What if?

Chapter 39: He is furious

Nick

“Class, are there any questions in today’s lesson?” Our teacher asked all of us. This is our second teacher for today. He is quite very strict. He just kept teaching and didn’t even say something that would make the atmosphere good. All my classmates even behaved differently from the time that he went inside our classroom which explains that they really know this teacher. I am sure that he is known for being such a strict teacher. On the other hand, he is very good at teaching and I understood everything that he taught us. The subject that he is teaching is Mathematics. 

Actually, when I was in my past school, I couldn’t even understand what my Mathematics teacher was discussing. So even though he is strict, I am okay with it since he performs really well in his teaching. 

“None Sir!” All my classmates said in sync. “Okay since there are no questions, class is now dismissed. Have a nice break to all of you.” The teacher said and smiled. What the hell was that? Did he just smile? “Whaa!! I am having chills.” I said to myself as I scrub my hand with my arms. I just had goosebumps with what the teacher did. I didn't think that he could be a soft person either. “Whaa! I think he becomes a different person after he teaches. 

By the way, I really like whenever the teachers ask if we have questions after the discussion. It makes me feel as if the teachers are really eager to teach us so we can really have learning. Like we can really get knowledge from them every time they finish their discussions. 

The teacher then left the classroom after he said it. Soon after the teacher left, I saw Michael standing on his seat and John followed him. They went in my direction. “Let’s go.” Michael said and grabbed my hand. He is forcing me to stand up. “Ouch!” I said as my waist hit the desk chair. Michael grabbed my hand and walked without looking at me which made me in this situation.

“Stop that. Nick is hurting.” Someone said softly. As soon as I heard the voice I turned to look. It was a boy’s voice and it sounded blank or emotionless, as if he just wanted to say something because he had no choice. 

My eyes were still on Michael and as I turned, I saw Jake’s face staring at Michael blankly. It is the same as the voice that I just heard, it is blank. Michael then also looked at Jake. 

I can sense that there is something wrong so I immediately said something. “Michael, let go of my hand first so I can move out of my chair.” I said softly and turned my attention to his hand. I was surprised to see that Jake was also holding Michael’s hand as if he was trying to stop Michael from pulling me. I looked to John trying to get some help but he is also into watching and I can feel that he was startled by what just happened as much as I was. I wonder what the reason is. Maybe this is the first time someone tried to stop Michael from doing something. Because of it, John couldn’t say something even though he is just beside us because maybe he doesn’t want to have a problem.

“Let go.” Michael said to Jake while looking closely at him. I can already sense the tense between them. I think Michael is furious because he doesn’t like anyone stopping him from doing something. “You let go of his hand first then I will let go of yours.” Jake replied to Michael. s**t! Why are they being like this? “I think you two should let go of my hand.” I said as I pulled my hand out of Michael’s grab. After that, Jake took his hand off too and went outside directly. 

“Ahhh…” Michael said while biting his lower lip. He is furious, and I can sense it. “O...kay! Let us go and eat.” John said to change the topic. He is doing a good job now. A while ago he was no help at all. I moved myself out of the chairs and walked toward the door. “Let us eat, we only have a couple of minutes to eat.” I said and fake smiled. John put his hand on Michael’s neck and walked in my direction.

We walked and walked but I am not sure where we are going. “Okay, we are here.” John said and sat on the chair. “I will get the food for both of you. What would you like?” John asked and presented himself to order the food. I don’t think he is being a good person, he is doing this because he wants to stay away from the tension. I looked at Michael in front of me. He still looked furious. I can see that he is really mad because he is so quiet. “I will eat whatever you will order.” I said as soon as Michael turned to look at me. I also changed my attention to Jake while saying like there is nothing. Maybe he sensed that I was staring at him.

“Okay… How about you Michael?” Jake asked Michael, trying to lessen the tension. Michael is staring at me so I believe that is why John asked Michael to change his attention. “The same.” Michael said and changed his attention to John. John’s tactic helped really well. “Copy.” John said and finally walked towards the counter to order the food. 

“Hey. You okay?” I asked Michael, trying to be brave. I will be honest, I somehow feel a little scared of Michael right now but I don’t want this to go further. “I hurt you, how can I be okay?” Michael replied while staring closely at me. So this is his reason? “It is okay, it is not that you did it on purpose you know.” I said to Michael with a smile trying to ease him. “I don’t like the fact that Jake has to point out my mistake, I am sorry.” Michael said with teary eyes. So he is mad because he didn’t think that what he did hurt me and it is sparked because Jake pointed it to him. I understand now.

“He was just being good, you know, maybe he thought that you were not able to hear me. Besides, when he told you to let go of me was not even harsh it was like speaking softly.” I said and tapped his shoulder. “I see. Then I made a fuss because I can’t accept the wrong I made. It must have been hard with Jake. I should apologize to him after this.” Michael said in a sad voice. Interestingly, Michael was able to understand the thing that he did wrong.

“Ohh.... seems like the atmosphere is back to normal.” John said as he was nearing the both of us. “I did something wrong.” Michael said to John as soon as he sat beside Michael. They are now in front of me. “Good. And let us eat because we don’t have the whole day.” John said and placed the foods that he ordered for all of us.

“What do you call this?” I asked as soon as John placed the food on the center of the table. “This one is called fresh lumpia, it is very good. Michael and I like this one the most.” John explained while presenting like a magician because he was doing some hand gestures. 

I saw 9 fresh lumpias, 3 sandwiches and 3 cucumber juices. “You look hungry, don’t be shy and eat.” Michael said after seeing me drooling on the cucumber juice and the sandwich. “I am not.” I replied, trying to be cool. “Thanks John.” I said and took the sandwich on the table and started eating. “This is so good.” I said as I got my first bite. “It should be, besides they all serve fresh fruits and vegetables here so the taste is really different from others.” Michael explained and also took a bite of his sandwich too. 

I was able to finish my sandwich really fast so I took the fresh lumpia. This is the first time I am going to eat this so I need to eat a small part of it first. I took a small bite. “Whaa!!” I said as soon as I tasted the fresh lumpia. Even at a small bite, I was able to taste the deliciousness of it. “You look like you are enjoying your food.” Michael said while trying to eat like a cool kid. “Ugh! I want to kick him.” I said to myself as Michael kept on minding my business. “Mind your own okay?” I said to Michael and turned my body to the right side so I would not be able to see his annoying face.

As I turned I saw Jake who is in an isolated table and I can feel the eerie atmosphere in his surroundings. I know that he has some attitudes but sometimes I really want to join him because I can remember myself to him. But there is only one thing that is different. I want to have friends but nobody wanted me in the past and they bullied me a lot. On the other hand, Jake is the one who is closing his doors to other people. It seems like he doesn’t care about anything at all. 

“s**t!’ I exclaimed as I saw Jake turn to look in my direction. “What? Is there something wrong?” Michael asked immediately. “No there isn’t. Sorry.” I said and bowed my head because of embarrassment. Of all the times. I think Jake just noticed me staring at him. “He is scary.” I said to myself while imagining Jake confronting me. I was imagining that he confronted me and asked me why I kept staring at him. Then he told me that he doesn’t like people like me and ordered me to stop staring at him. I know it is just an imagination but dude I am quite afraid.