Chapter 3 He Comes Back

It was Friday. The campus would hold Students' Voice in the afternoon at the plaza, allowing everyone a chance to speak their minds. I wanted to use this chance to explain things, but I found a letter sitting on my desk when I got to class that morning.

It was an official stamped file from the campus. "Notification of Cancellation of Yvonne Clayton's Nomination for This Semester's Accolades."

It stated the reason, "Serious controversy surrounding this student. After a report from the student council, her right to be nominated for all accolades is hereby frozen until further notice."

The date was yesterday. Jessica sure worked faster than the courier. It hadn't been 24 hours since the whole debacle, but the report had turned into a punishment. I grabbed the file and talked to the advisor. They were having lunch.

"This has gotten too big, and the campus is trying to keep the public opinion down. I'll reinstate you once Blake comes back and explains everything."

"I'm being punished today even though he's only coming back tomorrow," I snapped hotly.

"The process is in order."

"Does the process grant the student government the right to confiscate my card?"

Eric froze. "You'll have to talk to them."

The process was nothing compared to the court of public opinion. I knew what was going on. Right now, whoever shouted the loudest would have their will followed.

I registered for Students' Voice, but they turned me away.

Jessica tampered with the form and canceled out my name. The note read, "This student is currently embroiled in controversy and isn't suitable for public speech."

I stood beside the plaza and watched Jessica make a speech. "We must bravely say no to any unsolicited advances. Everyone has the right to refuse harassment!"

Thunderous applause followed. Someone looked at me and whispered to their friends. Jessica noticed me and smiled at the mic. "Of course, we must give the students who have made mistakes a second chance. I hope some people will reflect on themselves."

Her eyes fell on me, and everyone followed her gaze. Although I had done nothing wrong, I felt as though I was being held at gunpoint. Natalie grabbed my sleeve and led me away. "Don't just stand there. She's doing this on purpose."

I flung her hand away. "Take a photo."

"Of what?"

"Of the registration form on the plaza. The one where my name is scratched out."

Natalie took the photo and sent it to me. I saved it and went to the academic advising center. The staff there told me that the cancellation of a nomination required a meeting to pass. So far, no such meeting was called.

That file was issued without going through due process, so the staff member added, "They said they'll call a meeting next Monday and come to a decision then."

"They issued the file yesterday but will only call a meeting next Monday?" I blurted, aghast.

"Special circumstances," they replied shortly.

In other words, they wanted to get rid of me and make up a story to patch the holes in the process.

I came out of the office, and Molly appeared again. She handed me a printed apology. "Jessica said she'll help you drop the nomination cancellation if you post this on the forum today."

I took the apology and skimmed through it. It was an 800-word piece, and the most important passage read, "I confess that I have been harassing Blake for a long time now, and that has caused serious disturbance to his studies and life. I have recognized my mistakes."

I folded the paper up and put it in my pocket. Molly heaved a sigh of relief. "You're posting it tonight?"

"Nope."

"So, why'd you keep it?" she asked in bewilderment.

"It's a memento," I drawled.

"Jessica had someone pull an all-nighter for that."

"And they came up with a decent write-up." After a beat, I continued, "But I will not confess to anything I have not done."

Molly's face fell, and she texted someone. Jessica's reply came back, and I saw it as clear as day. "Very well, then. I'll have Blake tell everyone he doesn't know her when he comes back tomorrow."

I stared at the message. I would call my grandmother if Blake even made an attempt on it. He was either going to drag me out of the muck he indirectly pushed me into, or his mother was going to smack him into next Tuesday.