The white cloth gently pressed against the open wound. The girl in the bath bites her lower lip to try and endure the pain.
"Aw!" she cried out loudly as one of the maids accidentally pressed her back wound too hard.
The maid looked very surprised. Spontaneously, she bowed her body. "I'm sorry, miss. Please forgive me."
Callista became confused at the look of fear on that face. It seemed like the slightest mistake was not tolerated here, yet she was not part of this mansion.
"It's okay," she replied briefly.
"He inflicts wounds, heals, then inflicts wounds again. Is he content to do this to me like a puppet?" Callista thought with a bitter smile.
With the help of the maids, the school uniform, which was usually very difficult to put on, now became easier. They even did her hair nicely.
Callista's right palm was lifted when one of the maids was about to put her hair in a ponytail.
"Wait, please just hold my hair up and get me the thick scarf in the closet!" Callista ordered, seeing Kenward's obvious grip marks on her neck. Kenward had grabbed her making a bluish-red mark.
When Callista came out of the bathroom, there was already a maid who had prepared her bag. They even found her course schedule in the bag. It looked like the maid had organized the books in the bag according to today's lessons. Callista was a little surprised to find out.
A trolley stand suddenly stopped right in front of her who had just sat on the sofa. One of the maids deftly handed Callista a tray of sandwiches and milk. It looked tempting, but at the moment she was too lazy to eat.
"Please have some, miss."
Callista nodded slowly. Only three bites made it down her throat, for the rest she felt nauseous and wanted to spit out everything. Not even one sandwich was partially swallowed. But it was already a miracle that Callista could still swallow it in this situation.
Just as one sip of milk escaped her mouth, one of the maids handed her a small bottle. Callista frowned, accepted the bottle, and opened it. It turned out to contain pill-shaped medicine.
"Please take it, miss. It's very effective for healing wounds and reducing pain," said one of the maids as if to answer the question in Callista's mind.
Callista chuckled softly at that. The main purpose of the maids serving her was for this medicine. What a fool she was to think they were gentle and polite when taking care of her.
"I am so stupid," she muttered softly.
Ten minutes passed quickly. Callista was now walking out of the elevator with maids around her. Not a hint of Kenward's nose was in sight. Callista was grateful for that.
The sound of tapping feet and crutches could be heard in unison. With his head bowed a bodyguard opened the car door for Callista. Callista stared at the car in front of her for a moment. The car was different from the previous one. However, who cares?
The car door beside her was closed by one of the bodyguards. Callista did not turn her head and just stared straight ahead.
"Move, sir!"
***
The students who were initially walking leisurely to their classes were immediately confused when they heard the entrance bell shouting. Callista, who was just about to walk towards the gate, hurriedly quickened her pace.
"Wait sir!" she shouted to the security guard.
The three-headed man stopped his movement for a moment. But because his job required him to show no favoritism, namely making sure the school was closed after the entrance bell rang, inevitably the security guard continued to close the gate. But this time with a slower movement.
Callista, who was finally able to pass through the gate, immediately bowed her head and thanked him. She knew the security guard intended to help her.
"Thank you very much, sir."
His one eyebrow raised tilted upwards as the girl in front of him was very polite to him who was only a security guard. For an international school that only contained smart students with exceptional family financial support, a security guard seemed to be used to getting condescending looks.
"Study well, son."
Callista straightened her gaze. Her heart warmed at the smile of the security guard. It had been a long time since she had found someone who looked at her with a warm gaze except for Aunt Neki. With enthusiasm, Callista nodded her head.
"Yes, sir. Then I'll go in, sir," she said with a smile that did not fade in the slightest. A morning that could still be improved.
After taking a few steps, Callista realized that the entrance bell had long since sounded which meant that the teachers were on their way to class. Callista clucked irritably at herself. How could she still walk casually at a time like this?
"Ah, Rheana said yesterday that Mrs. Erittika who taught this morning is a killer teacher. How will I die if the teacher gets angry?" she thought to herself as she quickened her pace. The long hallway was now very quiet and still, indicating that the students had entered their respective classes.
Callista repeatedly cursed herself on the way. She was the weakest with speed, but how could she be so pensive earlier? Now she couldn't help but walk fast!
"I hope Ms. Erittika hasn't come to class yet. I hope she's a little late. Hopefully!" she hoped in her heart. Especially since she was still a new student. First impressions are important. She couldn't afford to make a bad first impression!
Her steps came to a halt. Her chest moved up and down in time with her breathing. She tried to look deep into the room in front of her. The classroom door was open, but there was still no teacher in her pupils. However, her classmates were now seated on their respective benches.
Bracing herself, Callista took two steps to the doorway. Her breath caught, it felt like her heartbeat had stopped at this very moment. A two-headed woman was staring at her intently. Her eyebrows were drawn together, further strengthening the stern look on her face.
Callista bit her lower lip feeling awkward. After sighing silently, she finally displayed a stiff smile. It felt like the alibi words she had prepared while walking along the hallway were now suddenly gone. Her mind was stuck for an instant. How is this?
"What are you doing there, new student? Do you want to keep standing in the doorway?" the teacher quipped with the same expression.
"I can't even skip class, I will inevitably receive all the punishments given by the teacher," she thought while lowering her head because she felt confused and afraid. The silent atmosphere added to the tense impression. All the students of class XII-1 were silent, just staring at the teacher and Callista alternately.
Ms. Errittika looked at Callista from toe to hair. She seemed to be judging something. Well, judging her student's intelligence from her outward appearance, of course. It was certainly unusual for a transfer student to enter a class that was known for its intelligence. The class that all the students of this school dream about the most.
"Throw away your thoughts of skipping class just to avoid punishment," said the teacher who seemed to be able to read Callista's mind.
Callista swallowed her saliva with difficulty. Suddenly she shook her head. "I will accept the punishment with a good heart," she replied as she straightened her gaze.
One corner of her lips pulled upwards. Mrs. Erittika rose to her feet which immediately made all eyes turn to her.
"Alright, since I can't possibly give you corporal punishment. Then I will give you a punishment to test your intelligence. Come in!"