Unsolicited School

Welcomed

Robbie

Day 3

You don't have enough time left…

Once you're there, you don't have enough time left…

Leave. Turn off.

This all is the work of-

The loud, repeating, irritating beep came from Robbie's alarm clock. Disrupts Robbie's hellish slumber. While his mind is still buzzing about the dream, he moved his body and reached the alarm clock with his left hand, and looked at the time. The monochromatic blue-white display read 6:00 Wednesday. The LED alarm clock dazzled Robbie's tired eyes.

The cheerful morning atmosphere woke Robbie before his yawn like a coffee. The sunlight that came from the gap in the curtains enlightens Robbie's dark bedroom. Robbie opened the curtains. Revealing himself with his night clothes. He chose his favorite night clothes every time he sleeps. The preset of his clothes is a white-red t-shirt with "Santos Mariachi" written on the front. The name and back number are Riley Jr. #36. And he wears green cargo shorts.

Man, what will happen today?

Robbie T-Poses against the sunlight as a warm-up - counting up to 20. Then followed by 20 Push-ups, 10 Sit-ups, and 10 times lift 3kg weights. He usually exercises 5 minutes in the morning to keep his shape. After it was done, he did his morning chores usually, from cleaning up his room to preparing his uniform.

He walked to the bathroom. He didn't shower in the morning on weekdays. Instead, he just brushed his teeth and sprayed his body with the body deodorizer. But he already knows if his body ridiculously smells like ironing perfume. But he doesn't care about it anymore.

After he just finished comb his hair, the lamp suddenly flickers like a horror scene. He stared at that ridiculous lamp before moving his eyeballs to the bathroom mirror. A 16-year-old boy stands tall right behind him quietly. His eye's completely dead white, wearing the school outfit, but his appearance is shabby. His existence jumpscares the bathroom atmosphere.

"WHOA, SHOOT!"

Robbie's heartbeat paced fast like a supercharged car. He reflexively looked back. But no one could be seen. Then he looked to the mirror again. But the boy's existence still there.

"Whoa!"

Robbie startled again as the ghost guy still there. Unmoving. He ensured the ghost-thingy's existence. He looked behind one more. But no one's there.

He gazed at the mirror and behind him alternately. The boy was there, in the mirror. But not behind him. after he knew what happened, he let out a sigh. But the boy unexpectedly voiced up.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five…"

The boy's countdown made Robbie even more clueless. What is going on here! Please stop it!

"Four, three, two, one, zero..."

Then the boy silenced. The nihilism filled the bathroom for one moment. Robbie gulped, and his body shivered as no one's talking.

"Welcome… Welcome to hell, Ryo Nakata"

The boy's dead greeting scared out Robbie. He stopped looking at the mirror. Then he turned back his whole body.

"Mom?"

He called out his mom like a 5-year-old scared toddler who seeks out his mom. However, his dad came into the bathroom instead, curious about what happened in the bathroom.

"Hey, Robbie. What's the matter?"

"Uhh... no. nothing," Robbie lied - hiding his fear.

"Then why you counting down and welcomed yourself to hell?"

His dad's question puzzled Robbie's mind. Wait, if that was me, then who's counting down? That wasn't me. It was that ghost!

But he has no choice except lied again.

"Just acting for the class game, dad,"

Robbie's replies made his dad relieved. He thought his son possessed or lost his mind. But he glads that his son made a move, "Having friends even though not much,"

The light yellow color school blazer is clean, accompanied by the white trim, paired by the white pants and the blue tie. The color represents a mix of banana and milk. Made the color looked elegant.

After he applied his blazer, he walked down to the dining room to breakfast. Today, he eats a grilled cheese sandwich, an egg, and 5 slices of tomato. And he always drinks milk every morning. Like a happy family, they have breakfast together.

While they're eating their breakfast, His dad asked him.

"Son. Did you really have friends?"

His father's question makes Robbie flustered.

"What? Of course, I have, dad,"

"Sorry, but I just want to know. I'm afraid if the students think you're a scary person,"

"It's okay, dad. I already have them. Not only one," Robbie smiled as he clarified, "Everyone now thinks if I'm a friendly person. Not a scary Tarzan,"

"I'm glad everyone thinks so, sweety. But we are still concerned about you. You're still hard on getting friends," his mom spoke with her soft voice.

"I just don't want to mess with them. That's all," Robbie halted before he continues, "But that's all I can do, mom. I can't cope with many people around me. That's why I said to you, I love solitude and tranquility,"

His parents understood Robbie's words. They let out a sigh before his dad speaks up.

"I know, son. But… just don't be a loner, okay?"

"Yes, dad. I will," Robbie promised, "Oh yeah. How's Ruri, dad? Is she recovered?" Robbie continued by changing the topic.

"She has recovered yesterday,"

Robbie's parents continued talking about his daughter. Just like them, Robbie also loves his 14-year-old little sister. He looked at the watch on the TV. It shows 6:44, asked him to go to the bus stop before the bus is gone.

______________________________________

"I am going now," said Robbie before he walks out the door, walking to the bus stop alone. While he's walking, the funky ringtone came out from his phone. He automatically grabbed his cellphone and saw the caller. It was his little sister, Ruri.

"Hey there," greet Robbie.

"Hi there, Onii-chan. How's your school?" asked Ruri.

"Looking good as always,"

"Did you get more friends?"

"Hey, I have friends more than before, okay? Thanks for asking," Robbie smiled, then he continues, "By the way, have you completely recovered?"

"Of course. Now I'm new as sunflower," Ruri replied. Her voice sounded like a cheerful kitty. When Robbie wants to talk, her little sister continues his speech.

"Oh yeah. One thing. Someone's sent you a message. I don't know if the person is he or she, but it doesn't matter."

Felt curious, Robbie asked, "What is it?"

"Welcome to he-" the static voice interrupted the call for a moment before Ruri continued the message without repeating her words. Strangely, after the static, there is no kind of sounds such as howling winds or the whole ambient can be heard except her little sister's voice.

"This is a work of-" another static interrupted their call again. But Ruri didn't repeat any words.

"You don't have enough time. They're after you. They're not playing. They will make you suffer. They will make you like one of them. Get out while you still can. Get out while you still can Get-"

Panicked, Robbie responded quickly to the call.

"Ruri? Ruri! Listen to me! What's the matter? Hey! Someone!" the static became louder as Robbie called for any response. Suddenly, the phone silenced abruptly. He saw the phone turned off. He didn't know why his phone turned off all of a sudden while the phone still has much battery.

After a few moments, Robbie's phone restarted and back to normal. He was stunned and scared. What the what? I should call her again. What if she got possessed or got kidn*pped by a cult?

He quickly dialed Ruri. He chose the video call to ensure the circumstances. Strange enough, after a few seconds, she picked it up. Her cute appearance with her reading glasses is untouched by any kind of harm.

"Oh hey, Onii-chan. What's wrong?"

"What happened to you? Did you got hurt by someone?" Robbie asked fearfully.

"What? No. you don't say any words after you asked about my health condition, so I hang it up,"

Robbie didn't answer. He stopped walking for a second.

"Look, if you don't have anything to talk with, I want to go to school now. Bye!"

The triple beeps came out of the cellphone like a hanged-up payphone.

Robbie saw his precious wristwatch just before he changed his shoes. The watch reads 7:38 AM. He always spared 20 minutes to recess before the first school begins. Just like two days ago, Robbie changed his shoes together with Mullet. At first, he felt agitated by his existence. But today, he doesn't mind. The sound of the opened metal door with its clank filled the shoe locker room as the students changed their shoes. Along with the footsteps of the students goes in and out of the shoe locker room.

After he closed his locker, a student with black hair and white eyeglasses glared at him anxiously. Felt confused and concerned, Robbie asked him.

"Can I help you?"

But the kid didn't respond to him. Instead, he walked sadly through the hallway. His sorrowful face baffled Robbie, who already walked away from his locker. He passed through the student and followed the boy. While Robbie is following him, a girl bumped his right shoulder and ran away. Robbie ignored her nudge and focused on the boy as he picked up his walking pace. Until he got distracted by Mullet's voice, calling the girl.

"Hey, wait up!"

Mullet's call made Robbie looked back and stopped. Mullet's tidy appearance can be seen as he's chasing the girl. When he continued to walk again, the boy outran him and disappeared. Exchanged with the school bell that rang loudly. He canceled his intention to chase that boy and walked to his class. Class 2-1.

He sat on his desk. Followed the lessons in class as usual. Today is an English lesson, the hard one that most students are troubled with, but not for Robbie. Every word taught by the teacher, Tommy-sensei dragged him to the nostalgia.

He recalled the first time he loved English. He studied English since he was 3 years old. When his parents bought him some English cartoon video discs and Ruri hasn't been born yet. The cartoon is titled Tanner and Daisy, tells about Tanner the cat and Daisy the rabbit who adventure together. And thus, his English enthusiast starts to grow until today, where he was sitting now.

After he finished recalling the past, he put his track back to the lesson. Few seconds after he re-focused his eyeballs, he looked 30 degrees to the right. He realized if someone is absent, it was Nino. His first friend in the school. Although the class is quiet as Tommy-sensei's teaching the students, the world is strangely silent.

The school bell rang. It's time for the students to lunch. But something is going off today. All of the students are left the class. No one is inside except only Robbie and Tommy-sensei, who arranged the student's paperwork. Just before Robbie left the class, Tommy-sensei stopped him by calling out his name.

"Robbie, may I have a moment?"

"Sure thing, sensei," Robbie nods.

"Come here,"

Robbie obeyed his words and walked to that 33-year-old man's desk.

"How's the school life?" Tommy-sensei asked.

"It goes well, thanks for asking,"

Robbie knows if he doesn't have enough time if Tommy-sensei procrastinates him, and he had to say something. But on the other hand, he doesn't want to cut sensei's words to leave. Man, what should I do? I'm hungry, sensei.

"Good, I hope you can get along with the students,"

Tommy-sensei paused for a moment before he continues. The warm but silent atmosphere filled the classroom for seconds.

"And I hope you survived this situation. Enjoy it, kid. You made the decision," Tommy-sensei's words made Robbie became clueless. He was confused about what he was talking about. And then he replied Tommy-sensei's weird line.

"Uh… okay. I better go now, sensei. See ya later,"

Robbie left the dark brown-haired teacher inside the class as he continues arranging the papers. His hi-fade hairstyle makes him look younger. Along with his white shirt with a gray sweater.

Robbie walked into the hallway alone. He realized something is missing. It wasn't only Nino who was absent, but the g**g wasn't here to accompany him. In the end, there are only Robbie and Mullet who will have lunch. While walking to the stairway, the boy that he chased stands tall next to the class doorway. He still looks insecure like before. But this time, he glared at Robbie. Which made Robbie weirded out with his expression.

"Look. You made me worried about you. Just tell me, what can I do?" Robbie asked that boy. The sunlight hits the boy, which made his hair sleek and shiny.

"Is Taro-senpai will go to the cafeteria?" he asked.

"I dunno. Why? Is he gonna bully you?"

The boy nods.

Robbie acted like a father figure to stop the kid from being bullied.

"You gotta change yourself, man. I know bullying sucks. But if you just tell this to the teacher, things won't end," Robbie took another breath before he continued.

"Every school has school bullies. You must know that, okay? That's the unwritten law of the school,"

The boy replied to his answer, "You mean…. I need to solve this personally and get my vengeance?"

"Yes. It also schools life, man. Don't get flowed often. Harden yourself," Robbie motivated him.

"Thanks. Are you that new student, right?" the boy asked.

Robbie nods.

"You're Robbie, right?"

"Yeah. How do you know my name?" Robbie smiled.

"I know it by myself,"

"Well… let's repeat the introduction," Robbie cleared his throat before he continues, "I'm Robbie. Nice to meet you. And what's your name?"

"My name is Yuu. Nice to meet you too,"

After Robbie and Yuu introduce themselves, they walked through the stairway until they both separated. Yuu went to the other hallway. While Robbie walked to the cafeteria. Again, the g**g's existence is still not being seen by him nor Mullet. Where are they?

The cafeteria is full like usual. Only a few lunch tables were left vacant. Before he walks to the line to order. He looked around the vacant lunch tables and chose his seat. Next, he lined up with the other students to order his lunch. This time, he took different food because he not really hungry and he wants to eat something sweet.

"I'd like to order the Chokoneko mint cake and Frappuccino, please,"

"Do you want anything else?" asked the cafeteria chef.

"No, thank you,"

Unlike two days ago, the food directly arrived at the counter. The cat-shaped cake appetizes any students who want to eat it. The white icing makes the cat face and the outline of the cake. Plus, the mint leaves form a ribbon for the cat cake.

Robbie thought about it. It's uncommon for students like him eats that cat-shaped cake. Will they see me eating this cake? I hope not. The only way to eat the cake is to eat it with someone else. He changed his mind. He glared around the cafeteria like a guard with his binoculars. All of the students eat with their friends, no one eating alone except Mullet, who was already eating his food. There's no other way except he must eat with him (to avoid the mistrust). The person he doesn't really like, even Nino, tried to befriend them both. He walked to Mullet's lunch table, and he asked.

"Hey, Mullet. May I sit and eat with you?"

Without hesitation, he answered, "Of course. Sit down, Rob,"

Robbie got astonished by Mullet's answer. He is allowed to eat together even Mullet knows if Robbie is the person he needs to avoid. He sits down facing Mullet with his food tray placed on the table. Robbie looked at Mullet's food. It also a chocolate mint cake, but this one is the shape of a star.

"Let's eat together, fam," said Mullet.

Both of them ate together like friends this time. No kind of hostility could be found during their lunchtime. They declared the truce for this time not only because he had to eat together.

"I thought you will not let me eat here," said Robbie while Mullet is eating his food. After he swallowed the cake inside of his mouth, Mullet replied.

"I let you here because I need you, or someone to sit here this time,"

"Why? Because they will think it's weird to eat this cake without someone with you?" asked Robbie while his right hand sliced the cat-shaped cake and stabbed it with the fork.

"Yeah. Do you think it's common to eat this yummy cake alone?" Mullet replied before he eats the last piece of his cake. Robbie didn't answer.

The school bell rang, notifies the students to proceed to the clubroom. Meanwhile, Robbie still hasn't joined any clubs yet. Because he still needs to know more about the club via the bulletin board on the first floor.

He walked lazily through the hallway and the stairway. The only destination he wants to go to is the rooftop. Where he can look at the beautiful panorama every day. The faces of the students are various as he walked among them. From the first grade, second grade, and third grade. Unlike most loners where the students were not interested. They felt intrigued to walk with Robbie no matter what he goes to. But in Robbie's point of view, he was worried about what the students will talk about him, albeit he knows what to say.

While he walking on the third floor, he heard someone breathing heavily, like holding out the pain. The empty hallway makes the voice is easy to be heard.

"Kkkhhhhh…. Arghhh…."

The voice became louder and louder once Robbie went closer. Don't want to get caught, Robbie took off his shoes, and he continued walking barefooted. He sneaked out through the empty hallway like a thief to find out. Until he saw some blood droplets on the floor. Leaving traces that lead to the storage room.

What the...

"Haah… haah… haah…"

The voice of heavy breath became louder again. Robbie continued to follow the droplets that become more and more until he finally stopped at the door. He hesitated to open up the door. Should I open it and find out?

But Robbie doesn't have chances left. If he stands still on the door or even leaves the hallway, the person inside will die. He gently opens the door.

"Excuse m-"

Robbie was shocked as he saw Yuu slashed his neck with a stationary cutter, his yellow school blazer painted blood that came from his bleeding neck. Without thinking, Robbie slammed the door open and rushed to Yuu, who was severely injured.

"Yuu! NO!"

He directly grabbed Yuu's right arm and tried to seize the cutter from Yuu's hand. But Yuu repeatedly smacked Robbie's arm to release his grip. Robbie's left hand slipped out of Yuu's right wrist, and he swung the cutter to Robbie until his right arm was cut like a salmon. Robbie roared out as his right arm got slashed.

Robbie tried again by grasped his arm with full force, then Robbie used his injured right hand to chop Yuu's grip. The cutter finally dropped from his hand. Robbie quickly kicked it back and tried to restrain Yuu, who struggle to get that sharp blade back.

"Yuu! What are you doing! Stop it!"

"It's the only way! This could end my pain!" Yuu replied desperately. His tears flowed down as he tried to free himself from Robbie.

"Not this way! Look, I know you've been bullied so badly! But killing yourself will not solve the problem!"

"I can't take it anymore! I want to get over it!" Yuu yelled while crying.

Robbie continues to say stop while he keeps restraining Yuu until he ran out of steam. Then Robbie finally restrained Yuu by hugging him. His body smothered Yuu's face and neck. His uniform is stained by Yuu's blood as he keeps hugging that white-eyeglasses boy.

"Please… stop"

Robbie kept hugging Yuu. His eyeglasses are now stained with blood, and his tears were starting to run down to Robbie's shirt while he keeps hitting Robbie softly.

Please, stop, and don't it is the only words that came out of Robbie's mouth. One minute after the failed suicidal attempt, a student came to the storage room. Judging from her tie, she's in the third year. The girl was shocked as he looked at Robbie and Yuu with the b****y cutter alternately.

"What is going on here?!" she asked.

"Senpai, please calm down," Robbie sighed before he continued, "He repeatedly slices his neck with this," Robbie pointed the cutter while continues, "I think he tries to kill himself,"

"Oh, no… that can't be good," she reacted.

"Senpai, please call the teacher. I'm gonna keep himself calm,"

She nods. Then she called her friend.

"Hey, Rumicchi! Call the teacher here! there's a wounded student!" She called her friend.

"Okay! Just a minute!"

After her friend who so-called, Rumi left, she approached Robbie, who was still hugging the boy.

"Why did he try to kill himself?" asked the girl.

"He couldn't stand being bullied... I guess," Robbie answered.

"Who- oh... that loser, Taro? Whoa… I can't believe he forced this kid to suicide," The girl looked at Yuu, who was still crying. His neck is still bleeding as he slashed his neck about 15 times. The girl pats his head and continues.

"Look, you can't do this. Think about it, what happens if your parents know if you die? Killing yourself just made things even worse. Tell the teacher if you being bullied, okay?"

Yuu didn't answer and, he's still crying. Meanwhile, Robbie shook his head to tell the girl to don't talk about it.

"Oh. Sorry about that," She apologized, "By the way, what is your name?"

Yuu still didn't reply to her since he was hugged by Robbie. Instead, Robbie told her.

"His name is Yuu, and my name is Robbie. nice to meet you, Senpai. Even with such a situation,"

"My name is Yoshiko. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet y-"

Their introduction was interrupted by some oncoming footsteps, where a teacher arrived.

"Oh, god," said the teacher when she saw the b****y situation. She looked at Yuu with his bleeding neck. Then she continued.

"We need to bring him to the infirmary. Can you help him?" she asked Robbie.

"Yes," Then Robbie asked Yuu, who stopped crying, "Can you walk?"

He nodded. He didn't say any words as he was still traumatized by what he did to himself. He started to get up and walk out of the room. The empty hallway is now crowded with some students who want to know what just happened.

After they reached the infirmary, the teacher asked Robbie to follow her. He left Yuu, who is currently treated. While he's walking with the teacher, he saw Mullet, who was carrying a girl. The girl's skin was pale. It feels like she tries to end her life without shedding her blood. He was stunned and confused. Two students attempted suicide? But Robbie knows if Mullet shocked too. Is he also involved?

The school bell rang for the last time, time for students to go home. Robbie, with his blazer stained blood from Yuu's neck, still remains. He sat down at the bus stop. Awaiting the next bus to arrive. Now he must make reasons for this if he doesn't want to be called "The School Murderer," and another reason for their parents is they will be shocked by his b****y appearance.

The bus arrived. The empty seats inside filled with some students, who impatiently going home. Robbie was the first student who entered the bus. Followed by Mullet and other students. Robbie took the very back seat as he won't attract too much attention inside. Mullet also took the seat next to Robbie. But Robbie doesn't mind.

Once the bus starts leaving the stop, Robbie began to brainstorm about what is happening today. Robbie left 3 unanswered questions to himself and probably question to Mullet too. First, did what they said two days earlier is really happened today and will continue to happen? Second, should he and Mullet leave this school while they can? And last, are there any consequences if their warnings? I need answers, but nothing can be found.

To be continued…