Chapter 18 - Unrest and Boycott

While the trio was happily discussing the prospect of the new novel that Scarlet wanted to work on, trouble was brewing within the classrooms. While there were many who were envious of the special treatment the 'geniuses' received, there were a few students who thought that it was their duty to administer justice and knock them down a few pegs on behalf of the student population.

Phones were whipped out during the break and texts were sent. It didn't take long for the discontent to be known and not even the teachers could control the students. Hostile eyes followed the trio when they sat down in the cafeteria for lunch. Many students were watching silently from afar but the few who instigated the ripple took it a notch up and confronted them.

It was deliberate, it had to be. One moment they were minding their own business enjoying the food they bought. The next moment the spoon had fallen to the ground, knocked out of Scarlet's hand with a force that could not have been accidental. The girl who was 'passing by' had a sneer as she apologised and Scarlet stared at her for a good two seconds before bending down to pick the spoon up when the unthinkable happened.

Alex gasped in horror as the bully poured apple juice onto Scarlet. That was clearly no slip-up, she emptied the contents of the juice box right above Scarlet's head just as she was reaching for the spoon. Jasper's knuckles were white after witnessing such blatant bullying happen in front of him. He was about to jump in and defend Scarlet when the small girl lashed back with the spoon between her fingers. Nobody knew exactly what happened but there was a black blur before the other girl was howling in pain on the ground clutching her right side of the face. The metal spoon in Scarlet's hand was dented at a thirty-degree angle and that was when the teachers decided to step in.

"But sir, she started it!" Alex tried to defend Scarlet but the teacher on duty refused to listen. He sent all four children to the principal's office, dragging Alex by her wrist in a bruising grip. Scarlet followed wordlessly but there was no mistaking the fury in her eyes. Jasper glared at the bully from beneath his bangs and followed them behind. Mrs Wilde entrusted Alex with him when she agreed to let her precious girl attend school with him. He had failed his duty...

The principal didn't look like his easy-going and jovial self. He sat stiffly in the chair and there was a man standing in the room. The bully who poured juice on Scarlet immediately started crying when they reached the principal's office. The man quickly hugged his daughter and Scarlet's expression darkened. Putting on a show in front of her dad to look like the victim? How shameless.

"Who did this to my daughter? Who? Is it you?" the enraged father looked at Jasper and then turned to Alex who looked angry.

"Or you?"

Alex glared back and shouted, "She started it by pouring juice on Scarlet after bumping into her!"

"Oh?" the bully's father raised his voice. "And hitting her in retaliation is allowed? Just because you're considered gifted doesn't give you the right to throw your weight around. Does the school side with those who are considered talented and cast the rest away? If this how your school operates then I will withdraw my child immediately. I have connections with the local press, you can forget about keeping your job, Mr Principal."

Scarlet couldn't believe the nerves this man had. Outrightly threatening the principal in front of them? Surely the principal knew better than to believe his lies and give in to his threats...

"My apologies, please let the school have another chance. We will investigate thoroughly and handle the matter accordingly. There is no need to resort to such a drastic measure, this is a fight between children. Also, the gifted children will be treated no differently from the other children, please rest assured."

Hearing the words fly from the principal's mouth made Alex stunned. Even Jasper was not expecting it. The bully's father smirked and cast a condescending look at the three children while hugging his daughter."Very well, please see that it is done. I trust that as the principal you know who to prioritise. After all, we are talking about future generation here. Kids who cannot control their anger should be sent for anger management classes in my opinion. Nowadays the smarter they are the more arrogant they become... I say you should throw in detention too just to teach these geniuses some humility."

"Yes, yes... of course, you are right..." the principal fumbled as the father barked orders at the principal who was now sweating terribly even though the air conditioning unit was working overtime and that it was freezing in the office.

The moment the man left, the principal sank back into his chair and wiped his sweat away with a handkerchief before giving the three maligned children an apologetic look. The air of defeat was cloying and Scarlet closed her eyes, unable to take any more humiliation. The spectacular injustice served to them only served to solidify her feelings about a.d.u.l.ts and the world. They were not to be trusted. Her Grand Plans suddenly seemed more important than anything else.

Beside her, Alex was crying angry tears and demanding answers from the now silent principal who had bowed his head in shame, unable to meet any of their eyes. Jasper took out his phone and sent a quick text. His other hand was in his pocket balled up into a tight fist. Fingernails cut into the palm of his hand and he tasted blood in his mouth as he bit the inside of his cheek, angry at himself for failing to protect them.

Before Alex and Jasper could sort their feelings out, another tragedy struck. Scarlet didn't know what to feel when she saw two familiar faces enter the principal's office.

"Sorry, we just heard the news that our daughter has caused trouble. We will be taking her away from school for a while to re-educate her properly. It looks like our extended leave due to work and neglect has caused the school some trouble, we are very sorry about it."

Scarlet wanted to say something, anything at all but her tongue felt heavy in her mouth and her voice disappeared on her in the most critical period. She could only give Alex and Jasper a helpless look as her parents dragged her away, not caring about the juice in her hair or their daughter's new hairstyle.

Not having enough time to catch his breath or make heads or tails of the event, the principal was yet greeted by another guest. This time, it was Alex's turn to run towards them.

"Jenna!" she cried and the butler allowed her young mistress to bawl while Jasper did the explaining. Jenna's frown didn't bode well and she gave the principal a sharp stare, almost succeeding in making the man piss in his pants.

"Don't worry, young mistress. The lady will handle everything. Just hold on for a few more days, alright? I promise, everything will be alright. Jasper, could you go get your belongings? We're heading home today."

The boy nodded curtly and left swiftly. "We are severely disappointed at the way you handled the situation," Jenna let the principal know before she left the office. Boneless in his chair, the principal could only stare at the shut door. After today's events, the simple man decided that it might be better to hand in his letter of resignation.