Chapter 5 - Cut somebody some slack

Mr. Charles Julius is our principal with a great sense of justice. He's around thirty-years-old but he's maybe younger, I don't know because I never asked— and I'd never will. He wears a black suit paired with coat and ties which counterpart his insolent attitude towards me, despite the way he acts towards me, Mr.Julius was a great model of our school, everyone here knows him and his achievements.

Mr. Julius: "I assume you are accompanying this barbarian, Ms. Charlotte." He turned towards my position.

[*Tch, That's a harsh way describing me.*] I thought.

Charlotte: "Yes sir, she helped me carry the reports along the way."

Mr. Julius: "Is that so? I suppose you deserve my thanks, Mr. Ashe."

Mark: "Yeah? It's not like your 'thank you' can do anything drastic in my life."

Mr. Julius: "I was saying this because, whenever you came here, there was always trouble. I'm praising you for the reason that you've done something good worth a while."

Mark: "Really? You don't need to force it. I'm not used to your facade."

Mr. Julius: "I'm offering you gracious gratitude, yet I'm still denigrated. How rude you can be?"

Mark: "Hmph!" I snorted.

I Looked away unmannered towards Mr. Julius, the girl named Charlotte was genuinely shocked, her brows lifted by our conventional exchange of words.

Charlotte: "I should probably get going Mr. Julius, there are still things I must prepare for the Event."

Ms. Julius: "I suppose you do. The deadline is the day after tomorrow, will you requiring assistance?"

Charlotte: "Thank you for your concern. But I think I can manage."

I look at her intently. [*You're quite stubborn one aren't you?*] I thought.

Mr. Julius: "I see...But since we're low on manpower and Mr. Ashe is here. Why don't we ask for his—"

Mark: I interrupted. "Nope, I'll pass. Ask someone else."

Mr. Julius: "Flat-out rejection from an old man myself. Do you even have a glint of mercy on your soul?"

Mark: "After calling me barbarian. You're playing the victim now, huh? Besides you're not that old, Sir Julius."

Mr. Julius: "Then would you look at this tired beautiful young lady. Any sane person would help her without hesitance."

I glance at Charlotte. Any person could tell she was weary from the chores. She's decent to look at and her Natural beauty still shows signs of glamor. ButThe stress on her was so obvious that even a kindergarten would notice it. If only one words was to describe her it would be : **Haggard**

Mark: "Tch. I'll go along with your smooth talk this time…"

Mr.Julius: "Then it's settled—"

Mark: I interrupted again. "But in one condition…"

Mr.Julius: "Very well, what would it be?."

Mark: "I actually skipped my P.E class, I would gladly help if you could talk it out to my professor and let it slide."

Mr.Julius: "What an admirable motive. For one who leaves even that in the hands of others."

Mark: "So, what would it be, It's better than not getting help at all, right?"

Mr.Julius: "Very well. Since we really need assistance for the cultural event and our Student Council President is weary from days of preparation. I shall grant your selfish request."

Mark: [*Council President, huh?*] I glance over and asked, "So, how do I help?"

Mr.Julius: "Simple. I want you to accompany Ms.Charlotte until she finished the task. Help her to carry the heavy stuff, to be her guard…and to cope with new ideas as well… Can you do it?"

Mark: I smirked. "Easy peasy. I'm a genius after all. But really, guard her? what kind of notorious peoples will even attack this girl?. "

Mr.Julius: "Look at the mirror and you'll see. I assume it would be an easy task for an errant child like you."

Mark: I scrunch my brows "Really now?, I'm being really obedient, yet that last comment doesn't feel like very comfortable at all… would you please cut me some slack, sir? You're really taking these insults too far."

Mr.Julius: "Pardon me in the rude words for your befitting manner, Mark. Besides you're not yet doing anything to be praised nor thanks at the moment, so you'd better start moving you arrogant brat. After that I would gladly offer my utmost appreciation."

Mark: "What, you'll throw a party or something?"

Mr.Julius: "Maybe, I will."

He smiled for a moment then his face stiffened. Usually it's the same face he used when scolding me seriously.…I better shut my mouth now.

Mr.Julius: "Well then…. Let's get back to work. There are so many things we have to do. Just come to my office whenever there's a problem."

Charlotte: "Yes, sir. We're heading out now."

Mr.Julius: "Ms.President-"

Charlotte: "huh?"

Mr.Julius: "I'm grateful for your hard work."

Charlotte: "Thank you, sir"

Mr. Julius silently nod. We left the office and headed for the stairs. I don't like stairs though, but since I wanted to look good in the eyes of the lady maybe I'll consider it.

Mark: "So your the Student Council President, huh? Don't you think you got it tough.?"

Charlotte: "It's not that, bad you know. I like helping out after all."

Mark: "Such noble lies, I didn't know it could be exciting to help the schools issue, while they manipulate you like a dog."

Charlotte: "You know." She stared at me. "You should stop that rude manner. It's difficult to get along with people who always think bad of everything."

Mark: "Uhm… So do you think I'm hard to deal with?"

Charlotte: "I won't say no, for the reason that seeing your conversation with Mr.Julius, who was greatly known as a respectable person. I would presume dealing with you is complicated. So the answer would be… yes, it really seems it's hard to deal with you. B-But I don't think you're a bad person…"

Mark: "Oww… After all that judgment… I'm a little bit stung by those harsh remarks. You hate me or something?"

Charlotte: I don't, besides you were asking and I just stated the truth. If you can't handle it then change for the better.

Mark: "Maybe I'll consider it if it would benefit me."

We both smiled wryly as a sign of resignation of our stubbornness. We reached the first floor where I met Ms. Rachel. I was really hoping to see her again but I guess she won't be here since it's working hours.

Charlotte: "We should probably get going. Just like Mr.Julius said, we have so much thing to do"

Mark: "Maybe we can go to the rooftop and sleep there together until afternoon."

Charlotte: "Rooftop? If you have time for jokes, get ready to go."