Chapter 99 Monday riot

Chapter 99 Monday riot

\[Margo's POV\]
As soon as I walked into school, all eyes were on me. I bet the news of my cheating in exam had spread round the school. Someone even had the effontery to take a picture of me.
'You mind?!' I yelled at the petite girl who turned away to whisper with her friends.
Adira was standing by the elevator with a small smile. When our eyes locked, she turned away, taking the girls with her. Great.
I took the stairs to class. The elevator's would be the worst decision. The school press will troll my life till it's over.
On my way, I meet a tall dude dressed in a white T-shirt and black pressed trousers. That's not our uniform. At least not the emblem. His face isn't familiar to me. His features are something out of a Mill and Boons novel. The dude is tall with short blonde hair. He's blessed with a squared jaw, cobalt-blue eyes covered by round framed glasses, plump orange lips. And when he spoke, he smiled. I feel my heart skip a bit. He's charming. Who is this handsome stranger?
Before I could tell him anything, he spoke up. 'So sorry. Excuse me.'
Wow, he's English. Okay.
'Yes?' It came out as a whisper.
'Do you know who Charlotte Melbourne is?' He asked.
'Yes. I know who she is.' I give him my best smile and he smiles even more. Now, I'm in love.
'Do you mind giving this to her?' He whipped a pink pouch from his trouser pocket. 'It's where she keeps her pen and stuff. Apparently, she left home in a hurry.'
I take the pouch slowly from him. 'Oh. Okay.'
Why does Charlotte know all the cute guys?
'Thank you.' He pat my arm before walking past me.
I stood there frozen. Omg, he pat my arm. His touch feels so soft. I wonder what his kiss will feel like.
The PA system chimed and I'm knocked back to my sense. Way to go, Alan Institute.
I walk to the D - room and there came the occasional stares. Even when dad managed to talk to the principals about my involvement in Exam malpractice, the rumours still linger. Truth is I'm not the only students whose cheated in an exam, why is my case different? What? The poor kids don't like it when rich kids cheat? Too bad.
Adira who was talking with Stacy but when I sat behind her, they pulled away. Nice one. Keep adding insult to injury there, girls.
'What is she even doing here?' Hina rolled her eyes.
Remember, Hina from the Escape room? Yeah, she got into the detention exam hall with us. She's mad at me for cheating. Here's why. The 5 principals of Alan banned the use of phones within school grounds. Crazy thing is our exam will be over tomorrow. Why the strictness now? Its of no use.
'Pipe down, Jap.' Lenin glared at her and she pursed her lips.
The first years are terrified of Lenin. They've probably heard his scores in H.A.S and the final one for the semester will be on Prom night. I hope so doesn't play. I too am terrified ot what he can do. He's not dangerous per se. Let's just say he gets a bit overenthusiastic about the game especially when there's a price tag on it. Now, that I think about it, how is he even a student again? I thought he got expelled after the Hide and Seek where Charlotte and Lin nearly lost their lives. Well, money revolves around this school. I don't even wanna know how he got back here.
Gertrude walked into the hall.
Our eyes locked and she frowned. 'Miss Margo.'
I knew what was coming. I pushed back my seat and stood to my feet. 'Present.'
They're gonna move me to another exam hall.
'Follow me. You'll be writing your exam today in the director's office.'
'What?' I echoed and so did everyone.
Wait. I did not see that coming.
'Wait. I don't understand.' Charlotte took to her feet but Gertrude interrupted her with a hush.
'That's the instruction I received.' She said without a smile. 'Come on, Margo.'
Shivers travel down my spine and I swallow enough air. The director. I've never been to his office before. I haven't even seen him before. No one had except Levi, Lenin and Derek and I wonder what he looks like.
Quietly, I follow Gertrude out of the hall. We take the elevator to the first floor. The chills kept running down my spine and I feel the hair on my neck stand. Why am I so scared? My palms are clammy from sweat and I rub them together.
Gertude doesn't even spare me a glance or even a word. She was quiet. Was she scared of the director too?
The elevator dinged open and we both walk out of it but she didn't go further.
'The door to the left. Open it.' She said.
'What?' I'm confused. 'You're not coming with me.'
'I have to invigilate D - hall. Now, move along.' She turned to leave.
'Wait.' I went after her.
'Margo, don't make this hard on yourself. The director is friendly. He's not a horrible person.' She gave me a small smile and pat my hair. The look on her face shows she's tellings the truth but her eyes — her pupils are dilating. Holy shit. She's scared of the man.
'Don't let me go in there, please. I can wrote my exam in the bathroom but please, don't send me there. It's the same as going to hell.' I whispered that last part.
Who the hell lets students host a game of hunter and prey? To make it all worse, the game is streamed online and people from all over the world watch. Mind you, our faces are blurred but I've seen one of the vidoes and I was there. I saw myself. The person that lets this happen, is that person friendly?
'Miss Margo?' I heard my name.
Gertrude punched the button, disappearing into the elevator. It was just me.
I whipped around only to see Mr Gale. What's he doing up here? Then it clicked. Someone please tell me he's not the director.
'My office please. You exam begins in a few minutes.' He said.
'Crap.' I whispered and followed behind him.
His hands were folded behind him like some kungfu master and he was quiet. I expected that but I didn't expect to see Mr Gale here. Forgive me if I'm wrong but he doesn't give me "director" vibes. I'm supposed to feel scared of him but I don't. Strangely, I feel sorry for his poor acting. I've been on a movie et since I was 5. I know all about acting and this man was not doing justice to his role. I might be wrong about him being the director but still this doesn't feel right. They're hiding something here.
We stopped in front of a black door and Mr Gale pulled up to the wall. His right eye was scanned. Woah. It's really serious? This dude might really be the director.
'After you.' He smiled at me.
You've gotta be kidding me. There's absolutely no way in hell I'm going in first. Right here is the genius behind Hide and Seek telling me to go alone into his office. No way. I wasn't born yesterday.
'Fine.' He must've noticed my uneasiness and stepped in first. Then I followed.
When I did, the door clicked shut.
I nearly jumped. 'Jesus.'
'Have a seat.' Gale said without emotion.
There it is, now he's acting the part. Now, I feel scared.
He walk to where his desk is and sink in the black swivel chair. I take a seat in front of the desk.
Fron the room, I could hear the PA system. I've always wondered who gives all the announcements. Is it him? Couldn't be. Sometimes, it's a female voice.
'Get ready for your exam, students.' The computer voice echoed.
It sounds different now.
'Are you ready?' He asked me.
I'm supposed to nod but instead I say. 'Yeah.'
I know nothing about what I want to write. Who the hell cares about history anyways?
'Begin.' Came the instruction from the PA system.
I took a look at the desk. There's my question pqper and answer sheet. God, I wish this was CBT and not handwritten.
'Go on.' Mr Gale leaned back lazily into his seat and I just stared at him. Is he really the director?
'You have a question for me?' He smiled.
I shook my head then I gave a nod. 'Wait. Are you the director?'
'And why would you think that?' He laughed so hard. If it weren't for the fact that he was leaning against the chair, I swear, he would've slapped his knee.
'What's so funny?' I frowned. I hate it when people laugh at me as though I was stupid which I am but mine has limits.
Mr Gale sat up. 'I'm not the director. Hell, I wish I was.'
'What? But Gertrude said I should come in here to write my exam or am i in the wrong room?' I looked around. This play does give "director" vibes. The setting is office-like but has a touch of a museum. And by that I mean, there are lots of ancient artifacts and paintings. I recognise the painting of Tsar Nicholas I and a chinese flowerpot. There are also small white Roman statues sitting on platforms. All stationed by a wall painted golden. It's either I'm seeing crazy or it's my mind playing tricks on me because I caught the glimpse of an Arabic inscription. I don't remember Mr Gale being moslem or is he? But he's American.
'Eyes front.' He said.
I tore my gaze to the desk.
'This is the director's office. My salary is pretty swell but we both know I can't have this type of office.' Mr Gale tapped on the question paper and I took it in my hand.
I peered at the paper. Wait. Was I ever taught this? Why the hell does it look like rocket science to me?
'No one is allowed to see the director. Not even me.' Mr Gale added.
'But why?' I asked. I had to know.
'Focus on your paper.' He pushed the paper towards me.
I pushed the paper back to him. 'No. I won't write the exam till you tell me.'
He scoffed. 'Don't write it then. I won't be the one failing.'
'You're evil.' I squint at him.
'Far be it from me.' He laughed.
The next 10 minutes were the worst minutes of my life. I was answering the questions based on common knowledge. I'm not even sure I'm right. Now, I wish I hadn't yelled at Lin. She would've given the answers by now.
'Are you done?' Mr Gale asked.
I look at him then my paper. To hell with it. I need answers about H.A.S. 'Yeah.'
He didn't even care to look at my answer script. He turned it upside down on the desk and linked his fingers together.
'So you won't bother to check what I wrote? What kind of teacher are you?' I lean back in my seat.
'I already know you wrote trash and will be repeating a year once you fail.' He said with a smile.
My fingers suddenly itched to slap the daylight out of him but he's better off dead in my head.
'Repeat a year? No way!' I yelled. Wait. Repeating a year wouldn't be so bad. Look at Levi and Lenin. Wait. Now, I remember they got an extra year after that girl's death.
'How did Levi and Lenin get an extra year?' I leaned forward.
'They got arrested for murder.' He answered honestly.
Wwit. So they went to real jail?
He went on. 'They were released after 2 weeks.'
'Why?' This is all new to me.
'That I don't know but they were expelled from school.' Mr Gale took to his feet with my script in hand.
'If you're not the director then who is.' I asked.
'That's easy. He's the man you see everyday. Mr Ratcliff.' Gale walked out of the office, leaving me stunned.