[6:45 AM]
[Tuesday] [December 15, 2024]
[Backyard, outside the kitchen]
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The wind tousles the leaves of the lone tree, some of its branches stripped bare. Overgrown grass smothers the flowers beneath.
A rusted clothesline frame stands empty in the middle of the yard. Scattered debris -discarded wood, broken bricks, useless scraps from the house all clutters the ground.
I sit on a wooden plank stacked over a deflated tire, cigarette balanced between my fingers. I take a slow drag, scrolling through the WhatsApp class group chat. Twenty-five members.
9Awesome 2024 ✨
Teacher Yati: Good evening, class. For Blocks 1 and 2, you'll be in the hall for an announcement. Wear your P.E. uniforms. 6:47 ✓✓
Evelyn: What's the announcement about, Teach? 6:47 ✓✓
Raihana: Teach, I haven't washed my P.E. uniform. Can I wear my school uniform? 6:47 ✓✓
More notifications flood in. Then, a final message from Teacher Yati:
And for the students who've been causing trouble, in and out of H.E.P... I'll be naming names. You know who you are. You're banned from attending the year-end activity. 6:48 ✓✓
ah. I'm one of them? But why? I didn't even started it. This is unfair.
I lock my phone and shove it into my pocket. A sigh escapes me, smoke curling with it. I flick the cigarette into the drain, push open the backdoor, and step inside.
Adam, my younger brother, sits cross-legged on the floor, pressing a glass against the water dispenser while shoveling noodles into his mouth with his free hand. He's still in his school uniform.
"C'mon, man, it's almost seven. Eat faster and get to the car. Mom's waiting."
"Gimme five minutes."
Yeah. Last time you said that, we were late.
"Five minutes my ass. It'll be 4:53 by the time you're done. I don't buy it."
He sighs, frustrated. "Just go wait in the car."
"Fine."
I step through the cluttered living room the mattresses, blankets, toys strewn everywhere-and drop my phone onto the dining table before heading out.
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[7:13 AM]
[Tuesday] [December 15, 2024]
[School Loading Bay]
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Mom stops the car at the crossroads, her hands loose on the wheel. Cars line up behind us, kids stepping out, hurrying through the gate under the watchful eyes of teachers on duty.
Adam rummages through his bag in the backseat, checking for missing papers.
"Adam, next time, prepare your things earlier," Mom says, patient but firm.
"Yeah, yeah. Okay, Mom. Everything's here. Bye." He leans forward, pecks her cheek, and hurries off.
"And... Kal." Her voice hesitates.
"Hm?" I murmur, focused on tying my shoelaces.
"About yesterday. The parent-teacher meeting. I can't come. Got Work. And... I'm sorry for what I said."
"Enough. I know." I finish tying my laces, exhaling slowly. "I'll figure it out."
Silence lingers. I glance up just long enough to catch her expression before looking away.
I lean over, press a quick kiss to her cheek, and step out before she can react.
"Love you, Mom."
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The H.E.P. staffroom is quiet, teachers hunched over their desks, stamping attendance sheets or chatting idly. Adam and I stand before the desk, separated by a wooden frame.
Teacher Nad sighs. "Second time late, Hayqal. Adam. Third time, you're marked absent."
"I know, I know. Sorry, Teach. It's just.. this sack of.-" I stop myself, side-eyeing Adam. "He spilled noodles all over his uniform. Took his sweet time cleaning it up."
"Mhaih, shut up, bro. You wasted time smoking in the backyard."
"Hey. At least I had my stuff ready. Unlike you, scrolling your phone instead of eating."
"Shut up, both of you."
Silence.
"Name and class?" She asked.
"Adam 7A."
"Hayqal 9A"
"Hayqal?" She looks up at me brows furrowing.
Whats with that reaction bro.
I tilt my head to the side my lips smiling thin
She then hands us our warning slips. Pink for me. Adam gets both a warning and a permission slip for his P.E. uniform.
Adam bows slightly, muttering a half-hearted apology before leaving.
I turn to go before...
"Hayqal."
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[10:25 AM]
[Tuesday] [December 15, 2024]
[Outside the Principal's Office]
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The hallway is dim, streaked with sunlight filtering through the windows. Dust particles float lazily in the air. Distant laughter and chatter hum beyond the H.E.P. office.
Three hours earlier, in the staffroom...
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"I've heard rumors, Hayqal. I know your story."
I exhale. "And?"
"And?" Teacher Nad huffs. "It's your reputation. You're smart, Hayqal. Smarter than your sister, who dropped out-"
I closed my eyes shut frustated looking away.
here we go again, the sister topic.
"Teach, I'm not my sister! Okay? I'm not.. that smart. That goodlooking. Known by many people like her. I'm none of that! And besides what does this reputation shit have to do with me!?"
"Your reputation! People talk about you behind your back. Doesn't that bother you?"
I rub my face, exhausted. "It does. But what can you or I do?"
She falls silent.
"Thought so."
Sigh "you're not that different from your sister hayqal. Your grades. Your work. Your creativity and your writing have potential. Just like your sister." She glance up to me.
I looks away down to the floor.
What the hell should i say to that? I'm not used for hearing people talk about me like that.
Her lips twitched frustated in the conversation with a soft frown "sigh. Its no use talking about your sister now.. besides. She dropped out. Do you want to drop out and end up like your sister too hayqal?"
"Hell no."
"Then stop getting yourself in trouble. Students are gossiping about you. The teachers here even.. get ahold of yourself while you still can..." She said. Her voice stern and hoping
my eyes soften. Staring at her desk with my lips closed thin. "I understand.."
"Hm.. call and bring your parents to the school.. the principal wanted to meet you all in person regarding your case with Adrien."
"They won't come."
"Why?"
"One's in prison. One's at work."
"Then how do you plan to handle this?"
"I don't know."
I really don't.
She shakes her head, resigned. "Fine. But if you need help... come to me. And quit getting into fights. Students are afraid of you."
She leaves me there, alone in the staffroom.
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Now, outside the principal's office, I sit on the bolted bench and stare at the floor, listening to the distant hum of voices
I bent down resting my elbow on my knee.
sigh what could the students be talking about me?.. teach right.. i should get ahold of myself..
I stands up and went to the office glass door. My hand reaching for it. Slow. Hesitant.
Wait.. but. What if it'll not work. What if the principal would still want me to bring the-
Ah fuck it. We ball!
Knock knock.