After Sister Abigail’s lecture I barely made it to my next class, English, and quickly took one of the seats in the front because all the other ones were taken. I was seated with a boy and a girl on either side of me. The boy to my right wore the boy’s uniform: a white shirt tucked into a pair of grey uniform shorts with a blue tie and black dress shoes with white socks. His hair was cropped short and he quickly looked away when I looked in his direction and our gazes met. The girl to my left, of course, wore the same dorky uniform as me. She was black and her dark curls were tamed into two braids.
The class was uneventful, just like in my last class, I found my previous knowledge dissipate and conform to the norms of a girl my age much to my displeasure and frustration. Luckily though I was able to make it through the class without any incidents.
However on my way to my third class as I was looking at my schedule I bumped into someone and fell on my butt. When I looked up I saw the boy from my last class.
“Watch where you’re going dummy! I know you’re new but did nobody teach you to look where you’re going?” He said.
“Hey screw you asshole, you should have gotten out of the way!” I growled back.
Suddenly the other kids went quiet and a few oooh’s could be heard.
“What? Too chickenshit to say anything?!” I yelled.
“Excuse me young lady?!” A stern sounding voice cut through the crowd’s whispers.
I turned around to see another nun standing over me, she was old and wore glasses that hung on her hooked, Hawk like nose.
“I-I-I uh…” I could barely muster up an excuse before she dragged me away.
“That kind of language is completely unacceptable young lady! This is a godly school and we certainly do not allow students to speak to each other that way!” She said in a voice that made my stomach churn.
“N-no! I didn’t mean to I—“ I tried to speak but she shoved me into a room and slammed the door shut.
“Listen up young lady! You will be punished, if you are a good girl and accept your punishment there will be no further consequences.” She said sternly.
“W-what—punishment? I-I don’t think—“ I once again tried to speak but once again I was quickly silenced by the old woman.
“Yes, here at St. Christopher’s we believe that strict and severe punishment can correct even the most disobedient of students. For abhorrent language towards a fellow student, you will receive 15 lashes and apologize to that student you disrespected with your foul language.” She explained.
With that said I panicked and tried for the door but she was deceptively quicker. She locked the door and pulled me over to the corner of the room and stood between me and the door.
“Don’t make this any harder than it has to be Miss McHiggons. Stand in front of me with your hands out, palms facing down.” She ordered.
I didn’t know what to do, I certainly didn’t want to be punished but I feared further repercussions so I shakily did as I was told.
Then the nun brought out a ruler and I immediately moved my hands to my chest in defense.
“Put your hands back in front of you, young lady or you will get 40 lashes and I call your mother.” She threatened.
I gulped and returned my hands in front of me, trying to prepare for the ruler’s strike.
“Good girl. Now you will count each lashing and say: “I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother.” Once we are finished you will be returned to class.” The nun explained.
My face turned red and I was pissed off at having to be punished in such a humiliating way, I couldn’t believe that Mariah’s school was like this, no wonder she’s such a bitch.
Without warning she sacked my fingers with the ruler and I let out a cry and tried to ease my hands but the Reverend Mother wasn’t having it.
“No, Miss McHiggins! Say the line or we will start again!” She barked.
Suppressing tears I held by hands back out and she hit them again.
*whack* “I-i-i-i—“ I tired to speak but I was too focused on my hands.
*whack* “Come on young lady, you have to count and recite the words or we will be here all day.” The woman reminded me.
*whack* I-I r-r-repent f-for—“ I croaked between tears.
*whack* “Now Miss McHiggins!” She snapped.
*wack* “I-I repent for using foul language and d-disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother!” I cried.
*wack* “You forgot to count. Again!” The nun said.
I cried and once more I was struck with the ruler.
*wack* “o-one! I-I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother!” I cried.
*whack* “Two! I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother!”
*whack* “t-three—three! I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother!”
*whack* “F-four! I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother!”
*whack* “Five! I repent for-for using foul language and d-disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother, Ma’am!”
“Very good Miss McHiggins, I think you are starting to learn respect. Again!” The nun said.
*whack* “Six! I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother, Ma’am!”
*whack* “Seven! I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother, Ma’am!”
*whack* “Eight! I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother, Ma’am!”
“Good girl. Thank me for disciplining you.” She added.
My fingers were now as red as my face and I nodded through sobs, at this point I’d say anything to make this stop.
*whack* “Nine! Thank you Ma’am, I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother, Ma’am!”
*whack* “T-ten! T-T-Thank you Ma’am, I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother, Ma’am!”
*whack* “Eleven! Thank you Ma’am, I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother, Ma’am!”
*whack* “Twelve! Thank you Ma’am, I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother, Ma’am!”
*whack* “Thirteen! Thank you Ma’am, I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother, Ma’am!”
*whack* “Fourteen! Thank you Ma’am, I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother, Ma’am!”
*whack* “Fifteen! Thank you Ma’am, I repent for using foul language and disrespecting my peers, Reverend Mother, Ma’am!”
With my punishment carried out the Reverend Mother slapped my hands to signal I should put them down, which I did.
She then handed me a tissue nod and instructed me to clean myself up. After I did so with my shaking and red hands I handed it back to her and kept my head down.
“I think you have learned your lesson, haven’t you Miss McHiggins?” The old woman said.
“Y-yes ma’am, Reverend Mother.” I said quietly.
“Now, let us go to the headmaster’s office, there you will apologize to that boy, Mister Thompson, and beg for his forgiveness. Am I understood Miss McHiggins?” She said.
“Yes ma’am, Reverend Mother.” I replied again, too drained to fight back.
Then she led me to the main office and waiting there was the boy from my English class and who I assumed was the headmaster. He was an older man wearing priests clothes and well trimmed beard.
I kept my head low as I stood in front of the boy, who I now learned was named Freddie Thompson.
“I-I am so sorry I used such bad words and said those mean things to you, I-I b-beg you for your forgiveness please.” I said in embarrassment.
“Well, I guess I can forgive you Hailey.” Freddie said with a hint of smugness that the adults didn’t pick up on.
“Very well, I believe this matter is settled, Mister Thompson you may return to your class.” The priest said.
Once he was gone I was lectured about proper ways of communication and then told to return to my next class, History.