The Vice-Captain

The first two subject classes passed, and instead of going straight into the cafeteria to stuff my face with food since I hadn't had breakfast this morning, I went to the SSC office and found Jacob there with three other Elton boys. I recognize them as Herbert, Chase, and Justin. They're our seniors, Jacob's friends.

"The SSC office is restricted and is only available for SSC officers. Why did you let them in?" I asked, which made all four pairs of eyes look at me. I looked at each of them blankly, not bothering to care whether they could see the annoyance in the way I looked at them. They're just like Jyo; they're three of the most hated students here.

"Faye, you're back," Jacob awkwardly said as he tucked his phone inside the back pocket of his pants. "They're leaving, so don't get upset. They only came to ask if I'm joining them for lunch later."

"Yeah, I packed something hot-- I mean, yummy for the four of us," Herbert said and then looked at the three. Chase and Justin laughed, and it was enough for me to get the hidden message.

"Then leave already," I demanded and gestured to the door.

"Gosh, the SSC captain is so scary," Justin said, so I glared at him that only made him chuckle before patting Jacob's shoulder. "We'll get going then, vice-captain. I don't want a 600-page book to hit my face." Then they walked past me, laughing with sarcasm.

Seeing Jacob with Herbert, I remembered Rayland and his brother. I've been meaning to ask Jacob if he knew anything about Rayland's suicide, but I don't want to make a bigger issue out of it. After all, suicide is a decision. It's still Rayland's choice to let those bastards steal his life from him.

"Faye," Jacob called when I walked towards my desk, which was adjacent to his. "There weren't any upcoming events to prepare for; why are you here?"

"I came to get something and ask you about that since I am two days suspended," I replied as I sat on the chair and bent down to reach for the bottom drawer of my desk. I took my philosophy book, which I remembered keeping here three days ago, and then looked at Jacob. "How about you; why are you here when there is no upcoming school event?"

Jacob pressed his lips together and looked away. "I was just..."

"You guys came here because you knew that this place is restricted to other students, right? So you guys could talk about something unpleasant without anyone hearing,"

Jacob touched his nape and smiled faintly. "You know me very well, Faye,"

I stood up upon hearing that. He did not even try to deny that my assumption was wrong, and I hate it because he's my vice-captain and best friend! We grew up together in the same neighborhood until they moved downtown, and we're almost like siblings!

"Faye," he grabbed my arm, stopping me when I walked past him. "I'm not a bad person...you know that. It's just that-- I couldn't cut ties with them. Not just yet,"

"What ties do you have with them, exactly?" I asked before turning around to face him. "Tell me."

He looked down and his grip on my arm loosened. "I can't tell you, Faye. I'm sorry,"

The last sentence was the last thing I wanted to hear from him. I don't want to hear him apologizing because that only means he'd done something that would upset me. I also hate the fact that I can easily distinguish whenever he's lying or telling the truth. I hate that Jacob is my open book because it's hard for me to go easy on him.

"Do whatever you want. But if you ended up doing something beyond what I could forgive, I would not make you an exception..."

After saying that, I left. I really hope that Jacob won't be one of the people I hate because once I start hating him, I will never change my mind and probably, forget that we've been friends for over 13 years.

I went back to the classroom to drop my book off, then went to the cafeteria to get something to eat since it would be another two hours before lunch. I bought iced tea and a hamburger, which I peacefully ate on my way back to the class.

The rest of the day was busy. We wrote a two-page essay for our creative writing and had Kate and Jessica report on 21st-century literature. I honestly didn't notice that the time had passed and that school was over. I overstayed in the classroom for 30 minutes after class to finish a report outline for next week since I am more likely to forget about it later.

I exited the room at 5 PM to put some of my books in my locker, three hallways away. I often do that since I don't like carrying a heavy bag.

Most students had already left the school, and those who need to prepare for a performance for their PE subject can be seen in the schoolyards, practicing since the gym is always occupied by either the school athletes or the cheerleading team.

I was about to go home when someone suddenly flew and landed approximately six meters away from me. It seemed like someone pushed him from inside the boy's restroom. The loud banging sound when his back crashed into the door startled me.

"I didn't say anything bad about her. I only said she's got a nice body--" the student lying on the floor said while smiling, but he didn't get to finish what he was saying when someone came out from the restroom to grab his collar and punch him hard in the face.

It was Jyo...again.

"One more word, and I'll make sure your parents won't be able to recognize you,"

It's not that I did not expect this, but this is the first time I saw him this mad. The guy beneath him smiled mockingly, showing his bleeding gums, taunting Jyo even more.

Jyo punched him again in the face twice, and I saw how his nose bled. And by the time when Jyo prepared himself for giving the guy his third punch, I shouted,

"Stop!"

I ran towards them and pushed Jyo to stop him from killing the guy. Jyo lost his balance and fell to the floor on his butt, but he didn't even throw me a single look. The guy laughed at my intervention, and it seemed as if Jyo had already lost himself.

"I'll kill you, bastard," he growled and then stood up, so I tried to grab his hand to stop him, but I froze when Jyo shoved my hand away and grabbed me by the collar.

I swear. That look on Jyo's face was the scariest look I have ever seen in my entire life.