The class was halfway through when a boy entered the class. Lana immediately recognised the boy. He was the same boy who was being beaten in the hallway in the morning. His condition was quite pitiful. He had bandages all over his hands and arms, his face was swollen with bleeding lips. Lana was very angry after seeing the condition of the poor lad but for the sake of her promise to her bestfriend, she stayed silent.
"Ohh my God! Jeremy! What happened to you?" The teacher inquired in a worried tone. The whole class stayed silent while Jeremy stammered and replied, "Mam, I f...f...fell f...f...from the st...st...stairs." Lana was not at all accepting his cowardice but chose to stay quiet.
"Oh! Be careful from next time. Now, go and sit next to Lana." The teacher said and shrugged her shoulders. Jeremy came and sat next to Lana.
"You know, I saw everything but chose not to speak because I do not know whether you want that or not. Guess I did the right thing. Don't worry, I've got your back. You don't have to be afraid anymore." Lana said as she looked at the boy with sympathetic eyes.
"Thank you Lana, but I don't think you can help me." Jeremy said.
"Trust me, I can. Now tell me, why were they beating you?" Lana said while patting his shoulders.
"Liam had lent me some money for my mother's medicines but I am unable to pay him back. I promised to return him the money as soon as I have some but he said he wants it now." Jeremy said, on the verge of crying.
"How much money?"
"$35000"
Lana was shocked but she composed herself almost immediately. She then asked, her voice soft and poised, "What happened to your mother?"
Jeremy could no longer hold himself back and started sobbing. "My mother has stage III cancer." Jeremy replied, still sobbing. Lana was now more heartbroken than ever. She could not digest the thought of someone losing his mother because of something as materialistic as money. She immediately took out $500 from her purse and gave it to Jeremy.
Jeremy looked at the money in her hand and chuckled. He said, "I guess you did not hear me properly. I have to return $35000, not $500."
Lana softly laughed and said, "I heard you correctly stupid. But I do not carry that much cash with me. This is for you to buy yourself and your mom some food. Don't worry, I will help you. Trust me."
Jeremy was overjoiced but he still felt guilty for asking money from someone whom he had known for a few minutes only. Lana somehow read his mind and understood the situation. She said, "Don't think I am doing this for free. You will take me to meet your mom in return. Deal?"
Jeremy laughed and said, "Deal!"