December 13, 2021
Words: Football
"I cannot put up with this much longer," said a high school student. "I'm going home."
His peers, frightened by the student's appearance, remained silent. The high school student had a rough appearance. His face was covered in bandages, arms filled with bruises. Notorious as the most dangerous delinquent of the class, many avoided to even talk to him
The delinquent slinged his backpack over his shoulder and headed towards the exit of the library. However, a student who had a neat appearance blocked his way. The delinquent glared at the class president. The class president remained calm and smiled at the delinquent.
"Get outta my way," demanded the delinquent.
"Don't be like that. We need to finish our project, no?" the class president said.
The delinquent shoved his hand to the door, secluding the space of the class president by limiting his range of motion, and threatened, "I said get outta my way
The class president raised his hands and said, "Alright, alright"
Removing his hand, the delinquent made space for the class president to move away from the door. However, he remained standing in front of the door, looking down. The delinquent became furious, raising his voice as he said, "Move!"
The class president raised his head, glaring at the delinquent. The rough student's eyes widened, surprised by the class president's expression.
"Are you gonna stay like this forever?" asked the class president.
The delinquent, who was about to open his mouth to utter something, was interrupted by the class president saying, "You were trembling."
"I know you're not like this, there's still a chance for you to turn your life around,"
"What do you know about me!" the delinquent shouted.
"I know nothing about you. What I do know is," the class president pointed at his chest, "that you have a good heart"
"Bullshit," the delinquent mumbled.
"Listen, life is like a game of football, a team effort."
"Are you telling me to gather friends? What a waste of time. Move."
Before the delinquent was able to push the class president away, the president shoved him, glaring into his soul. The delinquent trembled, however, kept his glare.
"Just hear me out," the class president winked. "Football has one ball where everyone fights for. One cannot fight with a group of people alone. The sweat of one cannot overcome the sweat, blood, and tears of many. Ultimately, one needs to fight with the same amount of sweat. But let's be honest, no one can work that hard, right?"
The delinquent stood there silent. The class president signed and continued, "Therefore, we have to support one another, towards one goal. It's alright if the end goal is different. As long as we have one another, we can help each other attain our different goals, don't you agree?"
Silences ensued within the library. The librarian, who was about to warn the two to lower their voices, was interrupted by the delinquent shoving the class president away from the door.
"Whatever," the delinquent mumbled, leaving the library .
The class president went back to the table where their group mates witnessed a scene straight out of a drama.
"Was it alright for him to leave?" asked their groupmate who was a girl.
"He already heard what I had to say," the class president replied," I'm confident he will return."
"What's that about me returning?" a voice startled the class president.
The class president quickly swiveled to see who had said those words. It was the delinquent wearing his usual glare, although his aura somehow changed. The class president exhaled through his nose and smiled.
"Welcome back," the class president greeted.