As there were only five minutes left, Zoe grabbed a tissue and rushed off to the restroom. At the final minute, she hurried back into the classroom, her breath coming in sharp gasps. As she sat down and glanced at her watch, a bead of sweat trickled down her forehead.
"She's going to kill me," she whispered.
I was confused. Every one of Zoe's actions seemed to follow a precise schedule.
Suddenly, a furious voice blared from the surveillance camera beside her. "Zoe! You spent an extra minute in the restroom!
"Why did you do that? Tell me right now!"
I immediately recognized the voice. It was Christina's. It was obvious she had set up that camera to keep an eye on Zoe.
A few students in the room exchanged glances, their expressions saying it all. It was clear this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.
I couldn't help but frown.
Zoe's face turned pale. Her lips quivered as she said, "Mom… My period just started. That's why I took a bit longer in the restroom."
Christina, however, wasn't backing down, shouting, "Don't lie to me! I've been keeping track. Your period isn't due for another six days!
"Besides, you've run out of pads. You didn't buy any this month!"
I was utterly speechless. What kind of mother wouldn't understand that a teenage girl's cycle could be irregular? Was it even normal to micromanage whether her daughter bought sanitary pads?
With all eyes on her, Zoe's face flushed bright red. She lowered her head in embarrassment.
Before I could say anything, a female student spoke up in Zoe's defense. "Mrs. Street, I lent Zoe some of my sanitary pads. She's telling the truth."
"Did I ask you to lend her anything? Stay out of this! What's your name?" Christina snapped. Instead of calming down, she shifted her aim, making the student the target of her rage.
"Where are your parents? Are they the ones who taught you to interfere with Zoe's life?"
I took a deep breath and stopped her mid-sentence. "Ma'am, you're disturbing the class. Please remain quiet."
That one remark seemed to push Christina over the edge. Without hesitation, she began barking orders, "Ms. Lawson, please accompany Zoe to the restroom right away.
"After she takes off her pants, go ahead and grab some pictures and videos for me! Don't overlook her private parts. I want to see if she's on her period.
"Make sure her face is in the shot. If I catch you covering for her, you'll regret it!"
Upon hearing this, the classroom buzzed with whispers.
Christina, however, remained completely unfazed by the students listening in. "Ms. Lawson! Did you hear me? Hurry up! You've got five minutes!"
Zoe's shoulders shook. She shrank back, too fearful to make a move.
In the blink of an eye, Christina ramped up the pressure.
"Ms. Lawson, this is your final warning. If you can't deal with something so insignificant, I suppose you're not cut out for this line of work. Perhaps quitting is your best choice!"
My temples pulsed with fury. Even so, I kept my composure and rolled up my sleeves.
As I moved forward, Zoe instinctively stepped back. She tripped over a chair and nearly lost her balance.
Looking up at me, she pleaded, "Ms. Lawson… I really didn't lie."
A heavy despair shadowed her eyes. The tears trailing down her cheeks felt like knives cutting into my heart.
At that moment, the student who had defended Zoe stepped in front of her. "Ms. Lawson, I promise we're telling the truth!" she insisted.
I shook my head. "Step aside."
From the monitor, Christina sneered, "Start recording as soon as Zoe steps into the restroom. Slowly pan from her face before moving the frame downward. Don't forget to open her legs so I can get a good look. If you don't comply—"
My hand trembled as I reached out. Summoning every ounce of strength, I tore the surveillance camera down in front of the students. In an instant, Christina's piercing voice was suddenly cut off.
