Chapter 13: The Punishment

Astrid's POV:

I was scared. Very scared. But I went to Ms. Sophie's office. I found Lucas standing there already.

"Astrid. Your and his assignments are exactly the same. You have two minutes. Decide who wants to take the punishment!" she shouted.

We looked at each other. He looked down and then he looked towards mam.

"Ma’am, I—" he was speaking when I interrupted.

"Mam, I'm the one who copied Lucas' assignment" I said. He looked at me with shock, but I didn't look at him back. I was looking at Ms. Sophie.

"Fine Astrid, this is the second time you're gonna go to the principal. It has been just a few days since you joined this college!! Come with me!" she said and dragged me to the principal's office.

I remembered that Noah told me that I should just keep quiet in front of principal sir. That's what I'll do then.

"Astrid! I've never seen any college girl that came two times to the principal's office just in a week of joining!! You're going to be suspended soon if you come here again!" he started shouting on me. After a while, I said sorry and left the office.

When I came back to my class, Lucas was already sitting in the class. He didn't see me, so I just went to my seat and sat down. Nobody in the class knew about this issue. Lucas didn't speak to me.. Or I mean that he didn't get time. So, everything went normal until the lunch period.

"Astrid, Ms. Sophie is calling you to her office" The class president said again.

"Okay" I said sadly and went to her. I was quite afraid.

"Astrid. I called you today because I've never seen a girl being so notorious. You have already gone two times to the principal's office in your first week. So, I suppose you need a good lesson!" she said which made me shiver in fear.

"I'm... I'm sorry Mam... I'll not repeat it.." I tried to convince her, but she was nowhere near to the 'understanding type of person'.

"You are punished and according to that you have to skip the lunch today and run in the college ground the entire period!" she yelled, and my head started spinning.

What did she just say? Am I a robot? How am I supposed to do that? She's so cruel. Without lunch how will I run?? But I can't do anything...

"Ma’am—" I was begging for pardon, but she yelled, and it was deafening.

"I said get out and do what I told you!!" she yelled. I ran away with fear.

I met Ava when I came out. I made her run till we were in the ground.

"What happened, Astrid? Why was she shouting???" Ava asked really tensed.

"I've been punished... I have to run here the entire lunch," I told her.

"What? Why?" she asked me.

Oh yeah. She doesn't know about it. But I can't tell her the truth. Otherwise, she'll also think bad about him "That... Actually.. I! I copied Lucas' assignment.. That's why.." I told.

"Oh really? Am I a fool? I'm damn sure he copied, and you took the blame" she said with the surety I can never have.

"Whatever it is..."I said.

"Astrid. Here's a friendly advice. I don't think you're on the right path" Ava said which made me shocked.

"What do you mean Ava..." I asked.

"Nothing. Leave it. Now are you gonna really run?" Ava asked me.

"Hmm" I said and started running. Before going, I told her to go back and have lunch. But she insisted on staying there only. So, she sat on the side bench, and I started running. She even asked if I needed a company. But all I was wondering was... Where's Lucas...

Every time the lunch period seems so small. But this time, it feels like eternal. It's been almost 30 minutes and I'm going to faint if it continues. Ava told me that it's enough and Ms. Sophie isn't watching but I denied... I have to do this. And that's when I fainted.

I fell on the ground unconscious. I remember Ava came and tried waking me up, but I didn't have the spirit to even respond.

All I remember after that was that I laid on the bed in the infirmary. I didn't open my eyes, but I could hear people saying things like "She's fine"

"The doctor is here"

"She doesn't need any examinations"

"She'll be fine with rest"

So, I understood it was an infirmary.

Soon I heard a familiar voice.

"For God's sake. Tell me, doctor how can she faint like this?? I don't know anything; you have to do the tests if you even feel a 1% chance that you need to. She hasn't woken up till now. If anything happens to her, then don't blame me for breaking everything her!! I'm telling you! You better treat her well. I want her well at any costs!! I don't care what it takes!" a guy spoke cum shouted.

The voice was familiar. Was he...?