Chapter 5: Consequences

"So, why were you called to the principal's office?" Ren queried, her face full of concern as she gently patted my head.

"She's fortunate she didn't wind up at the dean's office," Ron chimed in. I responded by rolling my eyes at him, prompting him to look at me questioningly.

"What's with the look? I'm only stating the facts. Plus, you could have yelled, and we might have been able to help," Ron reasoned, causing my irritation to grow. Nevertheless, I held my tongue for a moment.

"I just can't believe the professor would enter the girls' bathroom," I grumbled, feeling both outraged and slightly violated.

"Well, maybe the noise from the bathroom was too much to ignore," Ron retorted, nodding towards our professor who had just walked in. Some of our classmates were outside, either playing games or practising something. It was almost 5 PM, and I excused myself to rest as I wasn't feeling well, while Ron and Ren accompanied me.

"Ms. Ymarez, the principal instructed me to tell you that your punishment for the incident is to clean the entire school for three days. If you refuse, the principal will have no choice but to expel you as per the dean's order," the professor gravely informed me, while leaning against the door with his arms crossed. Both of my cousins were shocked, their mouths wide open in surprise. I let out a deep sigh.

"I'll do it," I stated, adding, "starting now," as an afterthought.

Both of them grabbed my shoulder simultaneously.

"It's almost time to go home," Ron pointed out, displaying his concern. However, I was well aware that if I didn't begin now, I wouldn't be able to finish cleaning it within three days. Our school is one of the three largest and most prestigious schools in the country; cleaning it would undoubtedly be a daunting task, but it was something I had no choice but to do.

"We'll help with the cleaning too," Ren interjected, holding Ron's hand. Ron stepped back, stuttering,

"What? You mean us, help clean? Isn't it a bit spooky?" Both Ren and I shared a disappointed glance. So much for the heartthrob image, he was more of a coward.

"You can only aid Keleil if you have Cindy's approval. You're lucky that Cindy decided on three days as opposed to her mother's suggestion of completing it in just a day," the professor stated with a smirk, casting his gaze to the floor and then onto the three of us.

"Well, I'll go," the professor announced before departing, leaving the three of us alone in the classroom. "We should ask Cindy for permission," Ron suggested, donning a hopeful smile. However, I shook my head resolutely.

"No, I won't subject you to that. I'd rather clean the entire school myself than have you beg Cindy for assistance," I stated, immediately rising to my feet. I picked up a broom and dustpan, preparing for the daunting task ahead.

Ron and Ren looked at me sadly. I began sweeping the floor while they packed up their bags and requested to leave early. Once they departed, many students followed suit and headed home. My seat mate was the last to pack up his things.

"Need some help?" he asked cheerfully, doffing his cap. He appeared significantly happier than before, his usual eye bags noticeably reduced. Not wanting to engage in conversation, I merely gazed at the eraser in my hand and responded, "No, I'm good." Noticing his improved countenance, I added, "You look happier than before."

Brightening immediately, he shared, "Yeah, my sister, who was missing, finally returned home. She's my only family left, and I couldn't bear to lose her." A noticeable smile adorned his face as he spoke.

"That's good news," I replied simply, focusing my attention on the blackboard. "See you then," he said, taking his leave. All the teachers on campus had given me their keys to access their rooms for cleaning, not caring whether I lost them since they had spares. The cabinets, however, were locked and could only be opened by the students with their unique passcodes.

It was already 05:10 PM. While the first classroom was almost done, there were still hundreds more awaiting my attention, not to mention the gym, the bathrooms, and, most significantly, the principal's office. After cleaning the windows, I moved on to the second room, but a sudden tap on my shoulder sent shivers down my spine. Sweaty and uncomfortable, I turned around to see... Yan?

"You scared me!" I exclaimed, swiftly pushing his hand away.

"Need help?" he offered. "No," I declared coldly. "Why?" he inquired. "I neither trust you, nor do I know you. This is the first time we've met," I explained seriously, turning my attention back to the blackboard. I picked up the eraser and returned to my task.

He didn't utter a word and just kept on watching me as I went about erasing. Eventually, I paused, uncomfortable under his intense scrutiny.

"Could you stop staring at me?" I requested irritably, unnerved by his intense gaze. "I can't," he responded simply, his face expressionless. Is he even human?

"Well, if you can't, then feel free to leave!" I retorted loudly. I carried on with my erasing duties and when I was done, moved on to cleaning the tables and chairs. All the while, Yan simply leaned against the wall, observing me.

"That's it!" I proclaimed, throwing the rag I was holding onto the floor in frustration. I made my way over to him swiftly, grabbed him by the collar, and asserted, "Could you go wherever it is you belong! You're so annoying!" I snapped, desiring to punch him. I was in no mood for his unsettling presence. Yet, he just said, "If you go, I'll go." I acknowledged his condition with a nod and a sarcastic smile.

"Well then, suit yourself. Just stop staring at me," I warned him, giving him a stern glare. He merely smirked playfully and nodded, uttering a single word in response, "Deal."

Minutes turned into an hour, and I managed to clean four rooms. Yan stuck around despite it already being 6:13 PM.

"Shouldn't you head home?" I asked him as I continued cleaning the fifth room. "I can't, you're still here," he responded, leaving me feeling confused. "So?" I probed for further explanation, but he didn't offer any. Instead, he quietly sat down, while I could feel the beads of sweat dripping down my nose. I didn't have a water bottle with me, and I couldn't fathom why he chose to stay.

Suddenly, I felt a twinge in my stomach. "I...I..." I stammered.

"What?" He immediately stood up and dashed over to me. "I need to use the restroom!" I blurted out and darted off. I ran as fast as I could. Once I reached the restroom, I threw open the door and relieved myself.

Catching my breath, I managed to gasp out a relieved, "Finally," when suddenly there was a knock at the door. Startled, I clung to the wall.

"Who's there?" I called out, but there was no response. "Yan?" I ventured, hoping he was the one at the door.

Again, my query was met with only silence. Gathering my courage, I decided to confront whatever was lurking outside the door. As I gently pushed it open, however, I found that there was no one there. A rush of fear trickled down my spine, and my immediate instinct was to run back to Yan as fast as I could. But something caught my eye near the art room. I gulped.

"The art room?" I whispered to myself. I noticed a pair of eyes cautiously observing me. Then, all of a sudden, they were gone. As scared as I was, my curiosity was pulling me closer. Yeah, I'm frightened, but a quick peek shouldn't hurt, right?

With another hesitant gulp, I slowly tiptoed towards the art room. I caught a glimpse inside and noticed it was eerily open, considering that only the guards possessed keys to the art room. Analyzing the room, I saw a black figure looming near the window. I gasped with surprise.

Then, within the span of a single swift blink, the figure vanished. A set of paintings by the window caught my attention. I stared at them with an intense focus until a sudden tap on my shoulder broke my concentration. I gasped for breath as a chill ran down my spine. Then, a spooky voice echoed in my ear.

"Paintings—" The whispery voice drifted away, sending shivers down my spine. With a surge of fear, I swiftly turned around only to see Yan delivering a resounding kick to the face of the creepy figure. Relief washed over me like a wave as I uttered,

"Yan?" in disbelief.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***