a plus

No. Not again, M. thought. She'd lived through this experience with her roommate last year. She'd watched L. endure the hatred and comments after doing the right thing. Now here she was again, only this time, she would be the one turning in a cheater. It was one of the neat things about the college - the honor system. And M. prided herself on being honest. She didn't believe in cheating. So why did others think it was an okay thing to do? College tuition wasn't cheap? Why waste the money? Why waste the teacher's time? Why take advantage of everything and everyone? It wasn't fair, but it was sad. The girl cheating was exceptionally bright, and didn't need to cheat. But she did it anyway.

After some time had passed, M. watched her classmate leave the room, and she knew what would happen. The girl would go to the restroom, and consult the notes she'd so carefully hidden there. When the girl returned, M. got up and headed for the restroom. She knew just where to look. Sure enough, there, in the trash can, was her classmate's notebook. M. looked in the mirror, and gazed at her reflection, seeing the sadness. She sighed, swallowed her unease, and went back to let the teacher know about the girl's notebook and the cheating. M. already knew what to expect. She knew the cheater and her circle of friends would glare and say mean things to and about her. It wasn't something she wanted. She wanted to be liked, to have lots of friends. M. didn't want to hurt anyone. No. She needed to follow her beliefs, though. She needed to stand up and do what was right, and if that meant enduring the negativity from her classmate, then so be it. She'd survive. M. always did. She'd done the right and honorable thing and that was what mattered.