too dazed to look up, and Maribel. "You know the consequences of watching pornography in school, I mean breaking the firewall that prevents these kinds of content is one thing, but using it to watch censored content is another.
I'm afraid James would have to be expelled from school. Here is the expulsion letter. I'm really sorry for this unexpected development", the principal said, handing over the letter to Maribel.
Tears trickled down James' face, and his face twisted in anger. "Principal, I have absolutely no idea what they are talking about! I was in the library reading when whatever these people are talking about happened. I haven't visited the computer room for any reason!" James shouted standing up.
"Quiet! Sit down", the principal ordered, but James was not willing to. The principal sighed and looked at James gently. "James Smith, listen to me carefully. If what you said was true, then we would begin an investigation, but as of now, you stay at home, and we will call your parent whenever anything pops up."
James glared at Josh, who glanced at him and looked away immediately. "Josh tell them you are lying. This is my future you are trying to destroy for goodness sake. Please amend my name!" James said to Josh agitated, but Josh pretended that he didn't hear him.
"Shut up James, Josh is telling the truth pervert. I saw you use that computer before Josh did. Stop appearing like a saint here." Kevin said looking at James with cold eyes.
"Language Kevin or I will suspend you. That is all Mrs Maribel. You are free to go, the principal concluded. "Thank you very much", Maribel said simply, before she stood and left the principal's office.
"James, James you have to pack your things and leave", the principal said when she noticed James was not moving. James thought was in a mess. He could not believe that in this life, he would be expelled from school, giving all the thanks to Josh. Once again, Josh has stricken.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
"Can you see! Just see what you've done to yourself. You have totally disappointed me. You even had the effrontery to watch pornography in school, oh my god" Jerimiah paced around the sitting room with his fingers rubbing his forehead.
James could not even look up, as he was very vexed. He was so mad that if he was touched by anyone, he would stab someone. Maribel, who was seated on the sofa, stood up and left for her room. Then sobbing sounds could be heard.
Jeremiah heard the sound. He gave James an icy stare, before running to the room to comfort his wife.
Suddenly, James emotions vanished. He could no longer feel the hot temper brewing in his heart anymore. "Oh no," he said expressionlessly. Feeling no emotions anymore, he stood up from the couch and headed to his room and lay on his bed.
James was about to stand up and leave the house when he heard that static sound again. Startled, he stood up and checked what it was. The sound was coming from his wardrobe. James opened the wardrobe and saw that it was the strange radio that was emitting that sound. This time, the sound was a bit clear.
"If you are....listening to.....this...voice James... I want you to..... and ..... but please, don't...Sophia!" Then the radio went silent.