Bracelet of Beauty

Chapter 9: Truth

On the other hand, Ms. Belle talked to the class when the principal and visitors left the classroom.

"Okay, could anyone tell me what happened earlier? I just left for a short while then when I came back, I saw your classmates fighting. What is even worse is that the principal came with visitors. Oh my goodness, a fight during Values Education class. This is ironic and terrible. I will go to the principal's office to explain what happened and I barely have an idea about this situation." Ms. Belle shared her sentiments with the class.

The classroom was silent. No one dared to talk because Denise might bully them afterward. Besides, Stacey is still in the classroom. She could tell Denise whoever betrays her.

"No one will tell me what happened? No one in this class has the bravery and courage to stand up for what is right. What is the essence of Values Education if it cannot be applied in real life? Please tell me what caused the fight so we know where to start the investigation." Ms. Belle stated.

The class still remained silent. Everyone was hesitant.

"I am really disappointed. It seems that I have failed as your Values Education teacher. My purpose here is to bring out the best in you and become morally upright citizens. Remember this statement, if you do not stand up for what is right and tell the truth, it is tantamount to being an ally of the oppressor and wrongdoings." Ms. Belle told the class.

Some are looking at Ms. Belle while some are avoiding eye contact and looking down at the floor. Ms. Belle looked at the whole class and observed their expressions because their actions speak louder than their words.

"It seems that no one will volunteer to speak. Because of this, I have no choice but to call someone to explain the scenario." Ms. Belle looked at Stacy who is avoiding eye contact.

"Stacy, is there anything you would like to share with me about the fight earlier? Do you have any idea for the possible cause?" Ms. Belle asked.

Stacy was surprised to be called because she was avoiding eye contact with the teacher. She looked at Ms. Belle and stood up. Stacy was nervous and her hands were shaking so she immediately placed her hands in her pocket.

"I do not know anything, Ms. Belle. I am sorry." Stacy replied but she still had a hard time having eye contact with the teacher because she is not telling the truth.

Ms. Belle sighed and tried to convince Stacy to talk. "I know you are friends with Denise, Stacy. This is a difficult situation and I understand your hesitation but you know what is right. Please tell the truth. I will not tell Denise about this anyway. We will still conduct an investigation but at least please give me an overview. I do not want to be dumbfounded when the principal talks to me and asks me what happened."

Stacy remained silent and looked at the floor.

"I am sorry, Ms. Belle," Stacy said with a cracking voice and started crying because of the pressure she is feeling. She is torn between telling the truth to Ms. Belle that Denise started the fight because it will ruin their friendship.

Ms. Belle looked at the ceiling thinking of what to do. She does not intend to pressure Stacy and make her cry. She was just determined to know the truth.

"It is fine, Stacy. This must be really difficult for you and I understand your situation. Please take your seat, Stacy." Ms. Belle said. She looked at the clock and it is nearly dismissal time.

"Well, I guess I will just proceed to the principal's office without knowing the truth. Class is dismissed. We will check the seatwork next meeting." Ms. Belle left the classroom. She was frustrated and anxious at the same time.

The bell rings which means that it is dismissal time. Stacy stopped crying and when she noticed that the teacher left, she immediately fixed her things and prepared to leave also. She does not want to be the center of attention because of the questioning earlier. She just wants to go home now. When her things are ready, she was the first one to leave the class.

The other students also started to fix their things and one by one left the classroom. The last student to leave was Elizabeth Feliz. She was still thinking of the scenario earlier. She did not have the courage to speak the truth because Stacy could tell Denise of this matter so she was afraid also. Elizabeth already had a traumatic experience with Denise and she wants to avoid it as much as possible. She was still sitting silently in the empty classroom but her mind are filled with various thoughts and emotions as of the moment. She is blankly staring at the board while thinking.

A sudden knock on the door was heard by Elizabeth.

"Excuse me but I need to start cleaning the classroom." The janitor said.

"Oh, I am sorry. Yes, please proceed. I will be leaving now. Thank you," Elizabeth looked at the door and replied to the janitor. She immediately took her bag and left the classroom so the janitor may start cleaning.

On the other hand, Ms. Belle proceeded to walk toward the principal's office where Denise, Patricia, and another student are currently now. She opened the door and saw the three students. Patricia and Denise are sitting close to each other while the other student was sitting from a distance. They all have messy hair due to the fight earlier.

"Excuse me. Where is the principal?" Ms. Belle asked the assistant because the principal is not yet there.

"Perhaps she just accompanied the visitors earlier. She might be back soon." The assistant replied.

The door of the principal's office opened and it is the principal who entered.

"Oh, there she is." The assistant told Ms. Belle.

"I am glad all of you are here already. Please follow me inside. I need to talk to all of you." Ms. Therese said.

Ms. Belle is feeling her heart beating fast because of the tension. She still managed to be calm on the outside.

"Let us go now." Ms. Belle whispered to the three students. They went inside the room of the principal.

"Please close the door." The principal said. This is for privacy purposes.

"Yes, Ms. Therese." Ms. Belle replied and gently closed the door.

This is the first step to knowing the truth. A thorough investigation and interrogation will be made. Will Denise, Patricia, and their classmate tell the truth or will they deny it to avoid punishment? Will the truth be revealed or will the story be twisted? There is only one way to find out and hopefully, the truth will prevail.