Chapter 3

3

The same thing had happened last time. She'd told me to wait until after class, so I wouldn't get in trouble for using my phone.

Naive freshman me believed her, so when she grabbed my phone and turned it off with hers, I didn't protest.

By the time class ended, the registration was full.

Later, I found out I was the only one in class who hadn't registered.

Seeing Sarah's name on the list, I confronted her angrily.

"You said we couldn't use our phones in class! How did you register?"

Sarah looked surprised, replying matter-of-factly, "Of course we can't use our phones in class. I didn't lie."

"But TOEFL registration is also important. I asked someone to register for me beforehand. It's your own fault you didn't. I helped you, and now you're blaming me?"

Furious, I ignored her for days.

Finally, she approached me, sighing dramatically. "Fine, I'll tell you about these things in advance. We're best friends, after all."

Now, watching her sit there pretending to be attentive, I couldn't help but smirk.

I wondered if she'd be so composed when she realized she was the only one who hadn't registered.

With one minute left, I reached for my phone to check messages.

As my fingers touched the case, Sarah's voice boomed across the room.

"Professor! I want to report Ashley for using her phone during class!"

Her voice was so loud it drew everyone's attention.

She turned to me, disapproval etched on her face. "Ashley, I told you not to use your phone in class. Why did you do it? Couldn't you even wait one minute?"

"I didn't want to report you, but I realized your disrespect to the professor is unacceptable. For the sake of the class, I had to."

"Even though you're my best friend, I can't cover for you. It would go against my conscience."

She turned to the professor, righteous indignation radiating from her. "Professor, Ashley was using her phone. Please give her a demerit."

Even reliving this moment, I was dumbfounded by her audacity.

The whispers in the classroom died down. I saw everyone typing furiously on their phones, gossiping about the bizarre scene.

The professor looked uncomfortable, trying to diffuse the situation. "Class is almost over. The rules aren't so strict. A verbal warning is sufficient, Sarah."

Sarah shook her head firmly, her voice pained. "Professor, I can't allow my best friend to make this mistake. A demerit will teach her a lesson."

"If you don't do anything, I'll have to ask the dean about the academic standards of this university."

The professor's face hardened. She didn't want this escalating to the dean's office over something so trivial.

I spoke up, my voice flat. "Sarah, you accused me of using my phone, but you've been touching yours all class."

Sarah retorted, "I only accidentally touched the case. And my phone is off."

I scoffed. "Accidentally? You've practically worn the case thin."

I turned to the professor. "If we're giving out demerits, let's be fair. Sarah needs to learn a lesson too."

I added pointedly, "As her friend, I can't just stand by and watch her make a mistake."

Snickers rippled through the classroom.

"What's her problem? She needs to mind her own business."

"Class is almost over. Even the professor doesn't care. Some people just want attention."

Sarah's face burned. The thought of getting a demerit flustered her.

Just as she was about to defend herself, the bell rang. She visibly relaxed.

"Alright, class dismissed."

The professor hurried out, eager to escape before Sarah could bring up demerits again.