A ripple of stifled laughter erupted from the moment she read the first line, spreading like wildfire through the classroom. Kilin's cheeks burned with embarrassment as she felt the weight of Mrs Camper's furious gaze on her.
Mrs Camper's face flushed with anger, her voice laced with indignation. "Is that what you find so amusing, class?... My eyes?"
The laughter grew louder, echoing off the walls. The students struggled to contain their mirth, their desks shaking with suppressed laughter. Mrs Camper's nostrils flared, her face contorted with rage.
After class, she gathered her belongings and stormed over to the staff room. The sound of her books slamming onto Mr Harris' desk reverberated through the room. Startled, Mr Harris lifted his head from his paperwork, his eyes widening in surprise.
Mr Jackson, the maths teacher who had seen it all, stood by the doorway, leaning against the frame with a knowing smile. He had dealt with this insufferable class before and wasn't surprised by their antics.
"Mr Harris! You need to deal with what's her name and her friend," she said having forgotten their names in fury.
"Kilin and Keele," interjected Mr Jackson and he was right.
"Yes them. They said my eyes were like light bulbs they even called me big big-eyed Camper. They said they were as big as dinner plates and that they can see through walls. How ridiculous."
The teacher, "..."
The insensitive jerks in the staff stifled their laughter struggling to hold it in while the PE teacher, Mr Halls said, "Well they aren't wrong."
Mrs Camper, "..."
The teachers in the staff room couldn't hold back anymore. They burst into laughter with the chemistry teacher almost falling in his chair.
"Tsk, you are so disrespectful and childish," she said before turning to Mr Harris.
"You need to separate them. Put them in different classes. That behaviour can't be rewarded. There should be consequences," she said her hand on her waist.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. You do know who Keele's mother is, right?" said Miss Anderson while staring at her laptop screen working on her next class.
"What? Is she a politician or from a rich family?" she asked with a sneer. Who wasn't from an important family in the school? She had dealt with plenty of entitled brats in the past.
"No... well, she is rich but she is also an artist. That means she has enough time on her hands to make you miserable. In other words, she is a Karen in the PTA. If you enjoy your peace just find another way to punish them," said Mr Harris. He had seen first-hand how much the now retired Mr Eric suffered in year one when he tried to separate the two of them. Kilin wasn't a problem but Keele on the other hand had a major backer. He had never seen a grown man cry until the day he met Miss Wayne, Keele's mother.
"Fine, punish them accordingly," she said her brows knitted in frustration.
***
As the bell rang Kilin and Keele packed up their stuff in a hurry attempting to run away from afternoon sports. Friday after two, everyone was meant to go and play a sport but these two would do anything to escape even jump the fence if they had to.
They were the reason why there was now an electric fence on the school wall where they used to jump.
As soon they stepped out of class they bumped into Mr Harris. "You and you follow me," he said and the two instantly wilted.
"Sir, we didn't do anything," complained Keele while dragging her feet.
"Dinner plates? Really?... You could have kept it to yourselves but no... You just had to pass notes in class," he said reprimanding them.
***
"Why? Why do we have to stay and pick up all the balls after sports?" complained Keele sitting on the bench with her sports attire on.
"And the sun is so hot. Here, put on some sunscreen," replied Kilin handing a bottle to her.
"Ladies, your parents are paying me a lot of money to keep you fit. Pick a court and participate," said the coach for volleyball when he saw them sitting there like dried fish.
There were plenty of options. There was basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, handball and outdoor hockey. The entire school was on the grounds with first-years signing up for sports to play for the year.
"Ugh... do you want to go back to badminton? We can be lazy there," suggested Keele and Kilin agreed. The two of them made their way there looking like lazy cats seeking out a new spot to bask in the sun.
Kigen glanced at the fence of the volleyball court where there were a group of girls watching them. He spun the ball while his gaze shifted to Wyatt. "You are still so popular. Look at them holding bottles of water just to give to you. I have to say, I am so envious."
Wyatt ignored him as he continued to warm up. "Wow, just wow. Luna is truly a specimen made by the heavens. She is like a goddess," said Lance looking at Luna playing tennis on the opposite court.
Her graceful movements were accentuated by the gentle breeze as she stepped onto the tennis court with confidence. Her radiant smile illuminated the surroundings as her racket sliced through the air. The vibrant hues of her pleated skirt swirled around her with each powerful swing, capturing everyone's attention.
His gaze lingered on her as she effortlessly moved across the court, her hair cascading down her back like a shimmering waterfall. He wasn't alone; his friends too couldn't help but steal glances in her direction, their admiration evident.
"Wyatt, only you can take down such a girl. Why not just date her? She is the very definition of perfection," said Ross but Wyatt continued with his walkout plank like he hadn't heard them.
"The entire school forum is already shipping you together so why not?" said Kigen.
Amidst the allure of Luna's presence, Lance's eyes were inexplicably drawn to another figure. Keele was playing badminton on the adjacent court looking like she was being forced to be here.
Lance laughed before saying, "Do you know your ex-girlfriend has already moved on? I saw a picture of her and four eyes over there all hugged up."
Wyatt paused momentarily in a plank with a subtle ripple in his eyes that was fleeting. He got up and said, "Let's play."
"All hugged up? I heard she was choking said Ross as he took the libero setter position.
Lance walked over to the net and called out to Airwen who was signing up names.
"Hey, dork. Are playing?"
Arwen nodded his head and called out some seniors from class two to play with him. He also wanted the first years who hadn't played before to learn something.