Chapter 2

Matthew 6:14-15

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

The remnants of prayers lingered in her mind. Her knees throbbed where she had knelt the night before, trying to drown her thoughts with something holy. She welcomed pain with open arms; she had to feel it. She had to redeem herself. Her penance had begun, and thus, she should be punished.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love.

Across their shared room, Wonyoung was already awake, sitting on the edge of her bed. She looked pale, dark circles were engraved under her eyes, and her lips were pressed into a thin line. She didn't spare her any glance. They dressed in silence, and Jimin smoothed the fabric of her robe with shaky hands. They left the room a few minutes later and Wonyoung walked just half a step behind.

During breakfast, she barely enjoyed the bread, the taste bland in her mouth. Unfortunately, she couldn't keep her gaze from drifting toward the tables where the students sat. Her throat tightened when her eyes landed on them, sitting close and leaning to whisper in the each other's ear. They weren't doing anything forbidden as of now, she couldn't reprimand them, but she felt that sick feeling inside her stomach again.

"We should talk to them," Wonyoung whispered shakily as they stood to leave the room. "Father Jules and the Reverend Mother will ask what happened yesterday night during mass."

"I'll ask them to stay after class," Jimin whispered back, the sound of her voice nearly dying in her throat.

Facing the students this morning was hard, she had to refrain herself from looking at the back row too much, her gaze fixated just above their heads, on the crucifix hanging there. Aeri leaned back in her chair with an infuriating smirk playing on her lips and Yunjin held her chin high, her eyes filled with something close to defiance. Their knees weren't touching under the desk today, their hands rested innocently on top of the hard surface and that angered Jimin even more, because it didn't give her an excuse to scold them further.

She cleared her throat. "Before we begin," she pointed at the back row. "You two, stay after class."

Aeri's eyebrows arched and Yunjin kept on staring at her. She turned her gaze back to the chalkboard and started talking of virtue, of discipline and of the sanctify of the body. "Do you know your body is a temple of the Holy spirit?" She asked and had to look away when Aeri smiled faintly, the words seemingly amusing her.

The bell rang about thirty agonizing minutes later and students quickly exited the classroom, leaving the four of them alone again. Jimin stood by the desk, her hands clasped so tightly it hurt and Wonyoung lingered near the door, her eyes darting between Jimin and the two girls. She looked afraid of what was to come, Jimin had noticed.

"You know why you're here," Jimin started quietly.

Wonyoung stiffened beside her, as if she was the one getting scolded.

"Yes Sister," Yunjin nodded, but Aeri didn't.

"What you did last night was inappropriate and disrespectful." Jimin continued, her heart pounding against her ribs. "This institution exists to guide you closer to God and your behavior goes directly against his words. What you engaged in was sinful, it is a grave violation of his principles."

Aeri's lips twitched but Jimin kept going.

"You disrespected the sanctify of this place." She narrowed her eyes, her hands shaking from what she wanted to be anger.

The smaller of the two students took a step forward, then another. The sound of her chair scraping against the floor resonated way too loudly in Jimin's ears.

"If it's so sinful, Sister," Aeri said softly, "why are you shaking?"

Jimin's breath caught and she clasped her hands even tighter to stop them from doing so, her knuckles turning white.

Aeri tilted her head to the side, her eyes now half-lidded. "Are you sure it's from anger?"

"Enough!" Jimin snapped, her voice echoing through the walls of the classroom. She took a step back, her back nearly colliding with the cold surface of the chalkboard as heat rushed to her face. "You will start addressing me with respect. I could have you expelled for—"

Yunjin stood abruptly, forcing her to stop talking. The taller girl placed herself slightly in front of Aeri, her arm outstretched as if to protect her. "We understand we crossed a line," she said firmly. "It won't happen again."

Ever the night in shining armor, Jimin clenched her jaw.

"This is not a game," Wonyoung finally said, and Jimin wondered why she hadn't said a word before, letting her handle it all.