Albert Cross excused himself from his friends at the cafeteria and heads to the bathroom. His friend and shadow, Johnathan Walker remains behind in the cafeteria to excuse himself a few minutes later, before following. Albert Cross halts a few feet away, hearing loud voices from the library further down the hallway.
Albert glances around before trudging down the empty hallway. He nears the door and gently pulls it open, before slipping into the library. A young woman with brown hair, nervously glancing down. The familiar face of the young woman with wavy hair, Sally Rider pointedly stands before the nervous young woman. At Sally Rider’s side, are several other young women glaring at the timid young woman.
A minute earlier, unbeknown to Albert, a young woman crashes into another carrying stacked books and notebooks.
Sally Rider shrilly shouts, “Watch where you’re going!” The young woman known as Tanya doesn’t say anything remaining silent.
Furious at a lack of response or even an apology. Sally Rider pointedly stomps her foot against the floor. “Look what you did! What are you going to do about it?” Sally Rider angrily hissed as she pointed to her fallen study books and notebooks sprawled on the floor.
A soft click is heard as the door opens and closes as Albert Cross enters the room. Tanya at this point begins to tremble with fear. She nervously stutters, “I’m sorry, Sally.”
Sally Rider places her hands on her hips. “Sorry isn’t going to cut it. Pick them up!” Sally Rider angrily said.
Tanya's hands flutter nervously before she falls to her knees. “Of course,” Tanya muttered hastily gathering the things from the floor.
Sally Rider nods in approval bending down to gather her things. Her friends move to help her when Albert Cross emerges from the bookshelves. Seeing the frightened girl on the floor gathering books and notebook. Albert naturally assumes who is the perpetrator of the incident, Sally Rider.
Furious Albert extends his will as the books and notebooks suddenly fly up from the floor and gather neatly onto a nearby table. Albert glares at Sally Rider and roars, “Miss Rider if I were you I would take care not to make enemies.”
Sally Rider is stunned at the unexpected reaction. She was the victim here, why was she getting yelled at?! Sally Rider opens her mouth to defend herself when Tanya suddenly clings to the leg of Albert Cross.
With tears in her eyes, Tanya tremblingly says, “Please don’t be angry. It was all my fault.”
Albert Cross face grows gentle at Tanya’s pleading on behalf of the perpetrator. Casting a glare at Sally Rider, Albert Cross stiffly says, “Fine. But the next time I catch you, you’ll regret it, Sally Rider.”
Sally Rider’s eyes fill with fear and hurt unable to believe the scene happening before her. She was the one just minding her own business when that girl bumped into her. Not only that, but that girl even trampled over her homework for Mr. Wilkins class!
Albert Cross moves to help Tanya to her feet, when a calm female voice says, “Mr. Cross, a week’s worth of detention for you. Mr. Cross starting this very evening. And an apology to Miss Rider before you go.”
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Albert Cross and everyone else involved in the situation turn around to see a gray-haired young woman standing behind them, Miss. Starr. Sally Rider’s eyes fill with gratitude for the unexpected aid from Miss Starr after this morning little incident.
Tanya opens her mouth to speak, but #017 says, “Do not speak Miss Tanya, I am not yet done.” Albert Cross glares at his watcher for her tone of voice.
“Mr. Albert Cross did you notice whose name is on the trampled sheet of the notebook?” #017 asked. Albert glares failing to understand the reason for the question. “I assume not because if so, you would have noticed the name on the homework sheet of paper.” #017 holds up a notebook sheet that has a muddy footprint obscuring half of the homework. But despite so, in the top left corner in bold, neat handwriting is the name of Sally Rider.
“And despite Miss Rider being in her every right to ask for help in gathering her things and in being angry. Not only did you fail to do so, but failed to read the situation appropriately. You threated and coerced the victim with bodily harm, Albert Cross. These two actions are not sufficient to cause for Detention, but your use of abilities is. This is your first warning on use of your abilities, Mr. Cross, I suggest you engrave it into your mind. Because the next warning will not be as gentle,” #017 coldly stated.
#017 then casts her gaze towards the young woman staring oddly at her. “And as for you Miss Tanya, you even lacked the audacity to apologize. Miss Tanya as a member of the Culture Department, I am sure that you are more than capable of doing so. An apology before you go, Miss Tanya,” #017 harshly said.
Tanya bites her lips for a moment before stiffly saying, “I’m sorry.” With her head ducked down, Tanya rushes out of the library. Her footsteps quickly fade away into the distance as the door clicks shut.
#017 turns her attention towards Albert Cross, who is coldly eyeing her. Albert Cross lips tighten in anger for a moment, before he lets out a sigh. Turning towards Sally Rider and her friends, Albert sincerely says, “I am sorry, Miss Rider for my hasty judgment. You have my sincere apologies.”
Sally Rider nods in disbelief as do her friends. Sally glances with gratitude at Miss Starr who only motions for Sally to go. Sally Rider gathers her things with the aid of her friends, smiling brightly at Miss Starr and casting cold glares at Albert Cross. Her friends do the same as they scurry out of the library. Within fifteen minutes, the whole school would know about the incident via VEX.
Albert Cross opens his mouth to speak, but #017 harshly says, “Are you an idiot?”
Albert gapes and says, “Excuse me?!”
“Where is your shadow?” #017 hissed.
Albert Cross opens his mouth to defend himself, but #017 doesn’t allow him too. “All it would have taken is a single second and you are dead. Do you believe your enemies will be so foolish as to miss such a precious opportunity next time? You are a fool if you believe they did not notice,” #017 susurrated.
Albert Cross frowns and is about to defend himself when the door slams open. A panicked Jonathan Walker rushes in. “Albert, thank god, you’re safe,” Jonathan shouted in relief. Johnathan slows down to a walk and upon noticing Miss Starr greets her, “Hello, Miss Starr.”
#017 coldly says, “As I stated previously, Mr. Cross, let’s not have a repeat of today. Your dorm matron and last class hour professor will be informed of the entire week of detention.” Without further ado, #017 turns her back on the stunned male figures and exits the library.
Jonathan Walker opens to berate his friend but swiftly changed his mind after seeing the gaze of Albert. “What’s happened?” Jonathan Walker quietly asked.
Albert Cross sighed loudly and runs a hand through his hair. “I messed up, sorry,” Albert Cross said with a wry smile.
Jonathan Walker sighs and ruefully says, “I bet seeing as you’re the first student this year to end up in detention. Geez, nimrod, couldn’t you have waited until the first day of school was over at least?”
Albert Cross lips crack into a sheepish smile as Jonathan Walker merely shakes his head. Putting his arms around, Albert, Jonathan mischievously says, “I bet this gets you bonus points with ladies as a bad boy.” Albert snorts in reply as Jonathan leads his friend out of the library.
But before they exit, Albert coughs and embarrassingly says, “I still need to go to the bathroom.” Jonathan Walker chokes and sadly shakes his head before they head to the bathroom. After all, it wasn’t every day you babysat your best friend all the way to the bathroom.