Chapter Thirty: THE DIAMOND RING 

ALLISON KEELER

Mr. Smith paused mid-sentence seeing me scurry into the hall going straight away to fix myself in the row of the well-groomed girls.

I had woken up too tired, my stomach had churned in ways that rendered me weak, my headache persisted and my morning fever had made me sob. I had waited until I felt a bit better before reluctantly getting out of bed to begin my day.

Yes, I was pretty clumsy that morning and if I thought Mr. Smith was going to let it slide then I was mistaken. Gravely mistaken.

"You're late!" He spelled it out with his staff tapping the floor.

"I don't feel good," I replied honestly. I was barely holding up, I felt so lightheaded. "Can I at least take the day off?"

Mr. Smith stared at me like I had lost my mind. It didn't matter to me, all that did matter to me was feeling better. I needed some rest.

"I got a report from Maggie that you didn't sign up for duty two days ago. You missed two days in a row." His cold voice spoke.

A few girls grumbled at t