Love Life At School (Chapter Fifteen)

“We’re going to be late for school! Be quick!”

“Alright, alright. I’m coming!”

Jiro was rushing Arron to be quicker because their lessons start in just half an hour and they had not even had their breakfast. Before lessons they even have assembly, which left them less time to stay at the orphanage. Jiro had had a headache and had difficulty in sleeping the night before. He had been tossing and turning almost all night long before finally was able to sleep properly but he only slept for four to five hours. As for Arron, he was thinking a lot. Ever since he went to Hebe’s house, he kept thinking about his parents. How cruel they had been to abandon him. How hard-hearted they were not to have left anything for him. Not even a single cent or thing. All he got was bitter memories from his past. After a few months they abandoned him when he was six, Uncle Tom had told him his parents died in a car accident and that it came out in the newspaper. But he had also been thinking about Hebe. How he hadn’t dare to confess his feelings for her. How beautiful she was. Because of these, he hadn’t a good night sleep, causing him to wake up late the next day. Now they were rushing as much as they could. They simply stuffed their breakfast down their throats. They left only twenty more minutes. If they had any transportation vehicle, they would have reached their school in ten minutes. But unfortunately they had none. So, they walked, or rather, they ran, though Jiro was a little slow from his old leg injury.

They reached school at the last minute but one. The moment they went to take their places during assembly, everyone stared at them. When they stood in their places, a teacher went up to them.

Teacher: Why were you two late?

Arron: But, we’re not late. We came in time.

Jiro: Yeah.

Teacher: Really? Then why does my watch say its already 8.01am?

Arron: That’s just a minute. We reached here right on time.

Jiro: While you walk here, it took you a minute. That’s why your watch says a minute late.

Teacher: How dare you! You will have detention for three days.

Jiro: Not fair. We were not late at all.

Teacher: Five days!

Arron: Teacher, that is totally unfair.

By this time, all three of them could be heard throughout the whole place where they have assembly. Everyone kept quiet, watching the show going on. They agreed Arron and Jiro were not late but the teacher was just being unreasonable.

Teacher: Ten days! And your parents shall be informed.

Jiro: (lose his temper) Go ahead! Go ahead and tell our parents. They can’t do anything to us anyway!

Teacher: Oh, we shall see about that. Whenever we inform parents about their children’s wrongdoing, we make sure they hand out severe punishments.

Jiro: Oh! And how are you going to do that? Rise them from the grave? Then make them punish us?

Teacher: What!?

Jiro: For your information teacher, our parents are not alive. We’re orphans!

Everyone gasped when they heard what Jiro had to say. They had never thought the two new students were what Jiro had said, orphans. Arron stood beside Jiro, not uttering a single word. But he was horrified with Jiro. How could he say all that? What would Hebe think of him now? He never told anyone about his parents. He had wanted to keep it a secret until he was ready to announce to everyone but now his plan had been spoiled by Jiro. Suddenly, a voice called out. “Enough!”

Everybody turned and saw the principal standing nearby. “Arron, Jiro, follow me,” he said, grimly. “You too,” he addressed the teacher.

The three of them followed the principal, quietly into his office where they stood in front of the principal’s table while the principal sat down on his comfy chair. They were silent. No one spoke a word. Then, the principal broke the silence. “You two, why were you arguing with your teacher?”

Arron and Jiro looked at each other, not daring to speak. So they stayed silent. The principal waited a few moments waiting for an answer. Since none came, he asked the teacher instead. “Perhaps you would tell me,” he looked at him.

Teacher: Of course. Principal, these two were late to school, yet they keep denying it.

Jiro: We were not late, I tell you.

Teacher: Still denying it, are you? But no point in doing that. You were late.

Jiro: We were not!

Principal: Enough! Enough is enough. Fighting does not resolve anything. The same goes for arguing. You, Arron, You tell me what you think. You’ve been silent around here. At least someone knows not to argue.

Arron: (looked at Jiro) We were not late, principal. We arrived exactly right on time. But teacher came and told us we were late and even gave us detention for telling him we were not.

Principal: Hmm.. So, you were not late? I see.

Teacher: But sir, I certainly do not see it your way. Sir, they were...

Principal: At what time, your watch read, they came?

Teacher: At exactly 8.01am, sir.

Principal: Interesting. They were only late for a minute? But do you realize our school rules states that students were to be in school in time, not in the HALL in time. Which means they arrived in the school grounds in time.

Teacher: But... But...

Principal: No buts. You as a teacher should know the rules better than the students. Yet you argued with them? I don’t see the need for that at all. And how can you give detention just like that? I have said detention was only for serious matters. I will deal with you later. You may go first. Tell the students that no assembly will be held today.

Teacher: Yes, sir. (go out of the office)

Principal: Now with you two. You know very well the teacher was in the wrong. But that does not exactly put you in the right. You were not late, that’s obvious but you quarreled with a teacher. And that is serious but I will not give you detention. What I’m going to ask you about is did you tell anyone about your background? Except for me of course.

Arron: No.

Jiro: No.

Principal: Did you intend to do that?

Arron: In time. (Jiro nodded)

Principal: Then why did you announce it to the whole school like that, Jiro?

Jiro: I.. I was angry. I lost my temper. Who wouldn’t? When someone accused you straight at you face.

Principal: True, but do you realize this, now the whole school knows. Students are going to badger you two to tell them your past stories. How are you going to answer them?

Jiro and Arron stared at the principal.

(Jiro’s POV)
What was I thinking? Selina wouldn’t like me now.
(End of POV)

(Arron’s POV)
I’m going to kill Jiro. My reputation is ruined. I don’t how to face anyone, especially Hebe. Jiro, you’re so dead.
(End of POV)

Principal: I shall not bother you now. Go and attend your classes now.
Jiro and Arron walked out of the office slowly. They didn’t know what to do. They hung their heads all the way to the hall to take their bags and all the way to their classroom with heavy hearts. They were making themselves mentally and physically prepared for what they think were waiting for them in there.

The principal in his office looked out his window when Jiro and Arron went out.

(Principal’s POV)
They got themselves into trouble. And they have to face it bravely. I guess no one goes through life without hardships. Well, that’s how we get experience anyway. Hope its good for them.
(End of POV)

-brenda, co-written with ratana-