The following morning, just as said, Ace drove her to the school premises to discuss with Mr Anderson.
While Hanley waited outside the headmaster’s office, Ace walked in to meet with the headmaster.
Mr Anderson ushered him to sit on the guest chair. ” Nice to meet you, Mr…?”
” Preston. Ace Preston.” He replied.
” Nice to meet you, Mr Preston. I can presume you’re related to Miss Hanley Preston, am I right? ” He guessed.
” Yes. I am her brother. So, I came because of the incident that happened yesterday. I heard she was being mocked by the other students and we both know what that means.
She is new to the school and she’s… emotional too. I don’t want any thing to affect her especially in her emotional and academic life.
So, I will love it if you look into this and talk to your students about this. ”
Mr Anderson nodded. ” Of course, I will. ”
” Thank you. I’ll be leaving then. ” He stands up, offered him a handshake before setting out of the office to meet Hanley who sat quietly outside like loner.
” Hey.” He called for her attention. ” Are you alright?”
She heaved heavily, nodding her head. ” Yeah, I am.”
He holds her both hands, ” I’ve talked to him, and he promise to look into the matter. You don’t have to worry about what other students will say, okay? ” He assured her.
She nodded again for the second time.
” I’ll come pick you up by three. Okay?”
” Promise?”
” I promise.” He gaze fell on her lips, and he wouldn’t mind having a taste of it at that moment. Noticing this, she shyly looked away.
” Take care of yourself.” She waved at him, heading towards her class.
*
*
It was English period, Hanley and Harmonie sat together. Everyone in the class would stare at Hanley then murmur among themselves.
Hanley still felt the shame and she wished the hair dye Mary had applied on her hair won’t have to automatically change back to white.
Their gazes were much humiliating than their laughter. But Harmonie would always whisper to her to calm down. And she can only do that if she stops listening.
She would indirectly touch her hair to see if it has changed or look at Harmonie to check on her hair.
This kept going on until Mr Anderson walked into the room.
” Good morning, Mr Anderson.” They greeted in chorus.
” Good morning.” He replied to their greeting. ” I’m sorry Mrs Smith for the interruption. ” She smiled. ” So here is my reason for coming here, we all know the rules, ‘No Humiliation.’
I will not tolerate anyone who does that in my school. What happened yesterday concerning Miss Preston’s case is some thing I don’t want to repeat in this school.
I will say this now, because I won’t say it next time. I don’t need a CCTV camera to find out who disobeys me. When I find you, I’ll make your punishment a surprise.
Have a nice day, everyone. ” Looks at Mrs Smith. ” Sorry for the interruption. ”
Mrs Smith stared at the students, ” You heard what he said, didn’t you? Follow the instructions and don’t get yourself into trouble. ”
She picks up her book from her desk. ” Shall we continue? ”
Hanley felt rest assured at Mr Anderson’s words. Since Mr Anderson made mention of no CCTV cameras, that means there’s got to be some other strategies he is using.
Who knows who? All you’ve got to do is to keep your mouth shut and get the heck outta trouble.