Chapter 12 History Teacher

["Today.. Sain is sleeping again."

"At least he's sleeping in between breaks."

Eclise talks with his other friends.

"Honestly I'm worried about him. Of course I believe he doesn't take drugs. But his insomnia symptoms are alarming."

"You really are a good guy Eclise."

They walk along the corridor.

"But why do you look terrified at the mention of his name?"

"Truthfully speaking.." says Eclise. "I'm also a bit scared of him."

"I mean who wouldn't be? He already looks scary and malnutritioned."

Dew jumps into their conversation.

"What are y'all talking about?"

"Hey Dew."

"Hmn?"

"Do you find Sain scary?"

"Why the sudden question?"

"Eclise was saying that he found Sain scary."

"Do you now?" Asks Dew. "I thought you said you think of him like your younger bro."

"Its exactly not scared." Eclise wheezes. "How should I put this but I'm unable to read him. I know there's some issues with his family and I hoped he'd open up. But this mysteriousness in him is terrifying. Its like your fear of something unknown."

"Hahaha. What is he? A wanna be mysterious person?"

"Well if you find him scary why don't you just stop being friends with him? Easy."

"I don't think I can do that."

"What a good snob you are, Eclise."]

Thanks to Eclise I woke up before another class started. Of course I look suspicious from head to toe, so the teacher tells me to stand up.

"Tell me in which year did the Soviet Union turn into Ussr?"

"I…" I look down and screech. I don't know the answer!

"You don't know?!"

"Heek! I'm sorry I don't know!"

"Get out of my class now!"

No crap! Our exam is tomorrow! I can't lose another lecture! "I.." I stutter. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me! I need to attend the class!"

"Yeah I've heard enough! Get out!"

"Please sir!"

He strides at me. Both I and Eclise gasp.

"I'm sorry sir! Please let me stay!"

He grabs my right bandaged hand. "You're trying to gain sympathy by wrapping tape around your palm, huh?! Well sorry it doesn't work on me! Its just an excuse to avoid studying! Kids these days!"

He squeezes my hand and pulls me out of my seat.

I grunt. It stings!

The teacher throws me out of the class and notices blood on his palm. "What is this?!"

The entire class notices. Eclise realises and rushes to me. "Sain! Are you okay?!"

A storm of whispers arises in the classroom. Soon Ms Yana and the principal arrive. They take us to the counselling room and suspend the class today.

"Tell us Sain Sinzer. Did your teacher do it to you?"

The teacher glares at me. I hesitantly nod sideways.

"You don't have to be scared. I'm here. Your form teacher is here." Says the principal.

I start to sob. "No. He didn't do it." I flail my arms in an attempt to wipe my tears.

The principal sighs and commands. "Ms Yana can you please take him somewhere to cool off. And redo his tapes."

"Yes sir."

She takes me to the teacher's room and pulls some gauge out of her bag. I take a peek inside her bag and she appears to carry everything in it. From sunscreen , beauty products, meds to notes and files, everything. No wonder she always carries a large bag. She unwraps my bandage and put some antiseptic on cotton. Of course, with the bite marks she ought to realise.

"Is it your mom, Sain?"

I avert my gazes. She says nothing more and removes my front bangs. I widen my eyes and sway back. "Don't touch me!"

She sees.

She saw my stitches!

"Sain. Tomorrow your exam is starting. I can't overlook these anymore."

"Please! Please don't interfere anymore. I like you so I'd hate it if something happens to you. Please just stay out of it!"

She's surprise stricken. "Nothing will happen to me, Sain. Don't get paranoid. Focus on your studies. I'll fix everything."

"No. You don't have to fix everything! Please leave us alone!"

She says nothing more. I hope she understood my message and won't interfere anymore.

On my way home tonight, I find a suspicious person outside our apartment.

What is he doing here?

I approach him to ask what he was doing looking at the door of our house. But he just rushes off somewhere.

A stalker?

I hurry back and twist the door knob.

The locks are still working. Mom must be safe inside. A breathe of relief escapes my mouth.