14 A Run

KRING!

Bells throughout the school rang again, warning students who are still in the school area. It's a scheduled measurement to make sure there were no students left locked inside. Over the past few years, some students would be locked inside the school area for not leaving early, they regretted it. This measurement did terrific work after students got used to it.

Tapping noise came from our footsteps as we ran to the school entrance. I ran with Rahim beside me. We ran with all our might to at least have the school gate appear visible to us. The running shifted more aggressively as the stuff in our bag was beginning to fall. Meanwhile, Farina speeds ahead of us. She already left us while I was getting my uniform in the dobby.

Suddenly, an orange cat crossed our path. We stopped running to avoid hitting the cat. We succumbed to fatigue, gasping for air. I look at the cat with an agitated face. The cat smugged then ran. I took out the water bottle tucked beside my backpack and tried to drink it. A drop of water got out and became the most useless thing I have ever witnessed. Unfortunately, the water bottle was emptied when Farina refueled my motorcycle. I writhed in vain then helped Rahim standing up and continued running.

The chirps of birds and the buzz of insects were ignored when we were running past the park. Rahim sought a separate way. I grabbed his arm before he managed to run. I shook my head, signaling him not to since he might be lost in the midst of exhaustion. He nodded and followed right behind me. We were weakened by tiredness as we approached the end of the park.

Finally, we got out of the maze garden. It was lucky for us that I memorized the path throughout the maze. We continued to run toward the academy block before reaching the school's gate. Suddenly, a panting voice called out to us to stop. The voice grows apparently louder as we advanced. We took a bit of time to look behind us. Oddly, a figure came out of the maze. It was Farina who got lost in the maze. Without mercy, Rahim and I smugged at her before leaving her alone. We laughed merrily as we run.

The tapping sound of the cement echoes as we run in the school passageway. We ran past some pathway that leads to other blocks, leaving marks of some dirt on the floor from the garden. We took a glance behind to see our footsteps. Luckily, the dirt didn't stick as much as we would expect. Farina was striving to catch up with us from behind while eating an apple she grabbed from the garden. We all ran fiercely until we arrived at the end of the hallway.

We ran more and more to reach the end of the school passageway. Eventually, the twilight shone upon us as we saw the school's gate was already closed. We ran faster as we were reaching the gate. Upon arrival, Rahim and I did some parkour and jumped above the gate while Farina stopped in front of the gate. Rahim and I smiled and cheered for a moment. After that, Rahim went to rest on a nearby guest chair in front of the gate, recovering his energy.

I took out my student council pass and gave it to Farina. She then hovered it onto a panel installed on the gate. The panel was only available from the inside to make sure only the entrusted people can open and close the door. This includes the guards, teachers, administrators, staff, and the student council, excluding class representatives. The gate opens as she hovered the pass. Giving a sheesh sound as it opens.

"What are you doing?"

Suddenly, a figure came in our direction. He was carrying a torchlight on his righthand, flashing it towards us. A man wearing a white uniform, decorated with the school's logo.

"We were managing some files, sir," I greeted him while replying.

I looked at Rahim behind me. He was smiling while waving his hand to the guy.

"That parkour was lit!" the man expressed himself.

He took his cap off, revealing his face. He was Uncle Daniel, a guy in his late 20s. We would always call him 'the stronk man'. He was called that way since he always stops us from doing weird things while being funny with his meme expression. He tucked his torchlight on the side of his waist.

"Ehehehe. Thank you," I reacted weirdly.

"Did you take a photo?" Rahim interrupted from his seat.

He smiled. "I did. It's a clear shot."

"Where?" Rahim stood up and walk towards him.

He pointed his finger towards his head. "Here, in my head."

I laughed. "Cringe! Rahim you got played!" I put my hand over my mouth to lower my voice.

Rahim looked at me with an annoyed face. Suddenly, the sound of Farina closing the gate took our attention and halted the conversation. We looked at her. She stares at us back weirdly until she finally got the idea. She apologized while she was locking the gate.

"Well, you can go to your dormitory now. It's getting late," he reminds us of the time.

I look at my hand watch. It's 6:24 p.m. It was very well past our supposed time being in school. We began our march to the dormitory.

"Okay. See you later," we waved our hand to him as we left him.