Trixy's pov
The large office was filled with the soft drone of the air conditioning, a small backdrop to my heart pounding. Each second felt stretched out like a clock ticking in a room where time had slowed down. To the left, I sat stiffly in the chair, clutching my hands tightly in my lap till my knuckles turned white.
Sir Hugo sat across the gleaming oak desk, his gaze fixed but indecipherable and his arms crossed. He seemed unhappy but not furious; rather, his face carried a weight that made me want to bury myself in my seat.
Madam President Gwendlyn Jeanne Austen the University dean, owner and my aunt my leaned forward a little across from us, her sharp but quiet eyes examining me as if she could see past my skin and into my mind. She had always been calm, the sort of person who didn't have to scream to let others know the severity of a given situation.
" Trixy "so she started, her voice strong but not harsh, "did you get the key to correction for Sir Hugo's subject from this office? "
I gasped and made myself gaze up at her. " Not at all, ma'am. I am not one to act in such way. "
Sir Hugo's brow knit. "Then how do you account for this? " He stretched two fingers towards a little brown envelope from the desk. " It was discovered in your bag. "
The envelope could as easily have been a loaded like gun its contents had the capacity to destroy everything. My stomach turned agonisingly. "I I don't know how it got there," I muttered softly, my voice hardly audible.
Before my aunt could reply, her secretary popped up at the door. " Madam President, they're here. "
" Send them in " she responded without thinking twice.
The door opened, and Phoebe stepped inside along with my friends Erlyn, Sydnee, and Luna. I saw the same combination of worry and resolve reflected back at me the instant their gaze met mine. They hurried towards me and created a little wall of silent support.
Madam Gwen spoke to them honestly; " did Trixy did this? Did she get Mr Hugo's answers list test and put it to her bag to use it to your exam today? "
Luna responded first, her voice steady and confident. "No, maam. She was with us in the library studying. She would never cheat; she is a diligent student. "
Phoebe nodded in agreement, her jaw set tight as if daring anyone to challenge her words.
Erlyn moved a little, looking at me before she spoke. "Maybe somebody else put it in her bag. "
My head turned suddenly to face her.
"Ms. Hollingsworth, what do you mean?" My aunt questioned, her voice tightening. Are you implying Trixy was set up and another kid could be to blame?
Erlyn stopped, nibbling her lip. It's just earlier, right after the exam, "One of the students made a comment to Trixy. " She added, " Lets see if you can actually achieve a perfect score. That sounded like a threat not a joke. "
I dropped my eyes and my thoughts went back to that event. It was such a little something; I passed over a remark at the moment. But at this time in this office, the weight of guilt bearing on me made it seem anything but little.
Luna must have felt my pain since she gently put her hand on my shoulder. That small action straightened me up when my voice would not.
Madam Gwen turned to look at her secretary. "Call in Ms. Hutcherson, please," she said.
Scarlett walked into the office minutes later, her demeanor quite collected. " You wanted to see me, Madam President? "
"Yes "my aunt replied evenly. " Regarding the key to correction for Sir Hugos subject, there was an incident. It was discovered in Ms. Austens bag. Were you involved in any way? "
Scarlett blinked, a polite rejection on her face. " No, ma'am. I am a hardworking student here at Austen University and I would never get engaged in anything like that. "
Erlyn said something under her breath, her voice loud enough for me to hear but too quiet for my aunt to hear distinctly.
Madam Gwen's focus stayed on Scarlett. Erlyn interrupted again, this time more directly. " Madam President, this office seems to have CCTV cameras, unless I'm mistaken. Reviewing them would help us to ascertain the truth. "
" Indeed "my aunt murmured with a slight nod. Everyone in the room held their breath as she turned to her computer and her fingers flashed swiftly across the keyboard.
Time passed in seconds. Apart from the gentle key clicking, there was no other noise. She then stopped.
" That era's film has vanished. "
The room went quiet, more heavy than before.
Planning, Erlyn murmured softly, but she chose her words with care as if balancing on a tightrope.
Madam Gwen straighten. " Sir Hugo, please hold off on the exam results. I shall look into things. This situation affects more than just Trixyit compromises all of the students here. Correct; anybody who is responsible will face repercussions. "
" Yes, Madam President, we responded collectively; for each of us, the phrases had varied weights. "
" You could go. "
Everyone started filing out, but my legs would not budge.
Aunt Gwen murmured, " Trixy, do you have anything else you wish to share? "
I paused, then reached out to grasp her hand. "Auntie, please could we not discuss this with my father? I do not want him to be dissatisfied in me. "My voice broke despite my best attempts.
Her eyes grew gentle. " Trixy, secrets have a tendency to surface. Soon I hope we find the truth. Keep your head up and your conscience clean until then. "
I nodded, but my voice vanished.
" I can't treat you specially just because you're my niece. " She kept going gently. " This university belongs to our family, but every student should be treated the same. I pray you get it. "
" I do. Thanks, Auntie. "
At last I stood up and went out. Waiting for me in the corridor were my friends, their faces relieved the minute they spotted me. They squeezed me tightly without saying anything.
Luna declared sternly, as if creating it into being. We know you didn't do it; everything will be alright.
Before I could reply, a familiar voice broke through the silence. "Well, well. Let's only hope, Trixy, this isn't the reason you fail. "
Scarlett.
Phoebe seethed right away, but I grabbed her arm before she could step. I murmured, "Don't. I don't want things to get worse. "
Reluctantly she stepped back, though her gaze never left Scarletts retreating form. Shes lucky you stopped me, she mumbled under her breath.
Though I aimed to grin, my thoughts were elsewhere. How should I have approached Dad about this? One requirement he had for allowing me to follow my music keep was to keep my grades up. Hearing about this would make me shudder just thinking about its implications.
One idea thumped hard on my chest as my pals led me away from the workplace.
This wasn't over yet. Not even close.