Lesson For Young Boys

Chapter 3

Chad dreaded going to school the next day . When he woke up that morning he hadn’t wanted to get up from his bed . He wished he would just fall ill so wouldn’t have to be in school that day but he was hale and hearty when his mother came to check on him. There was no excuse he could give for not wanting to go to school, so he simply got up and slowly began to prepare for school. He got to school late , after the students had left the assembly to their classes. He was flogged at the gate for coming late and he wondered how worse his day would get . As soon as he entered the classroom, a student shouted: ‘’Here he comes’’, and everyone immediately burst out laughing . He was so embarrassed that he could have emptied his bowels right there in front of every one. He shamefully made his way to his seat wondering what was going on. He wanted to ask his seat mate, Sandra, but he was too embarrassed to speak so he simply kept his mouth shut and brought out his books. As if reading his thoughts, she turned to him

‘’Sorry about that. It was Danny who came out in front of the class earlier on to tell a joke about you . That was why we were amused when you came in. I’m sorry I laughed too but I couldn’t help it,’’ she said.

‘’ it’s okay,’’ Chad replied .’’ I understand’’. He didn’t bother asking what Danny had said about him since that was going to do him no good. It would only make him ache more. He looked around and it suddenly felt like everyone in class was talking about him. He was very grateful when his maths teacher Came into the class and began teaching. At least that had stopped the murmuring. If Chad had thought his morning was bad, then the worse was yet to come.

At lunch time he went over to his usual table to see if Ben had had a change of heart.

‘’I thought I made it clear to you that you would not join us here for lunch as long as you remain on suspension.’’ Ben barked angrily.

‘’ I was only hoping you would have changed your mind’’ Chad replied shaking.

‘’ you spoilt brat. Are you in SS3 or don’t you know mates anymore? I thought you wanted to be alone like you were during the holiday? Well you are free from us now so leave us alone in peace before your mother comes to my house again to report me’’ Chad took his tray of food and headed for another table. He now knew why Ben was acting the way he was. His mother never told him she went to report Ben to his parents. Perhaps he had been warned then to stay away from me, Chad thought. He looked around and saw some of his classmates having lunch together so he decided to join them.

‘’Hi guys.’’ He greeted.

‘’Chad what’s up? One of them replied, then the others greeted cordially.

‘’ it’s strange to have you here’’ Kheylan, one of them spoke up. ‘’What happened? Got kicked out of your little crew again?’’ They all laughed as Chad continued to stare at them without finding any humor in what he had said. He chose to ignore them so he could concentrate on finishing his food and walk away from there. Hardly had he finished when Danny showed up behind him.

‘’ What’s up guys?’’ He greeted them all. ‘’Where’s my Seat?’’ he asked as he directed the question at Kheylan.

‘’I’m sorry I forgot to tell you,’’ Kheylan said to Chad. ‘’But Danny asked us to keep his seat and you’re sitting on it’’.

‘’Oh. I didn’t know.’’ Chad said in a sorry tone. Then he stood up and made way for Danny to sit.

‘’ Sorry about that Chad, but you know you don’t join us for lunch anymore . Maybe some other time we’ll save you a seat’’, Tony called after him and they all chortled again. It was all too much for him to bear. But he couldn’t blame them. Back when they were still in junior high they used to go out for lunch together. They sat together, ate together and played together. But when he was invited by Ben to join his clique, he hurriedly accepted the offer and was too quick to dump his friends. Now he didn’t even know them anymore. He feels so alone as he walked back towards the classroom. Oh God, let the us be over soon, he prayed.