Chapter 22: Helping Marie

The meeting with the newly elected classroom presidents had been running for almost an hour and a half. Mr. Seson felt drained from listening to the students' proposed plans, so he decided to leave them for a couple of minutes.

He walked toward the faculty washroom to ease the tension in his bladder. It was located at the end of the hallway from his office, requiring him to pass by three classrooms along the way. The students greeted him as he marched past them.

Opening the washroom door, he went straight to the toilet and took a leak, shivering as he felt the warm liquid escape his body.

"I want you to free me already!"

The words of a particular student echoed in his mind. It was in this very washroom where he had taken her over and over again—assaulted her, forced her to do dirty things for him. The memory made him smirk. Who would have thought she was now part of the new set of officers in his school? Such a good initiative from her adviser.

"Set her free? Bullshit," he muttered under his breath. "That little bitch is bound to be my slave as long as she lives."

Just as he finished, a loud bang echoed from one of the cubicles. At first, he ignored it, but then another louder thud followed. His jaw tightened.

"Who's there?" the fat principal barked, his voice sharp and angry. "Come out, you piece of shit!"

Silence.

Zipping up his fly, he turned to face himself in the mirror, taking a steadying breath before walking slowly toward the source of the noise. His steps were heavy against the tiled floor.

"I swear I'm going to kill you if you don't get out!" he hissed, reaching for the first cubicle door. He braced himself as he moved to the next. But before he could open the third cubicle, the main washroom door swung wide.

Two teachers entered, their faces momentarily startled by his presence.

"Oh, Mr. Principal. We thought you were still in the meeting?" one of them asked, her voice polite but puzzled.

Mr. Seson forced a smile. "Y-yes, I'm just heading out," he replied smoothly.

Without another word, he turned on his heel and left, forcing himself to steady his erratic heartbeat. The paranoia from receiving that package still clung to him, refusing to fade.

As he made his way back to his office, the girl's face surfaced in his thoughts. His muscles loosened slightly. He had plans for her after the meeting.

***

When the meeting resumed, the discussion shifted to upcoming events. It was decided that the school's first major gathering would be an acquaintance party, set for the third week of the month.

"Alright, I think everything is already covered. I will dismiss you now," Mr. Seson announced, his eyes scanning the students one by one.

Excitement buzzed through the room as the students eagerly gathered their things and headed for the door.

"Wait, Miss Reyes, you stay. I want you to do something for me."

Marie froze. Her hands started to shake, and she felt like she was drowning beneath the principal's menacing gaze. A few students, still lingering by the door, exchanged knowing smirks.

"I—I can't, sir," Marie stammered.

Mr. Seson cleared his throat and replied, too calmly, "It's important."

"But—"

"Miss Reyes," he interrupted, his voice firmer and voicing out a subtle threat.

"If Marie Joyce won't do it, I will."

The unexpected voice cut through the room. It was the new girl, Steffy. Marie blinked in shock.

"M-Miss Rivera, why are you still here?" the principal asked, his tone shifting from authoritative to cautious. "I appreciate your volunteerism, but this doesn't concern you. Only Miss Reyes can do it for me."

Steffy tilted her head, a rebellious glint was visible in her eyes. "And what exactly concerns my friend but not me, Mr. Principal?" she asked, stepping forward until her palms rested on his desk. She leaned in slightly, her voice low and challenging. "It sounds interesting."

Mr. Seson's jaw tensed. His gaze flicked between the two girls. "Well, it's really nothing," he finally said, backpedaling. "I'm sure it can wait. Until then, Miss Reyes. You may both go now."

"That's what I thought," Steffy said with a smirk.

Without hesitation, she grabbed Marie's arm and dragged her out of the room. They didn't stop until they were in the hallway. Steffy's grip was firm, her pace fast.

"S-Steffy, y-you're hurting me!" Marie whimpered.

In a flash, Steffy pinned Marie against the wall, her intense gaze burning into Marie's.

"What would have happened if I wasn't there?" Steffy hissed.

Marie struggled to steady her breath. "It's none of your business," she muttered, trying to sound braver than she felt.

Steffy stepped back, running a hand through her sleek hair. "I know that." Her voice softened, but her eyes didn't lose their edge. "But I saw how he looked at you during the meeting. You shouldn't let that fat principal take advantage of you."

Marie's gaze dropped to the floor. She felt small, overwhelmed — until she noticed Steffy's polished school shoes.

"I—I like your shoes," she blurted, trying to change the subject.

Steffy chuckled. "I can buy you a pair."

Marie's head shot up. "No. You won't. I won't allow you to."

Steffy cocked her head, flashing a playful smile that sent a ripple of something unsteady through Marie. "Try to stop me, kid," Steffy teased.

Marie blinked, trying to process the strange shift in their conversation. "We're the same age," she muttered.

"Yeah, whatever," Steffy replied with a wink. "Anyway, you're having lunch with me tomorrow. Table 33—left side. Be there."

Before Marie could object, Steffy was already walking away, her confidence trailing behind her like a shadow.

"And, in case you haven't noticed, I don't accept 'no' as an answer, kid," Steffy called over her shoulder.

Marie's heart pounded. "Why did you help me? A-and how did you know about me?" she shouted after her.

Steffy didn't stop walking, but she did glance back, plastering just a brief, mysterious smile on her lips.

"Trust me…I know everything."