Nathan
I was taken aback by what Mrs. Hall said, I scratched my neck with furrowed brows and thought about it for a while, I wasn't sure if I heard her correctly or not.
"What..?" I trailed off, Mrs. Hall stared at me as if I have asked her the dumbest question ever. She then rolled her eyes with a sigh, and shook her head.
"The filling materials, Nathaniel. Why did you steal them?" She repeated. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, then bit my lip.
"I.. honestly have no idea, what you're talking about" I answered truthfully. Because it was the best answer I could give at that moment, also because it was the most honest answer.
It was the truth, I had no idea what she was talking about.
"Oh please!" She threw her hands in the air in frustration "You were the only one who used that lab the previous two weeks, no one got in beside you"
Before I open my mouth and answer her, The phone at the office was ringing, Mrs. Hall picked it up quickly after listening for a little while to the other person speaking on the other line, and after giving me pitiful glances, she motioned for the door of our Dean's office, I nodded at her and stood up to walk into Dr. Gerald Lawrence's office, the dean.
I slowly opened the door of his office, sighing from nervousness, I was sure about one thing; I was screwed.
I walked in, before closing the door I heard Mrs. Hall murmur under her breathe, which seemed like ' poor boy' or something like that.
I ignored my heart beating furiously in my chest, and looked up to find Dr. Lawrence writing something on a piece of paper, and I also found my role model, Dr. Harper sitting in one of the chairs opposite to the dean.
I closed my eyes in disappointment, and licked my lips.
You're innocent, Nathan. Don't forget that. I thought.
I was standing awkwardly for a while, staring at nowhere but at my feet and suddenly the paintings on the walls seemed very interesting to look at.
"Sit down" Dr. Lawrence suddenly spoke up, I was surprised for a while, but then recovered quickly and walked towards the chair opposite to Dr. Harper to sit in.
"Do you know why you're here, Nathaniel?" Dr. Lawrence asked, he had stopped writing and was staring right at me, his eyes looking deep into my soul, as if he was searching for something.
"I... actually just heard it from Mrs. Hall..." I answered, I remember my father used to tell me the truth always wins, he also told me no matter how much we try and hide a lie, that lie will soon be revealed, so I reminded myself to just tell the truth, then everything else will be alright.
"So, you're saying you had no idea you have stolen our laboratory's dental filling materials?" Dr. Lawrence said sarcastically, I heard Dr. Harper suck in a deep breath but I didn't dare stare at him.
"I haven't stolen anything sir, I'm not the type-" I said.
"We all thought you're the smart, hardworking type" Dr. Lawrence interrupted me, I sighed and ran my hands in my already messy hair.
"I am sir. I mean I don't consider myself smart, but I'm hardworking indeed" I said ,"And I can never steal anything, I-I mean why would I steal from my own University's laboratory? There's no reason. I'm sure there's a misunderstanding"
Dr. Lawrence was staring at me as if to analyze me the entire time, he pressed his lips into a thin line, then stared at my supervisor, who was silent the entire time.
"You were the only one who used that lab these two weeks, Nathaniel. We were all very proud of you" Dr. Lawrence stated. I sighed and shook my head.
"Doctor, I'm still the same person, I have not been in any fights all these years I have been a student here" I said, my voice breaking a bit " I have not broken any rules, and I will never do that. I moist certainly did not steal anything from my own University"
"Do you know how much they cost? Not only the filling materials were absent, but also Dr. Harper's new Micromotor was nowhere to be found" Dr. Lawrence said. I swallowed then stared at my supervisor, who was also staring at me, his eyes were void of any emotion.
"I had my keys with me wherever I went, I took good care of the laboratory, I cleaned it and locked it every day I finished working in it" I said, staring at Dr. Harper, his eyes softened and he smiled a sad smile at me, I smiled back sadly at him too, feeling relieved that at least my favorite professor believes me.
"What do you think, Dr Harper?" Dr. Lawrence asked, Dr. Harper sighed and looked away from me to stare at him.
"I know Nathaniel very well, he is very hardworking, and a very good young boy" My supervisor said "I don't think he is the one who has done it"
"But doctor, just because you know him doesn't mean-"
"Just because I know him doesn't mean he hasn't stolen the materials in our laboratory, you're right. But, there's no evidence he has done it. Just as there's no evidence that he hasn't done it too, so you see the chance for him doing it is only fifty percent."
"But, doc-"
"He was the only one who used the laboratory, you're right. But we have our extra key too, I think we should investigate this further, before judging Nathaniel"
Dr. Lawrence thought about it for a while, then he sighed and nodded his head.
"Alright, You know how much I believe you and respect you, William" He told Dr. Harper " We'll investigate more, then come up with a decision, but if there be a greater chance that he has stolen our laboratory's materials than that fifty percent, he will be expelled for a year, or worse permanently"
I swallowed the lump in my throat, but Dr. Harper stared at me and gave me a look of encouragement, which made me feel braver.
"You have my word for it" I heard myself say, I could feel Dr. Harper smiling in the corner of my eyes, Dr. Lawrence stared at me for a while then he nodded.
"Thank you, Gerald" Dr. Harper said.
"You're welcome, William. But Nathaniel needs to be punished for not taking good care of the laboratory" Dr. Lawrence said, I gasped in surprise, even Dr. Harper frowned.
"Nathaniel. You're suspended for only a month. Think of it as having a vacation, and go back to your city" He continued "Meanwhile, me and Dr. Harper will investigate more, once we're finished I have come up with a decision, Dr. Harper will let you know"
This was unbelievable. I would waste two freaking weeks at home, while my friends are busy with their research. I had already planned to go home for Christmas, but not like this.
This was like a nightmare, all my dreams will be destroyed, if they don't find any evidence that I'm innocent, then I'll be suspended permanently and I won't have any chance to work as a dentist anymore.
"Sure, but one condition" Dr. Harper said.
"What is it William?" Our dean asked, Dr. Harper stared at me and smiled.
"This has to be kept a secret, I mean... Nathaniel's little vacation needs to be kept as a secret as well, until we find more evidence." He said. Dr Lawrence looked surprised but he nodded his head.
"Sure!" he exclaimed.
Just like that, I was sent home as a punishment for one month, Dave kept asking me why I'm packing for home in when everyone else was getting ready for the exams, but I just told him that I'm home sick and need a little of Louisville air.
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