Part 4:

I am now a few minutes into science class, still attempting to read and remember my burnt research notes, all the while trying to evade the crumpled paper being thrown repeatedly against my head from Drake and his fellow fools. People like me never get a break it seems. No rest for the wicked… 

And before I know it, the school bell rings indicating our next class. Seems like we people don’t get enough time either huh… Time… I definitely need more of that right now. 

My next class is English however, so at least I will have some familiar company with me and a bearable teacher. Not only that, but it’s the last class of the day as well! I just gotta survive these last few minutes and I can carry on with my goal undisturbed. 

As I exit out the door, I pass by both Liah and Karal again who are entering back from the outside. They’ve been out for the whole duration of class it seems and since they proclaim to be Ms. Bregum’s favourites, I bet she’d have no problem with them being gone for the whole period. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have any problem with that ‘cause it has nothing to do with me, but I also catch both of them giving me a death stare of sorts from the periphery too, making my suspicions towards them even more sketchier than ever. There’s something that is striking within that is making me think that they’re up to something- I dunno- Sinister…? Whatever, it’s not my top priority right now and if I look too into this then I’d only make myself more of a target for embarrassment.

Time to head to English.

I head up the stairs and down the many hallways to finally arrive in front of the door to my English classroom. I reach my hand for the knob to open the door only for it to open itself from the inside, thankfully. I look up to see the kind individual that has opened the door for m-

“JOSEPH RAJANG!!!” 

It’s Mr. Cranmore… I-I think my ears are bleeding…

“Not again… Let me guess, am I late?” I say snarkily, still dazed by the amount of decibels that has hit my eardrums.

He slowly and cheekily shapes his mouth into a smirk.

“No. You’re not. I just find it really satisfying to shout your name every now and then.” He replies, cheekily.

“Great. Now that’s a thought.” I mutter.

“What was that? Y’know what- nevermind, just take a seat.”

I walk into the classroom only to see the sight of unoccupied chairs and tables that are neatly sorted and spaced out between each other, with the exception of the two souls that I see regularly every day: Sam and Geek. What happened to “See you at the exit!” Sam? He usually attends the school council meetings at the end of today, what happened to that? Oh well, it’s better than attending class with just Geek so I’ll let this one slide.

“Joseph! You’re here!” Sam says.

“About time, wannabe meteorologist!” Geek says.

“Shut up, Geek. Where is everyone?” I ask.

“Out and about, having more fun than us at least.” Geek replies cheekily.

“Hey! My classes are fun! Right, Sam?” Mr. Cranmore asks, desperately.

“Eh, they’re okay, Mr. Cranmore.” He replies, vaguely.

“Aww come on!”

Their conversation and banter slowly fade away from my attention as the feeling of my phone vibrating in my pocket catches it instead. That’s weird. Who’d be messaging me at a time like this? No… Who even messages me at all? It’s only ever Sam and a few old friends from middle school who ever text me, but at a time like this?! I doubt it.

Oh well, I guess there’s no point resisting the temptation. I’m sure Mr. Cranmore won’t mind. I swiftly and stylishly whip out my phone to check the notification and to my surprise, it’s a news article I subscribed to a long time ago, one that covered the meteor when it was only just recent. They haven’t posted any articles for a while until now, though this one isn’t about the meteors.

“Famed Professor Vorutuno from Italy introduces the ‘V-Unit’. A Cybernetic and Exquisitely Programmed Robot that is planned to assist police and stronger to help keep the peace.”

Well… looks like they’re done with the meteor as well… Damnit! I’ve gotten so much of my information from their sources and now- even they have given up, leaving all that research to dust! What am I gonna use now! 

“JOSEPH! PHONE! DOWN! NOW!” Mr. Cranmore finally catches me as I again slip my phone down into my pocket with finesse.

“Easy, Chief. Just waiting for the lesson to start, that’s all.” I play it off.

“WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT CALLING ME CHIEF!”

“Actually, Mr. Cranmore, when is the lesson going to start? Sure, Joseph has just arrived a minute ago but Geek and I have been sitting here for five minutes.” Sam says.

Mr. Cranmore sighs, “I’m sure they’ll be here any minute.”

Suddenly, the intercom rings for an announcement, making my ears beg for mercy more.

“Ahem! Ahem! Is this th-thing on? Well- umm- we h-have a child on the l-loose that has b-broken the staff room window with a ha-hammer. I-I don’t know where he or she got it but c-can we get a-all teachers to try and find the ch-ch-child now? Tha-Thank you.”

That was the principal’s voice, shaky and wavering as usual. Poor guy…

Mr. Cranmore audibly sighs again, this time with a loss of faith.

“I don’t get paid enough for this…”

“So does this mean we can go home early?” Geek asks eagerly.

“I…” Chief sighs again, “Yes, you can…”

“Cool! Let’s roll, Joseph!” Sam calls.

“Yeah sure.” I say reluctantly, getting up from the table I’m leaning on.

The three of us all head out the door with my final words being: “See ya tomorrow, Chief!”

“STOP CALLING ME CHIE-”

His words are cut off by the slamming of the door behind us.

Sam looks at me disappointed.

“Was that really necessary?”

“No, but it was funny.”