Chapter 121

Chapter 121
Pearl, Evelyn, Tiffany, and Ashley spent most of the evening with me until it was thirty minutes before dinner and they had to return to their rooms. We said our goodbyes and they left.
Seeing them leave, I wished they could stay a bit longer; we had a lot of things to talk about and had a lot of fun too.
Kath wasn't back yet so I went to take my bath and then get dressed. I pressed my phone to keep myself busy while waiting for Kath, who came in a few minutes later, and we left the room.
"What do you plan to do?" She asked on our way.
I furrowed my brows. "About what?"
"The girls? They would try to disrespect you again. You can't let that happen."
I smiled. "Don't worry, Kath. I have it all planned out."
Kath stared at me. "What is your plan? Can it bring them to order?"
I shrugged. I can't say. But I hope so.
"I don't know. But we will find out soon."
That... ended the conversation. We walked in silence to the dining hall and as usual, Kath left when she got to the door. I took a deep breath and then walked into the hall.
I was ready to get laughed at but luckily, I was the first. I found my way to my seat and then sat down to wait for Tiffany and Ashley.
It took a while before two girls walked in. They saw me and began to murmur. I could hear them expressing their surprise at how I was able to come for dinner after being flogged.
"She doesn't look hurt." One of the girls said.
"I think she is strange," the other girl said.
I stared at them briefly and went on to play with my fingers. They kept on talking about me but I cared less about it. I just waited patiently for Ashley and Tiffany.
They soon got tired of me and began to talk about other things. I stared at the wall clock and it was five minutes before six. Pearl, Ashley, and Tiffany came in a minute later.
I waved at them and then gestured to them to walk quickly.
"Why is the hall empty?" Tiffany asked, looking around. "It's almost six."
I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess they want me to be punished again."
"You can't let that happen," Tiffany said.
"What do you plan to do?" Pearl asked.
"You really need to have a plan or you will get into more trouble," Ashley said.
I smiled. At first, I had wanted to keep my plans to myself and give the girls another chance, hoping they wouldn't cause me any more trouble but I guess I was wrong.
I won't let that happen though.
"Come closer," I mumbled.
They moved closer to me and I briefed them on what I planned to do.
"Wow, that sounds like a pretty good plan," Ashley said.
Tiffany nodded. "I think it's a good plan too."
"It's a good plan but do you think that would work?" Pearl asked. "What if it doesn't?'
I sighed. It has to. Or how would I bring them to order?
"If it doesn't work, you try something else," Ashley said. "You can't give up."
I nodded. I won't.
"If it doesn't work, we can think of something else together," Pearl said.
"We will be more than willing to help," Tiffany said.
"Thank you so much, girls. You're the best."
"Can we talk about something else now?" Pearl said. "I'm getting bored."
"It's already six," Tiffany said. "Kath and the other girls will be here soon."
I looked around. Only a few girls had come into the hall.
"I do not think the rest of the girls want to keep the rules," Ashley said. "That is another punishment for you."
"What are you going to do? Carry out that plan?" Pearl asked.
I shook my head. "I won't. I have not given them a heads up yet."
"I don't think they need that," Ashley said. "It's well written in the handbook that everyone should be in the hall before the time."
Tiffany stood up. "Then we should lock the door."
"What about the maids? How would they come in?" I asked.
Pearl nodded. "I was about to ask that."
"I don't think you can carry that out today," Ashley said. "Maybe tomorrow."
"Then what happens today?" Tiffany asked, folding her arms. "You sit and let them have their ways?"
Pearl smiled. "I have an idea."
We all directed our gaze on her. "Which is?"
"Let them in but they don't get to eat. What do you think?"
I rolled my eyes. I am not doing that.
"Their maids listen to them not me."
"Every maid here listens to Kath and Kath listens to you," Ashley said.
I nodded. I didn't think about that. But what if they do not listen to Kath just like their masters don't listen to me?
"What if they do not listen..."
"Trust me, Kath is not an easy nut to crack," Ashley said.
I nodded. Kath is Ashley's maid after all. She should know her better.
"There is another option," Tiffany said. "If the maids come in before them, we can lock the door."
Ashley smiled. "Tiffany, you're so obsessed with closing the door."
"Because they deserve that." Tiffany rolled her eyes.
"Well, if their maids are here, then they will be too," Ashley said.
"My suggestion seems to be the better solution right now," Pearl said, and we all agreed to it.
"I will take down the numbers of those in the hall," Tiffany said. "It's easier to carry out our plan, that way."
Ashley handed over her jotter and pen to Tiffany, who went on to take down the numbers of the girls seated. The girls stared at her. Some ask why she was taking down their numbers.
"Just wait and see," Tiffany answered. She returned to her seat and dropped the jotter on the table. "Only six showed up aside from us."
"Ten are absent?" Pearl asked.
"You mean eleven? Aren't there twenty-one girls here?"
Pearl chuckled. "I was only kidding."
I sighed. I thought she was serious about it.
Kath and the other maids walked. Ashley was right; all the other girls showed up just in time, walking so majestically. They showed no remorse and that got me angry.
They must think I can't do anything to them.
"I told ya," Ashley whispered.
They were all chatting. Some of them told their maids to serve the food, but the maids made no move. I could see Kath talking to them; I guess she was stopping them.
Did Nyra make the girls do all of this? Or are they just being rude?
I tried to get their attention as usual but they ignored me.
"These girls are so rude," Tiffany said.
"How do you plan to get their attention?" Ashley asked. "Do you have something you want to say to them?"
I sighed. Nothing.
I wanted to change my mind, ignore the list, and let everyone eat if they were quiet.
But now.... I am not doing that.