The Scorpish g**g

Chapter 12

The next morning Peter hurries and gives her grandmother her medicine and rushes to the oak office. It has not repeated like last day and surprisingly Peter is early today. He likes to climb up and enter the oak office to have a seat on the benches whenever he has time like today.

So he directly jumps in it and has one eye through the hole to sneak if any of his friends has appeared. This place always makes him nostalgic about the good old days. While thinking about past memories Peter thinks that Paul could be brought in the oak office to show him this awesome place. He decides to talk about others about this and then he hears Ross's yells.

Ross says, "Peter, are you in here?"

Peter says, "Hell, yeah I am!!"

Ross says, "Come out you jerk. We're running late already!"

Elliott says, "Is Alicia there too?"

Peter says, "Why would she be in here?"

Elliott says, "Who knows!?"

Jonas says, "It's Peter who is coming late now a days. What's your problem man?!"

Peter says, "C'mon guys! Nothing happened, they're just coincidents. Besides I'm earlier than anyone today."

Elliott says, "How'll we know you're in there?"

Peter says, "It's high time we do something about this. We can use those marks like "engaged" they use at hotels, we can create some signs to hang on any branch of this oak tree."

Elliott says, "Idea is a good one. But if we hang "engaged" won't it attract others to sneak into the office? After all it's a secret place."

Peter says, "Stop now maniac! I didn’t mean an engaged board directly. I'm not that stupid."

Ross says, "Calm down now. What do you want?"

Peter says, "Like we can keep a rope inside the office. When anyone enters in the office, they'll hang it on a branch so that it can be seen from outside and the others will be assured about his presence. I hope the rope is obviously less attractive, isn’t it?"

Jonas says, "I like this idea. And when he will leave the place he'll simply bring the rope down. That's all!"

Peter says, "Exactly!"

They were discussing all of these while walking at a descent pace towards their school.

Elliott says, "So, who will bring the rope?"

Ross says, "I've a lot of ‘em in my house. It won't be a problem."

Elliott says, "Bring some longer ones so we can directly throw it on the branch from the ground and also pull it back from the ground."

Ross says, "Okay, boss! Whatever you say."

Peter says, "I was thinking about another thing."

Jonas says, "What is it?"

Peter says, "We can bring Paul here to see this place at some time."

Elliott says, "I don't think that is even possible."

Ross says, "And why is that?"

Elliott says, "Look, his life is not anything normal like us. He literally earns his own bread now. That suited man is of no trust for me. And we saw him working in the factory, didn’t we?"

Peter says, "Elliott's right i guess. Whatever we can throw a proposal to spend any afternoon with us. If he gets time we'll see then."

Ross says, "I have another thing. Look the oak office is a very secret thing of ours. We can't just take an outsider to share this place. Let's take some time and get to know that boy more and then we'll decide."

Peter says, "Okay guys, whatever you say."

Jonas says, "Look, he's early today."

They have reached the school compound while being lost in their various kinds of discussions. Paul is sitting on the same bench they were sitting that day beside the canteen. He's having that same bun today and turning over the pages of that magazine. Jonas is the first to notice him.

Peter says, "What's up man?"

Paul turns his head up and smiles after seeing them near him.

Paul says, "Nothing much. Just checking about this magazine. Looks like they printed your old photos instead of the new ones."

Peter says, "The magazine isn't new my brother. It's almost 5 or 6 years older and every newbie gets those. You can get its new home in the trash bucket. That's a better place for this."

Paul says, "Oops I didn’t know!"

Elliott says, "This school is not that best what you say. It’s gonna be like a habit one day don't worrry."

Paul says, "Okay leaving all those, is it a must to wear sport kits?"

Ross says, "Obviously! Sports teacher literally hires that stick from English teacher and keeps that with him throughout the week. If you disobey a single rule, you must taste that stick 5 times. And sports kits are must bro.”

Ross’s words react like buzzing bees in Paul’s mind. The stress is drawn on his face as well which can easily be seen by others and they can guess the reason of this stress too. It is obvious for a kid who works in a wood factory, hardly manages a perfect uniform, not to have a sports kit. Even understanding the gravity of it Jonas dares to ask,

Jonas says, “Don’t you have a sports kit man?” Peter and Elliott feels very uncomfortable after this question and Ross pinches Jonas.

Paul says, “I wish!” He replies in a hesitated tone.

Jonas says, “Don’t worry mate. I have an extra one that doesn’t fir on my fat body. You can take it!”

The eyes of Paul impressed their hearts after hearing Jonas’s proposal. He felt extremely humble and overwhelmed at this. Yet to maintain politeness he asks,

Paul says, “You sure Jonas?”

Jonas says, “No doubts! And those are left useless, so I’ll be happy if they prove some worth for you.”

Paul says, “Thanks a lot my friend. I won’t forget this ever.”

Jonas says, “C’mon dude! It was needed to be done!”

And then bell rings and signals them to move on to the classroom as soon as possible. They rush to the classroom and take their seats like yesterday. Their minds are cherished with the things they are doing to Paul, the guilty feelings in Peter’s mind have been eradicated long ago.

Paul is also enjoying their company. In the tiffin period they share their tiffin among them. He asks about the study related things to Elliott and he also tries his best to make Paul understand everything. Overall a very good friendship is growing gradually. Everyone else is also pleased at their change in behavior.

At the end of that day’s school hours they are standing by the road and having a chitchat.

Peter says, “So, tomorrow we’re gonna burn in the field, alright?”

Ross says, “Hell yeah bro. However sprint is your era. I’m gonna try hard there.”

Peter says, “You better not.”

Ross says, “How funny it is! Sprint king comes late!”

Peter says, “Don’t be jealous my boy, you won’t be able to defeat me in sprinting.”

Ross says, “I know I can’t, that doesn’t mean I’m jealous. Alicia doesn’t come every day.”

Paul says, “Who’s Alicia by the way?”

Elliott says, “She’s a---“ Peter doesn’t let him finish his words.

Peter says, “That’s nothing important. In which sports are you interested mostly?” He tries to change the ‘Alicia’ topic and Paul follows his way.

Paul says, “I don’t even know what kinds of sports are there. What is sprinting?”

Peter says, “It means straight running.”

Paul says, “Oh I got it now. How much do they make you run?”

Elliott says, “There are several categories. Like 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters. Peter is winning the first two for consequent 3 years now. He’s a beast in those you know.”

Peter says, “Enough l*****g boots for now. There are many other sports events which you can take part, you’ll see for yourself tomorrow.”

Elliott says, “It’s good to let you know that you can take part in three events in total. If your name is seen more than three times in the lists, you’ll be disqualified from all the events.”

Paul says, “Oh my God! That’s fair I guess.”

Jonas says, “And please come tomorrow a bit earlier. You need to check the kits and put them on. So, don’t be late.”

Paul says, “Okay guys I’ll remember everything. I’m being late now. Hope to see you tomorrow guys. And huge thanks again to Jonas. I won’t forget your favor ever in my life.” His eyes are glittering. Having these last words he moves to that way to his home.

Jonas says, “Don’t mention it brother. Friends for friends. Bye. See ya’.”

Peter says, “Don’t be late man!”

Ross says, “And there goes Peter again. Mister fast man.”

Peter says, “Yes I got it. Now Ross how did your day go last day? Did your father beat the s**t out of ya’?”

Ross says, “Oh I forgot to tell you about this! No call came! What a surprise man!?”

Jonas says, “Same here. I got hell of scared when Mr. Watson did that. He’s insane. But when I got home, boom! No calls there. Got to hear some yells, cause I was damn late. But that’s fine.“

Peter says, “Told ya’ idiots. You guys worry without any reason, it’s clear that principal didn’t even look at us properly. He was too busy with that man.”

Elliott says, “Let’s say thanks to that man haha. At last he did something for us.”

Ross says, “Thanks mister.” Ross shouts.

They were talking and all of a sudden discovers them at the oak office.

Peter says, “Damn we’re here!”

Jonas says, “That’s why I remain more silent than you guys. You guys will be lost one day like this lol.”

Peter says, “No, we won’t. Together we rock you know.”

Ross says, “HELL YEAH MAN!” he shouts.

Peter says, “So what’s the plan for this afternoon?”

Elliott says, “Aren’t you gonna stay with your grandmother?”

Peter says, “No, not today afternoon. She has to go see the doctor, dad’s taking her. So I can hang out with you guys.”

Jonas says, “Uncle Rick’s?”

Ross says, “Let’s go then. Guys don’t fill your stomach too much in the lunch. Aunt Sarah always gets something special.”

Elliott says, “No one does. Besides we’ll help them if they need anything regarding the garden.”

Jonas says, “Oh, at least some days hanging out sitting on couches, having dishes and so on. Dude, I was really pissed off with those long walks everyday morning and afternoon. I think I lost 5 kg in those days.”

Ross says, “Yeah we can understand the problem of cholesterol. Very sad for you bruh.”

Peter says, “And Jonas can you bring that sport kit today? We may have a pre check. That dude is living in high hopes, it will be cruel if the kit is found to be unfit tomorrow.”

Jonas says, “Okay, I’ll try. I hope mom knows where it is.”

Elliott says, “Moms know everything. You go home and chill. And we’re meeting here at 4.30?”

Peter says, “I don’t have any problem. What about you Ross?”

Ross says, “Did I say anything? Just make sure if Alicia forgot her diary again, do give it back before 4.30 and come at time.” Ross never misses his chances to taunt Peter.

Peter says, “Ok, sir. Your wish is my command.” Peter knowing that to change Ross is like teaching pigs to fly.

The rest works of them are pretty usual, like heading home, taking a shower, fill their stomachs half at lunch and save the other half for Aunt Sarah’s dishes and many stuffs like this. Peter gets an early warning to come back home fast as his mom is alone in the home.

They gather at the oak office on time and Ross misses a chance to taunt Peter. When they reach Uncle Rick’s they see that he is sitting on a chair with a camera. He is taking photos of the garden from there. The brown soiled garden has a splash of small green dots simultaneously. Germination process has started already. Uncle Rick is capturing all these.

Peter says, “Are you planning to make a digital flipbook uncle?”

There sudden presence makes him surprised and happy as well.

Uncle Rick says, “Let’s see how it goes. Sarah, look who are here!”

And they can feel the glimpse of another beautiful afternoon, full of jokes, chats, games and most importantly tasty dishes. An exciting day lies ahead.