ORIENTATION II

After three more classes, we went for a lunch break. Lily took me to the cafeteria.

"Surprisingly, the queue isn't long today. We must be early then. Come on." Lily dragged me to queue up with the other students.

We got a serving of spaghetti, greens, cake for dessert, an orange juice and a bottle of water. I requested for two bottles of water.

"What are you going to do with two bottles of water?" Lily asked while we sat.

"Drink one and keep the other for later," I casually replied.

Unknown to Lily, I sure had other plans for the one I'm going to be keeping. A full fledged, sinister plan.

We were enjoying our lunch when two students came towards us and took my orange juice.

"Hey, give that back!" I yelled.

They chuckled. One of them opened it, pouring the content in my food while the other mixed it thoroughly with a fork and said, "bon appetite."

They both laughed out loud before running off. I got up to chase them but Lily stopped me, "no need. They are Rex's friend and minions, Jude and Alex. He must have sent them here to taunt you."

I quickly recalled them as the two boys I saw with Mr rude earlier in class. I smiled and relaxed back into my chair. Since Mr rude isn't going to back off, I will make sure he regrets his actions.

"Sydney, are you alright?" Lily asked when she saw the strange smile playing on my lips.

I nodded. "Lately, you have been acting strange either smiling or not saying much."

"You don't have to worry. I have never been better," I said, the smile of my lips growing.

"Alright. We can share." Lily pointed at her plate.

"No, don't bother. I'm not that hungry," I declined.

"I don't mind sharing," she insisted but I still declined her offer.

I kept the other bottled water, finding no reason to drink it anymore. Lunch ended and we got through the other classes without any mishap. Finally! It was time to carry out my plan. While everyone was busy shuffling, packing, zipping, chatting, laughing—you know, the rowdiness that signifies that school was out for the day. I on the other hand was busy fishing out the bottled water from my backpack.

"All done. We should head out now," Lily announced once she was done packing up her bag.

"I'm not done yet. Give me a minut," I said.

I grabbed the two bottles of water which I had already opened before moving towards the direction of Mr rude. At this point, you can outrightly tell what I was about doing. That's right, it's payback time.

"What are you trying to do?" Lily asked, panic-stricken.

I refused answering, my focus solely on Mr rude, who was chatting casually with Jude and Alex. He was sitting at the edge of his desk with his back facing me. Getting close enough, I gave out a light cough to grab his attention and the three knuckleheads all turned around. Mr rude looked at me confused with a raised brow.

I gave him a sweet smile. "Hi, I wanted to give you a surprise before going home."

He didn't get a chance to speak up before I drained the two bottles of water on his head. Murmurs and gasps erupted all over. Mr rude stood up in shock with his eyes as wide as saucers. Alex's mouth hung open and Jude backed away in fear.

"This is what you get for messing with me," I said fiercely, throwing the empty bottles on his face.

Mr rude was shocked to the point of being speechless and quickly grabbed unto his collar. "You pushing me down and embarrassing me wasn't enough, tying up my desk and making me late for the first class wasn't enough. Hurting me wasn't enough. You even made me go hungry and had the guts to tear my textbook in half, who gave you the right?"

I held unto his collar. "Don't ever touch the things bought by my mum's hard earned money, ever again. By doing so, you are indirectly disrespecting my mum and I won't tolerate that. Money doesn't grow on trees. Never you try that again, do you hear me? I don't care if you have your mum expel me after this but just have this in mind, stop testing my patience cause you don't want to see the other side of me."

Letting go of his collar, I matched back to my seat, picked up my backpack before dragging the dazed Lily out of the class room. Lily didn't say a word until her dad picked her up. She was too shocked to say anything.

Sitting inside my mum's car, I was lost in thought. "Why the long face, dear?" Mum asked. I didn't bother answering but she continued anyways, "if your first day didn't go so well, I'm sure tomorrow wouldn't be so bad. Isa had a great time in school. She can tell you all about it and I'm sure it will cheer you up."

And with that, Isabel started ranting all about her first day. At some point, I spaced out and didn't realize when we got home.

"Aren't you getting down?" Mum's voice jerked me back to reality. I got down from the car and walked towards the house. Isabel had already unlocked the door by inputting the password and was now running straight to her room and I didn't lag behind.

Mum's voice came from the kitchen, "you guys freshen up before coming down. Lunch will be ready in fifteen minutes."

Her voice faded away as I closed the door to my room. I threw my backpack on the sofa and sprawled down on my bed. What had I done? At this point, I had finally realized what my actions earlier would cause. I could get expelled or worse Mr rude may decide to keep bullying me. The former is a little bit better. At least I won't face Mr rude's taunt anymore. The later would mean me enduring more torture. Arrrrgh! I'm done for, totally done for.

Lunch was mainly about mum trying to get me to talk about what has been bothering me ever since I came back from school. Well, I couldn't tell her that I poured water on the director's son and may likely get expelled so I replied with 'I don't want to talk about it' when my mind was literally screaming, 'mum, I messed up big time. I need you to tell me what to do or better still, hide me away, forever!'

I got through lunch without tasting the flavors in my meal as I was practically swallowing with my mind occupied. Once I got back to my room, I concentrated on glueing my torn textbook. After fixing it, I kept it by the window so that the glue could dry. Thereafter, I began working on my assignment. While on it Isabel popped her head into my room. She waited for me to give her the permission to come in. How strange?

Normally, Isabel would walk into my room like as if she owned it but now, she was acting meek. I didn't think much about it and signalled her in.

"Mum is busy with work from the office and said you should help me with my assignment," she said, sitting opposite me.

I glanced through her notebook and my brow creased. What do kids learn this days and to think it was more than two pages. Nonetheless, I guided her through by using some of the work as examples. She soon got the hang of it and did the rest by herself while I, on the other hand, concentrated on mine.

An hour later, we were done. She left and I prepared myself for bed. I didn't bother going down for dinner since I lacked the appetite. However, mum still came to my room worried sick with a glass of warm milk and after much pleading from her, I gulped it down. I later slept off with the thought of Mr rude occupying my mind.