Rings of Redemption

by the oppressive heat. The blaring fire alarm had just been silenced

leave the pan unattended," he remarked, to which I me

body odor and cigarette smoke, and the scent of bur

own, shall we?" he continued, offering unsolicite

t is now, thank

. "If you need anythi

I interrupted, awkwardly waving

my aching head. A quick nap should fix a

s it goin

about the fees for ne

. "Arrggh, talk about a proper Monday. This just c

r, which I had now decided to skip altogether. I scrolled through my phone,

their own business. Some students were taking down a poster: "Cong

, catching someone st

ing a deep gaze. With a sigh, I walked past him, realizin

just loudly enough to be

EM!" someone had co

asked. "Nice of you to show

oking for wh

tudent-Body..." she announced, her voice cheerful and bri

here she was standing. I wasn't interested in the high-energy conversation I

behind the locker door. "Left us h

n her standing, class schedule now in hand. I let out a deep audible sigh as I tried to find who was talking

re!" She

", a petite girl with long, chestnut hair cascading down her back in loose

the tags on her sui

quite your style as

ids want all the smoke

ice Pre..." I started to read out

s come to my rescue," I said w

em so indeed," sh

to show up early for this one," she said as

ou" I re

nally brea

tay away from that one," I r

e locker not bothering to examine the contents, the hallway was now

t gone signaling

study pages..." Mr. Henderson's voice was now being drowned out by th

have loved for it to be, an introductory class.

y way to

lly focused on the half-clean board. He made a swipe, half wiping the wor

he turned around, "you're m

id as he gestured to the c

ff his glasses and careful

inced he would inquire about my time at Pine-Cres

st?" I rememb

t it?" He

ens when i

r is quite some distance from here, plu

the mention of Alaska, it

on, "If you lay low no one's gonna ask about it. Plus Mr.

egret not pressing t

prised you're taking this class" he continued now examining a folder identical to

take some AP classes at your previo

ime cutting me off mid-sentence, "Edward Miller please report to the pr

Thursday I guess." Mr

sir" I

ice?" I thought to m

utes. Hopefully, I wouldn't be too long in the principal's office. "Second

meone say after I had

rly lady I could only assu

ler, Ma'am"

t the door to my right. It was o

sk. It was the same surname as my previous principal's. Mrs. Garcia had salt and pepper hair, neatly styled in a b

he desk, I realized there was someone else sea

Crest Mr. Miller"

I asked

High" she repeated

Ma'am" I repl

ound it so far?

alright Ma'a

with Ms. Nicolson, your to

olson, Andrea Ni

be all Andrea," Mrs. Ga

in our students such as integrity, discipline, honesty and academic excellence. We expect our students to uphold thes

f where the conver

lasses at your previous school. Quite an impressive academic back

your records, I've notice

st!" She

art s

continued, "I am curious, Edward, as to why y

I was at a lo

e interview." She said shifting her atten

ttention. We typically don't scrutinize our students for previous convictions here at CPHS," she remarked as she closed

ransparency is crucial. We need to ensure that our students are open and honest about their pa

feeling a knot for

ou go. You are a good student, but you

hung in the air. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat,

interview. It just did not come up, and I didn't think it was

kgrounds seriously. Transparency is key, especially when it comes to any incidents o

s we hold. Certain quotas if you will, must be met. Due to our proximity to the Pine-Crest Juvenile facility, we've been enrolled in th

rstand that honesty from the beginning is crucial. Your past actions, whatever they might

hing out to your previous school as well as the Pine-Crest

nd regret swirling within me

ent in her desk and pulling out a tie, "that you

nded me the tie. I took it silently. A "shorter" leash – the met

her stern expression softening slightly. "But you must understand the

"You will be assigned a mentor, someone who will guide you and monitor your progress closely. This is

nt-body vice president wil

ew other high-ranking members of staff are aware of your...'situation'. I wil

arked as if to stop herse

She put on her glasses an

t is a chance for a fresh start, and we genuinely want to

r down yet again. Ta

in tomorrow, I believe," she announced. "But really, it's about what you enjoy.

very..." I

w! Try to keep

, Ma'am,"

d "You ma

e, I felt a mix of gratitude, a

ly in place, I couldn't help but notice the

, I imagined. At least the cat's st