Lesson For Young Boys

‘’Hey Jude. Happy new term. How was your holiday?’’ Jude one of Chad’s SS3 friends, called out to him at the cafeteria as he walked up behind him. ‘’Hi Jude, what’s up with you.’’ He greeted them stepped out of line with his tray of food as he waited for Jude to buy his. It was the first day of the new term. ‘’So what happened to you during the holiday? Did you travel with your old man or what? Jude asked referring to Chad’s dad as ‘Old man’ , one of the common peer-pressure terms they used among each other. ‘’Not at all.’’ Chad replied as they both walked towards the table that was reserved for the school’s biggest boys which Chad was privileged to dine in because he was their friend. In fact, he was the only SS1 boy who was allowed to sit there to eat. ‘’I was just trying to lie low for a while. You know, acting good kid,’’ Chad said. ‘’Oh, Mom’s on your back again huh?’’ Chad nodded and Jude continued. ‘’How did she take the last issue?’’ He asked. ‘’Pretty harsh.But she’ll soon forget about it. I’m sure’’ ‘’ About that , Chad I’m sorry the way we ditched you and let you take the blame for us but....’’ ‘’It’s okay. I totally understand’’ Chad said in a forgiving tone.’’ Besides it’s no fault of yours . If those stupid kids hadn’t started making trouble, none of it would have happened in the first place. So you have nothing to apologize for.’’ ‘’Thanks dude’’, Jude said and they both settled down to eat their food. Chad wasn’t surprised when none of his other SS3 friends showed up to the table. It was only the first day of school resumption for that term and not everybody liked coming to school on such days. They regarded it as free day which should be used to welcome them back to school hence no serious work is done, although a few teachers still started the terms work on that day. Jude and Chad had their lunch trading stories of how they spent their holiday. A few friends still stopped by to say ‘‘Hi,’’and hurried up immediately. 12:45, the bell signifying the end of the break period was rung and students began trooping back to their classes in groups. The next day at school was much livelier as more students had actually resumed school for the new term. Chad reunited with his clique of friends and managed to give a reasonable explanation as to why he was scarce during the holiday.Benjamin, the head of the clique didn’t accept his apologies. He insisted that Chad had defiled an important rule and hence the only way to atone for his ‘sin’ was if he came to his house during the weekend to render a proper apology. Chad quickly agreed to this as he felt it was an easy thing to do. He would simply pay him a visit on Saturday and then apologies. He thought everything was quite settled when suddenly,Ben ordered him to stand up and leave their midst. He had to have his lunch on another table but not the one for the A-list Guys. He felt embarrassed as few students who were just passing by happened to witness the proceedings. He couldn’t believe his ego was trampled upon. It would be completely degrading on his part should he have to eat with the ‘minors’ as they were often regarded. So rather than move to another table, and also not to annoy Ben, he left his food and walked quietly to the classroom. Despite the fact that he and Ben were friends,the latter was still a senior prefect and could decide to punish him if provoked to do so. ‘’Hi Chad.’’ One of his classmates greeted as he walked to him on his way to the classroom. ‘’What happened between you and your friends?’’ He asked as if concerned. Chad looked at him blankly then continued walking. ‘’Nothing’’ he said curtly. Everyone knew Danny quite well,he was a blabber mouth in class and if he knew anything of what had just happened then, no doubt , the whole school was going to hear of it too. So he’d just rather ignore him. ‘’But I saw them kicking you from their table just now. What did you do to them?’’ He asks persistently. ‘’Danny, why don’t you just shut your big mouth up and mind your own business’’ Chad retorted and quickened his pace to class without looking back. Few minutes later the break period was over and,obviously, Danny had been very busy. Everyone coming into class stole a glance at Chad the murmured to one another before a teacher came in. For the rest of that day, he felt left out and miserable. After the closing bell was rung to signify the end of classes for that day, he immediately packed his books in his bag and hurried to catch up with his friends in the hope that Ben would have become a little milder. They usually had their last period free on Tuesdays so he knew they would be on their way already. He met them assembled together close to the school gate. It was where they usually waited for anyone of them who was running late in meeting them up. ‘’Hi guys.’’ He greeted, almost as if he was confident they were waiting for him. A few of them responded to his greeting but Ben remained numb,just starring at him. ‘’ what are you doing here?’’ Ben asked bluntly,and then continued when Chad didn’t reply.’’ Well I’m sorry you don’t get to go home with us for as long as you are on suspension.’’ ‘’ what do you mean by suspension? How can I be on a friendship suspension? News is already going round the school that something is happening between us. Imagine how it will be like tomorrow if I’m sighted going home alone. My ego is at stake here, can’t you see? I promise I’ll be at your house on Saturday to set things right. I’ll do whatever you ask just don’t let me be a joke of the school, okay!?’’ Chad’s plea seemed to work to this time. ‘’Fine’’ Ben said reluctantly. ‘’ you may walk with us but be at the back and keep your distance’’. ‘’Thanks a lot Ben,’’ Chad said in appreciation. Soon Emma, the one they had been waiting for came to join them and the began walking to the bus stop, as they usually did. Chad fell behind step as he’d been ordered to. Jude too slowed down to keep up his pace. ‘’ why do you think he’s been so hard on you ? Surely it’s not just because you didn’t show up during the holiday. Did you do something to annoy him or what?’’ ‘’Seriously Jude , I don’t know why he blowing everything out of proportion. It’s just because I made a couple of promises I don’t get to fulfill.Just help me talk to him , please .’’ He pleaded. ‘’I will’’ Jude replied.’’but you just have to do your part too’’ Until that moment Chad never thought of how inferior he was to his friends. He wondered if he had been fooling himself all along you believing he could really be friends with his seniors . He’d thought they really liked him but now he wasn’t sure if they did,or if they’d only be using him all along. Looking back at times past, he began to realize that he was always the one bearing their cross ever since they became friends. But it was too late to back out now . He had made himself a name he had to keep; a reputation of some sort that he had to protect. He knew how it was when things turned sour. He’d had tales about his predecessors who had once been in current position. The problem with that kind of influence was that once you were in, you just couldn’t get out. They’d only torture you till you become miserable. But then when he’d been invited to join the clique, he was too clouded to see the consequences. It was only too clouded to realize his mistakes. Chad went home that day feeling dejected. He knew what awaited him . It was the same fate That was suffered by those who fell out of line.