Punishment

It was our teacher, Ms. Lily who also had very big impact on judging. She always was fair with every decision. She said, "I have heard everything. Do not worry, everything will be fair." I was actually relieved that she heard everything. If I had to explain I would have had to give some proof. Now, that I was just telling my friends she would obviously think that I was not lying and the facts were enough. She said that she actually came here to see me after what happened.

After changing we went to her office. Her decision was respected by many. So, she called for a meeting ASAP with the other judges and teachers in the meeting room. We heard an announcement after that. Everyone was expected in the hall. I did not know what happened in the meeting, so I went to the hall with Alice, Marie and Annie. We sat at the corner. I did not want to face anyone else.

The host suddenly said that, the winner for the program has changed. The host said that the winner was the one who was second in position. Monica was called up on the stage first and she had to hand her awards and gifts to the other girl. After that the host called for Jammie and me. I did not know what was happening. At first, I hesitated and when I saw that Ms. Lily looked at me and telling me to go, I went on the stage. The hall was somewhat noisy by what was happening. The host managed to keep the hall silence.

Ms. Lily came up on the stage. She looked at Monica and said, "I expect that you have something to say. She handed her a mic." Monica took the mic and she said, "I am sorry, Sarah. It was all my fault. Please forgive me." She knelt down. After that Jammie also said the same thing and knelt. I was shocked. I… I could not say anything. The whole hall was again little noisy. In my whole class it was Monica and Jammie with whom I hang out. But… but they did this to me. I felt betrayed. Tears came from my eyes but I wiped it and did not say anything.

Ms. Lily spoke up, "Today, whatever had happened in the event about the wardrobe malfunction, it was their plans. As it had happened in front of everyone, to make you all sure that this never happens again in this reputed school, you all should know what the punishment is. Monica and Jammie are expelled from this school. Also, they will not be able to study in any other reputed schools for at least two years. Obviously their parents are already informed. So, every one of you should know that not any type of injustice can be seen in this school. I hope you all behave properly with your friends."

When she said the last line, she looked at me. She wanted to tell others that they should not misbehave with me. My eyes were wet again. I did not know how to thank Ms. Lily. However I did not want Monica and Jammie to be expelled. I thought that they could be suspended for at least a week. So, after the announcement I went to Ms. Lily's office to ask what had happened and to thank her for believing me and also to forgive Monica and Jammie. I did not want their few years to be waste. When, I went to the office, Monica and Jammie were already in the office. I ignored them and thanked Ms. Lily at first.

I said, "Ms. Lily can you not expel them. If you want to punish them then you can suspend them for a week or more." Ms. Lily was first shocked to hear what I said then she replied, "You should not be so forgiving. And maybe after you hear their reason you will not tell me to not expel them. However it's not your choice to punish them. Yes, but if want to add more punishment we can consider about that however whatever they did also made an impact on our school's reputation. So, the punishment will not be changed. Anyways first listen to their reason."

Ms. Lily said again, "You will have to wait to listen to their reason. Their next punishment is stating their own mistakes in front of their parents. They will be here any time sooner." Both Monica and Jammie who did not have any guilt in their expression suddenly their face turned pale. It seemed like they did not feel any sense of guilt until Ms. Lily stated their parents. After waiting for almost like minutes, both of their parents were in office. Both of them were from high status family. That was also the reason many students always clung onto them. None of us sat except Ms. Lily on her chair. Both their parents stood next to their children. While I felt like I should not sit when everyone else is standing.

Jammie's mother asked to Ms. Lily, "Why did you say that you are expelling her? I do not think so she is someone who will do anything wrong to anyone." Monica's father also nodded and said, "We belong to high standard family. We have our own standards. We do not mess with low people." He looked at me in disgust suspecting for sure that I was the reason although it was their own children’s fault.

Ms. Lily said, "I am not here to waste my time hearing about your status and all. I want them to confess their mistakes." She looked at Monica and Jammie and said, "Both of you tell your own involvement from the beginning." For a few minutes both of them did not speak anything until Monica's father said, "Don't worry dear, I know you have not done anything wrong. I will make sure that whoever made you feel low will pay by leaving this school instead."

Finally, Monica spoke up thinking that her father will support her now. She said the whole story. Jammie was a best friend of Tanie. They shared many things with each other. Tanie had said that I was a bother in her life. I was a block on her love life. She hated me so much. She wanted to damage my life. She had said to Jammie that she could not do anything to me because she was in the city for her studies and had no support on her. However, Tanie was not involved in this plan. But whatever Tanie said to Jammie was all wrong and only I knew that. Jammie had told this to Monica. So, they planned everything. But not everything went accordingly. They had thought that my dress would fall and that would be a fun show to everyone watching and I might not show my face to anyone in this world anymore. However, they were a little happy that their plan was a little success. To their bad luck, Ms. Lily found out everything. They had to spill truth in front of everyone in the meeting. She also said at last that why would high standard people like them hang out with a lowly life like me?

After hearing all these, I felt like I... I do not know what I felt. My legs trembled and I sat down. I was shocked. I was terrified to what level they had thought their plan. Obviously if my dress had fallen then, I would be completely naked in front of everyone. My upper part would have been completely exposed. Every inch of my skin would have been exposed. Only my underpants would have been left on my body. I was disgusted by their thoughts. I was sad because although they were not so close to me I had thought them as my friends. I finally knew the reason why Ms. Lily told me to listen the reason first. I could not say anything. Only my tears fell from my eyes. I was also scared that if she had said everything with confidence even in front of her father, then obviously her father will support her no matter what. I had heard their parents were powerful. So, I thought I was dragging Ms. Lily with me out of this school.