Kim's POV*

I turned my head slowly towards the direction of the crash, hoping it was something minor.

Something I could pay for with detention and a heartfelt apology.

But luck wasn't on my side today.

I held back the urge to gasp when I saw the glass plaque shattered on the floor.

Shards of glass lay everywhere.

The courier who delivered it kept staring at the floor in shock, as he had just seen someone perform dark magic.

" Aww... Christmas came early" Skyler said, that wicked smile now back on her face.

" See what you made me do!!" I lashed out at her, pointing at the mess lying five feet away.

" Oh spare me that crap, we all saw your pathetic attempt at an Olympic performance" she retorted, giggling

She snickered " You're in big trouble now, girl"

" I swear to god I'm going to kill..."

" Hey blonde hair !" the courier called out, finally looking up "Are you fucking blind?!"

" I'm sorry ... I'm really... really sorry" I stammered, trying to swallow the lump building in my throat.

Mrs Thorne, our principal, stood over the shattered glass. A forlorn look on her face.

Her hands were glued to her waist.

I could feel my hands trembling.

She picked up Skyler's book " Who did this ?".

Everyone pointed to me, and I pointed to Skyler.

I wasn't going down for this alone.

" Both of you, in my office... now!!' she commanded, walking away briskly.

I followed suit, as a meek lamb led to the slaughter.

I resigned to my fate back at the principal's office.

I couldn't bring myself to think about the cost of replacing the Plaque.

I did not know how I was going to wriggle out of the situation.

" I can't believe you would do this, Ms Kimberly" Mrs Thorne said, looking at me intensely "You're a senior, you should know better"

" I'm sorry" I said, bowing my head

She sighed with exasperation " That was a rare crystal glass plaque.

"How am I going to explain that it got destroyed before it could even get to my Office ?" she asked no one in particular.

" I'm really sorry" I repeated, bowing my head down.

" Being sorry just won't cut it, Ms Kimberly. We have a replacement policy and I intend to use it" she said.

" This is not fair ... this is absolutely not fair" Skyler said

" Which part of it is not fair?" Mrs Thorne asked, leaning forward on her table.

" I approached her to ask about our homework from Kim and she just snatched my book and flung it away.

I didn't do anything to warrant this" Skyler replied with a trembling voice.

"That's a 3,000-dollar plaque you two broke out there. We were supposed to present it to our School's top benefactor, Mr Wallace but now it's in bits and pieces... whose fault is that?" She rasped, shifting her gaze to Skyler

Skyler finally kept quiet.

Her theatrics weren't going to work this time.

I was just happy to know she would be facing whatever consequences alongside me.

" I'd love to call your parents right away, but since you're now seniors... like I keep repeating, I'll give you all a chance to take responsibility for once". Mrs Thorne said.

My eyes lit up in hope.

" What do you want us to do, ma'am?" I asked quickly, sitting up from my chair.

" Well, I want you guys to come up with my Three Thousand dollars before the end of next week and we'll all forget this ever happened" she said.

My heart sank.

" But ma'am, is there no other way..."

There's one other way, Ms Kimberly" she cut me off, leaning back against her chair" Suspension's on the table if you'd like that."

Skyler shoved me as soon as we stepped outside the office.

" Haven't you done enough" I hissed, coming face to face with her.

" I'm not done with you yet" she shot back, storming off.

I sat down on the waiting bench, my head in my hands.

Thinking about possible ways to make 3000 dollars in a week till I lost track of time.

"Hey, hallway girl. What's wrong with you?' a deep masculine voice rang out beside me.

I looked up to see his hazel blue eyes peering down, as he towered over me with a smile on his face.

" You again!... What do you want?" I asked weakly

He pointed at the bench and I scooted over to make space.

" What are you doing here?" I asked as I watched him sit

" Why are you asking? You wanna remind me that the bench is not my property? He asked with a smirk

I sighed with irritation " Just answer the question, will you?"

" Same thing as you, just on the other side" he quipped, folding his arms.

I couldn't help noticing his bicep muscles flexing and stretching the sleeve of his shirt.

" You broke something too?" I queried

" I'm here because you broke something" he replied gently

Then it hit me.

" You're Scott... Wallace Scott" I said slowly.

" Yeah, that would certainly be me"

" You're the new student... you're new to the school " I blurted out, not knowing what else to say.

" I've seen your handiwork first-hand today... Nice throw" he drawled, nodding his head in unsolicited approval.

" I'm sorry for breaking your dad's plaque, I didn't mean to" I mumbled.

" Don't sweat it. Dad would've stowed it away in one of his closets until it's stained from collecting dust" he replied.

" If only I could convince Mrs Thorne with that" I thought aloud " I don't even know where I can find the money"

" I know where you can" he said

" Sorry?"

He folded his arms and leaned backwards, looking confident like he was about to make me an offer I can't refuse.

" I can actually help you pay the money, I overheard the Principal talking about it" he whispered

I raised my brows in surprise " No... you don't have to worry about..."

" But I want to. I know you don't have it and you might not have it by the end of next week , let me help you pay it back" he implored.

I was confused. " But why would you want to do that?"

" I just feel we got off on the wrong foot" he said " We should really get to know each other better".

My heart almost burst with Joy. I had been worried sick for the better part of today and here was help.... sitting two feet across from me.

" Thanks a lot ... Thank you so much. I'll pay you back as soon as I get the money".

He chuckled " You don't have to pay me back".

This was becoming too good... but I really didn't care.

" Thanks then... I'll always remember the favour..."

" I have one condition, though".