- No, I'm telling you officer, my son is incapable of doing such a thing!
Just when I thought we had won over my former best friend, we got called by the police. Right now, my mom and I are being interrogated by 2 policemen.
- I understand that you trust your son Mrs. Hien, however that's not what Mr. Ilboudo is saying!
- So what? You're believing that kid words over us? Denis must just be angry for being dumped and is trying to get back at my son. That's really pitiful!
- I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but we only believe in proof, Mrs. Hien!
- But there is no proof!
The policemen didn't reply to my mom. One of them turned on the TV hooked on the interrogation room wall. When I saw the image, my heart skipped a beat, and I froze on the spot.
- [So, what is this! Slandering me, making me look like the bad guy when you're the one who cheated!]
That … can't be!
- [I told you I didn't cheat! It was just practice! Besides, Paul is your friend! you shouldn't be mad because I slept with him!]
It was our conversation. It wasn't an audio, but a video. And the next scene was me beating him on the ground. But … but, how? We destroyed his phone. How could they have it?
- THAT'S … IT MUST BE A FABRICATION!
- No need to shout Mrs. Hien! We have already analysed the video and I can assure you that it's authentic!
My mom was unable to say anything more. She sat back on her chair, looking totally defeated.
- The phone was destroyed! How did you get this?
- Sure, it was destroyed, but Mr. Ildoudo data were stored automatically on the cloud.
I didn't think about that. I was so relieved about the phone being destroyed that I didn't imagine there could be a backup.
I could feel my mother intense glare on me. I dare not to move. My life may be over if I pissed her off more. I was just sitting there, hoping all of this would just be a dream and I'll soon wake up.
After a few seconds of agony, my mom finally turned to the policemen.
- So, what's now officer?
- You could go to court, but given the proof, you'll surely loose and have to pay a lot of money. However, Mr. Ildoudo and his family are willing to settle the matter amicably if you're interested.
- What do they want?
- 3 things. First, they only demand 15000 $ as compensation from both families. Second, they want both Mr. Paul and Ms. Mariam to make a public apology at school in front of the students! And third, they want both children not to approach Mr. Denis within 20 m.
Oh no! He wants us to apologize in front of everybody. They will know that we lied and our life at school will be over. I can't do that; we will be the one getting bullied.
- We accept!
But I dare not say anything and my mom accepted the deal. My life is over.
We left the police station. I wanted to talk to Mariam, but her and her family already left.
The agreement wasn't mutual. One party could accept while the other refuses. But it seems that both families accepted. I guess no one want to go to court. Still, I don't want to be bullied. I have to convince my mom.
- I don't have a choice, Paul. We will probably be asked to pay millions in court.
- But …
- Don't worry! I'll make you change school afterwards.
That's right. Only people of this school know what happen. I can still transfer somewhere no one knows me and be safe.
- I understand, mom!
Its humiliating to leave like that, but it's still a better alternative. But don't think this is the end, Denis! When things quiet down, I'll come back and have my revenge.
When we arrive home, my mom called my dad on the phone. He has already left this morning and will only be back this Saturday. My mom was also supposed to go, but the police called her before she could leave.
I don't know what they talk about, but it seemed that my dad agreed with her because she said nothing.
- For now, return to school and act as if nothing happened!
- Huh?
- Only you, Mariam and Denis know what happened. Denis is still hurt and won't be able to attend school. So, nobody will hear about this until he is back.
- Okay, but what about the apology?
- We weren't given a specific date, so you will do it the day before transferring.
- Oh, even if some people want to attack me, I'll be already gone!
- Exactly!
I never thought my mom was so smart. She may be as smart as Mariam. This way, I'll be safe. There is nothing to worry about.
After diner, I locked myself into my room. My mom may have helped me, but I could still feel her anger. I took refuge in my room.
The following day, I went to school as usual. On the way, I could feel the gazes of other students. It was to be expected. Yesterday I got taken by policemen. They must be wandering what happened. But I don't want to talk about that, so I slowed down my pace and made sure to arrive to class just a few minutes before it starts.
When I opened the classroom door, I got greeted by silence. My classmates were glaring at me, and their stares were much more menacing than the ones I got on the way.
Despite the time, the maths teacher was already in the classroom. She was also glaring at me. Mariam was standing next to her, trembling.
- Good, you're here! Come with me!
Before I could ask what was happening, she ordered me. I was scared and wanted to run away, but my male classmates stood all around, leaving me only one path. With no other choices, I followed the teacher. I glanced a few times at Mariam, but she was walking straight, looking at the ground and trembling. Her attitude made me even more scared.
The teacher took us to the gymnasium where the whole school seems to have assembled. The principal and other teachers were standing on the podium. On the back of the gym, there were people with camera. They looked like reporters.
The maths teacher took Mariam and I on the podium and the principal started talking in the mic.
- Greeting dear students! First of all, let me express my sincere apologies. One of my students was wronged and I failed to protect them. I, as the principal have no excuse for my mistake. However, I'm here to correct it. Paul Hien and Mariam Sana here did not only cheat on their best friend and boyfriend Denis Ilboudo, but they also slandered him and got him bullied.
What? How did he know? Nobody was supposed to know about that. And he is telling it to everyone! Or maybe they already knew? My classmates seemed angry at us. Is that why they were glaring so much at us? But there are students from other classes, and the guys on the back, if they are really reporters, this will be known by the whole city.
As if it was not enough, the principal kept talking.
- They also severely injured Denis when he asked them to clear up the rumours, and he was taken to the hospital. But it seems that those 2 kids finally realised they mistakes and are here this morning to publicly apologize for their wrongdoing. With no more delay, Paul, Mariam come and apologize to Denis.
Saying so, he pointed at a shadow behind the podium. When this shadow came into the light, it was Denis. Wait wasn't he supposed to be at the hospital? Why is he here? And how come he could walk with those injuries?
To my surprise, Denis was way less injured than I thought. He just has a few bandages on his face and his arm was tied up to his shoulder.
When he appeared, I could hear some whispers in the crowd.
Denis took a few steps and stood in front of Mariam and I. She immediately bowed and shouted at the top of her lungs:
- I'M REALLY SORRY, DENIS! I'VE NEVER MEANT TO HURT YOU. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TOOK OVER ME! I'M REALLY SORRY!!
I couldn't believe it. Mariam is apologizing to somebody. I used to think she would rather die than apologize. But I can understand. We are in a difficult situation. Everyone is looking at us. If I don't apologize now, I'll only make things worse. Swallowing my pride, I also bowed.
- I'm sorry Denis.
- As you can see, they both regret what they did, Denis. Why not forgive them and move on? You're still young and should focus on your future.
This was the principal. That shameless bastard, these are the same words he told us in his office. He doesn't care about anything, he just wants to avoid troubles.
- Sure! Can I leave now? Was all Denis replied.
- Huh … of course! If you don't anything to say, we can all return to our classes.
At the principal words, Denis started walking. The students also dispersed.
On the way to the classroom, people gazes become much more intense. It's like they wanted to jump on us and tear us apart. However, no one was making a move. They were just looking at us from afar.
Denis came into the classroom with us, and the teacher was giving back the tests. When it was his name, the teacher tried to congratulate him.
- Denis, perfect score, as always! That's impressive, I know there were 2 questions which were particularly hard, yet you managed to solve them!
- Thanks! Can I get my paper now?
The tone of his voice was so cold that the teacher had no choice but to comply. Denis took his paper and returned to his seat without saying anything more. The teacher became sad and returned the rest of the papers in silence.
Meanwhile she threw mine and Mariam's papers at us.
After first period, Sonia went to Denis' seat.
- Hum, … Denis, … I sorry for not believing you back there!
- …
- I … I don't know why I choose to believe their words. You're not the type of person who hurt others.
- …
- I … I'm …
- I get it! You can stop now!
- Ah, hum … I know it must be hard to write with a broken arm? Hum … you can borrow my notes if you want. They may not be so detailed as yours, but it's better than nothing.
She said that with a pleading smile. But Denis replied coldly.
- No thank you! I can write with my left hand!
- Oh! …Ok! I see!
Sonia left his seat, completely defeated. She glanced at us before returning to her seat.
During lunch break, the tension in the classroom was so intense that we decided to eat outside. However, it wasn't better. Other students kept glancing and cursing at us. We had to find a secluded area just to be able to eat.
- How did they know about it? I asked Mariam.
- You don't watch the news, do you?
- News?
- Last night, a recording of the meeting with the principal was played on the TV.
- What?
- It seems he has someone who is a reported and they covered it on the news. They didn't mention our name, but the school, the principal, and other teachers' names were mentioned.
- But why were we made to apologize today! I wanted to do that just before transferring.
- My guess is the principal did it. You saw it, he doesn't care, he just wants to keep his name out of it. So, he is putting the blame on us.
That bastard is really useless. How can you call yourself a principal when you don't protect your students? Instead, you throw them into the fire to save yourself.
- We need to leave this school as soon as possible! I claimed.
- And go where? You didn't saw the reporters in the back. The whole city and probably the whole country knows by now.
- Oh no! What do we do now?
- There is nothing more to do! I'll just keep apologizing to Denis. Maybe if he forgives me, the others will leave me alone.
- You want to apologize to him?
- Yeah! We lost! Better stop now while we still can!
(WHAM)
I slapped Mariam with all my might and throw her on the ground. She was spiting some blood, trying to get on her feet.
- You bitch! After everything that happened you want to bow at him? Didn't you said that you'll make him crawl back at you?
- Yes, but that was before. Denis is not as stupid as I thought he was. I can't keep messing up with him.
I couldn't believe it. That bitch did all those things, but now that she is in a tight spot she turns around. I thought she was a smart girl who doesn't let herself be bullied, but she is just a coward who prefer begging. I can't even describe how disappointed I am.
I kicked her on the ground and left.
When school was over, I had to run away from school. The students were ignoring me this morning, but once I left the school ground, I noticed a few guys following me. From the look of it, they weren't just planning to talk. So, I fled as fast as I could. I may have been able to defeat Denis, but I couldn't possibly fight against multiple opponents.
When I arrived home, I found my mom crying in the living room. Worried, I approached her, but she pushed me away.
- You stupid child, do you know what you did?
- Huh … mom, w … what's going …
- WE ARE BOTH BEING TRANSFERRED!
- ''Transferred''? Please mom, clam down! What's going on?
- You horny beast! Why did you have to go after your friend's girlfriend?
- …
- The whole neighbourhood learnt about what happened and they kept harassing me!
- What?
- They asked us to move away!
- …
- And as if it wasn't enough, I just had a call from the company. You father and I are being transferred to another section. It's basically the same as being fired. Reduced pay, harder work …
- … Mom, … I'm sorry!
- ''Sorry''? If you're sorry, why do it in the first place? Our life is ruined because you couldn't keep it in your pant!
- Mom …
- GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!!!
She slapped me saying so. I dare not argue with her, so I ran to my room.
I don't understand. Why is this happening to me?