Chapter 20: Chapter 20
Kevin slid into the office where I was still in my kneeling position. He persuaded the headmaster to close the case. In the beginning, he ignored him for Kevin’s mother had mandated him to do anything to solve the problem. Kevin slipped an envelope into his coat’s pocket. I pretended not to notice that. It was a bribe to set me free from the blame. Even if it was for me, I was sick of what he was doing. He was not different from his mother.
“I hope it can change your mind,” Kevin whispered. I still caught what he said.
“You can go back to your class. Watch your attitude. Clean your classroom after school as your last punishment.” The school principal instructed. I got up and left the room after thanking him.
Thanking him was just like leaving a trace of regret in my heart. Let alone, the school principal had no proof to blame me. The CCTV did not reach the storeroom. I was one hundred percent certain that nobody truly witnessed that incident. And Kevin might think that he was my hero. That was too naïve. It was his money that could nullify the headmaster’s decision. Undeniably, he was powerless without his father’s money.
I passed corridor after corridor with relief although I was sure that other students would still treat me the same. It was not because they did not hear the recent update of the news or care for me. My poverty did not include me at their level. It was the actual reason for the way they looked at me.
“Are you alright?” Reno approached my desk when I just put my bag on it. “What about your mother? Did she come?” His worry implied that my mother and I were in his thought.
“Do you care for me and my mother?” He nodded. “If so, could you please stay away from me? We are never destined to be friends. There is no term of friendship between the poor and the rich. That is what I always believe.”
“Does your mom teach you that?”
“No. My experience has taught me this thing. Besides, I deserve to choose my circle. You and your kind are not allowed to get in.” My heart was sobbing to say those rude sentences. He lost his words. After a minute of standing in silence, he towed himself to go back to his seat. “I am sorry,” I murmured.
My school life remained the same today after my short conversation with Reno where I spent most of it in the classroom and library. The students no longer talked about me. Reno was out of my sight. He seemed offended by my bitter words. On contrary, I saw Kevin in the library during break time. It was a bit weird since he was not fond of reading. What motivated him to go to the library? But then, Angeline who just sat next to him after picking up the book affirmed that it was that girl, his motivation to come here. It was no wonder as they both had a special relationship.
Break time only lasted for about twenty minutes. The ringing bell stopped the students from reading and put their books on the table as the librarian’s instructed. They all moved out including me.
Kevin who preceded me in a sudden turned and winked at me. It was an alert that I had a task awaited after school as a substitute for my mother’s absence today. At least I had collected all my energy to do that.
I occasionally glanced at Reno during the class. That boy focused all his attention on the teacher before us. He ignored me during class. It was disappointing that he had changed. What could I hope he would do after my last talk to him? I have stabbed his heart with my sarcastic words.
The teacher left the class after it ended. The students burst out. It caused a mess, the chairs and tables spread everywhere. It was my duty to rearrange the previous position. It only took a few minutes for me to do it.
I started sweeping the floor when abruptly Kevin stormed inside. He sat on top of one of the desks with his legs hanging down and his hands folded on his chest. He seemed to enjoy my punishment. That did not matter. What came to my mind was that I had to get it done as soon as possible.
“You missed this one. The floor is full of dirt.” Kevin showed me the dirty area." I cleaned that part without looking at him. “I think you forget this part, too.” He annoyed me. I reluctantly moved forward. “You haven’t cleaned the board.”
“Could you please be quiet?” I interrupted before he continued his protest. “Why don’t you just go home and take a rest? Your mother must be worried about you right now.”
“Are you kidding me? It is not your concern to tell me to stay or go away.”
“Whatever. I don’t care what it is you like to do, but please just don’t disturb me!”
“Wait! You misunderstand me. I come here to help you.” I did not respond to him. “Let me mop the floor.” He was supposed to snatch the mop in my hand. I swiped it away.
“I can do it by myself. You can choose either to sit on the chair or go out of the classroom.” He did not argue. He was just sitting, observing me.
Then, he had been busy listening to music on his gadget. The music hypnotized him that made him close his eyes. I only need to mop the last part near the door when suddenly someone’s hand grasped that mop from me. It was Reno there with his wondering eyes.
“Let me do it. I am also responsible for all of the tasks. You can go home now.” I didn’t have an opportunity to say anything. Kevin’s voice interrupted our conversation.
“Who do you think you are? Who are you to be her hero?” Kevin snatched the mop back from Reno. But that spectacled boy maintained his grip. They both used their power to keep that tool in their hand.