Chapter 3

 -    What's going on?

Denis, my best friend caught me having sex with his girlfriend Mariam and broke up with her. Mariam then told everybody that he was an abuser and got everyone on our side. Sonia, who used to be his number one fan, just slapped him.

-    Don't even pretend! We know the truth!

-    Obviously not!

-    You …

Sonia was about to throw another punch when the door opened again. This time it was the teacher.

-    Ok everyone, take your seat! Class will start!

In front of this authority, Sonia had no choice but to comply and everyone returned to their seat. However, the tension was still high. Everyone kept glaring at him throughout the whole lecture. Despite the menacing glares he received, Denis managed to focus on the class. He kept taking notes as usual. But it seemed that his attitude angered the class even more. And so, when first period was over, people gathered around his desk.

-    What do you have to say? Sonia asked with a clearly angered tone.

-    …

-    Nothing? Not even an apology to those 2?

-    Why should I apologize?

-    You! You're asking that?

-    I don't know what they told you, but Mariam was cheating on me with Paul, so I broke up with her!

-    You're lying! She already told us how you abused her.

-    And you believed her words and not mine?

-    I …

-    Well, it's your right to believe whoever you want! But don't you dare disturb my peace!

-    I …

Sonia, and everyone around, including me got taken aback by his tone. This was the first time I ever saw him make that face. I almost wanted to run away. Fortunately for us, one guy intervened.

-    So, that's all you can do? Bullying weak girls? First Mariam and now Sonia. Why don't you take on someone your own size?

My classmate words made me realise something. I knew Denis for a long time, and he has always been a good boy. He has never been into a fight and kept saying yes, no matter what's happening. What if, he is not actually nice, but just weak and was being pushed around? Last Friday, when he found out about us, he didn't say anything. He just broke up with her and ran away. 

-    Yeah, stop picking on weak girls!

-    You sissy, where is your pride as a man?

-    Leave the girls alone!

My theory was confirmed. When the boys started yelling at him, he didn't reply.

Why was I scared of such a man? Why was I jealous of him? He is just pathetic!

Fortunately for Denis, the next teacher came in and dispersed everyone.

At lunch break, except of a few classmates, no one got close to him. Those who went to him just insulted him. We purposely isolated him.

After school, to prevent him from doing anything, a few girls decided to walk Mariam home. I didn't need protection because we knew Denis was just a coward and he would never attack a man directly.

We also informed the other classes, and no one wanted to approach him anymore. Not even the clubs who used to ask for him help. Ans so, for 2 days, Denis was isolated in school. However, this didn't seem to have any effect on him. He was still going and leaving school at the same hour. This irritated the classmates, and on Thursday morning, his table was scribbled.

He went into the classroom and looked at his table. He then glanced around. Maybe looking for the culprits, but everyone was giggling. After a while, he left the classroom.

-    Seemed that he finally got it! Sonia exclaimed.

-    Yeah! Hope he never come back!

However, when class started, Denis came back with the teacher.

-    Looks like someone is bullying Denis here! So, who scribbled his desk?

This was the math teacher. She was particularly fond of Denis since he had perfect scores on her tests. So, he snitched on us. And he got his favourite teacher, that coward.

-    Teacher, you shouldn't take this man side! He is a sexual predator. He had harassed Mariam. We found out and decided to teach him a lesson!

The teacher was dumbfounded. She froze there for a few seconds before turning to Mariam.

-    Is that true?

-    (snif) Yes! I … for 2 years … I … was scared! (Snif) if Paul hadn't found out (snif) I would still be abused. 

Truly an Oscar worthy performance. Even I was moved. But it seemed, the teacher wasn't completely convinced.

-    2 years? Why didn't you say something for 2 years?

-    (snif) I was scared! (snif) you understand, you're a woman too!

This was the nail on the coffin. Appealing to her womanhood did the trick. No woman would want to be abused. The math teacher glared at Denis. There was even more anger that the ones she gave us.

-    Denis, follow me!

Saying so, they both left the class. This was supposed to be maths class, but since she left with Denis, it became a self-study period. But no one was studying. We were talking about the potential fate of Denis.

After 30 min, the teacher came back and took Mariam. Another 30 minutes later, she took me. She led me to the principal office. There, some teachers, Mariam and Denis were standing. As soon as I got inside, the principal started questioning me. Mariam and I had prepared our story and when I answered, our story matched.

-    Okay, I get the situation. It's unfortunate, but the events are 2 years old. And even if you want to press charged Mariam, there is no proof of what happened.

-    That's right, Sir!

-    My solution is to let bygones, be bygones and focus on your future. Now, everyone knows what kind of person Denis really is and he won't be able to fool anyone.

-    I understand sir!

-    As for you Denis, Mariam forgave you once. I hope you'll take this opportunity to change and become a better man.

-    …

-    Hey, the principal is talking to you!! 

-    …

The maths teacher shouted at him, but he remained silent.

-    No need to get angry, Ms. Ava! It's just a child. He will understand once he reached adulthood.

-    You're right Sir! Denis don't think you would have gotten away if you weren't a minor.

-    …

-    Still not talking huh?

-    Well, that's all for now! Return to your classes! The principal ordered.

We left the principal office. In class, the teacher explained the situation. She advised us against bullying Denis as it would only make us as bad as he is. The classmates followed her words and left Denis alone. Isolation is not bullying, right?

However, there were something I didn't get. I asked Mariam on the way home.

-    Why did you agree with the principal? That old man had no intention of helping us!

-    Exactly! 

-    I don't follow!

-    Don't forget that it was a lie. If we had gotten the police involved, they would surely discover everything. But the principal just wants to protect his career and won't let that happen. We drop things here, he keeps his peaceful life and everybody think that Denis is the bad guy.

-    But, you said that you wanted to make him crawl back to us! How do you plan on doing that?

-    Quite easy! Everybody hates him now! He has nowhere to go. He will plead me for help.

-    And so, what? Wouldn't it be bad if you get back together?

-    On the contrary! People will see me as a saint who can forgive such a despicable man!

-    I see! You're really sly!

-    I prefer the term smart!

-    Well, you're really smart!

-    Thanks, he he he!

After that, instead of going to her house, Mariam followed me home.

-    Horny again?

-    Hey, I built up a lot of stress. 

-    Well, come here! I have just the thing to make you feel better!

-    Hmm, you certainly do!

Just as expected, the following day, everybody was ignoring Denis. People were getting away from him in the corridors; his desk has been moved away from the rest of the class; even the teachers were glaring at him during class. At lunch, I've even heard that the school cafeteria refused to sell him food. After lunch, we had a maths test. Before, the maths teacher liked him a lot, but today, she just kept cursing at him. At the end of the test, she almost refused to take his paper. I wonder how long he would endure such treatment.

The answer was: not long, actually.

Mariam followed me home today again. When we arrived in sight of my house, we saw him, waiting in the front.

-    Denis, what do you want? Mariam asked.

-    I want you to tell everyone the truth!

-    Ha, and why would we do that?

-    I thought you just wanted to mess around with Paul …

-    That's the case!

-    So, what is this! Slandering me, making me look like the bad guy when you're the one who cheated!

-    I told you I didn't cheat! It was just practice! Besides, Paul is your friend! you shouldn't be mad because I slept with him!

-    Well, I am, and I'm not pleased with it! So, tell everybody the truth!

-    Or what?

-    I'll tell them myself!

-    Ha ha! Go ahead, what make you think they will listen?

-    This recording!

-    Huh?

-    I had recorded this conversation!

Saying so, he took his phone from his pocket and presented it to us.

-    You … delete it!

-    No!

-    Paul, grab his phone!

-    I …

-    Do it! You want our life to be destroyed?

She had just admitted having cheated. If this gets out, we will be the one getting bullied. That being said, can I really beat him. He used to be athletic. Still, I had no choice. So, I charged at him, aiming for the phone, and managed to grab it. But he did not let go, so I punched him in the face and made in fall. 

I was surprised that I managed to overpower him so easily. I mean, wasn't supposed to be strong? However, despite being taken down, he wasn't letting go of the phone. So, I kept punching. I punched again and again. His face swelled and he was bleeding a lot. Yet, he wasn't letting go of the phone. It was only after Mariam kicked his arm that he let go. Mariam stomped on it a few times and completely destroyed the phone.

-    And here I was willing to take you back as my boyfriend! What an idiot! Well, you only have yourself to blame. Let's go Paul!

-    Huh, yes, yes!

I was a little sad about leaving him like that. He was lying there, bleeding. I mean, I just wanted to have sex with Mariam. Still, I considered him to be my best friend. But, he should have just listen to her. He would have been her boyfriend while I'm her sex friend. It's the best for a pathetic man like him. And it would have been way better than trying to fight us.

I glanced one last time at his body before following Mariam. Once inside, she took my clothes off and we had sex.

2 hours later, she was getting ready to leave. Denis body was no longer in front of the house. I guessed he managed to crawl back into his house.

The weekend came and I enjoyed it with Mariam. I was no longer concerned about Denis. That man was too harmless to do anything. 

The following Monday, when I arrived at school, Denis wasn't there. I shouldn't be surprised given how badly I punched him. He should be out for at least a month. The class finally enjoyed a day with no Denis. Even the math teacher seemed to be in a good mood. However, this happiness did not last. During second period, the classroom door was opened, and 2 policemen followed the principal in.

-    Paul Hien and Mariam Sana, you are under arrest for defamation and assault on Denis Ilboudo. Follow us please.

-    What?