I closed the door behind me, trying not to make any real sudden movements which would only result in me sobbing some more. That would be a total nightmare considering as though how I have to walk through the boys corridor, since Mr. Davis' office was adjacent from there, just to get back to the main wing and upstairs to my room. Taking a deep breath before turning the silver knob and forcing myself through the corridor, I tried to hide the hairbrush behind my wrist as much as I could incase anyone saw. Unfortunately for me, when I opened the door, Ryan and David were standing at the far end. Near the door that I needed to exit.

Ryan was the worst student here, with his cocky demeanor and a talent for making you feel inferior every time you talk to him. He had been here for almost two weeks. This time. He's the one student from Braxton that's been here more than twice. From what I've been told, he's been in and out of this place for the last two years despite being only fifteen. Next to him was his best friend David, who was actually an okay guy but ever since he associated himself with Ryan he's been entirely unbearable. He knew it was much better to be with Ryan against everyone else than to be alone and have to face Ryan and some other lost puppy he would eventually pick up. Everyone knew that Ryan was in here for stealing and so the boys corridor was on lockdown every night, entirely superstitious of him swiping something.

"Hey Naomi, if your butt is still sore I could come to your room tonight and massage it for you." Ryan teased.

I kept my head down, trying to hide my flushed face and just get to the door as fast as I could but they both had it blocked.

"Come on, you know I'm good for it." They both laughed at me.

I went to turn around and go back but, like an idiot, I ran right into Jasper who came out from the room to the left.

"Guys, leave her alone."

"Jasp...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to run into you." I apologized but he ignored it and kept his eyes focused on them.

If there's one thing you need to know about Jasper it's that he's such a cautionary tale. The absolute nicest guy I've seen come through the Academy in the seven months that I've been here. Jasper was the kind of guy who mostly kept to himself so no one really knows what he's here for, except me. I know the truth.

"Oh okay, I see how it is." Ryan leaned back against the wall. "You'd rather ride the hobby-horse with old hermit over here."

"I said," Jasper began, directing his attention towards Ryan specifically. "leave her alone."

I could feel the tension rising in the room as Jasper's patience were slowly vanishing and, even though Ryan and David were jerks, I didn't want to see anyone here get in trouble.

"It's okay Jasper, I'm leaving anyway."

That was the worst part of the Academy, the striking system. Here at Braxton, whenever you get into trouble, you get a tally marked on your record. Now the tallies very by severity, you could get four tallies just for one offense. The record is readjusted every month, but you only have seven tallies before the Administrators send an email to your family, recommending that you remain at the Academy for another month. Of course, they can object but most do not.

"Don't mess with her again, or I will do all I can to make sure you don't."

Ryan stopped laughing instantly and formed a dark expression. He glanced at me but then walked to Jasper's face and eyed him up and down, trying to intimidate him. "Don't let my jokes fool you, I don't react nicely to threats Jasper."

"And I don't make idle threats Ryan."

"Come on, let's leave hermit here to deal with his sloppy seconds." Ryan said as he walked past and bumped his shoulder against mine.

Next thing, before any one moved another inch, Jasper through a punch right at Ryan's groin and then quickly landed another blow to his eye. Ryan's entire head jerked but he recovered quickly and lunged at Jasper, tackling him to the ground. Fists began consuming the air as they both took swings at each other. They both managed to get up and began shoving each other, Jasper ran into me accidentally and I fell backwards right on my behind. I instantly burst into tears but tried wiping them away as quick as possible but they wouldn't stop. Ignoring me entirely, Jasper managed to have the upper hand and he climbed on top of Ryan and began launching punches anywhere he could.

"Woah! Hey!" Everyones heads turned to see Mr. Patry running down the hallway to us.

Jasper immediately got off Ryan and took a few steps back as Mr. Patry began approaching closer. He turned to me and gave me his hand, helping me up off the ground and making sure I was okay.

"I'm so sorry." He patted my hand and turned his attention back to Mr. Patry.

Mr. Patry swiftly lifted Ryan up off the ground by the back of his shirt before turning to David.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Jasper attacked Ryan sir." David answered steadily, exchanging looks with Ryan and then to me.

I wanted to jump to Jasper's defense but he shook his head and held his hand up, signaling that I was to remain absolutely silent.

"Ryan, my office now." Mr. Patry shoved him towards the opposite direction. "Jasper, you will come to my office after lunch and David...." He turned around to see David and Ryan whispering. "just stay the hell out of sight."

"Of course sir." He retreated back to his room and shut his door.

"Jasper, return to you room until lunch."

I was given one more glance from Jasper before he disappeared. After hearing his door slam and then something crash on the floor soon after, I know I have to do something to take some of the hardship that's about to come down on him.

"Mr. Patry, it wasn't Jasper's fault."

"I do not want to hear another word from you young lady," He only shook his head at me. "you've already been in enough trouble today..."

"I understand sir but Jasper..."

"No Naomi, I am in charge here and I will decide when..." He placed his hands to his sides and held his head high.

"Please sir listen!" I exclaimed this time.

"Naomi," He took a step forward and cupped the underneath of my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. "you've been warned before about interrupting me. Do we need to revisit that night?"

I don't know what was worse, his harsh grasp on my chin or the dark expression that was burning into my soul.

"No sir, I'm sorry."

"I thought not," He released his grip and folded his arms. "I suggest you get downstairs so you are not late for lunch. Mr. Davis wouldn't take too kindly to that. We also have our inspection afterwards. You've already received one punishment tonight but don't think I won't hesitate to correct any misconduct you may show."

"Yes sir."

I began heading back downstairs, feeling stupid for not giving myself enough time to regain my composure and now that I just started crying again a few minutes ago this was sure to be extremely noticeable. Everyone was already at the table when I arrived, except Mr. Patry and Ryan of course. They more than likely won't make lunch in time and Ryan will be forced to eat his late, if at all.

The table arrangement was perfect because it sat exactly twelve people and usually the students gather with their friends while Mr. Patry and Mr. Davis take their seats at the head. Since I was the last to show, I had no choice but to sit immediately to the left of Mr. Davis. I looked down at the bowl of fruit and turkey sandwich in front of me and felt an instant dizziness from this morning and my run-in with Jasper. Wait, Jasper. I slowly moved my eyes down the table until I saw him sitting across from Bradley. He was stirring his fruit around, no doubt he lost his appetite since he'd soon have to go toe-to-toe with Mr. Patry. Much like his colleague, Mr. Patry was a very outstanding gentleman but he was much more strict and stern when it came to discipline.

"Start eating Naomi, it would serve your best interest to finish quickly so you can clean your room for Mr. Patry's inspection." He bluntly announced.

Heeding his recommendation, I ate my food quickly despite my loss of appetite and excused myself so I could return to my room. As much as I hated that power trip he pulled there, I know he's right about it being in my best interest. I definitely didn't need another punishment today since I'm pretty sure I'll be sore for the next few days. I very much wanted to collapse on my bed but being as though I was already behind schedule I figure I should hurry up.

JASPER'S POV:

I took a deep breath before knocking on Mr. Patry's office door. I've been here for a month and have already had two altercations tallied on my record, giving me a total of five.

"Enter." He announced.

I closed the door and walked to his desk where he was sitting, scribbling his signature on various papers. He kept me waiting here, standing here like an idiot, for several minutes before he actually even looked up at me. The administrators here are professional humiliators.

"I am very busy so we will not waste time. " He stood up and I backed out of his way as he went to the standing cabinet in the corner. "Come here Jasper."

Confused, I walked behind him, making sure I kept my distance. The tension in the room was escalating as I glanced over his shoulders and saw a dozen instruments he could use. He continued rummaging through the cabinet, trying to figure out the most effective one.

"Well son, you laid your hands on another student. What instrument does that merit Jasper? He looked over his shoulder.

I knew what it was, and he knew that I did, but I only put my hands behind my back and stared forward. As we were often told to do.

"That wasn't a rhetorical question Jasper." He turned completely around.

"The paddle, sir." I said through my gritted teeth.

He nodded his head and reached to the back of the cabinet to pull our the horrendous paddle. The paddle was about two inches thick with five holes running down the spine. I have not had it before but I've heard that it can cause unimaginable pain.

"In light of your offense, I will be emailing your parents recommending that you remain at the Academy for another month." He closed the cabinet.

Another month? Another month in this hellhole?!

"But sir..."

"Don't you 'but sir' me!" He barked at me. "You injured another student in a fight that you instigated, you broke Academy property, and you fell on another student! Causing her to cry!" He shoved his finger in my chest. "Your actions are deafening so you have no excuse nor defense." His nostrils flared and there was a darkness in his eyes.

Poor Naomi, she was a really sweet girl. It's a horrible shame what her parents did for her and its even more shameful that she has to remain here until she comes of age. I couldn't imagine that. In my defense though, she wasn't crying because she was fallen on. She was crying because she fell on her bottom that was bruised from the spanking she received this morning from Mr. Davis. But I didn't dare say that to him. Although I would bet that her spanking wasn't as bad. They always were much harder on the boys than the girls here but I guess we do deserve it.

"Now bend over and touch your ankles."

I turned around, unbuckling my belt and dropping my pants, and reached down to grasp my ankles. I always hated this position because there was less room for me to escape the pain. I was entirely at his mercy.

"Tighter!" He pushed down on my back, nearly causing me to fall over. "Now stay still."

"I'm ready sir." He always asks before, I'm not sure why though, but I wanted to same him some time.

"When you and another person have a misunderstanding or an altercation the last thing you should do is fight." CRACK.

I pinched my face and tried to keep still. CRACK. CRACK.

"Believe me, I understand that Ryan provoked you in some way but that's no excuse to punch him." CRACK. "You certainly got the best of him so I hope it was worth it."

Usually I would smile at a comment like that but I was too busy sucking in air, trying to shift the pain as much as I could. For the record though, it definitely was worth it. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.

"You're a troublemaker Jasper!" CRACK.

He walked in front of me and knelt down to match my height. I kept my head down and my eyes closed but he aggressively grabbed the underneath of my chin and forced my eyes to meet his.

"Here at Braxton, we take troublemakers and turn them into men."

After a few minutes, establishing his dominance, he returned to his position and continued to rain down the paddle on my behind. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. My face was burning red, and my eyes were becoming glassy with the stinging force of the wood but he didn't slow down even a second. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.

NAOMI'S POV:

Mr. Patry would be here within the next half an hour and I was almost finished dusting, all I'd have to do afterwards is vacuum. I went out to the hallway closet when I ran into Jessie, who was carrying a basket of clothes.

"Hey, are you alright? I heard about this morning." She rested the basket on her side and whispered to me.

"Yeah, yeah I'll be alright. It just hurts to do anything." I sniffled just thinking about it.

"Oh I can't even imagine. I'm sorry that the Administrators are so hard on you, it isn't fair for them to do so because you're adopted."

"Yeah I know, but hey I'll talk to you later. Mr. Patry will be here soon for inspection so I need to get going."

"No problem! We can talk at dinner." She smiled and turned back to the exiting hallway where the laundry room was located.

I got the vacuum and returned to my room. I glanced at the clock; 2:30 p.m. Mr. Patry will be here any minute now. I began sweeping every nook and cranny in my room, making sure there was no area of carpet left unattended. I then made sure everything else was as neat as can be. Knock. Knock.

"Come in." I said while quickly straightening my blouse.

Mr. Patry came in, I noticed a little cluster of sweat at the temple of his forehead. He really laid it on heavy for Jasper.

"Is your room ready to be inspected?" He asked politely while looking around.

"Yes sir." I retreated back to the wall near the door so he would have room and I wouldn't interfere.

"Alright, I will begin." He said as he walked past me.

He started by my desk. Checking every drawer, cabinet, and case to make sure everything was perfect. He even checked under my books as well as below the desk to make sure the carpet was clean.

"Very good." He turned to my bed and lifted my comforter to make sure the sheets were clean and aligned properly. He checked underneath and was satisfied to see nothing but my shoes in perfect, concise line.

He then went to my closet and opened it. All my clothes were hung by casual and then uniform and they were even color-coded. At the bottom was my old school supplies and some books but they were neatly stacked into colored boxes.

"Well you've done a very nice job so far, now just the windows and the shelves and everything should be complete."

He checked them as he always did, making sure to run his fingers along the groove and checking for dusk as he did on my knickknacks.

"You've passed."

I let out a big sigh that was bundling in the bottom of my chest. At least I can say I've done one thing right so far today.

"I will see you at dinner." He put his hand on my shoulder, a sign that I've done well. "Oh and Mr. Davis would like to see you now instead of before dinner."

Why now?