Apology

James took her phone and went back to his desk.

"Show some respect. Even if you have beauty and

brains, I am still your teacher." His voice was full of an

authoritative tone. She lowered her gaze out of embarrassment

and never once met him in the eye again.

From the start of the class until it was over. She never

attempted to look at him. She tried to make herself look busy,

attentively listening to his lectures when in truth, she was only

afraid of being scolded again.

When the bell rang, everyone stood up from their seats.

They were all going their way towards the cafeteria when her

teacher spoke.

"All of you can go now except for you miss Valdez,"

James said. All eyes were on her until they all left except for

Oddette.

Her friend stared at her with concern in her eyes before

mouthing, "I'll wait for you in the canteen."

After that, she made her way out of the classroom and

there were only the two of them left.

"Can you sit down and look at me?" he said in a low

voice, opposite to how he yelled at her earlier.

She rapidly sat on her chair and gradually looked at him.

She can see his facial expression change into something soft.

"Was scrolling on your phone more important than me?"

he asked, to which she frowned. "I've been observing you since

earlier and noticed how engrossed you were with your phone.

Were those messages so important to you despite looking

unhappy?" he added. Emmie lowered her gaze again. "I heard

that you're a Dean's Lister and a scholar at that. Your studies

might be affected by how you're doing," he pointed out, looking

serious.

She flinched in place. He's right. Her current state of

mind might ruin her studies.

"I'm sorry," she uttered.

"Lift your head and say those words again," he

commanded in a firm voice to which she followed.

Upon her eyes meeting his gaze in the middle, she felt a

lump at the pit of her throat and swallowed.

"I'm sorry," she repeated.

The teacher then smiled and looked at her with a loomed

face.

"I also apologize," he said before handing her phone

back.

*****

I'm not sure if James is genuinely concerned about my

well-being or if he was just guilty about what happened before.

However, he's indeed right. Oddie may affect my studies a lot

due to what happened. I have to get myself together.

I let out a deep sigh as I thumbed my locks at the back of

my ear.

I can't afford to lose my scholarship since it helps me a

lot with my expenses plus there's no point in living in the past.

My phone vibrated for a moment. When I checked the

message, it was none other than Oddette.

"Don't skip your food. We're waiting for you."

I immediately made my way towards the cafeteria and

saw my friends gathered into a table. I waved my hands at them

and quickly, they pointed towards the empty seat.

We all engaged into a small conversation as I ate the

food Oddette ordered for me. We were all enjoying ourselves

when I received another text message.

Upon checking who it was, my forehead creased. It came

from an unregistered number