The Boy Who Spoke Up
745 Words
By the next morning, the entire school already knew.
The Head Prefect was in trouble.
Students gathered in small groups across the compound whispering about it.
"Imagine o.. Head Prefect for that matter."
"They said she refused to present."
"She's too stubborn."
"But the teachers gave her the topic just one day before," another student argued.
The argument spread everywhere.
Inside classrooms.
Under the mango tree.
Even near the school venture.
But while everyone else was gossiping, Enter was thinking.
During lunch break, the news became more serious.
Aminat had been officially called to face the disciplinary committee that afternoon.
That meant teachers were already considering punishment.
Suspension.
Removal from Prefect position.
Or worse.
Ether leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
He had only spoken to Aminat once.
One short conversation in the corridor.
Yet, something about the whole situation didn't sit well with him.
She was only given the topic a day before, he thought.
How is that fair?
His classmates were still talking.
"Serves her right." one boy said.
"She's always acting too serious."
Another girl shocked her head.
"But still.. suspension for that is too much."
Ether stood up suddenly.
His classmates looked at him.
"Where are you going?" someone asked.
Ether picked up his bag casually.
"I'll be back."
But he didn't say where he was going.
The disciplinary committee meeting was held in a classroom close to the staff room.
Several teachers were already seated inside.
Aminat stood in front of them.
Her face looked calm but inside she was frustrated.
She had tried to explain.
But the teachers believed she was simply being proud.
"You refused to obey instructions," one teacher said.
"That is indiscipline."
Aminat kept quiet.
Another teacher spoke.
"If you had apologised earlier, this matter would have ended."
Still, she said nothing.
She hated apologising for something she believed was unfair.
Just as the discussion continued -
There was a knock at the door.
One teacher frowned.
"Yes?"
The door opened slowly.
Ether stepped inside.
For a moment, the teachers looked confused.
"Who are you?" one of them asked.
"Sir, my name is Ether."
Aminat turned in surprise.
She recognised him immediately.
The new student.
"What do you want?" the teacher asked impatiently.
Ether stood calmly.
"Sir... I want to say something about this issue."
The teachers exchanged looks.
"You're not part of this matter."
"I know, sir," Ether said respectfully.
"But I believe the situation is not fair."
The room became quiet.
Even Aminat was shocked.
Most students would never dare interrupt a disciplinary meeting.
But Ether stood there like it was completely normal.
One teacher folded his arms.
"Explain yourself."
Ether took a breath.
"Sir, from what I heard, the Head Prefect was given the presentation topic only one day before."
"Yes," a teacher replied.
"And she refused to present," another teacher added
Ether nodded slowly.
"But sir... if someone is not prepared, forcing them to present may not produce good results."
One teacher shook his head.
"That's not the point. She disobeyed instructions."
Ether didn't look afraid.
"With respect, sir... I think she was only trying to be honest."
The room fell silent again.
No one expected a new student to speak like this.
A teacher leaned forward.
"So you're defending her?"
Ether answered calmly.
"I'm only asking that the punishment should consider the situation."
Aminat stared at him.
She didn't expect this.
Not from someone she barely knew.
For a moment, the teachers discussed quietly among themselves.
Then one of them sighed.
"Alright."
The teacher looked at Aminat.
"Because of this intervention... we will reduce the punishment."
Ether felt a small relief.
But the teacher continued.
"You'll receive two weeks suspension."
Aminat's jaw tightened.
It wasn't completely fair.
But it was better than what they originally planned.
The teacher added firmly.
"And next time.... learn to apologise."
The meeting ended shortly after.
Students outside were already waiting for the result.
When Ether stepped out of the classroom, several students stared at him.
They had heard everything.
Word spread quickly.
"The new boy spoke to the teachers!"
"He defended the Head Prefect!"
"Is he not afraid?"
Students began whispering everywhere.
Ether simply walked away calmly.
But behind him, Aminat stood in the corridor watching him.
She was surprised.
Confused.
And strangely grateful.
For the first time the problem began...
Someone had stood up for her.
And somehow -
It was the quiet new boy who had just arrived at school.
- Writer
