Arriving at his class, Christian went straight to his desk, grabbed his bag, and walked out without a second thought. He had no intention of staying in school for the rest of the day.
While he knew he was innocent, Christian also knew that dealing with accusations of cheating and arguments with a teacher wasn't something he could easily resolve on his own. Especially when facing such a narrow-minded teacher, it would be wiser to have someone older handle it—his sister, in this case.
She could even accompany him to speak with someone higher up, as he had nothing to fear.
Receiving some strange gazes as he left with his bag in tow, Christian knew that leaving school before it was over could be problematic and might cause him some trouble, but he didn't care.
He planned to call his sister and come back immediately if she was available.
As just thinking about his math teacher made Christian's blood boil. He was seething with anger and couldn't shake the desire to pay him back, to humiliate him with everything he had.
Coming out of the school, Christian, unable to hold himself back any longer, pulled out his phone and called his sister. He needed to tell her what had happened.
Something like what had happened today was a first for him, and he couldn't cope with it as easily and normally.
He wanted to vent what he was suppressing inside him, to be comforted as he felt hurt, and his heart wasn't made of stone. He needed someone to tell him that he had done a good job, that he had been right.
Christian knew that attending school to finally get the diploma, which he considered a way to repay his sister, was actually not. From a normal perspective, he was doing it for himself, and he was aware of that.
Still, he wanted to feel justified, and even though he knew that if everyone on earth turned against him, his sister wouldn't, he still longed for an affirmation.
"Ring, ring."
As he waited for his sister to answer, Christian thought of many things. But in the end, she didn't pick up, likely because she was either in a situation where she couldn't answer or she hadn't noticed her phone ringing.
Christian, despite knowing the likely reasons for his sister's unavailability, still felt more gloomy. He continued his walk home, weighed down by the events of the day.
Entering his house, Christian headed straight to his room, tossing his bag aside before lying down on his bed. As he stared at the ceiling, he mulled over everything that had happened, replaying the confrontation with his teacher and trying to process the day's events.
He even replayed the confrontation with his teacher
Actually now after calming down and reflecting more thoroughly, Christian arrived at one conclusion.
Even if he told his sister about what happened and went with her to the school to complain and prove he wasn't cheating, nothing significant would change. At most, the teacher might receive a light scolding from someone higher up, and that would be the end of it.
What he's feeling now wouldn't be satisfied by just this. It would take much more to truly extinguish his raising anger.
But what can he do now? Christian felt confined by his circumstances. Maybe later, when he has a wider range of skills or more influence in his surroundings, he might be able to make a difference. But right now, he's just a student without a diploma, with only some money and a little strong body. What can he really do?
At that moment, Christian heard his phone ringing. Seeing it was his sister calling, he immediately answered.
"Chris."
Hearing the tone of his sister's voice, which was clearly unusual, Christian quickly realized that the school must have called her and informed her of the situation, including their false accusations.
He didn't like the situation one bit, feeling somewhat betrayed that she answered their call but not his. Still, he gave her the benefit of the doubt and decided he would ask her about it later.
After contemplating for a moment and realizing they wouldn't catch up with school today, he said.
"Did the school call you?"
"Y-yes."
Hearing her hesitant tone, he was certain the school had painted him as the worst student possible. Suppressing his emotions and trying to maintain a natural tone, he said.
"I don't know what you've heard from them, but don't believe any of their bullshit. When you get home, we can talk properly, and I'll explain everything."
"O-okay."
Seeing how she took some time to respond, Christian tried to stay calm as he talked a little more with her before ending the call.
Holding the phone tightly in his hand, Christian felt an urge to throw it and vent his emotions like in those K-dramas and movies. But he decided against it, and tried to stay strong, not let anything affect him.
Still feeling overwhelmed by everything that had happened, Christian didn't feel like doing anything, changed his clothes and tried to sleep.
But as he recalled the events and considered what his sister had heard, his emotions remained turbulent, and it took him a long time to finally fall asleep.
…
"Chris."
"Chris."
Waking up from his sleep, Christian opened his eyes halfheartedly. He heard his sister's voice and felt her hand shaking him. She was sitting on his bed, still in her formal work clothes.
Christian didn't take much time to shake off his grogginess as he remembered what had happened before he went to sleep.
Looking out the window and seeing how bright it was outside, Christian immediately realized that his sister must have come home early today, probably unable to wait any longer.
Christian then looked at his sister, who was sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs dangling. While she leaned toward him, her gaze filled with care and concern.