After the vision Aira saw about George. She was restless reflecting on what had happened and why it had happened.
Benita went for the restroom to urinate. Just after she came and was adjusting her skirt.
She felt a sharp grab which was that of a male student. She didn't know who it was because her mouth was covered so she could not scream for help. And her eyes covered.
It was George. He dragged her inside the male restroom and took advantage of her.
Sophia did this for love. She wanted to win the heart of Bruno—her crush.
The next day. At the Biology laboratory. Mr Nelson was lecturing his students on a particular topic. He started. "Uhmm, last week I taught you the response of water to the soil. As l was..." He was interrupted by a loud noise.
"Who did it. Who did it. Tell me who did it." Benita's mother asked her daughter repeatedly as she held her daughter into the laboratory.
"Who did it." She asked again.
"Madam" Mr Nelson wanted to speak but the voice of the woman overpowered his.
"Speak now. Who?" She asked her daughter pointing a threatening finger at her.
"He was the one that raped me" Benita responded with tears. Fear was seen all over her body. She pointed at George.
As the woman rushed at George, the teacher tried to stop her and calm her down but the rage in her could kill someone.
George, being ignorant of Sophia's manipulation over him denied the accusation the laid against him.
They headed to the principal's office so as to handle the issue with calm.
Back inside the laboratory, the students were in shock of what had happened. George was known to be a quiet and calm genius student. He had no friends let alone female friends. What had changed? What really happened? Could this be a result of a manipulation? These questions crowded Aira's mind, refusing to wait their turn.
"That was so intense" Charles— a fellow student said joining his crew after stepping out to urinate.
"But George couldn't have raped that girl" he added.
"Benita?" Jeph one of his friend asked.
"Benita is her name?" Charles asked pointing at the door.
"Yes, that's her name, she is Bruno's girlfriend." Jeph said with a nod.
"Anybody is capable of harm in this school. Just anybody. Look at us, we are bunch of rich, spoilt kids." Greg stated with clear confidence and sureness.
"Yes, rich kids. But I'm not spoilt. So don't drag me into this" Another student named Diamond sharply cut him short with a firm face pointing his fingers at him as a sign of warning.
"Who's this" Greg responded as though he was ready for a fight.
Aira who had been calm the whole time was still shock at the incident that just happened right in her view.
"That's not the point guys" She started, her face up, and her shoulders high. She let herself a breathe and a smile that spoke leadership.
"I mean, look at George." She continued. "The guy does not even have a girlfriend. I'm quite sure he doesn't have the gut to ask a girl out, let alone Rape?? George is a nerd. Though he is very intelligent but he is dumb when it comes to women affairs. We all know him." She added, confused at what had happened.
"It's just a psychological stuff" Greg pointed out.
"Nahh, you don't get it, do you?" Diamond asked him.
Aira with much precision and a tone that traced she was real sure of what she was about to say: something is wrong with this school. I mean, have you not noticed lately that everything is totally different and upside down. Everything is just totally wrong." She added.
"You guys don't get it. I think class is over. I'm off." She added with a hard and angry face and left the class.
The next day, the students were seated at their classrooms. At Aira's classroom they atmosphere was chill as it was still morning.
Just as they were talking and discussing about various things in class. A teacher came into their classroom.
The students greeted him.
"This is a new student. His name is Philip. He is your classmate. And l would want you all to be nice to him." The teacher said giving Phillip a position to seat and left the class.
Jeph stood outside the classroom with Linda. "I'll be hosting a night party at my place. Come and enjoy. I'm inviting you. There will be rich guys" He said
"I would love to come to your party. You know I don't dull." She said laughing.
Later on, Jeph invited George, and some other of his classmates to his party that night, and they all agreed to grace him their presence that night.
George sat alone at the staircase of their classroom. He was deep in thought. He wondered what really happened. How he was manipulated. He was totally ignorant but no one believed he was working under a spell at that point of the incident.
"Hi" Sophia said, sitting next to him.
George paused as though he felt a strong shock. His face firm and up. "I'm not in the best mood to talk to anyone. Before I'll be accused again of rape." He said with bitterness.
"But l know you didn't do it. I believe you." Sophia added looking at him.
He was touched. Those words melted his mind. "It's not like your opinion is needed. It doesn't matter. Just like every other student in this school, you are also didn't believe me. I didn't..." He said but was interrupted by three female students passing by.
"Keep talking to him. You will soon be his prey." They said, making jest of George and laughing while going downstairs.
George was speechless. He had prayed to get himself out of the mess he knew nothing about and now, he's been reminded of the crime he knew he didn't commit.
He looked at them then continued. "Everybody in the school is avoiding me lately. They no longer associate with me."
"Whenever you need help. You can always come to me." Sophia assured him with a soft smile and a face full of confidence.
"But the truth is, nobody believes me. I didn't do it." George added in bitter voice.
"That's why you should stop talking to them about it. They can't take your words for it." Sophia added.
"But l didn't do it." George stated in denial.
"But l saw you drag Benita into the restroom." Sophia said giving him a look as though someone she had caught red-handed.
"You saw me? The truth is, l can't remember anything." George said trying to recall all that had happened the other day.
"You didn't do it. I did. If anyone asks you anything about it direct them to me. I'll handle it myself." Sophia stated in a low tone and was about leaving.
George didn't understand the last statement she made. As she was about to leave, he called her back.
"What's your name, sorry" George asked
"My name is Sophia." She responded
"Can l trust you?" George asked. He wasn't sure if he could let out his secrets to her.
"Do you trust yourself that you didn't do it?" Sophia asked in a strict tone.
"Yes. Yes of course" George replied with a nod of agreement.
"Then you can trust me." She said with a nod and left.
"Bye." He said waving at her.
"Bye." She replied.
George was confused. But he knew one thing—he could gain back his reputation with the aid of Sophia's power.