chapter 5

Deborah left the principal's office with her head bowed, her stomach churning with anxiety. Her father's words replayed in her mind like a broken record: You'll have to prove you're worthy of my forgiveness. The conditions he'd set and the punishment assigned by the principal weighed heavily on her. Her footsteps echoed down the hallway, each one louder than the last in her ears.

She mumbled under her breath, her lips barely moving. "Why did I let things get this far? What's wrong with me?"

As she turned a corner, a muffled cry caught her attention. She froze, her ears straining to locate the sound. Slowly, she approached a door slightly ajar and peered through the gap. Inside, Sophia sat on a small bed, her face streaked with tears. A nurse was crouched beside her, pressing an ice pack against her swollen knee.

The sight made Deborah's chest tighten. A lump rose in her throat, and for the first time, guilt washed over her like a tidal wave. She swallowed hard, unable to look away. Sophia winced as the nurse adjusted the ice pack, her small frame trembling with pain.

Deborah's fingers gripped the edge of the doorframe, her knuckles white. I did this, she thought. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. She couldn't bear to watch any longer. She stepped back quietly, her shoes squeaking on the polished floor.

She hurried toward her classroom, but her legs felt heavy, like they were weighed down by stones. The hallway seemed longer than usual, the fluorescent lights above casting harsh shadows. Her heart raced as she approached the door, bracing herself for the judgment she knew awaited her.

The moment she entered, Leah's icy glare pierced through her. Leah sat with her arms crossed, her face a mask of fury. Deborah felt a chill run down her spine. Leah's expression said everything: If it weren't for the school's rules, you'd be done for.

Deborah hesitated, her palms sweating. She was about to move toward her seat when Miss Karen's voice rang out.

"Deborah," the teacher said sharply, her tone laced with disappointment. "I'm deeply disappointed in you. How could you cause so much pain to Sophia? Are you satisfied with yourself?"

The classroom fell silent. All eyes were on Deborah, and the weight of their stares felt unbearable. She stood frozen, her throat dry.

"I… I'm sorry," she said softly, her voice barely audible. Her gaze dropped to the floor, unable to meet Miss Karen's stern eyes or the accusing looks of her classmates.

"Sorry?" Miss Karen snapped, her voice rising. "Sorry for what exactly? For bullying her all this time? For causing her pain today? Sorry doesn't fix this, Deborah. The person you should be apologizing to is Sophia, not me."

Deborah's hands trembled, and her mind raced for something to say. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. The guilt clawed at her chest, making it hard to breathe. Finally, after a long pause, she managed to whisper, "I'll apologize to Sophia. And… I'll change. I promise I'll do better."

Miss Karen's expression softened slightly, though her disappointment remained evident. "Good. Because you can't keep being a nuisance to this school or to your father. Now, go to your seat."

As Deborah made her way to her desk, she felt the sharp sting of Leah's glare again.

"You'll pay for what you did to my friend," Leah hissed, her voice low but venomous. "You're heartless."

Deborah didn't respond. She walked past Leah, her head down, feeling the knot of shame tighten in her chest. Around her, she heard the whispers of her classmates, their words cutting like knives.

"Isn't she the one who hurt Sophia?"

"She's such a bully."

"Can you believe she's acting all quiet now?"

She sank into her seat, her hands clenched into fists beneath the desk. Miss Karen began teaching, but Deborah couldn't focus. Her thoughts were consumed by Sophia's tear-streaked face, the sound of her cries, and the nurse's words. A single tear escaped Deborah's eye, but she quickly wiped it away, determined not to let anyone see her cry. She couldn't bear to show weakness.

The class dragged on, and when the bell finally rang, signaling dismissal, Deborah packed her bag slowly. She felt like a shadow of herself, her usual confidence replaced by a heavy sense of guilt.

Instead of heading straight to the car park, she retraced her steps to the room where she'd seen Sophia earlier. She pushed the door open, but the bed was empty. The nurse was tidying up the supplies when she noticed Deborah.

"Deborah," the nurse said, her tone neutral but firm. "What are you doing here?"

"I… I was looking for Sophia," Deborah admitted, her voice hesitant. "Do you know where she is?"

"She went home," the nurse replied, narrowing her eyes slightly. "The principal sent her home to rest. She not only hurt her knee but also hit her forehead on the edge of the food tray she was carrying."

The nurse's words cut through Deborah like a blade. She hadn't realized the extent of Sophia's injuries.

"Do you understand how serious this could have been?" the nurse continued, her tone stern. "What if her head had hit the floor? What if she'd collapsed or worse? You need to change, Deborah. This isn't just about punishment or apologies anymore. Actions like this could have life-altering consequences—for you and the people you hurt."

Deborah's hands trembled as goosebumps spread across her arms. "I… I won't hurt anyone anymore," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Good," the nurse said. "Work on your temper. Be a good person. And maybe, just maybe, your father will see that you're serious about changing."

Deborah nodded, her heart heavy with regret. "I will," she said before turning to leave.

When she reached the car park, her family's driver was waiting for her. She climbed into the car without a word, leaning her head against the window as the scenery blurred past.

At home, Deborah locked herself in her room, refusing to eat or drink. The guilt was suffocating, wrapping around her like a heavy blanket. She spent hours pacing, thinking of how to apologize—not just to Sophia but to everyone she'd wronged.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she stepped out of her room and found her father sitting in the living room, reading a newspaper. Her heart pounded as she approached him.

"Dad," she said, her voice trembling.

He looked up, surprised to see her standing there.

Before she could second-guess herself, Deborah dropped to her knees. "Dad, I'm sorry," she said, her voice cracking. "I promise to change. I'll never hurt anyone again. I'll be a better person. I'll make good grades. Please… please forgive me."

Mr. Benjamin lowered the newspaper slowly, his face unreadable. For a moment, he said nothing, studying his daughter's tear-streaked face.

"We'll see," he said finally, his voice even. "You'll earn my forgiveness when I see real changes in you."

Deborah nodded, her heart sinking but determined. "I'll prove it to you, Dad," she said, standing up.

Grabbing an apple from the fruit tray, she retreated to her room. That night, as she lay in bed, tears streaming silently down her face, she vowed to make things right.