Forgive

Silverwood Academy

Story 1:

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Matthew 6: 14-15

Vee

The bell cheerfully rang its greeting that Wednesday morning and Clare Johnson grumbled a complaint below me. The whole bunk quivered as she roughly and uncouthly crawled out of bed. I slowly opened my eyes, also not a morning person, and saw the burly and athletic Clare pull back the changing curtain and disappear from sight. With a sigh, I climbed down and opened our tiny closet, pulling out my navy blue and white school uniform. I quickly but thoroughly brushed my long black hair in front of the mirror until it shined, then pulled back half of my hair into a small bun. Next, I freshened up the hot pink nail polish on my fingernails and applied some perfume and eyeshadow.

“Yuk. How do you put that nasty stuff on your nails? Uhh. I do not like that smell,” Clare said, wrinkling her nose in disgust as she came out from behind the curtain, now dressed in her school uniform and blond hair tied tightly in a high ponytail.

I forced myself not to roll my eyes and as gently as I could, said, “This is what I like. You like sports, I like nail polish.” Clare did not resist rolling her eyes and said, “Whatever.” Then left the room, marching with purpose.

I wondered again what she would be like if she was a Christian. Her purpose in life now was sports and being the best athlete, but if she would believe in Jesus, she’d have a true purpose in life.

I followed soon after Clare, hurrying to breakfast. The line was down to only 6 people when I arrived, and all the muffins were gone, along with the oranges and grapes. I rapidly sat down at my grade’s table in the corner, a little way from everyone else, and Headmistress Blakeson appeared on the balcony with Mrs. Kai beside her.

“Good morning, students. I wanted to remind you of a rule that has been observed throughout this academy’s history.” She paused her stern speech and looked around the crowd of students all silent below her. “There will be NO bullying. NONE. If you are found bullying, you will be sent straight to me. You understand?” she looked piercingly on the crowd, stopping too long a second at my grade’s table. A low murmur spread over the students when Mistress Blakeson disappeared from sight. What would become of this?

Next period. The one I dreaded most. P.E, or gym class. There were multiple reasons for this.

1.        It was when I was teased and annoyed the most. And

2.        Our teacher was Ms. Trane.

Ms. Trane had favorites, and, unfortunately, I was not one of them.

We were playing soccer today. Keeping farthest from Ms. Trane, Jillian Johns, and the ball was not easy, but I managed for a bit, until Jillian came straight at me. She ran right into me, sending me flying. I swear I was in the air for at lease 5 whole seconds! Play stopped and I heard Ms. Trane say, "Jillian! Jillian Johns! Go help her up."

"She was the one who fell. It's not my fault," Jillian responded, pouting.

"Jillian Johns, go help Vee up right now. You crashed into her. I saw it with my own eyes."

"Fine! Sorry Veronica," Jillian said with a sassy air, turning to me, but not helping me up. She flounced away and I pulled myself up and brought my aching body to the bench myself. Ms. Trane sent Jillian to her dorm with some harsh words. It was almost worth getting hurt if Jillian got in trouble for it. Until free time.

I hadn’t been moving around more than I had to after that nasty fall at gym and was sitting on one of the benches outside, reading. I wasn’t too close to the outdoor hockey rink and skating rink, so it was nice and quiet. A gentle but nippy breeze blew across my red with cold nose and all around me soft, fluttering snowflakes floated to the already snow-covered ground. It was really peaceful, actually, until she came. Jillian Johns and two of her goons marched up to me in a huff. As soon as they reached me, Jillian gripped the collar of my coat and drew me near her face.

“Vee Paulson. Fell in gym today on purpose? Trying to get me in trouble?”

“No. Jillian, that’s not-”

“I simply don’t believe you, Veronica Paulson,” she interrupted, snippily. I remained quiet, but inside I boiled with anger. She knew I hated it when people called me by my full name. She was trying to get me angry. Jillian pulled me closer to her face and I struggled against her power, but I was too weak compared to Jillian.

“Leave me alone. Let me be the best,” she hissed in my ear.

“Let me go, you-”

“Oh, and Veronica, don’t tell the teachers. Or else something may happen.” Jillian shoved me into the bitter cold snow at her feet.

“You, you, you-” I spluttered in anger. “You serpent!” I burst out. “I’ll tell the teachers! I don’t care!” I yelled.

“Shut up!” she snapped at me.

“No, Jillian, I won’t. you’ve gone too far, I-”

This time she really made me shut up. Grabbing me by the collar again, she said, “I know what happened at your other school. I know why you had to come here.” I gasped in shock. “You loser. You’re pathetic! If you won’t shut up, I’ll make you.” Then she slapped me, as hard as she could, across my cheek. Dropping me back into the snow, her goons kicked snow into my face, then sauntered off as if nothing had happened. I grabbed my burning cheek and sat up.

How I hated Jillian Johns. This definitely wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. I would never forgive Jillian for this. Never.