Part Thirty-Four
  I dunno what to title this chapter, so I just came up with this. Nonetheless, read on.

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"I'm just ashamed to even say the words out. SS3 students fighting like charged bulls, this is the highest level of disgrace." Mrs Cherish, the vice principal academics, pinched the bridge of her nose while looking at the both of us with disdain.

She had her fat arms propped down on her big mahogany desk filled with white papers, files and lots of stationaries. Her reading glasses moving up and down her crunched nose. Cherish had a stout body structure, her arms, thighs and neck were layered with fat as those areas of her body were already sagged. She was dark in complexion and had dimples on both sides of her cheek, dimples that became prominent whenever she smiled. But right now, those dimples are showing at the height of disappointment and anger lacing from her voice.

"I won't even bother to ask you what happened between you two. You're both lucky that there was no damage in the cause of the fight. But that does not include that the two of you won't face punishment for your offense, it is to serve as an example to the juniors so they don't think they can ever get away with fighting." She looked up at Mr Nathan.

He was standing by the door, his long cane still firmly held in his hands.

"Have both their parents been notified of the scandal their kids created?" She directed the question at him.

I knew we were in for a big trouble but I was hoping they'd leave our parents out of this. But that's what you get for attending a prestigious school like GCH, they take a lot of precautions.

"Yes, they said they'd be here soon." Nathan replied.

At that, my heart dropped to my stomach. How would I even face my dad, he'd be so disappointed in me. My dad rarely lets me see his angry side, and believe me when I say it's not a good period of my life.

Daphne and I were still standing at the left end of the office, I guess they wanted us to reflect on our actions, so they left us alone. Daphne has her head lowered, just like me, she hasn't said a word since we were taken out of the examination hall.
I fiddled with the button on my blazer, despite how clammy and wet my palms were becoming, they still felt very cold from the nerves and anxiety slowly emanating.

A minute felt like an hour while waiting for the arrival of my father and Miss Angela. Ten minutes later, a call came into the office informing Mrs Cherish that both parents have arrived. I wasn't surprised at the revelation, Angela works in my father's hotel so they must have come together.

"Let them in." Mrs Cherish instructed.

I couldn't look up when the door creaked quietly to indicate their entrance. I tilted my head towards Daphne's face to decipher her expression and from what I saw, she didn't look the least bit repentant. Or perhaps, she's putting up a bold front as usual.

"Good afternoon madam."

"Good day ma."

Dad and Miss Angela greeted simultaneously.

Mrs Cherish nodded in acceptance and replied "Good day to you both too." She turned her gaze towards us.

"Do you know these two young girls?"

They turned in our direction at same time. Their foreheads creased in confusion at the sight before them.
They turned back to face the vice principal. Dad sighed while Angela nodded in affirmation.

"I'll take that as a yes. Please have a seat." She waved at the empty chairs directly facing hers, separated by the large desk between.

"So the reason I called you both was to let you know that your daughters are facing trial right now, to pass the judgement that would decide their fate. It wouldn't be fair to pass the judgement on them without letting their parents in on what they did."

Dad sat up straight and turned back to look at me, there was a question in his eyes. I couldn't hold his stare any longer, I bowed my head in surrender.

"These two young ladies here, were bold enough to engage themselves in fist and pull fight. That is considered a big offense in our school rules, thereby they will be punished." She paused to gauge our parents reaction, then continued.
"We do not know the cause of fight, and I don't care to know. Whatever the reason was, could be discussed when you take them home. For now..."

She looked back at Daphne and I.

"The both of you should take your leave, I'd like to talk to your parents alone."

Daphne and I thanked her and excused ourselves from the room, but I was quick to catch the disappointed look on Angela's face. I'm certain she's used to Daphne acting out, but it must be new for her to learn this about me.

We were instructed to sit down on the lounge outside the VP's office and wait for our parents. Neither of us spoke a word to each other. The fact I that regret fighting with her does not mean I would make an effort to fix things between us. It didn't take long for Ummah and one of her friends who I can't really remember her name, walked up to where we sat.

"Please listen, I know you guys are in big trouble now but I didn't do anything to you girls that you had to tear my note." She was shaking her legs while talking with us, making her body bounce.

"Just get me a new one and recopy all that was in the old one. I'm telling you girls peacefully because I don't want to take it to the higher authorities, WAEC starts next month." She stalked off after ranting.

Her lanky friend following after her like a bee to honey.

Daphne mused after they left. She still looked unrepentant after everything that's happening.
Meanwhile, deep down I'm freaking out. Worried about how dad is going to react, I know he's not going to hurt me physically but sometimes I wish he would than he's normal ignoring methods.

.

We arrived home thirty minutes after the meeting in the VP's office. As expected, dad ignored me throughout the ride home. I felt bittered, I didn't like the tension that grew between us.

We left Daphne and her mother because Miss Angela insisted on taking a cab home. I wonder how things are between them now.
But that's not my problem, I have one before me that I need to face.

"Bella we have to talk." Dad ordered once we stepped into the living room, I've always avoided this aspect of our relationship.

I sighed and turned to look at him. I sat on one of the sofas, not wanting to look him in the eye.

"Do you want me to be happy?"

I looked up at him then, when I heard the question. He looked really broken at that moment.

"Answer me Bells, I'm talking to you." He sounded stern, this is a side of my father that I don't like seeing.

"Of course dad. How could you even think that I'll be against your happiness?"

"Then tell me why you did this? Why did you get into a fight in school, especially with the daughter of the woman, whom you know I had intentions of getting married to. Why Bells?" He tried to control his anger, by keeping his voice low and neutral.

"She pushed me too far dad, believe me I would never deliberately get into a fight with her. What could we even fight over?" It was a rhetorical question, but dad replied anyway.

"Attention perhaps."

I scoffed; because I know too well that Daphne's the insecure one and not me. She needn't fight with me over her mom's affection, she can have it all to herself.

Asides that, I couldn't bring myself to tell Dad what I found about Mom. She made me promise not to tell him, but how should I keep silent when I know how much pain my mom's in.
I want my dad to be happy, but that happiness may cost me my mother.

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Happy New Month DBF lovers.

I just wanted to let this story go as the flow, so there might be quick updates... Yay!!

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