CHAPTER III: THE PUNISHMENT

Angela’s POV

“Best friend, I’m really sorry for what happened yesterday..” Lucy said to me in a very apologizing tone while we are heading towards the school garden.

The three of us decided to have our lunch at the school’s garden.

“You don’t have to apologize Lucy. It’s not your fault.” I replied.

“I’m the one who asked you to apologize to Lucifer that’s why you almost got hurt.. Rafael got hurt because of me too.. I’m really sorry…”

Rafael walked towards her and patted her head. “You’re such a crybaby Lucy Chasung. It’s not your fault so don’t blame yourself. It’s none of us’ fault. That evil Lucifer is just an asshole”

As we arrive at the school garden, we quickly placed the picnic blanket on the grass under a huge Acacia tree.

“It’s so refreshing and calm here. I feel like sleeping.” Lucy said while yawning and slowly laying down on the blanket.

“Go ahead and sleep if you want. Just don’t blame me and Angela if we decided to eat all of these foods without leaving you any of it.” Rafael jokingly said while taking the foods out from the picnic basket.

Lucy then sat promptly and peered on the foods in front of her while gently tapping her belly. “Never mind. I’m not that sleepy yet and I won’t let you eat all of these delicious food!

Rafael and I both laughed at Lucy’s response.

“Let’s now eat!” Rafael bellowed.

“Wait, introduce your dishes first before we eat. So that we could get familiarized with it. Let’s pretend as if we’re eating in a fancy restaurant and the two of you are the chefs while I am your beautiful customer.” Lucy suggested.

Rafael shook his head.

He took a small box of pie from the picnic basket and held it high in front of us. “Uh-hum! Welcome to our restaurant beautiful ladies! Before you eat, I would like to introduce you our foods for today. This one I’m holding right now is what you call Rafael’s Special Caprese Sandwich and the other one is what we call, Chicken mole Tacos made just for our two beautiful and big-eater guests.” He said while sounding like a real gourmet.

“Hey, I’m not a big-eater!” Lucy protested. “Chef Rafael is a bad-mouthed chef so let’s not consider him as a good cook. Let’s now proceed to our next beautiful Chef, Angela Santos!” she said while pretending to be holding a microphone on her hand.

I took the one that I cooked and showed it to them. “Uh.. This one is what we call Chicken Mole Taco while the other one is called Angela’s Special Egg pie. I hope you’ll like it!”

Lucy clapped her hands exaggeratingly.

“Why didn’t you applaud me too?” Rafael pouted at Lucy.

“Because you called me a big-eater “

“Did I really call you that? I can’t remember anything.”

Lucy teasingly rolled her eyes on Rafael and looked at me. “Angela, don’t you ever fall for a guy like Raffy. He’s such a bully.”

I just let out a laugh for both of them then took the drinks out of the picnic basket.

“H-Hey, what are you saying there? I’m not a bully!” Rafael said while pretending to cry like a kid.

“HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

I glanced at the two of them as we started eating. They can’t stop teasing each other and I can’t help but to laugh too. Whenever I see them being like this, and whenever I’m with them, I somehow forget about my problems and feel that I was never alone. I think having friends that understand you and accepts you for who you are is very important yet hard to find. I just can’t lose any of them.. I don’t want that to happen, ever.

‘Good Morning. The following students of Chasung High that I will be mentioning, please proceed to the Dean’s Office.’

The three of us squinted at each other as if we all have the same thoughts in our heads.

‘Mr. Rafael Fordano, Miss Lucy Chasung, Miss Angela Santos, and Mr. Lucifer Moden please kindly bring yourselves to the Dean’s Office.’ The voice coming from the school speaker stated.

Lucy placed her palm on her mouth while looking at me and Rafael.

Rafael just shrugged and spoke, “Let’s go.”

I gently patted Lucy’s shoulder and we began cleaning our mess.

***

“Please the three of you, be seated.” The Dean ordered the three of us in a monotone voice.

We all sat on the chairs lined in front of him.

He looked at each of us while shaking his head with a disappointment on his face.

“Where’s Mr. Moden?” he asked.

The three of us peered at each other when the glass door opened.

“Speaking of the asshole.” Rafael mumbled.

Lucy secretly nudged him.

I straightened my back as Lucifer sat on the chair beside mine and put his feet up on the Dean’s table.

All of us were shocked for his obviously inappropriate behavior but Dean just cleared his throat then stood up.

“Last night, four Chasung High students were caught fighting inside the classroom. And that students are you four.” He said while pointing a finger on each of us. “Mind telling me the reason behind that, Mr. Fordano?” he asked, looking at Rafael.

Rafael quickly stood up. “Dean, Lucifer was the one who started the fight.  He was about to hurt Angela when Lucy and I came then—

“WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY, YOU MORON?! YOUR FUCKING GIRLFRIEND WAS THE ONE WHO PUNCHED ME, YOU DUNCE!” Lucifer growled while looking at me.

“Mr. Moden, watch your words!” Dean warned him.

Lucifer just sank down on his chair while glaring at Dean.

Dean tilted his body towards me. “Is that true, Miss Santos?” he asked me.

I stood up and while my hands shaking. I nodded and he shook his head because of disappointment. “Miss Santos, you are a scholar of Chasung High, right? I thought you’re one of the good role models of our students but it turned out that you’re one of those trouble-makers.”

I lowered my head.

“I-It’s not her fault Dean! She’s just trying to protect me that’s why… That’s why she… punched Lucifer…” Lucy muttered.

“tsk tsk tsk Miss Chasung, do you know what’s going to happen when your parents knew about this? Do you think I’ll spare you just because you’re the CEO’s daughter? Miss Chasung, your parents told me not to tolerate our students from doing things that ruin the school’s image, and you’re one of those students!”

“Dean, Lucy and Angela has nothing to do with the fight, It’s me and Lucifer who—“ Rafael stated, trying to save Lucy and I so I stood up again and speak.

“No Dean, it’s my fault. Rafael just wanted to protect me from Lucifer so—

“No! I’m the one who started the commotion! I tried to approach Lucifer that’s why—“

Dean impatiently tapped the table which made a loud baam that stopped the three of us from speaking. “Enough making excuses now! I don’t care who started the fight! The fact that the four of you are involved then I should give you all corresponding punishments! Chasung High doesn’t tolerate the kind of behavior that you have so whether you like it or not, each of you ought to take the punishments!” he yelled.

Dean cleared his throat once again before continuing to speak. “Since the four of you can’t be joined in one place, we decided to just pair you up in twos. The first pair is Mr. Fordano and Miss Chasung. The two of you will be assigned to our school’s cafeteria. You’ll be cooking, cleaning and serving together with the other staff there.”

“WHAT?! B-but I can’t even hold a knife!” Lucy protested.

“She’s right. She might hurt herself by cooking or cutting the ingredients. I can take her place if it’s okay..” I suggested.

I know cooking is the only thing that Lucy hates the most. I understand her because unlike me, she was born with their maids cooking for them. I just can’t stand seeing her doing something that she hates because of my own fault.

“I heard that Mr. Fordano excels mostly in subjects that are related with cooking so there’s no need for you to worry about Miss Chasung.” Dean said.  “Now, Miss Santos.”

Dean shifted his gaze towards me. “I know that you used to work as our school’s librarian before.”

“Y-yes Dean..”

“Good. Then it will be easier for you to teach Mr. Moden about the things that librarians do.”

I peered at Lucifer’s face and I saw him just scrolling down on his phone with his thumb.

“Dean, you can’t let Angela be alone with that man! He almost hurt her! You can’t tell what else he can do if ever—

“Enough now, Mr. Fordano. You can’t complain about the punishments. If you don’t want to be given such punishments, then behave like a good student!”

Rafael glanced at me and I mouthed him that It’s alright with me. He had no choice but to remain still and silent.

“Your punishments will start next week until the end of the first semester.”

“WHAT?!” we all reacted in chorus.

“How about our classes?” I asked.

“You’ll be doing your duties after your morning classes.” Dean answered while fixing his blue polka-dotted tie.

“Then how about our afternoon classes?” this time, Rafael was the one who asked.

“You’ll be excused.” Dean nonchalantly replied. “But that doesn’t mean you’re exempted for all the examinations, quizzes, seat works, and projects. Meaning, you have to self-study to be able to catch up with your afternoon lessons. You need to pass the examinations, or else you’ll have to face the punishment twice.” He added.

“But Dean!” Lucy tried to complain.

“No buts now. The three of you, you can leave my office now.” He said, pertaining to Rafael, Lucy and Lucifer who actually wove his way already outside even before Dean commanded us to.

Lucy and Rafael were hesitating to leave without me but I said that I’ll follow them afterwards.

“Now, Miss Santos.” Dean said while leaning on his swivel chair.

I automatically straightened my back. “Y-Yes Dean?”

“Do you have any idea why I decided to pair you up with Mr. Moden?” he asked me as he began reading the pile of papers above his desk.

“No Dean..”

He stopped scanning the papers and looked at me. “We all know how awful Mr. Moden as a student. He does excel in every subject without necessarily attending the class everyday but his attitude is just TOO unbearable.”

I’m just listening to every single word that he says, trying to understand what he’s pointing out.

“Miss Chasung is the one and only daughter of our CEO while Mr. Fordano’s family invested a lot of money in our school.” He said while staring at me. “Have you heard about Mr. Moden before?”

“Huh? N-not at all..”

He nodded then started speaking again.“Mr. Moden’s family can buy Chasung High in CASH if he wanted to.”

My eyes widened hearing what Dean had said.

They must be so rich!

“Yes, Mr. Moden’s family is THAT wealthy. That’s why despite of him being involved into big troubles, Mr. Moden can still go to school and live his life without worrying about anything or anyone. Do you know the recent fight he’s been involved into?”

I shook my head.

I really know nothing about him except from the fact that he’s Lucy’s first love.

“He recently had a fight with one of our students named Joseph. Joseph is one of the wealthiest students here in Chasung High but just like Mr. Moden, he’s a trouble magnet too, knowing that he’s the leader of a well-known gang here.”

“May I ask why are you saying these things to me?” I politely asked.

He stifled a laugh and stood up. “In other words, we cannot put the lives of our most precious students at stake. Mr. Joseph is in a critical condition right now after having a fight with Mr. Moden. We already lost a big-time investor so we cannot afford to lose another one.”

I get it.

“Don’t worry Miss Santos.” He suddenly leaned closer to me then whispered, “If anything happens to you, Chasung High will shoulder ALL the expenses even your interment.”

I balled my hand into a fist.

“You may now go, Miss Santos. Good Luck.” Dean said as he sank down on his swivel chair.

“I understand everything that you said, but can you promise me one thing?” I said while maintaining an eye contact with him.

“Of course, what is it?”

I took a deep breath before speaking. “Promise me that you’ll give my two siblings a scholarship grant. If something happens to me, there will be no other guardian that will take my place so please, promise me that you’ll take care of them for me…”