Ultimate Temptation

~Chapter 6~

For two days, I had locked myself in the sanctuary of my cabin. The day seemed longer and the same as I cried myself to sleep, woke up with banging headache, ate and sulked while staring out of the window.

Guilt ate up at my heart as the memory of the looks of horror and fear of my classmates had in their eyes couldn't seem to fade away from my memory. I could remember Zach's purple face and the way tears streamed down his face as I choked him with my magic. I remembered the way his neck was pink when he removed his hand from it once to scurry away when I came closer to apologize and worse, I remembered the sick joy I felt in doing that to him.

I had wanted to squeeze the life out of him for everything he and his friends had out me through. I had wanted him to slowly suffer as he felt his life flash before his eyes, that's why I took time choking him. I shuddered at what would have happened had Ms Macklemore not stopped me.

I was a good person but now I was beginning to doubt it. No good person should relish in anyone's pain no matter how bad the person was.

What would my parents think of me?  The news must have reached them by now.

Would the joy and pride I always saw shining through their eyes be gone when next we saw?  Would only disappointment and shame remain?

Because I'd definitely brought shame to their royal name by harming one of the people I was to protect in the future. I'm shaken from my thoughts by the sound of a letter scratching the wooden floor as it slipped under the door. Picking it up, I opened the door and looked around for the messenger but they were no where in sight.

Going back to my spot by the window, I felt my blood chill as I spotted my school's stamp on the letter. Carefully tearing it open, I began reading it's content.

LETTER OF ATTENDANCE

This is to inform Aris of Class 15 that there would be a school violence committee meeting two days from now in response to the violation of one of the school rules. You're expected to be in school with your parent(s) by 8am sharp.

Good day.

I slumped further into my seat as I let out a shaky breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

I was done for. This was my final year as a student in this school yet something like this had to happen. A similar letter must have gotten to my parents who had brought me here for me to learn how to control my powers and yet...

It was all for naught, I sighed.

Picking up a basket, I exited the cottage to go pick some berries and fruit for dinner and walked into the forest at the center of the island. We were warned not to go too deep except in pairs as there were wild animals ready to pick on lone wanderers.

Spotting a bush of blue berries, I began putting branch-fulls into the basket then began digging around the ground for edible herbs.

Suddenly, the hair at the back of my neck bristled and I immediately stopped what I was doing.

I was being watched.

Rising steadily to my feet, I peered around the darkening bushes around me and saw nothing suspicious but I could still feel a presence.

"I-Is there anyone there?" I asked my voice quivered a little.

My question was only answered by more chirping of the bird high in the trees. A flock of birds rose to the sky crying in alarm after being distrupted from their nest and I grabbed my half-filled basket, immediately dashing out of there.

***

The day for the violence came and I twisted my hands patiently waiting for my parents to come even though deep down, I was doubtful they'll be able to take a day off three kingdom's duties to attend a meeting like this.

I sat in the hallway outside of the large room being used for the meeting, slightly fidgeting at the looks I got from students loitering around. While passing the hallway, they made a wide arc around me and even though I tried to look indifferent about it. It hurt.

Zach arrived long after with his parents with bandages wrapped around his neck.

Why so dramatic?

His mom gave me a disdainful look and hugged him closer to her bossom while fawning over him making me want to puke. I mean we're the same age and I most certainly wouldn't want that at 15. He is such a mummy's boy.

We were called into the room where there were four chairs facing a larger high table where the principal was to the seated. Other chairs were arranged around in a circle for the teachers to participate in the meeting.

"Where's her parent?" A voice said.

"They are probably too busy to attend. Poor child," another answered.

"That's why she became so violent. Lack of care" one muttered.

Agnes walked in with her cane clacking on the floor and everyone in the hall stood up to greet her. She looks around the room, her eyes focusing on the empty chair beside me before going to her seat by the high table and we all followed suit.

"Good morning to you all. I won't beat around the bush but cut straight to the chase. We are gathered here today to address the issue of the accident between two students of Class 10; Aris and Zach. This meeting committee was called upon by Mrs Caesar, Zach's mother who thinks Aris should be punished. I'd like the committee to rule this justly. So Zach, tell me exactly what happened."

"Um...well she strangled me and I'd probably be be dead now if not for Miss Macklemore" Zach said awkwardly scratching his neck.

"Is that all you have to say? What led to that event?"

"That's all I have to say"

"I see. Aris, your turn. Did you strangle him?" Agnes inquired.

"Why are you asking her if she did it or not? All the class saw her. I'm sure everyone in the school knows. Just expel her or something, this school isn't for attempted murderers", Mrs Caesar sneered.

"Allow her to answer the question with no interruptions", Agnes said sternly to Mrs Caesar making her huff in annoyance.

All eyes fell on me and I hastily wiped my sweaty palms on my shirt before standing up.

"I-I'll like to begin my narrative from before that incidence. Zach and his gang of friends have had fun bullying everyone in our class including me-"

"That's not true! My son would never do that!" Mrs Caesar shouts cutting me off.

"Do not interrupt her!" A different voice shouted from the entrance of the hall making heads turn.

"Aunt Tessa?" I ask squinting at the leather clad figure in the doorway who looked like a copy of mother. Her cloth was similar to the one I'd been gifted except hers was like a jumpsuit which hugged her slender curves and stopped at her bust like a corset exposing her bare neck. A coat made from the same material was thrown on to complete the outfit and it swept behind her as she walked closer, her gleaming boots barely making a sound on tiled hall floor. Her chocolate brown hair was cut into a short bob with one side braided away from her face and she blew a stray strand away which dared interrupt the deadly glare she was giving Mrs Caesar.

"Hi, dear" she greeted, her eyes softening as they looked my way. They soon hardened as she glanced round the room before taking the empty seat beside me, "apologies for being late. Being a non-magic user, I had to use murdane means to get here and the waves were not kind. Do continue love"

Feeling reassured knowing I wasn't alone, I continued even louder. "Zach and his gang of friends; Kai, Drew and Vincent have been bullying everyone in our class for as long as I can remember. They skip lines during lunch, hit many juniors or anyone who disobeys them..you can call any other student to confirm"

Multiple gasps escape the teacher's lips and I look over at Zach daring him to deny it but he only stares at the ground at his feet not meeting my eyes.

"I don't know what leverage they had over other students that them from reporting but for me, I didn't want any more attention than I already had. I could beat all four of them if I wanted but I held back because I was taught that one should never hit or hurt on the weak. On that day, it was the practical class of Spells and Potions and Zach was my sparring partner. We sparred till the class was over and Miss Macklemore had blown her whistle for the class to end when I turned my back to leave. That was when Zach threw a pen knife at me which managed to miss my ear by few inches-"

"Is this true, Zach?" Agnes asked but he didn't reply until his mum shook him.

"Y-Yes"

"I see. You can continue Aris. What happened next?"

"I-I don't know. I blacked out but before then I had wanted to hurt him back for everything"

"Aha!" Mrs Caesar exclaimed, jumping on her feet as she pointed a finger at me "She had wanted to kill my angel"

A hiss from Aunt Tessa had her scrambling back to her seat but she kept on talking, "I asked Miss Macklemore and she said Aris had been smiling as she choked my boy. Right Miss Macklemore? Please fill in the gaps of her memory and tell them what you told me"

Miss Macklemore looked uncomfortable as all attention fell on her. Clearing her throat, she spoke, "I was alerted to the situation by the screams of the students as they called on Aris to release Zach but she didn't heed. Instead, she applied more pressure with a sick smile as her eyes glazed over and I had to slap her to-"

"You did what?" Aunt Tessa questioned.

"I-It was all I could think of to stir her from the state s-she was in. I didn't mean to hit the princess" Mrs Macklemore said inclining her head.

"After that?" Agnes urged.

"Well then, she seemed to stir a little and I continued to shake her some more to bring her back to her senses. She did look utterly horrified with no recollection of what she had done"

"I see" Agnes said stroking her chin. "We have heard both sides of the story and the committee will like a few minutes to decide the appropriate punishment for the guilty party"

Agnes, the vice principal and some other teachers including Miss Macklemore clustered together as they debated in hush tones. Afterwards, Agnes cleared her throat and looked straight at me.

"Aris even though you have no recollection of the incident and you were provoked, that still doesn't change the fact that you attacked Zach with intention to hurt him."

"I agree and I'll like to be punished for it" I reply solemnly and truthfully. If I was punished, a little guilt will be off my chest.

"So therefore, you are suspended. You are done with your exams and all that is left is preparation for the 45th Evaluation Exam to see if you're fit for the outside world. You will not be banned from the event either but you won't be allowed to use school resources to train. That is all"

"That is all?" Mrs Caesar repeats. "That's all she gets?!"

"Yes and as for your 'angel' son, he and his gang of friends will clean the school till the Evaluation Exam in two weeks time and will continue to do so after for two months if they make it out alive. They will each apologize to every student they have wronged and write an undertaking promising to be better people in the future. Failure to do so will get a straightening out from me. Now that will be all," Agnes said leaving the room.

Mrs Caesar lay stunned in her chair and I almost burst out at the expression on her face.

"Let's go," Aunt Tessa said tugging me along.

"I'm coming, hold on," I reply pulling out of her grasp and head over to where Zach was.

"Zach-"

"Come to laugh and gloat at me right? Well go ahead"

"No! I'm not here for that although you do deserve it. I'm here to apologize for strangling you. I really didn't mean to do it and I'm truly sorry. I'm ready to pay for the hospital bills or anything you need to heal"

His face softens and he's about to reply me when his mom interjects

"My son does not need anything from you. Quit showing off with your royal money and keep your distance from my boy," Mrs Caesar spat dragging Zach away.

Oh well, at least my conscience is clear now.

"So what next?" I say cheerfully to Aunt Tessa. "Will you be going back home after the hearing?"

"No silly, I came here to spend time with my favorite niece"

"More like your only niece. So you'll be here till when?"

"Trying to get rid of me so soon?" She say wrapping me in a hug. "I'll be here till the Evaluation Exam. I'm here to train you"