The principal's office was dingy.

It wreaked of coffee and sweet pastries which would've been nice if there wasn't an overbearing smell of cigarettes. The room was filled with wrappers here and there, littering the surface of her desk and floor. It was stuffy and dark and Athena wanted nothing more than to get out but she sat patiently instead, waiting for the principal and the vice principal to arrive. 

When the door finally opens, Athena stands up, unsure of what to do. She'd never been to the principal's office in all her years of schooling so this experience was new to her.

"Please, take a seat Ms. Chang," the principal, Mrs. Lee says.

Athena does as told and the vice-principal, Mr. Young trails behind the woman like a little puppy. Athena felt bad for the man. He always appeared to only really act as a secretary to Mrs. Lee which was horrible, but there wasn't much you could do. And, Mr. Young was always kind about it so no one ever dared to raise a word about the situation.

"I suspect you know why you're here," Mrs. Lee starts.

In all honesty, Athena did know why she was there, but she also was confused. Was she called here because her boyfriend was murdered? Or because she was the number one suspect? Instead of asking though, Athena simply nods, willing the principal to continue.

Mrs. Lee felt no more than pity for the girl. Her situation was horrible but as the principal of the school, she had to ensure that her students were safe. Plus, she had received so many calls from parents asking for Athena to be expelled or else they would pull their kids out of the school. Mrs. Lee just had to do something before this all turned to a horrible mess. The principal gives Athena a stern look before speaking up again. 

"Now, I know that the situation that occurred at the end of the school year last semester was heartbreaking and I know that you, as well as our students and staff, are hurting. But, I also know that something happened that lead you to be deemed dangerous and I don't want to have to worry about my other students safety. Do you get where I'm going with this?"

"I do," Athena mutters.

"Good. So, I hope I don't have to see you here for anything other than a band-aid." 

Mrs. Lee had tried to joke and in all other situations, Athena would've laughed, but today was not a day she had any type of emotion. Athena just nods once again before getting up to leave. As she exits the uncomfortable smelling office, Mr. Young calls out her name. 

"If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm always here," he says.

Athena releases a smile. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

~~~~

Entering the hallway was a struggle. Athena held onto the door handle in the office for so long, one of the secretaries came over and helped her open the door. It pained her to enter the chaotic area but she had to, one way or another. As the girl walked, Athena could feel the stares burning into her soul. Voices were reduced to nothing and Athena could hear her own footsteps. They were too loud. The hallway was too silent and Athena needed to get out. 

Athena picked up the pace and that's when the whispers emerged. Filling every silent corner and locker, whispers about her and what happened at the end of last year rose like smoke. There were sneers and pathetic tries at sympathy. Everyone seemed to know exactly what had happened and what Athena appeared to be in the situation. She wanted to prove them wrong, to tell them it wasn't her. But, that would be a lie. So, instead, Athena kept shut and rushed her way to first period.

Arriving, she slouches into a seat next to Somi, resting her head upon the desk as tears well in her eyes. 

And this is only the first period.