Chapter 49 Punishmen (1/2)

In the office of Robins Grey, a thick folder labeled 'Principal Dobbins' was laid neatly on his desk, with a white thumb drive glistening on it. When Robins came in the next morning, his face darkened considerably upon reading the files in the folder.

When he had first opened the folder, the first thing he saw as a single A4 size white paper with one sentence, in bold:

”Herein lies the deeds of Principal Dobbins. I trust you to do what is right.”

He flipped the paper and saw what appeared to be curriculum vitae of some kids. There was a photo of a child (presumably a Sakura Academy student) placed at the top center of the page. The name would be right under the photo, then a brief description of what had occurred and what Principal Dobbins had done.

Samuel Graham - Expelled

Reason: Stole $1000 from Student Council's funds. (date and amount highlighted in yellow)

Fact: At the time of supposed theft, Samuel Wang was absent. He was working at K-Mart, covering for a friend who had fallen sick.

Evidence: A photo from a security camera was clipped on the paper, clearly showing the date and time, and Samuel's face.

Ren Xi - Expelled

Reason: Stole Physics exam answers. Papers found in his schoolbag.

Fact: Circumstantial evidence. No one saw the deed, and the papers were kept in a locked drawer in a locked room. The door was unlocked and drawer opened yet no proof or explanation as to how it came to be that way.

Gerry Hale - Expelled

Reason: Stole $500 from Student Council Funds (date and amount highlighted in yellow)

Fact: Unsubstantiated and not verified. Accused by a fellow classmate. Money never recovered.

And the list went on. Robins didn't count the number, but from a rough guess, it was no less than 30. All of them appeared to be trumped up charges, or that Dobbins had never truly investigated the matter. She deemed the culprits guilty from the start, ignoring their pleas of innocence.

However, as bad as it was going through the list of students, the last page made him shiver. Dobbins' bank statement had been printed out, and several transactions were highlighted. When he checked it with the list of students, he realised that the dates coincided with the time the money had been stolen from the Student Council AND the amount was the same as what had been reported stolen.

Coincidence?

Robins picked up his phone, looked through the contacts and made a call to his good 'ol friend, Chief Pooh.

**--**--**--

Kyle was in trouble.

They were at the park, and Kyle was made to sit down at the bench while the rest of the Elite Five were standing in front of him, staring at him. Xing Han was pouting and had his arms crossed on his chest. Kay was looking at him with eyes glistening with tears. Ali was growling at him, his foot tapping on the ground. Sam was ... well, just Sam as he held his head up slightly higher and looked down at Kyle.

They had all agreed to meet up at the park after class activities, and Kyle was the second one to arrive. Kay was already there, smiling at him but he noticed her lips were trembling. As if holding back some tears. Worried, he rushed over and grabbed her arms but she began hitting him on the chest. ”Kyle, you meanie!!” she shouted clearly.

Kyle was perplexed and opened his mouth to ask when he felt hands fall heavily on his shoulders. A lightbulb moment happened when he saw the ghost of a smile on Kay's lips before she turned to face Xing Han who came beside her. He was looking at her worriedly, and she sniffed softly. Kyle was pushed forward, and made to sit on the bench.

That was the scene right now.

”Explain,” demanded Ali.

Kyle rubbed the back of his neck nervously, ”Explain? Explain what?”He looked at them with wide, innocent eyes.

”Don't give me that!” growled Ali, taking a step closer. He leaned down and pointed a finger on Kyle's nose while his other hand pointed at Kay. Kay was still sniffling, her head on Xing Han's shoulder. Xing Han was glaring at Kyle now while rubbing her back to comfort her.

”What did you do to make her cry?!” Ali shouted at Kyle's face.

”Unforgivable,” muttered Sam.

”Nothing!” Kyle protested, putting his hands up.

”Nothing? Nothing? How can it be nothing when she's crying like that?!” Ali put up a leg on the bench, to the right of Kyle. He placed one hand on his waist and another on his leg.