Mike settled into a new routine. He was being genuinely challenged by his teachers, especially Harvey and was able to deliver. He got a lot of praise and validation and that made him want to do even better. And his friends still believed that he was being punished so they didn't give him a hard time either. Mike thought that this might just be the happiest that he had ever been.
That evening as he was packing up his books to go back to his dorm after a very fruitful evening of homework, discussion and projects, Harvey said to him, "Mike, I wanted to tell you that I am very pleased with your progress. I've got glowing reports from all your teachers and I'm genuinely impressed with your work in my course. And you have managed to stay out of trouble. Now the good work is its own reward but I think you have just earned yourself a little something more. I have an errand to run on Saturday morning. How would you like to join me and we can grab some pizza?"
Mike grinned, "I would love that! Thank you."
Harvey smiled and nodded, "It's a date then."
Mike couldn't wipe the grin off his face as he went back. Trevor noticed it and said, "what got you grinning like that? You coming back from detention right?"
Mike schooled his face and said, "Yeah man. Detention. It sucks." He rubbed his bottom for good measure. Then thinking on his feet continued, "I just met Rachel on my way back. She made me grin."
Trevor laughed and said, "Mike my man you have fallen in love all right."
Mike didn't have to pretend to blush. He did really like Rachel.
"Mikey, Hector has managed to sneak in some whiskey. Some of us are going to drink it on Friday night. I think Rachel will also be there. You should come. Maybe you can kiss her."
"But Trevor, if we get caught."
"Full proof plan Mike. We won't get caught."
"You always say that."
"What Mikey, the suits have already killed your spirit?" and he swatted Mike on his butt.
"What on earth, Trev?"
"Wow Mr Specter must be really whooping you good." Mike was glad that he had been taken by surprise which could be interpreted as pain.
"I really don't have a good feeling about this."
"But you'll still do it else you know what happens." Mike shuddered.
"Yeah okay I'll come." But Mike couldn't shake off the feeling that things were going to go really really wrong.
Friday night arrived and after lights out, Trevor silently woke everyone up at the time that he believed no one would be around. Mike was almost chanting prayers like he had seen some videos of people chanting prayers while entering potentially haunted areas. But somehow they reached the spot behind the library doors without getting caught. And Rachel was actually there too, along with a few other girls. Mike's first thought was pure elation, he hadn't actually expected Rachel to be there even if Trevor had said that she would be but that was followed by the realization that there were many more boys than girls so there was no way that Rachel would pick him. But the guys seemed more interested in the Whiskey than the girls and despite the fact that both Mike and Rachel had a little they managed to find a quiet spot and have a nice conversation. Soon their hands started roaming and they were kissing. And at that moment everything went wrong. As they were led to Jessica's office, Mike wondered if he had been more attentive, he would have been able to spot or at least hear Mr Hardman coming and hide or run. Now all he could do was walk to his doom. He was only able to control his tears because there were so many of his peers around and even Rachel, but he was on the edge.
Jessica was standing in front of her desk with her arms crossed as the students filed into the room. Mike tried to stand behind some other students but when he happened to look towards Jessica, he found her glaring straight at him which made him look down instantly. Jessica was quiet till they settled down and then for another five minutes. The silence was unnerving all of them. Finally she said, "Explain."
When nobody spoke up she said, "Mr Jordan." Jessica was scary when she yelled but when she spoke calmly, like the calm before the storm, it was terrifying.
"We, ma'am, we're sorry."
"Have you not learnt the difference between an apology and an explanation Mr Jordan?"
"Sorry Ma'am. I mean we were drinking alcohol."
"Illegally procured alcohol, sneaking out after lights out, with girls and boys together unsupervised, and of course underage."
"Yes ma'am."
"I did not need your validation Jordan I know this is true. I want to know what on earth made you think this was a good idea."
"We just wanted to try."
"Did you not know that you would also be trying the cane on your hands and bottom for this?" A gulp could be heard from the group of students.
"I do expect an answer for this."
"Yes ma'am."
"Yes what?"
"Yes we knew."
"And, Mr Black, the urge to try alcohol was still stronger than the deterrent?"
Peter looked up like a deer caught. "Ma'am no ma'am, sorry ma'am."
"You will write a 2000 word essay on the importance of paying attention and methods to pay attention despite anxiety besides any other punishments you earn tonight."
"Yes ma'am."
"And Mr Ross, what made you join this escapade?"
Mike was stunned into silence. He made the mistake of making eye contact with Jessica and now he couldn't look away and her eyes were boring into him.
Just then there was a knock and Harvey entered the room, carrying a menacing looking cane.
"I know teenage brains struggle to comprehend consequences but teenage backsides should be better. How moronic are you?"
Harvey turned to Jessica, "So what's the verdict?"
He turned back to the group and as his eyes scanned the students he spotted one at the back, almost hiding now but it couldn't be. He wouldn't do something so outright stupid.
"Mr Ross is that you?" Mike cringed at hearing 'Mr Ross' and at how seriously awful his life was going to become.
"Sorry sir."
"Step up front."
Mike was visibly shaking as he moved forward. He had not expected the sudden hit of the cane on his calf and yelped. Harvey raised an eyebrow and after he stood at attention, hit him again. Mike couldn't control his tears and started crying again. "I can't even bother to hear your explanation right now. You will do what Jessica says and we will be revisiting this. You have bought yourself a lot of pain."
Mike looked down as he choked on his sobs.
Jessica's heart went to the boy, he had made a bad decision like most teenage boys but just like them he will be learning about the stupidity of his choice the very hard way.
"All of you will be getting 8 strokes of the cane on your bottom and 2 on each hand tonight. You will get 1 stroke on each hand each day for a week and everyday you will write a 2000 word essay on different aspects of the evils of alcohol as directed sitting on your sore bottoms with your sore hands. You will get another set of 8 strokes on your bottoms after a week and you will be running laps for an hour everyday for the next week. Let's see if this is enough to deter you from such illegal, dangerous and demented activities."
Harvey made eye contact with Jessica then said, "Alphabetical order. Mr Black step up and bare your bottom."
"Sir, but the others…"
"Will remain where they are. If you can do the crime together, you can take your punishment together."
Mike was crying steadily when he felt someone hold his hand. He looked to the side to see Rachel and managed to give her a small smile.
Peter didn't see another option and did as he was told. Harvey was ruthless with the cane and Peter who generally showed bravado, at least yelped at each one and was sobbing by the end.
When it was Mike's turn, Harvey treated him just like the others and Mike wasn't sure how he felt about that but he didn't have much time to process his feelings as the pain completely overwhelmed him. He stepped away from Harvey's line of fire in the middle of a stroke.
Harvey didn't miss a beat before saying,"2 penalty strokes. Back into position."
"I can't take it."
"2 more."
Mike tried to beg Harvey with his eyes but only found a glare there.
"Today Mr Ross. Else I'll have to get your friends to hold you down."
"Please no."
Harvey was hesitant to add any more strokes so he decided to have mercy on the boy and move things along although Mike would never see it that way. "Trevor, Noah step up and hold Mr Ross down."
Mike shivered but his friends did as they were told and he screamed as Harvey lashed him again and again.
He was sobbing so hard he couldn't breathe. Harvey ignored him and called the next student.
Mike tried to calm down and get control of his breathing but found that he just couldn't. It was getting harder and harder to breathe. Harvey showed that he couldn't care less and wasn't even looking but he was getting worried about Mike's lack of breathing. As he finished with the student and before he called to the next one he said, "Mr Ross, not breathing is not going to get yourself out of punishment. Breathe in."
Mike tried but found that he couldn't. He looked at Harvey with panicked eyes. Harvey felt the panic too but he knew that the boy needed him to be calm. He just raised his eyebrow.
When Mike was still sobbing and not breathing, Harvey stepped towards him. Mike thought he was going to hit him again and stepped back but Harvey held him and held a glass from Jessica' table to his lips. Mike spluttered in the water but managed to take a sip and with Harvey rubbing his back calmed down a little. Harvey wanted to give Mike an out from witnessing the rest of the canings but couldn't be seen favoring him. So he said," for that nuisance, go put your nose to the wall Mr Ross."
Mike did as he was told. It helped a little but hearing the cane so many times was still very hard to take.
Finally Harvey said, "Get lost you fools. Go to bed. You will all wake up an hour earlier than normal tomorrow and clean out the library so that it is spic and span by the time school starts. Clear?"
"Yes sir" was chorussed.
"Dismissed."
As they fled out, Mike also turned but heard, "you haven't been given permission to get out of the corner Mr Ross. Are you that desperate for a few more strokes?"