Chapter 52: Hurting
Teacher: "That is how and when the revolution started. Any questions?" No one responds as the lunch bell rings. *Sigh* "Well guess we'll call it a day for now. You all may leave, but remember there's a test coming up, so be prepared."
All the students packed up their belongings and made their way out to enjoy lunch with friends. Well, all except for Yuri who remained behind as everyone else left. When she saw that everyone was gone, she returned her history book into her bag and made her way to the door. However, before she left class.
Teacher: "Going to the library again?"
Yuri: "Y-yes sir."
Teacher: "Don't you ever get bored doing the same thing every day?"
Yuri: "Not at all."
Teacher: "Well I suppose it's fine as you have the top grades, but you should enjoy the rest of your school year with friends while you still have the chance."
Yuri: "… Perhaps. I must leave now. Good day to you." She bows before leaving.
Teacher: "Teenagers, so emotional, so immature. The worse time for all people."
After talking to her teacher, Yuri quickly makes her way to the school's library. When she made her arrival, she thought about what her teacher had told her. She held her bag tightly and looked into the library.
Yuri: (I need to leave the comfort of my books and talk to others. To enjoy what's left of my school year. How could I ever leave that now? I've been reading books ever since I was a child. My father would always read me a bedtime story. Whenever he read, he reads with passion. Hearing my father enjoying a good story, I inspire to be like him. To read with passion, to see what happens next, to understand the world and people alike. As a child I hoped that maybe one day I could write my own novel, but to share it with anyone. That would be too much for me to endure. Even now I'm still too shy to share my poems with my friends.
Even so, I respect my father and his passion, but his personality … I wish I gained mothers instead. So outspoken, so cheery. Even when we looked similar according to others deep down, I always wonder if I'm really her daughter? Father, so nervous, so shy, but passionate and outspoken when he talks about work. Mother, so outgoing, adventures, always knowing what to say to start a conversation or to keep a conversation going.
The both of them from different worlds and yet they intermingle with one another. How? I always wonder how they both stay together despite their personalities clashing with each other. I may never find out as much as I would like to ask. My mother is so amazing, she could be with anyone, but she chose my father. Why? Even my father asks that as well.)
She looks at her book disappointingly.
"Be proud of who you are."
(Can I really be proud of who I am? A freak like me?) She looks down the halls. (I … I need to relieve myself. Just for today.) She leaves the library and heads to the empty restroom no one ever uses.
While she relieves herself of this stress, on the other side of school a lunch meeting is being held at the Student Council office. Six chairs arranged around a rectangular table. One seat on the front and back with two seats on the sides. Listening in on the conversation as the others talk amongst themselves while the Student Council President stares off through the window. Monika sitting on the far left near the exit. On the other side from her is her ex-boyfriend, Todd.
Leo: "I'm just saying we should do something that doesn't involve violence." A boy with blond hair and blue eyes said. Leo the captain of the Soccer Team.
Wyatt: "What's so violent about using some force?" Said the guy with long brown hair tied in a ponytail, brown eyes, and a nicely trimmed beard. Wyatt captain of the Kendo Club.
Patty: "Can you please stop arguing about something this stupid in front the President. So embarrassing you two are." Cried out by a girl with long blonde hair with the tips being pink and blue eyes. Patty the Arts and Crafts Club President.
Leo and Wyatt: "But he started it!" The boys stopped when they saw the Council President raise his hand as both Todd and Monika remain silent throughout the whole thing.
?: "Now's not the time to argue over trivial things. This is lunch time after all. We should be having a friendly conversation."
Leo: "Yeah you're right. Sorry."
Wyatt: "Sorry"
Patty: "Told you."
Wyatt: "Quiet you!" He whispers.
Monika: (You started it by blurting out nonsense.)
Todd: (Idiot, how did he make it here in the first place?)
?: "Now then. How about we just call it a day. Maybe it would be best to enjoy our lunch with our respective clubs and friends?"
Leo: "Think that would be for the best. Sorry for ruining it." The Council President moves his seat to face him and everyone else, revealing his mint green eyes.
?: "Not at all. Please enjoy the rest of your lunch. Maybe next time we can have a proper conversation?"
All Council Members: "Yes Sir!" All members leave one at a time.
?: "Hey Monika could you stay for a bit?" He says with a serious face.
Monika: "Yeah sure thing." After everyone else left, leaving these two alone. She spoke up again. "What do you need President Zackary?"
Zackary: "You can drop the formality now it's just us two." He puts away his glasses.
Monika: "Sorry" (Zackary my cousin. Both of our mothers are sisters, making him my first cousin. He may not look it, but despite his soft voice, he can still show authority. Me and Todd are known as The King and Queen of the school, but Zackary on the other hand is The Emperor. Despite my best efforts, he wound up winning the seat as President, but I wasn't hurt by it. Matter of fact I'm proud of him and how well he's doing as President.) "What is it you want to talk about Zack?"
Zackary: "I just wanted to tell you my plan for this year."
Monika: "Plan?"
Zackary: "I was thinking of hosting another School Festival."
Monika: "Okay and why are you asking me?"
Zackary: "I just thought I should let you know first. That's all."
Monika: "Are you feeling doubt? I'm sure everyone would agree with your decision. You're so charismatic, so I have no doubt that …"
Zackary: "I'm just worried about you, okay?"
Monika: "Worried? Worried about what?" Her cousin scratches his brown hair.
Zackary: "That if I propose the plan that you might feel upset."
Monika: "Why would I be upset? You're not making sense."
Zackary: *Sigh* "I heard about what happened last year."
Monika: "Oh, that." (Should've known he would hear about that incident.)
Zackary: "Yeah it was all over the school. One of your club members got stage fright and ran away after getting bullied."
Monika: "Yes that's true." She avoids eye contact.
Zackary: "And the fact that another member almost got into a fight with one of those bullies."
Monika: "Yes, both Michael and Johnny were at each other's throats."
Zackary: "Michael Conner, the fifth member of the Literature Club, correct?"
Monika: "Yes, that's right."
Zackary: "Has he done anything to you or the others?"
Monika: "What?"
Zackary: "Has he ever harmed you or the other members of your club?"
Monika: "Never" She says with an upset tone.
Zackary: "How can you tell? He has quite the reputation."
Monika: "And I say to you that, that reputation is wrong. He is nothing like that." She starts to get angry at her cousin.
Zackary: "Good, very good indeed." He smiles.
Monika: "Huh?"
Zackary: "I can now rest easy knowing that it was all just a rumor."
Monika: "What are you on about?"
Zackary: "I always knew that the rumors about him had to be false. People saying, he was a thug, harassing girls, cheating on everyone's women he met, fighting for power or selfish reason, vandalizing wherever he goes. All those things I heard about him had to be lies. No man can do all those by himself. No matter who they are. Even his dad couldn't do all of those."
Monika: "So then?" He gets off his seat and looks through the window.
Zackary: "When we first came to this school, it was already a messed-up school. There was no order, no honest people, just a bunch of posers who attacked anyone who's different. Either to assert their dominance or just to make themselves feel better because their cowards who couldn't do what those who chose to be different can do. It's an endless cycle that we all face, at least I thought it was until the election. I can't believe that all changed when I became president."
Monika: "Yeah, back then our seniors, the original Student Council members didn't do anything. They all just lazed around and the teachers were no better. Only half of them gave a damn about doing their jobs while the rest fell to infamy. I could never forgive one of them for what they did to my classmate." She clenches her hands.
Zackary: "I know how you feel, but we have to move on. We may have changed the school's image, but our fellow classmates remain the same as ever. Bullying each other, spreading rumors, attacking one another, harassing each other, and so on. Even now, whether we're still here or not, nothing's going to change so easily."
Monika: "It's made worse when we graduate. The outside world is too cruel."
Zackary: "I know. Everyone fighting amongst themselves, the progress some made only to be undone by their own blood." He looks back to his cousin. "Sorry I didn't mean to sound so negative."
Monika: "It's fine. You were just speaking the truth."
Zackary: "I know, but I don't want that to be the last thing you think of me when I move away."
Monika: "I won't think that way of you. You're always a cheery one just like a friend of mine I know."
Zackary: "That so? That's a relief. What did your mom think when she got the news?"
Monika: "She didn't feel anything. She just stayed the same as always."
Zackary: "Hasn't changed at all huh?"
Monika: "No, not even a little. She just really hates losing to your mother."
Zackary: "Honestly those two." He says annoyingly. "Why should we suffer for their problems. This is between them not us, so why make us compete with each other."
Monika: "Who knows? Even if I ask, mom won't tell me. Most likely lie to me so I could be angry at you."
Zackary: "No disrespect, but your mom has some serious issues."
Monika: "None taken. I understand how you feel since I live under the same roof with her." (I wish aunty was my mom. All my mother ever does is expect me to win at everything no matter what just to rub into aunty and Zack's face.)
Zackary: "Moni … I feel bad for telling you this, but it has to be said."
Monika: "What is?" He leans in closer and whispers something to her. When she heard what he had said she felt sadden and angered.
With lunch still in place. Monika walks down the hallways thinking about her conversation with Zackary. While she walks, she looks out through the windows of the building as her fellow classmates walk, talk, and have fun amongst themselves. She kept a steady paste only to slow down bit by bit as she walks hallways to hallways.
(The election will start when he leaves. When that happens, mother will force me to run for presidency. I know the other Council members will compete and I know Todd will as well. What should I do? If I were to drop out of the election, if I was to lose. My mother will disown me. If I were to win then what's left of my freedom is gone. I'm already the Literature Club President the only thing that I'm happy for.
The Debate Club I left behind. I always hated it as both my parents forced me to join. I'm already facing too much hardships being one of the top students with the highest grades, athletic, charming, hard worker, being an idol to everyone here in this messed up school. I have to set an example, to lead as my mother wanted me, but even then, it's never enough. I … I can't go on like this. I can't handle all this pressure from everyone. I've dealt with this for years and it never gotten any easier. It just keeps getting worse. Worse, worse, worse, worse.
I can't go on any further.) She looks through a window to see everyone having fun in the plaza. (Why can't I be just like them? To hang out with friends without a care in the world. To play, to say anything I want, to date.)
"If you keep acting like this, he will find out."
(He'll find out and if he does then … No! I can't let him do all this for me. He's done enough for us all. I need to keep this a secret no matter what, but … I want … I want to … I want to be next to him. I really do, but if he found out then who knows what he would do for someone like me. I don't want him to hurt himself any further, but I fear he might. All for me.)
Clicks and clangs can be heard as Michael makes his way to class before the bell rings.
Michael: (Ah man, that was tiring. You think this would be easier after a while but no. Wonder how the others are doing? Sayori got in trouble for sleeping in class again, so she couldn't even help me. I don't know where the others go for lunch so I can't hang with them. Oh well for now I should use this time to rest.) He takes his seat in class and closes his eyes.
Student: "It's him. Connor." Him and his friend peeked through the door.
Student 2: "Hmph! Never thought I see him still around again."
Student: "He's asleep and injured. We should use this as an opportunity to show him who's boss."
Student 2: "Are you crazy? I heard that even though he's hurt doesn't mean he's easy pickings."
Student: "Ah whatever. It's just a rumor. Now stop talking and let's go."
Student 2: "Guh fine."
Sky: "Whatcha guys doing?" Both students screamed for being spooked and turned to see the girl with light blue hair and eyes.
Sky: "Class is about to start you should get going before the teachers get mad."
Student: "Fu! Fine, let's go." His friend follows as they leave the scene.
Sky: (Wow, like wow. They had to resort to fighting a guy who's handy cap. What jerks.) She takes a peek and sees Michael napping or at least resting his eyes. (Sayori's childhood friend. The man everyone hates. You know when I look at him, he seems more relaxed? Whatever the case may be, I still don't trust him. For all I know Sayori is thinking about him from the past and not his current self. I need to keep a closer eye on him. Sayori is a sweet girl, but I can't trust her judgment about Connor not after what his dad did to my uncle. She grips the edge of the door hinge tightly. Please just rest in peace Uncle.)
She walks away as Michael continues to rest. On her way through the hallways, she encountered a guy with dark skin and curly brown hair. (Huh? Isn't that Sebastian?) She watches as he passes by looking gloomy. (How sad. He looks so sad after getting kicked out of the swimming team. That was big news when it first came out. The Shark himself admitting he started the fight and kicked off the team. That was news that spread like wildfire throughout the entire school. How sad the mighty has fallen.)
Walking down the narrow path. Sebastian makes his way to class as the bell finally rings. As he walks, he thinks about what his friends told him when they found out that he turned himself in.
"Man, why did you have to go and snitch? We had the opportunity to get away Scott free and you went and told the principle. Man, you're so lame dude. You had it all and you fucked up. Loser."
Sebastian: "Tsk!" He continues to walk as more and more students walk by. Everyone he passes by would talk behind his back. Every word they said to him was like a knife to his chest.
Student: "Hey look it's Shark."
Student 2: "He's off the team, so no point in calling him Shark anymore."
Student 3: "Shark more like bait."
Student 4: "How uncool he is."
Student 5: "Talk about lame."
Sebastian: (Just shut up already.) He stares down at some of the students. When they saw him, they got scared and continued walking away. "Tsk!" (Some friends they were. Only yesterday they were my fans, but now they look down on me like I'm nothing for what? Telling the truth? This world is fucked up. Why do the good people have to pay? Is there a point to any of this? I don't know.) He looks outside and sees the school's pool. While he looks down, he reminisces the races he had as he could almost hear the splashing of water, the starter gun firing, and the crowd cheering.
(Good times. Those were the days, but … it's all gone now. My life, my passion, gone. Now what do I do with my life? Am I nothing now?)
End of Chapter 52