HER CUP IS FINALLY FULL

CHAPTER SEVENTY

My foot moves but I’m not the one moving them or so I think because I don’t want to. My steps are heavy and slow. My eyes look at the accusing pairs all on me. Phones thrust in my face and more and more people come running to see what was going on.

I look as Kat’s still body on the floor and wonder if she’d dead. Miss Lana is beside her, checking her pulse as Coach Torrie runs towards her, looking at me with disappointment and shaking her head. Everything seems to be happening like a movie with a sad ending playing in slow motion.

An ambulance sounds in the distance and I continue to drag my feet all the way to the principal’s office. His secretary asks me to go right in.

I knock on his door and even that sounds heavy and noisy. My palms are sweaty.

“Come in.” Mr. Crest’s voice reaches me and I open the door, stepping into the cold office.

Mr. Crest is a tall man who bears a great resemblance to his son. I should say its vise versa rather since Ryan is the younger one. He’s tall and looks like the older version of Ryan Crest. He’s the type who can easily switch from very nice to very cruel so you never know what you’re getting.

“This is a first, Miss Waters. I’ve been told you pushed the new transfer student, Katie Jer down the stairs.” He goes straight to the point.

“That’s not true. She grabbed me and i.. I just took her hands off. I didn’t even push her.”

“Let me guess. You’d say she pushed herself down.”

“Yes! At least you believe it. Kat is crazy.. She pushed herself down. I didn’t push her. I never did.”

He sighs exasperatedly.

“You don’t believe me. I didn’t do it. Why doesn’t anyone believe me?” I yell a tears threatened to flow

His laptop is turned towards me and the CCTV footage from the scene plays. From the angle it looks like we were in a squabble and I actually pushed her.

“This clearly shows you did. And several people heard you guys arguing.”

“I didn’t do it. She’s setting me up. It’s a misunderstanding.”

“You honestly think someone would throw herself down the stairs just to harm you?”

“I do. Because she’s seriously crazy enough.”

“Aaliyah are you sure this has nothing to do with her joining the cheer team? I know how the school operates. I have a son your age here.”

“I didn’t do it.”

“Are your parents still not in the country?”

“Don’t call them for this. Dad is already mad at me. I can’t get in more trouble.”

“You should have thought about that before pushing your mate down the stairs.”

“You can punish me but please just don’t tell them. I’d even do manual labor.”

“Manual labor? You think your offense deserves just manual labor? We are looking at indefinite suspension here.”

“Go back to class for now. The disciplinary board would hold a meeting and get back to you with the verdict by the end of the day. For the sake of the cordiality between our families, I’d try to lesson your punishment but don’t hope for much and reflect on your actions.” He says before dismissing me.

I head back out. People whisper ‘murderer’ and point fingers at me but I ignore them. I was tired of saying I didn’t do it and having no one believe me.

My eyes are red and teary and I sniffle, my breathing is ragged. Tears cloud my vision and everything appears blurred like we are underwater. Something wet touches my cheek and I realize I’m crying.

I go into the nearest washroom and lock myself in the stall. My phone vibrates and I look at it. There are twenty five missed calls from Kieran and unopened messages from Chloe. I’m being tagged in posts.

Footsteps walk into the washroom and I hear two girls talking as they wash their hands and fix their make-up.

“I knew Aaliyah was scary but not that wicked.” One of the girl says.

“I know right. I heard Kat was accepted into the cheer team. Do you think it’s because of that?”

“Obviously. She’s so cliquey and exclusive about that team. The cheer team is not even all that.”

“All they do is throw themselves at the basketball players and flaunt their daddy and mummy’s money. They don’t even win us any trophies. I feel bad for Kat. ”

That’s not true. The cheer team is a prestigious and recognized one for our performances but no one would admit it because of the envy and jealousy.

“I know right. We finally get one girl who is good enough to make it onto the team despite Aaliyah’s many requirement and standards and see what she did to her.”

“Unfortunately for her she was caught on video this time and an ambulance was called. The police might even get involved. She won’t be getting away that easily.”

“Her cup is finally full.” She scoffs.

I cover my mouth as I cry hard, not letting any sound out and biting my lip.

I didn’t do it. No one believes me.

How could they say such things. I wipe my nose angrily as the tears continue to flow.

“Get out.” A distant male voice reaches my ear before my stall is kicked in and the door crashes into the wall.

A furious Kieran is at the door but he’s expression changes to one of shock once he sees me. I always try to put up a strong front so it must be shocking seeing me in a mess like this.

“Aali”

“Kieran…”

“Come here.” He says gently and I get up from the toilet seat, going to him. He embraces me ina hug and my tears and runny nose leave prints in his shirt but he doesn’t care as he holds me whilst I cry in his chest.

“Kieran, I didn’t push her.”

“I know, I believe you.” He says, rubbing my back and comforting me.

It only makes me cry harder.

At last someone believes me.