Unstable Kiss

Chapter 2 - Help Me

Hannah immediately went limp; her hope evaporated when she saw that the CCTV footage was only a black image with thin lines. The CCTV footage that was supposed to prove her innocence is now useless.

Cheryl and her three friends smiled slightly to show satisfaction. Hannah failed to prove her guilt.

"Hannah, I'm sorry, I can't help you because the CCTV footage seems to be having problems. Therefore, in this case, you are proven guilty, according to your friends' statements who saw the incident firsthand." Miss. Swan showed a guilty look on her face.

"Miss. Swan, we can go out, right? We still have schoolwork to do," said Cheryl.

"Go ahead because, in this case, you are innocent."

Cheryl and her three friends rushed to leave the consultation room.

"Miss Swan, shouldn't Hannah have to apologize to Cheryl?" asked Ebony, who was discouraged from leaving the room.

"Apologize?"

"Yes, because Hannah has accused Cheryl and taken up our time."

"Hannah… I hope you…." Miss. Swan didn't know what to do. It was impossible to refuse Ebony's request.

"I'm sorry, Miss. Swan. I'm innocent; how could I apologize to Cheryl."

"Huh, who do you think you are! You are wrong here. Still dodge, too." Sarah snapped.

"Sarah! Don't shout like that. This is a school, obey the rules of manners in our school." said Miss. Swan.

"Sorry, Miss. Swan."

"Okay, okay, I've forgiven Hannah. After all, we are good friends. Hannah has helped me a lot so far." Cheryl feigned sympathy.

"See, Cheryl is that good to you." this time, Rachel satirized Hannah.

'Yeah, I'm so stupid. So far, I have given Cheryl cheat sheets and helped her with her homework.' Hani thought to herself.

"Okay, if Cheryl has sincerely forgiven Hannah's mistakes. You can leave." Miss. Swan subtly chases Cheryl and the gang away.

"Excuse us, Miss," Cheryl said goodbye on behalf of her friends.

Take this towel and wash your face." Miss. Swan handed a small towel to Hannah after Cheryl and her three friends had left the room.

"Thank you, Miss."

"I'm sorry, I can't help you. The CCTV footage should be able to help you get clear of their accusations. But unfortunately, the CCTV footage has problems." Actually, Miss. Swan is suspicious of Cheryl and her gang. But she could not do anything because she was only an honorary teacher. Often she caught the children of wealthy or influential people bullying students from mediocre families. But she could not do anything to defend students who were being forced. Because it's useless, she has no power. All she could do was pay little attention, treat wounds, and comfort students who were being bullied.

"It's okay, Miss. I understand your position." Hannah went to the sink to wash her face and then wiped it with the towel Miss. Swan lent her.

After washing her face and returning the towel, Hannah said goodbye to Miss. Swan to go to the teacher's room. Hannah's steps felt heavy because she imagined the fines for repairing miniatures would be costly.

"Cheryl," Sarah called when she saw Hannah walking past them. "Look," Sarah pointed at Hannah with her chin.

"Feel that," Cheryl said with a pout.

"Rachel, thank you, you helped me earlier." Cheryl patted Rachel on the shoulder.

"You're my best friend; I'll do anything for you, Cheryl," said Rachel proudly.

"Oh... it turns out you're the culprit who made Miss. Swan quiet, unable to defend Hannah," said Ebony.

"My father has connections in this school. When it comes to sabotaging CCTV footage, it's a small matter." Rachel held up her little finger.

"How do you do it, Rachel?" Sarah asked.

"You i***t, your mind, the contents are only the hot guy. It's just a simple matter, you don't know?" Rachel sneered.

"Yeah, you know, I'm a junior in this gang," complained Sarah while fixing her pink headband, an attribute of a well-known girl band that she bought at a bazaar concert of her favourite girl band.

"My father is a teacher here when Miss. Swan ordered security to take the USB CCTV footage from the staff room. I sent a message to my father to help Cheryl. Somehow, my father managed to replace it with a fake one."

"Oh…." Sarah nodded, trying to digest Rachel's explanation. Understandably the level of intelligence is below average. She was able to enter this elite school because her parents bribed unscrupulous teachers so they could be accepted into this school.

"By the way, Cheryl. Why are you bothering Geeky? Aren't you friends with her?" asked Ebony.

"Friends? Don't be silly, you know. I'm just taking advantage of her."

"So now, she's useless?"

"Who told her to get close to Mike? Mike belongs to me. Anyone who dares to get close to Mike. I have to beat her, including you and you," point Cheryl to Sarah, Rachel, and Ebony.

"Don't worry, I'm not a traitor," said Ebony coolly. Not the least bit interested in Mike, even though many girls idolize him."

"What am I doing? Just a grain of dust," Sarah replied.

"Why are you two looking at me?" Rachel muttered. "How can I steal Cheryl's crush. We are in different classes; I'm far below Cheryl. How can Mike see my presence," Rachel lied. Even though she has a big crush on Mike. Hoping to be the girlfriend of the most brilliant student in class 12 science.

"Good, don't let the three of you secretly seduce Mike behind me. Your fate will be even more tragic than that geeky one."

***

"What, sir? one thousand dollars?" Hannah was surprised by the miniature repair cost, which was quite expensive. If collected in one month, her total pocket money is only eighty dollars left. Where could she get so much money?

"We have cut the cost considering your family's economic situation is below average." said the school treasurer.

"You have to hand over the money by next week at the latest, or we'll have to kick you out of this school."

"F-fine, sir. I understand; I'll try to hand over the repair money ASAP."

***

Hannah looked down, let alone having one thousand dollars in cash. Daily needs take time to reach. She could go to school at Universal School because she got a scholarship. Hannah's intelligence in academics produces good grades.

"Hannah," Mike called. Suddenly the boy who became an idol at Universal School approached Hannah.

"Mike," Hannah smiled faintly.

"Are you all right?" asked Mike intently.

"Thanks, I'm fine, really." Hannah pretended to be calm, even though her heart throbbed with nervousness. Mike often greeted her.

"Are you from the teacher's room?"

"Yes, I need to know how much I have to pay for the damage to the miniature."

"Then, can you pay? I mean... do you have enough money to pay that fee?"

"I will try," said Hannah. Even though Hannah doubts she can get one thousand dollars in one week.

"If you need it, I can help you."

"Ah, no, no. I can do it myself." Hannah waved her hand, rejecting Mike's kindness.

"Don't be shy; I sincerely want to help you."

"Thanks again, Mike. But I don't think that's necessary." Hannah refused while fixing her slightly drooping glasses.

***

Meanwhile, Cheryl and her friends stared at Hannah and Mike angrily.

"Cheryl, will you just keep quiet?" asked Ebony.

"Shìt, bìtch," Cheryl cursed, glaring at Hannah and Mike. "She's a really annoying girl."

"Cheryl," Rachel called.

"Girls, come with me." Cheryl wants to meet the Dark Street gang in the school hallways with her three friends.

***

"Cheryl, What troubles brought you here?" Say the boy, with a short haircut and wearing a black jacket.

"Dony, I need your help."

"You know, I asked for another special reward from you?"

Cheryl smiled crookedly, "you say that to me?" Cheryl glanced in the direction where Sarah and the others were.

"Okay," Dony walked over to Cheryl and whispered. "I want one full night in the VIP room."

Cheryl pushed Dony's body, "as long as your job is done well, it's a small matter." Cheryl winked.

"Deals." Dony smiled contentedly.

Meanwhile, Cheryl's three friends exchanged views about the deal between Cheryl and Dony. Dony, the leader of the famous Dark Street gang, likes to do dangerous things.

"Cheryl, did you ask Dony to work on Hannah?" asked Ebony.

"That's payback for a sassy girl who dares to seduce Mike."

***

After school, Hannah rushed to the cafe address that would accept her part-time job as a waitress. During the break earlier, Hannah was looking for work in a social media group used by a community of job seekers.

Hannah feels grateful; there is a cafe looking for part-time workers. She quickly walks through the small street to a restaurant near the school. But her steps immediately stopped when in front of her stood someone who was very feared by students at Universal School. Dony Brooke, the Dark Street gang leader known for- committing harassment and crimes against his.

"Hello, Sweetie; why are you in a rush?"

"Hahaha," laughter boomed as Dony's men appeared and walked around Hannah. They formed a circle so Hannah couldn't escape.

"The game begins," said Dony, who ordered his men to hold Hannah's hands.

'Somebody, help me.'