SILENT NO MORE

POV: School

(Students arguing.)

(Teacher walks in.)

Ms. Joy:

"Silence. Take out your test book and turn to page 79."

(Students whispering.)

(In a high tone.)

Ms. Joy:

"I said silence."

(The bell rings.)

(The group gathers.)

Ben:

"So, Maya, why did you summon us?"

Maya:

"We need to come up with a plan to raise money for our weekly hangout."

Grace:

"Oh yes. We cannot keep asking our parents for money. We are old enough now."

Favor:

"Who is 'we'? I don't know about y'all, but I'm still a baby. I'm only 16."

Maya:

"Ha-ha. Funny, beauty queen.

So, are we all in for this?"

Josephine:

"Yeah."

Evelyn:

"Why is she speaking? We all know her dad is the president. She'll have the money, job or not."

Josephine:

"But I still want to help."

Evelyn:

"Well, we don't need your help. And if you want to help, first start by telling your dad to be a better leader instead of a corrupt one."

Favor:

"Enough, Evelyn. Stop."

Evelyn:

"Why? I'm only saying the truth. We don't need her here. She can go and play daddy's girl somewhere else."

Maya:

"Okay, fine. Evelyn, enough."

Evelyn:

(Smirks at Josephine.)

Ben:

"So... Maya, what's the plan? Election week is approaching. I bet there will be some jobs open."

Grace:

"We'll find a way."

Favor:

"How?"

Maya:

"What if we start applying for jobs? We also need money to visit the orphanage."

Josephine:

"Yeah. I've always wanted to visit the orphanage."

Evelyn:

"Let me guess. Since you're a spoiled daddy's girl, he didn't let you go. Typical."

Maya:

"Evelyn. Enough, please."

Evelyn:

"Fine."

Josephine:

"Um... my driver is here. Bye, guys."

Maya:

"Bye. Take care."

Evelyn:

"Bye, daddy's girl."

Ben:

"Evelyn, you need to control yourself around her."

Evelyn:

"There's just something about her and her family that I don't like. Trust me, they're hiding something."

Favor:

"Maybe you're just jealous that she can afford what you can't."

Evelyn:

"Me? Jealous? Girl, please. I don't get jealous of snakes like her."

Maya:

"Okay, that's it. My mum is here. Bye."

All:

"Bye. Take care. Stay safe."

(Maya leaves with the group and heads toward her mum's car.)

Later on, everyone went home.

Hours passed.

Saturday.

POV: Maya's House

Maya:

"Hi, Mum. Good morning."

Ms. Joyce:

"Hi, sweetie. How did you sleep?"

Maya:

"Good. And you?"

Ms. Joyce:

"Not so bad. I will be heading out. Bye."

Maya:

"Bye."

POV: President's House

(Mr. President and his wife are chatting. Josephine walks in.)

Mr. President:

"You're late for breakfast."

Josephine:

"Sorry."

Mr. President:

"It shouldn't happen again.

The driver told me that he saw you with that same group of kids I patiently warned you to stay away from."

Josephine:

"I... I..."

Mr. President:

"Yes or no. Were you with them?"

Josephine:

(Shivering.)

"Y-yes, sir."

Mr. President:

"So you disrespected me and went against my orders."

Josephine:

"I'm s-sorry. I have no other friends besides them."

Mr. President:

(Harsh tone.)

"I DON'T CARE. YOU DO AS I SAY.

Since you decided to go against me, you are grounded. One week in your room. No phone, no friends, and no food. Do you understand me?"

Josephine:

"Y-yes, sir."

Wife:

"But sweetie, she needs to go to school."

Mr. President:

"She will do online classes until she learns to listen.

And if anyone, including you, goes against this, there will be consequences. Trust me, they will be harsh. Understood?"

Wife:

"Yes."

Josephine:

"Yes, sir."

Mr. President:

"Now go to your room. I don't want to see you."

(Josephine rushes to her room in fear.)

POV: Josephine's Room

Josephine:

(Crying.)

(Knock on the door.)

Maid:

"Can I come in, ma'am?"

(Josephine quickly wipes her tears and fixes her voice.)

Josephine:

"Yes."

(The door opens.)

(The maid walks in.)

Maid:

"I came to take your laundry, ma'am."

Josephine:

"Please don't call me ma'am when it's just us. You're way older than me.

By the way, the laundry is right there."

Maid:

"Are you okay?"

Josephine:

"Yeah."

Maid:

"You sure?"

Josephine:

"Absolutely. Thanks for asking."

Maid:

"I'll take my leave now. Bye."

Josephine:

"Bye."

Night.