"But it's not like there was totally no evidence about that case. The thing is, that bastard's father got a hold of it and secured it. I can't get to it with the meager status that I have," Chris said solemnly.
Chris was just starting out his senior year; he could just get a suspension, but the father of his past friend pressured his previous school. He was left with no option since the school labeled him as an untrustworthy and extremely mischievous student. No school wanted him with his title, and because of that, his father ceased their relationship because he didn't want disappointment in the family.
Chris didn't take into heart what his father had done; they belong to an impoverished family. His father and mother had done everything they could to ensure Chris would succeed.
The case must've greatly impacted his father, who must've given up on him.
Chris decided to let time heal the wounds and try to do better from today on, even without any help.
"I have lost everything, and perhaps only revenge can give me peace. You may laugh if you think it's a stupid endeavor." Chris chuckled as a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.
"Laugh, why would I do that?" Gerard responded.
"I may not have fixated on revenge, but it's still a part of my goal. I may have just put my ambition beforehand. Everything will just happen as fate would like it," Gerard explained.
"Can we still stand up?" Chris asked. His family didn't want to talk to him. He had no friends to talk to and certainly didn't have any money to support himself. He's underage, and due to the law, there isn't an opportunity to get a job. Chris also couldn't get an internship due to his messy records from his previous school.
Gerard thought for a second before he answered back, "You still have legs. You still have hands. You don't seem to be having physiological problems. You're standing right now, literally and figuratively. Why are you asking such an obvious answer?"
Chris pondered and smiled a bit. He still has a chance; the only thing he can do now is do his best to live and survive. Revenge should come afterward, and he should have a goal first to aim for.
"We're going off track; I thought you'd use one of our computers. Let's go and find you one."
Gerard was off to find an empty space, and it didn't take long for him to find one because there weren't a lot of customers.
Before he let Chris into a free spot, Gerard told Chris to wait in the lobby for him to talk first with the owner.
Gerard went upstairs and knocked on the door. After receiving confirmation from Bandit, he went into the room.
"It hasn't been a while since you went here, and now you're here? Are you not doing your job?" Bandit said playfully.
"How did you know?" Gerard responded back, acting on terms with Bandit.
They both laughed simultaneously, and Bandit said, "So, why are you back here again?" Bandit wiped a tiny tear caused by his laughter.
"Do you have any extra pairs of clothes here? I want to give them to someone downstairs. Don't worry, I'll pay you back."
"Hmm? You got acquainted fast with a customer? And you want to buy it using the money I gave you? That's a very brave request there." Bandit laughed again.
"I have many spare clothes there; just let him come here so he can choose. Don't worry about payment; just think of me doing another charity aside from you."
Gerard nodded and gave thanks. He didn't speak anymore, as he feared the atmosphere might turn sour and weird.
He bid a slight farewell and called Chris upstairs; the latter followed while still being confused about what might happen.
Chris was even anxious and thought maybe Gerard would kill him for being stinky. He almost wanted to go out, but Gerard didn't let him go.
Chris arrived upstairs and found Bandit sitting on his chair, just relaxing.
Bandit broke the silence by saying, "Is this the kid?"
This in turn scared Chris, who thought that he would be involved in human trafficking as a victim and said, "Please don't kill me."
In his mind, Chris was wondering if the computer shop was just a front to kidnap teens; this was supported by the fact that the shop doesn't have any students using the computers.
"Is this kid alright with his mind? I think he needs mental care more than pairs of clothing."
"Clothings? What?" Chris was dumbfounded
"I have brought you here to give you a change of clothes; we can't have you using our product in such clothes. Bandit will kill me if the customer leaves because of you," Gerard explained.
"What do you mean kill you? I said to you before that I have a firm hold on my people; they won't go out. The best they could do is complain."
"How come you're so sure?"
"I'll keep it as a trade secret. You're also a kid in front of me, so just deal with your business here and attend downstairs. There's no worker there, remember."
"Oh yeah, I forgot. You just pick pairs of clothes there, don't be reserve and pick anything you like, just come down afterwards." Gerard pointed out the wardrobe on the side near the windows before excusing himself and going downstairs.
Bandit didn't let go of the chance to say something again. "What do you mean don't be reserve? I'm the one giving them to him, you know?" Bandit laughed.
After Bandit said his words, the room became awkward and silent. It didn't take long, though, before Bandit broke the silence.
"He already said it; don't be reserved and pick anything you like there. Just don't pick too many, not because I don't want to give them to you, but because I don't think you'll be able to carry them." Bandit smiled before he returned, relaxing whilst he read a newspaper.
He really is a middle-aged man. Who in this generation still reads newspapers? That's the tale of the old, and most information can be searched with our fingers on our phones and computers.
After digesting the information, Chris didn't hold himself back and went to the wardrobe.
It was painted all white, and inside it was full of clothes, be they formal or casual. He didn't want to be rude and just picked three shorts and one pair of pants.
Following Chris picking out his clothes, he thanked Bandit for the clothes, to which the latter just nodded and smiled. Chiris waved goodbye, and Bandit raised his hand in reply.
Chris went downstairs and asked Gerard where he could change his clothes.
Gerard didn't know, but he saw a floor plan just to his right. He pointed it out to Chris, who then proceeded to get change.
After a few minutes, Chris' stature was better. He was cleaner looking and had the aura of a dignified person. As a young sapling that has already been ruined by society, it would be surprising if Chris wouldn't change the slightest.
Gerard helped him towards his desk and booted the computer up. After checking that it was working, he left Chris alone to do his thing.
Chris was now alone, well, technically not since he had a seatmate on his right who was busy playing something.
The person on his right felt someone or something at the back of his head. When she turned her head, he was met with a staring Chris. Their lips were almost touching, with just 3 inches of distance between them.
The girl was shocked and quickly put some distance between them.
"What are you doing?" the girl questioned. It was obvious that she was blushing. She didn't expect something like that to happen.
Chris, however, was oblivious to this fact and apologized calmly, "Oh, sorry, I was eyeing what game you were playing. Sorry for startling you."
The girl thought, "How can he be so calm after what happened? Is he gay?"
"Are you gay?"
"What? No. I'm not, but I'm not against them if you're asking about that."
"I was not asking about it, though."
"What are you asking about then?"
"Nothing!"
Chris was dumbfounded; women really are tough to deal with. They'll be angry for no reason at all.
He just gave up and changed the topic by asking, "What game are you playing?"
The girl had just returned from her seat when she heard the question and then responded, "You don't know this game?"
"Should I know this game?"
"Of course! We're the same age, I think, and this game has been trending recently, don't you know?"
Chris was dead silent; he was embarrassed by the fact that he was at rock bottom right now, and more specifically, that he currently couldn't do anything about it.
Seeing that Chris was silent, the girl didn't dive in further to not act rude to Chris.