In the quiet classroom of Section A, Demi's apology echoed with heartfelt remorse. "I'm sorry!" she apologised, her head bowed low, her words echoing through the empty classroom.
Amaya sat silently on the edge of her desk, her gaze unreadable. Her presence cast an air of quiet intensity over the room. Seth and Elli occupied the right side, their expressions a mixture of concern and anticipation. Sophia and Fred sat to the left, their eyes fixed upon Amaya, their faces etched with a range of emotions. Somiya, Demi, and I stood before them, our gaze slightly lowered.
"I realise the gravity of my mistake. It was unforgivable, and I completely understand if you're not ready to accept my apology. I'm deeply sorry for everything I said to you in the bathroom. I can't imagine how hurtful my words must have been. I was wrong, and I have no excuse for my behaviour." Demi's voice trembled as she apologised for her behaviour. Her apology hung heavy in the air when Amaya didn't reply. Amaya stared at Demi rather in boredom. She remained silent, her expression unchanged.
*Clap*
"Ama... I know Demi was wrong, but she deeply regrets saying those things to you. She understands that her words were hurtful and that she has caused you a lot of pain. She is truly sorry. Can you please… give her one chance?" Somiya's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her gaze fixed on the floor. Her hands were clasped together in front of her, and her body language conveyed her sincerity and concern for her friends.
"Can I slap you?" Sophia asked, her voice dripping with venom. Somiya and I exchanged a worried glance, then looked at Amaya.
Demi's voice was firm and steady as she replied, "You can if it will make Amaya feel better."
"Don't start a fight," Seth interjected, rising from his seat. "It's time for the assembly. Let's go!" Demi raised her head and looked at Amaya. Amaya shrugged and slid off the desk, her footsteps barely making a sound. She walked away with her friends.
"Let's go, we're late too." I patted Demi's shoulder, and though Amaya remained silent, I felt an unexpected sense of calm. My heart and mind were as calm as the ocean today as if everything got settled.
"Good morning, everyone!" The principal greeted us with a radiant smile. The students responded with loud and cheerful greetings. "Oh, everyone seems energetic today. Did you all have fun yesterday?" he asked.
"Yes!!!" the students exclaimed in unison.
From my left, I heard Seth whisper to Fred, "I bet 400 he has bad news for us." I glanced at them and saw Seth staring at the principal while he whispered. Fred leaned in close. "Just 400? I bet 1000. He definitely has worse news to announce."
"Ahem!" the principal cleared his throat, and the room fell silent. Everyone turned their attention to him, eager to hear what he had to say. "I know that many of you have been through a very difficult time. I want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to keep you safe and to make sure that something like this never happens again." A pin drop silence fell in the assembly, except for his sincere words, no-one made a single sound.
"I also want to commend the brave students who came forward and spoke out against their abuser. It took a lot of courage to do that, and I am so proud of them." A warm and gentle smile played in his lips.
"I know that some of you may be feeling scared or worried right now. I want you to know that you are not alone. We are here to support you, and we will do everything we can to help you heal and move forward. Remember, our first priority is the safety and happiness of our students and not the reputation of our school."
"I also want to talk to you about the importance of trust. I know that it may be difficult to trust adults right now, but I want you to know that there are many good people who care about you and want to help you."
"One of the most important things we can do right now is to come together as one and support each other. We need to show each other that we are not alone, and that we will get through this together. Stand up for yourself, your friends, juniors and seniors too." I saw his gaze shift to Amaya for a short period of time then back to others.
"I am confident that we can create a safe and supportive environment where all of our students can learn and grow. Thank you."
*Clap-clap*
The assembly ground erupted in thunderous applause as the students clapped with an enthusiasm they had never shown their principal before. Every single student beamed with a bright and proud smile, a far cry from the usual mocking expressions.
"Ohhhh!!!" The boys of grade 12 shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the air. The clapping continued for a full five minutes, a deafening roar of support. "Principal sir, we're also proud of you for taking the students' side!!" Seth, Fred, Jay, and a few other boys shouted, their words bringing a hearty laugh from the principal.
"Oh, I almost forgot to announce something important." The principal smiled, glancing at us—or should I say, at the grade 12 students. "Your exam routines were published a few minutes ago. You'll get your routine from your class teacher. Starting tomorrow, grade 12 students will no longer need to attend assembly. Instead, you'll have an extra class."
A collective groan erupted from the grade 12 students. Their cries of "Noooooo!!!" echoed through the assembly ground.
*Ting*
I sighed heavily, my gaze fixed on the exam routines spread out before me. Why did I have to give this cursed exam again?!?!!? I couldn't remember a single thing. It had been ages since I had opened these damn books. Sure, I had worked as an accountant before, so I'm a little confident in mathematics, but what about other subjects? Who would do me a favour and teach me from the start!?!??!
I rested my weary head on the desk and glanced around at the other students. Lucky bastards… I'm jealous!!! They all seemed so much more talented than me right now. At least their minds are still fresh, unlike my old, expired, and rotten one.
Hmm?
Suddenly, I noticed Shreya hurriedly turn her head to the other side, her cheeks flushed as if I had caught her staring at me. Molested... It was the first time I had heard about such a thing happening in our school. Around this time, instead of Subash sir—tsk, who was I even calling sir? That bastard, how could he do that to other students?!?—I know it's wrong to think like this but I'm really glad that none of my friends had become his victim.
Would I have fought back if something like that had happened to me? I doubted it. I would have been too scared to come to school ever again. Shreya is brave… and beautiful too. I wished I was like her. If I was like her...
Hmm?
Does Shreya need something from me? Why did she keep glancing at me? Forget it, I'm the one who is staring at her, so she must have felt my gaze. It happens... I turned my head and stared at the blank wall instead.
Because of Subash, Seth and Fred were supposed to be suspended along with their other classmates, but instead he ended up getting jailed. Another incident took an unexpected turn. Amaya and Demi were never supposed to fight despite their dislike for each other, but they did. One by one, every incident was changing, and Amaya seemed to be involved in every single incident.
At first, there was the football match where Seth was supposed to be suspended, but somehow he was able to play. Then, at the stadium, Amaya was supposed to slap Riya, but she only threatened her. Amaya and Somiya's closeness, our projects, Hailey ma'am's unexpected appearance during PT class with Amaya, her fight with Demi, the truth about Subash—none of these things were supposed to happen.
I tried to push the thoughts away, but they kept circling in my mind. All the evidence pointed in the same direction. Amaya, could it be that you've been transported back to the past?
No, no, no!!! It's impossible… I shook my head frantically. Amaya had always regretted meeting me. If she had returned to the past too, then she would have never gotten close to me or my friends. She would never have chosen me…
I remember you.
*Thump*
It can't be…
My heart pounded in my chest as I remembered the words she had uttered in the nurse's room.
"Zeya?" Demi called my name. I glanced to my side only to meet with Somiya and Demi's worried gazes. "Is everything alright?" they asked.
No, I need to find out if she got transported back too!