Chapter 9: Reconciliation

"Where am I?", Ricky asked to himself after waking up in some sort of office. He watched as on officer walked towards him and asked a few questions. He also learned that due to the trouble he caused, he is permanently expelled from his school and sent to DSWD under juvenile detention. Upon realization, Ricky saw the evil he committed and wept for it. His parents spoke to him for many hours and expressed his remorse. He felt the weight of his crime more when his parents confronted with weeping and gnashing of teeth. Harsh words were spoken and tears had flown. Finally, after the longest one hour of words from parents, he was left alone to contemplate his actions.

But, what's that? Nicole came to visit him. She sat opposite of him with a calm and composed face. She stayed silent for awhile, before she finally spoke, "Normally, I'd keep away from you after seeing you murder a couple of guys at school. But, here I am because I'm your friend," she spoke. "Look. That wasn't the just way too punish students. You think teachers will applaud? Don't get me wrong. They're despicable. But, if you were to just exterminate them, you'd just end up becoming the monster like them. You sometimes call them uneducated for being rowdy. But are you more educated than them when you, I don't know, butcher them in front of a class of students? Besides, your execution of justice are stupid and mediocre. No one's applauding you for that inhumane prejudice of yours. Are you even perfect enough to tell what's wrong and what's right?", she explained.

"I get it. I'm a demon," replied Ricky. "But why would you care me?" "Because you're not always a demon," Nicole replied as she to sit beside Ricky. "I've heard and learned from your parents how good a student you were. I know how you love learning and I can definitely see that from you. But don't be impatient at people you hate. They are part of your learning to exhibit patience and compassion. Learning is not just in your intellect and body. It's also in character and how you relate to others."

Ricky sat silently as Nicole finally finishes, "I've always looked up to you as a role model. Don't let them ruin your image." Seconds later, she kissed him on the cheek. The repentant Ricky hugged Nicole with tears in his eyes after hearing her heartfelt words. Nicole answered with a sigh of relief knowing Ricky learned his lesson, "Cheer up, Rick. Why don't we chat for awhile?" His spirits were up again as the time of his detention commences.