CHAPTER16
(During one of the afternoon classes, there's an announcement on the speakers.)
ANNOUNCEMENT
Can TOP from Class1D report to the student council's office right away.
(TOP who has bandages gets up and walks.)
JUHI
What just happened?
ABBY
I heard that there was a fight between TOP and some Class C students.
MADDIE
That is bad. Fighting is no good.
JENNIFER
Would this lead to TOP get suspended? I heard the student council has the authority to suspend or expel any student.
TIFFANY
If they suspend or expel TOP, our class will have a bad reputation.
FABLO
We already have a bad reputation since one of our classmates was actually involved in the fight. You were with didn't you? Kevin and Sukini.
KEVIN
…
SUKINI
…
JUSTIN
Guys calm down. I'm sure TOP isn't the type to start fights.
LISA
What do you think about this, Juwon?
(Juwon looks out the window, unbothered.)
JUWON
…
(Hanna glances at Juwon thinking that he might have some plan.)
(Meanwhile, Ms. Shelly is at the door with the Mr. Ken the class teacher of Class C.)
KEN
Looks like you can't keep your students in check.
SHELLY
I'm really sorry about this.
KEN
Take a look at them. They have a broken arm, a broken nose and leg.
(He's referring to Trevor, Patrick and Steve.)
SHELLY
What really happened? And where's TOP?
KEN
I guess he's not going to show up. He has accepted his fate. He's going to be suspended. And the midterms are around the corner. Within 2 weeks in sight. That means Class D will have a bad reputation.
(TOP shows up and sees that Trevor, Patrick and Steve are in bandages.)
TOP
What happened to you guys?
TREVOR
You did this to us?
TOP
What?! I did no such thing! You guys beat me up! And even bullied Sukini and Kevin!
STEVE
We did no such thing! You attacked us from nowhere! We were just having our lunch and then you attacked us out of nowhere!
TOP
You piece of shit!
(He's about to grab Steve's shirt but Ms. Shelly stops him.)
SHELLY
Let's not complicate things okay TOP. Things have already gotten messy because of you.
TOP
You're taking their side, Ms. Shelly over your own student!
SHELLY
I'm taking no one's side.
(A 3rd year student by the name of Naomi opens the door. She's the Student Council's vice president.)
NAOMI
The school president, Hong Jaejun wants to hear this case.
KEN
Okay. I guess your student from Class D is about to be expelled Ms. Shelly. Your salary might be cut because of not keeping your student in check.
SHELLY
…
(They both enter the classroom. There, Hong Jaejun who's seeing this case sits like a Judge.)
JAEJUN
The principal has asked me to oversee this case. Since she has gone to meet the School Director and the Dean. So, I'll be the judge. And I will decide who'll get suspended or not. That's what the judgement Mrs. Saraj the principal has said to me. Now, let me hear this case from Mr. Ken the class teacher of Class C.
KEN
Okay. This is how it happened. Trevor, Steve, and Patrick were having their lunch outside of the school canteen and then TOP came over and attacked them out of nowhere.
TOP
That's a lie! I did no such thing!
JAEJUN
Order!
SHELLY
Wait until it's your turn TOP.
JAEJUN
Trevor. Why did TOP attack you?
TREVOR
It's because he believed he owed us credits. And he had come to collect his debt. And since we had no credits he beat us and insulted Patrick and his mom saying that they have the brains of a peanut.
TOP
What?! That's not true! They're lying! They were the ones who bullied Sukini and Kevin! Go on and ask them!
JAEJUN
TOP, sit down. We'll get a hearing from you. I'll make sure that I will judge this case fair and square. And Mr. Ken. Do you have the evidence to support this?
KEN
Yes.
(Mr. Ken plays a recording that shows TOP's voice.)
TOP'S VOICE
You 3 owes me money. And it's passed your deadline. So pay up or you'll face the consequences!
(Then there are sounds of Trevor, Patrick and Steve being beaten.)
TOP
…?!
SHELLY
Oh my God. TOP did you do that?
TOP
No… way.
JAEJUN
Well, TOP. What do you have to say?
TOP
I did no such thing! I've been set up!
KEN
If you didn't do it. Then who did it? It's your voice.
TOP
I… you have to believe me! I didn't do it! Ms. Shelly, you have to believe me!!
SHELLY
TOP. I'm very disappointed to you.
JAEJUN
You have to wait outside until we give you a final ruling.
TOP
[Fuck! Am I going to be suspended? For something that I didn't do.]
(He turns to Steve, Trevor and Patrick who're grinning.)
TOP
[Those bastards must've plotted something.]
JAEJUN
It seems like TOP has found guilty. So, I'll now say the final judgement.
(The door bursts open.)
HANNA
Hold on a minute! This isn't how a court should be run! The defendant doesn't have a lawyer. And I believe that he's innocent.
JAEJUN
Who're you?
HANNA
I'm Hanna Kim. The vice class president of Class 1D and I'll be his lawyer. It states in the school rules that when there's a school court going on in session, both parties must've a lawyer. Who's either the class president/ the vice president. And I'm standing here before you as TOP's lawyer.
JAEJUN
What will you bring to the table?
HANNA
We give this case a thorough investigation and start a fair and just trial.
(TOP bursts in tears.)
TOP
H-Hanna…
[To be continued]