Saving Claire from Danger

At philosophy class, the heckling student from Day One was back to his usual ways. As I entered the classroom, he started mocking my mannerisms and movements.

Seriously, I do not understand his obsession towards me at all. Neither did Kyla nor Claire.

"Tell me. What the hell are you doing?" I angrily questioned the heckler as he sat near me. "You've been hopelessly on my nerves from the start."

"I just want to check on you, that's all," the heckler sarcastically responded.

"Check on me?" I bitterly retorted him. "You once taunted me for coming here late, so why in the world your tortured soul would 'play nice' this time?"

"Just ignore him," Claire earnestly advised me. "We can just move to a separate seat."

Claire furiously turned her eyes towards the heckler and conveyed a harsh message against him.

"As for you, stop picking on her or else I'll slap your fat face," she furiously reminded the heckler. "Go take on other girls you prick."

"What did you say?" the heckler shot back.

Claire simply crossed both of her arms and strutted away. Meanwhile, the heckler was forcibly restrained by his fellow classmates.

Just then, the professor arrived and took notice of the heckling student.

"What's the disturbance around here?" he said intensely, pointing his finger at the heckler. "You, red-shirt guy. Explain to the class what you just did."

"I was just playing with Christine, that's it," the heckler reasoned out.

"He's blatantly lying," I stood up and responded back. "This arrogant guy just wanted to taunt me. He even got into Claire's nerves."

"No it's untrue," the heckler tried concealing the truth. "I'm just trying to talk and relate to both of them."

A prolonged war of words soon ensued between me, the heckler and Claire. Ultimately, the professor screamed at the top of his lungs to prevent the commotion.

"The three of you, out of the classroom," he angrily yelled and jabbed his finger to the door. "Out..."

We reluctantly left the classroom per the professor's orders. I promptly confronted the heckler and began harshly criticizing his actions.

"It's your god damn fault why we're outside right now," I snapped in front of him and pounded his chest. "Can't you just grow up and be a man? This is college, damn it. No one wants to see a student like you act as a childish 14-year-old. Grow up!!!"

Before I inflicted further punishment on the heckler, Claire had immediately pulled me aside. It was clear my frustrations were boiling over.

"Christine, let him go," Claire advised me. "Sooner or later this idiot would regret what he did to you. For now, just ignore the dude. Let him be."

When class ended, the three of us were called out by the professor and we walked back to the classroom.

"Listen," the professor opened. "I was horribly ashamed and disappointed at your immature actions. All three of you acted like ninth-graders instead of college students. The reason I forced you out is for disciplinary purposes. No one wants to play like little kids anymore. Grow up!!!"

The three of us bowed our heads in shame throughout the sermon. The feeling of regret and embarrassment must have penetrated our hearts.

"Look at me," the professor finished his sermon. "I hope you learned your lesson. On the following class, I want to see all three of you as grownups and not little kids. Understand?"

We silently nodded at the professor who left the room shortly after. At that very moment, the heckler apologized.

"Sorry for putting both of you into trouble," he said. "My actions were immature and unbecoming of a college student, and I regret that. Hope you accept my apology."

"It's alright," Claire promptly responded. "We understand."

The three of us willingly shared a hearty embrace inside the classroom before wisely leaving for the next class. The former heckler even went as far as caressing me on the cheek.

A few hours later, Michelle and I were on our way to film production class when we saw Claire walk towards the other side of the street. But just as I was approaching her, a speeding vehicle was about to strike Claire.

"Look out," I screamed hysterically at Claire.

I frantically pushed Claire out of the way, just in time for the car to make an abrupt stop.

"Hey girls, better look at the traffic lights first," the driver shouted furiously towards us. "You could have been killed."

Claire and I stood up and merely shook off some of the asphalt from the road.

"Are you okay?" I sought Claire regarding her condition.

"Indeed Christine," she solemnly assured me. "Glad you saved me."

I looked nervously towards the driver and humbly apologized for the commotion. Michelle promptly arrived and helped both Claire and myself to safety.

"You two were fortunate to be alive," Michelle commented on what happened earlier. "I would've lost both of you if not for that driver's keen eyes."

"Then again, it was hazardous to traverse the bustling street while the traffic lights were green," Claire summarized her terrible experience. "I should've been careful in crossing the road otherwise my carcass would be lying dead on the spot."

"At least you learned something like we did earlier in philosophy class," I humbly replied.

Claire suffered a few scratches but other than that she was fine. Upon entering the campus, Claire politely bade us farewell, after which she walked out of our sight.

Talk about a close call yet again. It looks like me and imminent danger were undoubtedly becoming all the more inseparable.

"Listen," Michelle looked back at my heroic actions as we walked leisurely to the classroom. "I know you were trying mightily to play hero in this campus, but it's becoming increasingly risky. What if you failed to survive? If that happens, Charissa, Cathy, Clark, Karina, and all of your devoted friends will feel extremely saddened."

"Well, you portrayed a courageous hero once before, remember?" I replied back. "That right arm of yours is a visible reminder of your selflessness and courageous actions, correct?"

"I see," Michelle humbly realized. "Then again, heroism is just a desire and not an obligation. You and I are better off as quiet and unassuming students. But that doesn't mean we can no longer protect our beloved family and friends. It's just a matter of playing safe and learning to feel secure. Do you agree?"

"Affirmative," I promptly nodded and smiled back. "Let's go."

Michelle and I gently held onto each other's shoulders upon entering the classroom. As we sat down with Ella, one thing is certain: local heroes can come in frequently, but there is always a price to pay for these actions.