Lou’s shoulders sagged under the weight of the moment as he was led through the sterile, echoing corridors. On either side of him, Ms. Harrison and Mr. Bell marched with a determined stride that left no room for argument or escape. The hum of the fluorescent lights above seemed to buzz with a foreboding frequency, punctuating the silence that none of the trio dared to break.

The door to Principal Collins' office loomed at the end of the hall, appearing more like a gateway to judgment than an entry to a school office. The brass nameplate gleamed dully under the artificial light, bearing the title 'Principal Jonathan Collins'—a name that invoked a mixture of respect and dread among the student body.

As Mr. Bell rapped on the door—a sharp, staccato sound that seemed to echo down the hallway—Lou felt a chill run down his spine. The door swung open to reveal Principal Collins, a man whose benign appearance belied the formidable power he possessed. His ability, widely known yet rarely discussed, was the power of Absolute Judgment. It allowed him to discern the truth of any statement made in his presence, a skill that made him both an exemplary administrator and a fearsome adjudicator. Most students thought Mr. Collins could do something much more important than being a principal with the gift he possessed.

"Come in, Louis," Principal Collins said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of sternness that immediately set Lou on edge.

As the door closed with a soft click behind him, sealing off any hope of retreat, Lou took the solitary seat in front of the large, cluttered desk. The walls of the office were lined with shelves of books and various certificates, all bearing witness to the countless decisions that had been made within these confines.

"Ms. Harrison, Mr. Bell, thank you. You may leave us," Collins dismissed them with a nod, and as the door shut again, it was just Lou and the principal under the oppressive silence of the office.

"Louis, do you know why you're here?" Collins began, his hands folded on the desk, his gaze piercing.

Lou swallowed, his mouth dry. "It's about the fight with Derek," he managed to say, his voice a faint echo in the spacious room.

"Yes, the fight," Collins repeated, his eyes not leaving Lou’s face. "I understand there was a... special circumstance involved. You used your powers against Derek, who has none."

Lou’s hands tightened into fists on his lap. "He started it," he said, a defensive edge to his voice. "He pushed me first."

Collins leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking slightly under his weight. "He might have provoked you, but you responded with a force that he could not possibly contend with. You know as well as I do that using your powers in a fight against someone who hasn’t awakened any is against school rules, not to mention unethical."

Lou looked down at his feet, unable to meet the principal’s steady gaze. "I didn’t mean to... I just reacted."

"Reacting without thinking is dangerous, Lou," Collins said, his voice growing firmer. His eyes bore into Lou's, the intensity of his gaze a physical force. "You have a responsibility. Your power isn't just a tool; it's a part of you that you must control."

"Sir," Lou stammered, the principal's words hitting him like a slap. "I only got my power a few days ago."

Collins' eyes did not flinch. "Few days or few weeks, Lou, the expectation is still the same. You are expected to act responsibly. This is not a playground, son. It is a school, where you come to learn and grow. Your actions today disturbed that atmosphere, and there will be consequences for your actions."

Lou tried to say, "Sir-" but was cut off by the booming voice of the principal.

"Under the circumstances, I have no option but to suspend you for two weeks," Collins announced.

Two weeks. The words hit Lou like a physical blow. Suspension would mean falling behind in classes, missing key assignments, and the inevitable disappointment from his parents.The punishment stung, especially now that Lou was finally starting to become popular.

"Two weeks to reflect on your actions and the consequences they bring," Collins continued, his voice now softer, almost regretful. "I hope you use this time wisely, Louis. Consider how you will handle your abilities in the future."

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"Thank you, sir," Lou managed to say, though the words were hollow in his own ears.

He stepped out of the office, the door closing with a definitive click behind him. The walk back through the corridors felt longer, each step heavy with the burden of his suspension and the long road ahead to making things right.

Exiting the school building with heavy steps, Lou felt each heartbeat like a drum echo in his chest, a cacophony that seemed to amplify his inner turmoil. Fresh air seemed to do little to help in ridding his thoughts of the fog of distress. With the weight of the upcoming conversation bearing down on him, he wondered, "What am I going to say to mom and dad?"

"Dad won't say much, but Mom is gonna flip," Lou muttered to himself, his voice barely a whisper. "And then Dad's gonna get it too." Just thinking about his mother's wrath sent a chill down his spine.

Lou's feet seemed to have a mind of their own, carrying him not towards the dreaded confrontation at home, but towards the imposing brick facade of Roxy's school. He blinked, the realization of his subconscious detour hitting him like a rogue wave.

With each passing minute, as parents and younger siblings gathered, chatting happily, Lou's isolation felt more pronounced. His mind replayed the fight, the meeting with Principal Collins, the sharp click of the office door — each memory punctuated by a stab of regret. 'Was there a different way I could have handled it? Should I have just walked away?' The questions spun in his head, unanswered.

"Nah, man... Screw that," Lou thought, a flicker of defiance sparking in his eyes. "I wasn't wrong. I was defending myself." His fists clenched at the memory of Derek's sneering face. "That creep has bugged everyone around for years, and I never saw him get so much as a slap on the wrist. The first time someone stands up to him, and they get suspended? It's not right." He wished he had the guts to say it to Principal Collins' face, but the thought of another lecture made his stomach churn.

Finally, the shrill sound of the school bell cut through his thoughts, and he watched as students streamed out. His eyes searched until they found Roxy, her red hair catching the late afternoon sun as she exited through the throng of students. He stood up, brushing off the imaginary dust from his jeans, trying to compose himself.

As Roxy approached, her eyes lit up like a pinball machine hitting jackpot. "Boo!" she exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across her face as she broke away from Sarah and her friends. "Looks like someone can't stay away from me!"

Lou chuckled, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Well, when you're as irresistible as you are, Roxy, who could blame me? Wanna walk?"

Roxy giggled, playfully punching his arm. "Sure you smooth talker. What's the occasion? Ditching school to hang out with your favorite redhead?"

Lou's smile wavered. He mumbled, "Something like that," as he cast a glance at his shoes.

As they strolled through the park, Roxy tilted her head, studying Lou's face. "You know," she said, "you look different. Did you get a haircut or something?"

Lou ran a hand through his hair, a smirk playing on his lips. "Nah, just leveled up my charisma a bit."

Roxy raised an eyebrow. "Charisma, huh? Well, it's definitely working. You seem... different. I'm not sure if I like the change or not."

Lou chuckled. "So, you're saying you preferred the old, awkward Lou?"

Roxy shrugged, a playful smile on her face. "Maybe. He was definitely more charming. I don't know..." She paused, then added, "So, spill. What really happened? Why are you here?"

"Well," Lou stammered, scratching the back of his neck, "let's just say I might have... gotten myself suspended."

Roxy's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by genuine concern. "Whoa, hold up. Suspended? What the hell happened?"

"Should we sit somewhere first?" Lou asked, gesturing towards a nearby bench.

"Sure," Roxy replied, a curious glint in her eyes. "Lead the way."

They settled on a patch of grass under a willow tree, its leaves whispering secrets in the breeze. Lou recounted the events of the day: his escape from school, the "incident" at the lake with Evan, how he increased his charisma, the fight with Derek, the icy atmosphere of Principal Collins' office, the whole day.

Roxy listened intently, her brow furrowed. "Damn, Boo," she said, shaking her head. "Did you really hesitate to jump into the water because your panties would be seen?"

Lou fumbled for words. "It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing... I don't know what to say. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, I would've jumped in without hesitation. But when I saw those people coming, I just panicked and froze."

"Lou, seriously?" Roxy burst out laughing, wiping a tear from her eye. "Your friend was practically drowning... And in the end, you saved him, and everyone got a free show anyway. I don't know whether to call you a selfish jerk or just the most ridiculous guy I know. If someone else told me about this incident, I probably wouldn't look at their face again."

Lou spoke with a hint of self-awareness and a rueful smile, "That's my charisma working... Ever since I cranked up my charisma, people at school have started looking at me again... Suddenly, I became popular. That's why Derek and I ended up fighting. But now that you know this, if you don't want to see me again, I'd understand."

"Boo, stop it... It's just a childish incident... We all have our dirty laundry... I don't know if it's related to your charisma or something, I don't care about the past. Also it looks like you've served your time well enough."

"You think so?"

"Sure. Don't be so hard on yourself."

Lou couldn't suppress a nervous laugh. "Thanks, Roxy really." After a moment of pause he said "Actually I'm kind of freaking out. My mom's going to kill me, and I really don't want to fall behind in school."

Roxy gave him a playful nudge. "Hey, chin up, Boo. It's not like you're acing all your classes anyway, right?"

Lou's face lit up with a mixture of relief and enthusiasm. "Actually, I had a meeting with my guidance counselor today about my career planning... She’s going to help me map out a path for the Dojo Hunt! Have you met with yours yet?"

Roxy beamed, excited to share her own news. "Yes, and I’m really excited about my career path... We found something that's perfect for me!"

Lou's curiosity piqued. "Oh? What’s that?"

"I’m going to be an archaeologist," Roxy declared, her eyes sparkling with passion. She sprang to her feet, grabbing Lou’s hand with a playful urgency. "Come on!" she exclaimed, pulling him up. "Let me give you a demonstration."