"It's nothing señor. I just... I had a bad day".
"Lemme guess, things ain't going your way?".
"That about sums it all up". I couldn't but agree with him. Things do suck around here and my problems never seem to cease.
"It happens like that niña but most times the best thing is to relax and let things happen as destined. Let nature take its place, Marvel. Everything's going to be fine".
"I hope so". I looked up at him.
"Señor Singer..."I started to say. I didn't really know how I was going to say it but I knew what I wanted to say. I really hoped that things will go as planned.
"I am really sorry about what happened a few days back. I didn't really mean to write those things in the diary".
"But you did write them". He countered.
Uh oh, things ain't going the way I thought it would.
"Yes, I wrote them but.....".
"Niña, it's fine. You do not have to explain anything to me. I don't really care about what happened or how it happened. I was only being nice when I asked what was going on with you. I have a class now so please excuse me". He turned around and walked away.
"Manuel wait". He stopped. "I mean señor Singer please wait".
He turned around and walked a bit closer to me.
"What is it niña?".
"I want to explain what happened".
"Niña I told you, I have class right now and I need to be there".
"Listen to me please". I was getting frustrated.
"No, you listen to me. Your foolishness almost cost me my job added to the shame I had to face. I am so disappointed in you. I never thought you had it in you to cause such a scandal".
"It wasn't me". I whispered.
"Yes it wasn't you, it was that she-devil Kimberley but if you hadn't written anything in that diary she wouldn't have anything to hold you on to. Wasn't it your handwriting in that diary?".
"Yes, it was".
"So what else do you want to talk about?".
I was already crying and my eyes stung.
"I am so sorry señor Singer. I know you deserve to be annoyed but please don't be. I didn't realize what I was getting you into when I was writing the diary and I am sorry. I didn't think it through and it's okay if you still want to be angry at me but please know that I meant no harm. I just moved to town and I was the new girl in town and in school. People weren't very welcoming towards me even my family members. The students here were worse and they didn't treat me like I was part of them. I got into a lot of trouble on my first day and when I thought things would not get better, we met and you were very nice to me. You helped me to class and gave me the advice to keep me going. You teach so well and I love being part of your class. All in all, I was confused and at that moment I found that I was infatuated with you and didn't think that you are my teacher". I paused to look at him. He didn't interrupt me this time but his face was void of emotion and I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Honestly, I didn't know what I wanted him to think either. I didn't even know what to say or do to make everything right again. I was ready to make it up to him even though I didn't mention that to him, I didn't want to pledge commitment to him. I am already in Kyla McAllister's claws and I didn't want to add him to the list. "I am so sorry". I said finally and looked down. For a few seconds, he was quiet so I turned to leave. "Good luck with your class".
"Niña, your name again?". He asked me.
"Barbara".
"Yes, Barbara. Pardon my memory". He paused.
"You see I know you are not a bad girl or at least you are not as bad as other girls I know so I was disappointed that you would do such a thing. I understand your reasons now but I tell you it's not enough reason. Emotional challenges are never enough reason to hurt others because, at the end of the day, you would not feel better for hurting others and yet the person you had hurt remains that way. I accept your apology and I forgive from the depth of my heart".
I felt really relieved to hear these words. I smiled. He put his hands on my shoulders and patted my back with his fingers.
"You are a nice person and you do not deserve to go through all of this. I know all that is going on but please be careful how you hurt others to get what you want".
I was not sure he was talking about what I was thinking.
"You know what I am talking about". He seemed to be able to read my mind.
"Please Barbara, be careful. You might be too deep in when you realize what you are into and it may not be easy for you to get out of the situation. Remember you have someone to talk to. When you need to, I will be here for you. Now get going cos this place is off-limits for you". I walked forward and he walked behind me.
When I got to the class, the Literature teacher was discussing William Shakespeare's Othello. I am a fan of the writer and of the book in particular but I sure wasn't up for discussion.
"Attention students! All Final Year students are to assemble in the multi-purpose hall now. Please suspend all activities and be there in three minutes. Lateness is not going to be condoned". The principal's voice rang and I felt really happy for the interruption. Literature proved to be boring than usual today and I could not stand spending an extra minute there. The teacher left and I stood up immediately and carried my bag along. I am not taking any risks now that I have the upper hand.
"Are you scared new girl?". A girl called Mimi said to me. I wonder what her real name is. With these kids, you can never tell.
"No, but I am sure you don't take defeat so easily".
*Humph*
"Defeat, is that what you call this?". Kim shot back.
I wasn't ready to get into a fight again so I just ignored her and went out of the class.
_______________________________________
"Line up". Principal McAllister ordered as soon as she came in. Her secretary was behind her carrying her bag and some papers. The counsellor, Mrs Justice was also in the hall and had a tick list in her hand.
"It's no news that the management has decided a change in the educational system. The decision to split classes has been made and perfected. We also added some new decisions too. You are all in your final year and our responsibility is to make sure that you have a future outside this school". She paused and then continued.
"We have decided that apart from your general classes, you are not going to share a common class. No more Final Year Arts or Science. The time table has been changed and each of you will now have an individual time table. Do not worry, we have perfected your time table to suit your taste. Some will have more of science while others may have more of English and some would have to do more P.E this semester. I will leave it to the counsellor". She handed the microphone to the counsellor.
"Good morning students". She was more friendly and made the whole idea less fearful.
"Good morning ma". We answered in unison.
"How was your night, hope you slept well".
"Yes, we did thanks for asking".
"Anyways the principal has said it all. No more joint classes, each and every one of you will now have individual classes which will take effect on Wednesday. Herewith Ms Jasmine are some forms you have to fill by tomorrow with your individual time tables attached. The forms are just a way of the school keeping track of your plans for the future. You will all have an impromptu test tomorrow all to this effect and I hope you all do well".
There was a bit of murmuring among the students.
"SILENCE" Principal McAllister shouted.
"Anyways I will now call on your name in no particular order while you come over to take your papers".
"Adelaide Page" She called and Rhyme went forward to take her papers.
The calling went on and on. Occasionally she would comment about some students.
"Raymond Jackson
Ryan Orlando
Eleanor Skinner
Reginald Baxter".
She called everyone by their full names and that did reduce the shame of being called Barbara. Oh, I hate that name.
"Marvel Jesus". She called me and I came forward.
"Oh if it isn't Duncan Chronicles the greatest writer. I am a fan". She said and smiled. I collected my paper from the secretary and smiled back at Ms Justice with respect.
"Too bad you are going to have to try out other things". She commented and directed her eyes to my paper.
A quick glance at the paper told me what she meant. I was going to have more P.E and music class this semester. The goal said that I had to be able to do gymnastics or play a sport and be in a party planning committee or learn to play a new instrument at the end of the semester. I frowned at my paper and walked away.
"All work and no play...". She called after me.
"Makes Jack a dull boy".
"Wrong, makes Marvel a nerdy girl". She joked.
"Henrik Pachio". She called on another student.
Bummer! I love being ahead of the class and now I have to do social activities and sports for extracurricular.
The meeting soon ended and we went to our respective classes.
"Wait you backstabber". It was Kim, Monica, Clara, Disney and Marc. There were two other Marc's friends whose name I didn't know. They looked like an army going to fight a civil war.