"Charles, how was school?" A question that was asked countless times.
"It was okay, Mom," I said while reassuring her.
Though it truly wasn't alright. I lied, knowing that Mom would worry about me.
Just two weeks ago, we had moved near the big city, though unfamiliar our family was used to constant relocations. Adapting to new schools was one normal thing, but enduring the acts of mistreatment was another.
Five hours ago at school, someone had taken my homework from my bag. I searched everywhere when someone suddenly approached me saying that Jonathan had taken it without my knowledge. I went to Jonathan's class and tried to retrieve it, but he promised to return it after the next period. Naively, I waited until the next period ended. When I came and asked him for my homework, he claimed he had accidentally thrown it in the trash. Desperate, I dug through the nearest garbage to retrieve it, but by the time I found it, it was already in tatters. I felt devastated; my hard work had gone to waste.
As I looked behind, still in a panic, I realized people were recording me with their phones.
"They recorded me while I was digging through the trash?" I felt fear and shame.
They giggled their way while watching with their friends, and they all uttered laughter towards me. More people gathered, joining in the mockery.
One of them pointed to me, saying,
"Look, you're all covered in garbage! Hahaha!"
They continued laughing, by then I realized that I had been covered in dirty water, and my hand was smeared with leftovers, while the floor was a mess.
The bell rang, signaling the next period, leaving me behind to clean up the mess. After a few minutes of sweeping and washing my hands, I headed to class, bracing for the teacher's reprimand.
I opened the door to the classroom, and Ms. Clara asked, "Where were you?"
I explained that I'd accidentally caused a mess and had to clean it up. Unexpectedly, she led me outside the classroom and berated me, seemingly angrier about something other than my tardiness. Could someone have falsely informed her about something I hadn't done? Why was she cursing at me? I was then sent to detention.
On the bus ride home after school, the back of my ear tingled with the sound of someone mentioning Jonathan. That guy had taken away my homework to copy it and deliberately tore it apart to embarrass me. Listening to such hurdled words made me feel both disappointed and angry. I had trusted him, thinking he wasn't part of the larger group that made fun of me. As much as I want all of this to stop, it feels as if I'm stuck inside this endless maze. Sharing this to my parents would only burden them further. And so, silence was the best cover to avoid all this.
Back in the present, Charles went to his room and resumed his studies. As he glanced out the window, he remembered the time his father had given him a telescope at the age of 10. His mother, father, and little sister Hazel had joined him on the balcony to witness the moon.
Filled with excitement, he pointed to the moon through the telescope and said,
"Look! I could see the moon!" as he gazed through the lens.
Hazel, who was still six at the time, attempted to push him away from the telescope, insisting,
"Brother, move! I want to see the moon too."
However, Charles stood his ground and continued observing, while Hazel tried to push him away with her fists. Eventually, their father intervened, allowing Hazel to have her turn.
"Woah, it looks so pretty!", She said.
Not long after, Charles took back the telescope while Hazel was still looking through.
"That's enough; now it's my turn," he said.
While Hazel protested with annoyance, "Give it back! I'm not done!"
When their mother called them for dinner, Hazel eagerly ran inside, no longer caring for the bright moon and leaped at the dining chair, near the balcony. His father then encouraged Charles to eat first and promised they would return to stargazing later. Yet Charles wouldn't let go of the telescope, he stayed still observing the moon that felt like it lasted forever. His father only remained, letting his beloved son have his moment. After a few minutes, Charles lowered the telescope and turned to his family, his young eyes filled with stars as if he had something exciting in mind.
"Mom, Dad, I've decided that when I grow up, I promise I'll visit the moon and become an astronaut. I'll capture pictures of the moon for all of us!"
His family looked at him with a genuine smile, wishing the best for their son.
By then, the promise he made has etched into his memory as one of his most treasured experiences. Six years had passed since that day, and the promise he made served as his sole purpose to study diligently.
By the window, his mind lingered while gazing upon the night sky, still hoping for that far future. After reminiscing about those memories, he heard his mom calling him down for dinner. Charles descended the stairs to find his entire family seated at the table. Charles sat down and the conversation took turns sharing how everyone's days had been. When it came to Charles's turn, he hesitated for a moment before saying,
"Today was like any other day."
His father then asked, "Did that group make fun of you today?"
Charles denied it and shifted the conversation to a different topic.
Hazel, however, noticed his evasion and spoke up in an irritated tone,
"Why did you avoid Dad's question? Are you really okay? I saw that you seemed upset when you came home, and you smelled awful. Did they throw trash on you?"
"Hazel, don't say such things to your brother," their mother reprimanded.
"Why not? I'm just being honest. It's possible that that group embarrassed him by dumping trash on him," Hazel continued.
Feeling offended by Hazel's words, Charles responded, "Are you saying that I'm an easy target?"
"Yeah, you can't even defend yourself, with how weak you are," Hazel retorted, sitting confidently.
"Hazel, apologize to your brother," their mother urged.
"Why am I the one in the wrong here? You both know that he's constantly bullied, yet you keep asking him how he's doing, despite knowing he won't tell us about it!"
"That's enough! We're eating together to discuss our day, not to start an argument," their father interjected, with his tone stern yet composed. Hazel, still seething with anger, continued with more spiteful words, escalating the tension at the dinner table, leading to a heated family argument.
Charles couldn't bear the noise and decided to leave the table, and retreated to his room upstairs, where he continued studying for a few hours. Then, a knock on the door interrupted his concentration.
"Brother, can I come in?" Hazel's voice called out.
"Yeah, sure," Charles responded.
Hazel took a step and glanced around his room. Charles asked, still a bit irritated by her earlier remarks, "What do you want?"
"I wanted to ask what actually happened at school. You know if you can't talk to Mom and Dad about it, I'll listen," said Hazel with a determined tone.
The tough tone didn't quite suit her, which prompted Charles to burst into laughter. His hearty laughter made Hazel feel a tad bit embarrassed.
"Why are you suddenly laughing?" she asked.
"That tough tone doesn't really suit you," he said between chuckles, gradually composing himself.
"It's a bit ridiculous."
Hazel pulled a sigh and persisted,
"What I mean is, you can tell me what happened at school. Maybe I could help you in some way." Her words conveyed a genuine concern.
Charles was somewhat taken aback.
"What can a twelve-year-old like you do? Besides, there's nothing going on."
Hazel, undeterred, responded, "I know you won't be able to keep it all in forever. You should be grateful that I'm willing to listen to you."
Somehow it felt like they switched roles, as if the younger cub was trying to protect the older cub. It was unusual for Hazel to show such maturity, perhaps it came from her perception of her brother's vulnerability.
Charles finally relented, saying, "Alright then, I'll talk to you whenever I feel like it. Now, can you please leave? I'm really busy right now."
He got up, and quickly pushed her out of his room, and closed the door before she could respond. Hazel, still standing in front of his door, could only mutter,
"You're still as stubborn as ever," her annoyance evident on her face.
Charles lay on his bed, deep in thought about Hazel's words.
"You should be grateful I'm willing to listen to you."
It was a moment of reflection. The realization struck him – the profound care his family had shown. Hazel's words had touched him, making him appreciate the love surrounding him. He was grateful for his family's unwavering support, the endearing presence of his younger sister, his hardworking parents, and his family who still wanted to lent a sympathetic ear.
Yet, he yearned to confront his challenges independently. He only wanted to achieve things on his own, hoping that in doing so, he could help his family in some way.
For now, he decided to focus on his studies and, if possible, create friendships. It had been far too long since he had a genuine friend.
With that thought in mind, Charles recalled an old friend from elementary school. Though her name had faded from his memory, her face remained vivid. She had introduced him to others that held a special place in his heart. The memory of having to leave her and the others behind when his family relocated, tugged at his heartstrings. He wished he could have done more for his family back then. However, time had passed, and now his aim was to make his parents proud and repay their boundless kindness.
If he could turn these aspirations into reality, would it bring him happiness? He was determined to give his best, even in the uncertain future. Lost in his thoughts, Charles slowly drifted off to sleep, with the moon still casting its gentle light upon him.