Life'sChallenges (Chapter Eight)

As she was dragged, she tried to squeal through her unopened mouth but only a muffled one came out, which was not loud enough for Jiro to hear. She felt afraid, afraid of what might happen to her. She was also worried, worried whether that certain day was her last. She tried not to think of negative thoughts but they just came streaming into her brain. She just couldn’t help it. She imagined herself being tortured, caned and slapped. All bad thoughts kept appearing in her mind. She wanted them to stop but they would not. She felt her head bursting. She couldn’t take it any longer.

She screamed. But immediately, hands started to slap her. She could take it no longer. She started to fight them off with all her might. When, suddenly, the hands let her go. She was free. She blinked her eyes to see what was happening. Someone with spiked hair came to her rescue. But she didn’t know who it was. He stood with two other students who appear to be his bodyguards. He looked at the girl fans. Hebe realized the ones who were trying to silence her were a bunch of Arron fans.
The student spoke. “Who is your leader or president for this fan club?”

No one moved. It seemed that everyone was terrified of this person. Then, a few girl fans pushed up a girl towards him. “So, you’re the president.”

He stared at her name tag and then pushed her away. He walked to Hebe, who was still on solid ground, and pulled out his hand. She stared at him, wondering who he was. He gestured her to give her hand, which she did. At that moment, she heard Jiro’s voice. “Hebe! What’s taking you so.....”

He stopped dead at his tracks. He could not believe what he was seeing. Arron slowly walked up beside him and looked through colourless eyes. He understood why Jiro couldn’t do anything but just stand with angry eyes. All of a sudden, Jiro walked to the person and pulled Hebe up, saying, “Don’t you dare lay a hand on my cousin or you’re so dead. Keep those filthy hands off her.”

Jiro pulled Hebe past all Arron’s fans and the three students angrily. Arron silently followed. All the way to Jiro’s house, Hebe kept thinking of what happened. How she was slapped. How Arron’s fans got afraid of the person. How Jiro had seem to angry just as he was saving her. She just couldn’t understand. Why everyone’s behaviour was weird. She had never transferred to school like that before. Just what was wrong, she couldn’t figure out.

Arron had followed Jiro and Hebe to Jiro’s house. Earlier, Jiro and himself had agreed to study together. Or at least, Jiro wanted to. Arron agreed reluctantly because Jiro was whining like a small kid. So, he had to agree, just to save himself from the inhuman whining of Jiro’s. Jiro had been very protective of Hebe, he had seen. The school bully had not even touch her hair, from what it seems, but Jiro had flown into a rage. He had never seen Jiro like that, not even for the past five girlfriends he had.

Jiro unlocked his main door and entered. He walked straight up to his room, leaving Arron and Hebe alone. Arron didn’t really mind. He placed his bag on the sofa while sitting and taking his book to read. Hebe, on the other hand, stood behind the sofa, not uttering a single word. Arron didn’t bother to tell her anything. He knew she was confused by the events that recently happened but did not dare to ask him for she was new. So, he minded his own business and went on reading.

“Arron?”

Hebe started to speak. She was still unsure of what to say. But she felt if she started, she could just let her questions flow out of her mouth easily. So, she took the chance. But, Arron did not respond. Instead, he somehow pretended not to have heard her.

“Arron.”

Still, he did not reply or even move the slightest. Annoyed, Hebe walked to his front and asked him, “Are you deaf? Or are you mute? Why can’t you answer me?”

“Why should I?”

“Because, it’s a polite way of talking to someone. Even if you’re not close with him or her. And in my place, her.”

Arron couldn’t be bothered to answer her, so, he flipped a page and read on.

“You’re rude. Jiro’s fuming upstairs for God knows what reason and all you can do is read your book. Aren’t you in the least worried of him? I mean, you’re his friend.”
“Since you’re new, I guess you really don’t know anything about the school. That person who saved you was the school bully. His name is Danson. It is a popular saying in school that if he lays his eyes on any girl, that girl won’t be... clean anymore. And if anyone dares to oppose him, his life would be in hell, unless he can fight better. In your case, Danson has set his eyes on you and Jiro had opposed him despite the saying. So, do you think no one knows why he’s like that now? Ca you understand his feelings? You can’t. No one can, but himself.”

Hebe stared at Arron in horror. Not only the school bully wanted her. Jiro was in danger. She didn’t know what to say. What was she going to do? She couldn’t fight Danson, nor can she think of any ways to save herself and her cousin. She felt totally hopeless as she broke down and cried in front of Arron.

-brenda-