บท 17: Minus ten marks

"How did you get that?" Sheila asked, her face clouded with both anger and surprise. Her brain couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation as to how the jacket could get to Karina.

Veron was too big to associate himself with someone as worthless as this misplaced identity, so how did this happen?

"How does it concern you? It's not your jacket, is it?" Karina retorted, but Sheila's next action left her wide eyed.

"Give me that." Sheila dragged the jacket out of Karina's arms and took a step back. Her eyes narrowed as an explanation finally clicked in her head as to why Karina had Veron's jacket.

"What is your problem? Give it back." Karina demanded with a frown, taking a step forward, closing the space just created when Sheila stepped back.

"You little thief." Sheila uttered, surprising Karina, Nori, and the other students watching the show.

"Are you so desperate to wear the clothes of the rich that you now resort to stealing?" Sheila continued, looking genuinely shocked at the conclusion she just got in her head.

"Don't you think you're being too forward with that accusation?" This time, it was Nori who asked, irritated and angry at the stupid assumption and accusation thrown at Karina.

"Oh, please spare us that trash, mother hen." Audrey countered, eyeing Nori with contempt. "Stop trying to defend rubbish. It's already too obvious that she stole it."

"And you should be careful when supporting rubbish. Remember you're just a pest sucking from your master. You may not escape what she will." Nori rebutted, touching a spot that pained Audrey, even though it was the truth.

There was only one reason why Audrey and Salome were friends with Sheila. And that was because of what they were getting from her.

They would give their support to Sheila, become enemies with her enemies, and help her in tearing down her targets just so they won't lose access to the benefits they got from her.

"The only thief I can see here is Sheila." Karina, who just snapped out of her shock, spoke. By now, more students had gathered around them, watching the drama unfold with interest.

Karina hated drama, and worse, to be the center of attention. But since people would not just let her be, she had learned not to be scared of dishing some drama when needed.

She had been in the spotlight for a few years now, so being the center of attention no longer bothers her. Even though she hated it, she couldn't keep running away from confrontation, especially when most people she meets just wanted to pull her down for no reason.

Karina's reverse accusation confused Sheila, making her blink severally and lifted a brow.

"Is insanity part of your problem? Have you read too much your brain has caught fire?" Sheila asked in ridicule, baffled at how Karina was throwing the accusation back to her despite glaring evidence indicting the latter.

"The fact that your brain is too dull to comprehend anything does not mean those of us who's brains are active are insane." Karina countered, eliciting echoes of laughter from the onlookers.

Furious couldn't fully describe Sheila's expression as she glared at Karina. But the latter wasn't done yet.

"You call me a thief, yet you're the one clearly grabbing and holding on to something that don't belong to you. Doesn't that make you the thief here? Or does the jacket belong to you?" Karina queried.

"I took it because I want to return it to the rightful owner." Sheila defended her action, lifting her chin. "That's what good citizens do. Return stolen items to their rightful owners. Isn't that right?" She asked, moving her gaze to a few students who nodded in agreement.

Karina snorted. "And what makes you think I'm not here to do the same?" Karina asked, getting tired of the whole thing. She had already wasted considerable time waiting for Veron, and now this.

"Why would you want to return something you stole?" Sheila queried back after scoffing.

"You should ask the owner that question, not me. And you should stop accusing me of stealing. He gave me the jacket." Karina revealed. She was tired of this, and her stomach was already rumbling.

"Veron gave you his jacket? Hahaha... Wow... You have big dreams. Tell me. What else did you see him giving you in your dreams?" Sheila asked with disdain, her expression one of contempt.

"You can say whatever you want. I don't care, neither do I have time for your shenanigans. Just give me the jacket and we can all leave here."

"Not happening." Sheila refused. Taking another step back, she moved her hand holding the jacket behind her, and Salome collected it from her.

"Give it back, Sheila." Karina demanded, her voice echoing louder this time as she followed after Sheila.

"Fight. Fight. Fight." The onlookers began chanting, urging the two to get engaged in a brawl.

"Karina Harper, minus ten marks." They all heard the voice of the lecturer conducting a test in their class. He had come out to determine what was causing the rowdiness and disturbing the students still writing.

Only to see a group gathered around Karina and Sheila, while the two were glaring at each other.

After he made that statement, all the onlookers moved in haste away from the hallway, to avoid losing marks over something they were not involved in.

"Sheila Stevens, minus ten marks." Mr. Paul, the lecturer added, and Sheila, who had been smiling over Karina's punishment instantly widened her eyes.

"What? I did not—" Sheila started in defense, but was silenced by Mr. Paul's next words.

"One more word and you will lose another ten marks."

Sheila ground her teeth in annoyance, knowing that losing ten marks would not affect Karina much. But she would definitely fail should she lose twenty marks.

And Mr. Paul was a very strict lecturer, not one to bribe. That's why he gives enough room for all the students to catch up, so no one will find him at fault when they fail.

She turned to face Karina with a scowl, but the latter was looking at her with equal intensity.

Karina wanted to report that Sheila was holding onto something of hers, though not hers directly. But she couldn't speak a word, knowing it would lead to extra loss of marks.

"If I still see any of you here in the next ten seconds, I'll take it you've forfeited this test." Mr. Paul's voice echoed again, just as he raised his wrist watch to his face to count the seconds.

"Let's go." Nori whispered, while pulling Karina, away from there.

"Let her be. You just have to tell Veron that she took the jacket forcefully from you." Nori said, trying to calm her fuming sister down as they walked away.