c h a p t e r – f i v e

The dinner went very well and fun. We never had this kind of dinner for quite time. Mom prepared one of her delicious recipes for everyone. Add to that is the presence of Ace and his brother which really made every bit of time fun with Ace's lame jokes and Loki's funny stories about his brother. Even the maids sometimes laugh with us when they are serving our foods. They are really comfortable being like that with us since they are like family members to us. We've been inviting them to eat their meals with us but they always decline our offers since they are there to do their jobs and it is very unusual to eat with us, according to them.

When we have finished our meals, everyone decided to stay around the table for some talks while the maids are clearing out our plates.

"Next time, you all should really join us on the table and I won't be taking no as an answer. We have a lot of space for everyone here." Mom said to the maids as they pick up the dishes on the table one by one. Amy, our head house-maid, just gave Mom a very short and awkward laugh as a response. She's always like this shy when we are offering them, especially her even she's working with us for years.

"Head Amy, have you heard what did the male grater said to the female cheese?" Ace once again shoots us again with his puns when the maid already cleaned up the table.

"What did he said?" Head Amy replied with a smile in her face and giggled shortly.

"I know this might sound cheesy, but I think you look grate." Ace replied in character while saying the words. And because of that, everyone burst out again on laughter, and me? I'm just giggling lightly to their reactions to his pun, not to the pun itself.

When Ace stopped giving us his jokes and puns, there was a sudden silence between every one of us. As if everyone is just waiting for someone to speak. I glanced at Mom on the other side of the table and she looked so bothered about something. She has the look of concern in her face as she looked back at me.

"I know this isn't a good time to ask things about this since we're just having fun a while ago and you haven't fully recovered about what happened, but me and you Dad really wanted to know what happened last night." Mom said, still giving me the mixed concerned and sad look. "But— but if you're not comfortable of talking about it right now… we'll—we'll understand." She added while stuttering.

I glanced over Ace who is currently sitting beside me which is also now being serious about what Mom said as if he wanted me to respond to the and tell everything about what happened. With that, I don't think having an excuse to hang the topic would be a good idea. I know from the very start that I won't be able to keep this from them forever, but I've never imagined that this is happening so soon.

I've seen Ace whispered something to his brother and Loki just nodded in response before leaving us in the dining. Ace then look over my direction and gave me a slight smile as a signal that I can now start explaining. I just gave him a small smile and simple nod for supporting me on doing this. I'm also glad that he can be this understanding in serious matters like this even he is that naughty and funny guy who always jokes about things. I really appreciate him being like this.

Before I speak, I've gulped the drink that I have on my goblet. I built my thoughts and courage to construct the words in my head to explain everything that happened to me this past few months and why it ends up this worse.

"It all started last year, actually. Or it just became worse, since some of our classmates are already making fun of me being this nerdy guy." I started with a short but bitter laugh and glanced for a while to Mom and Dad who is intently listening before I take back my attention to the goblet that I've been fidgeting to calm myself even for a bit. "When the Willoughbys transferred to our school and unfortunately became our classmates, they add-up to the people who make fun of me. At first, actually, I didn't mind them like what I've been doing to the others before they came. But as time passes by, their jokes became pranks and worse other things. When this started I actually wanted to handle this by myself and I don't want the both of you to worry about me." I continued but this time I didn't look at my parents to see their reactions.

"Of course we are going to worry about you. We are your parents, and it is our duty to help you with things that are bothering you. Maybe atleast we could report all of them to the school management." Mom said while keeping herself from crying. Dad, on the other hand, is just keeping himself silent while comforting Mom beside him.

"At that time, I told myself and even Ace that I'll be okay in that situation as long as they aren't hurting me, physically. I even get myself prepared and kept several extra set of uniform in my locker since the day that they pranked me and pushed over the pool while in unform. It is really a good thing that I have a waterproof phone back then." I continued telling them my story and still giving them my bitter laugh.

"When that happened, I thought that would be the worst they would do to me but I was wrong. One time, Tyler invited me to their house for some review for the incoming examinations since most of the time they are ditching our classes to go somewhere. That time, I was really clueless of the things that would happen that night and I'm just hoping that they are really just needed me for the review." I paused for a moment and drink from my goblet until it was empty.

"When I arrived from their house, I've discovered that they didn't actually invited me to study. They were half drunk back then. I attempted to ditch them but Ryler have already seen me. They tried to make me drink with them but I managed to refuse to their offers. Not until they got really wasted and became horn-mad. They started shouting and forcing me to drink. When I continued to refuse on drinking, Tyler gave me a very solid punch over my left face which caused me from stumbling on the ground. The other drunken men with them just laughed on what happened to me and poured the strong alcholic drink on my face. They didn't get satisfied and just continue on beating me down. Moments later, when I thought that I was about to pass out, the village security and a cop stopped them. One of the Willoughby's house-maid helped me on standing up and I've found out that she was the one who called the security since Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby are out of the country that time." That time, as I continued, I've seen Mom's tears are now flowing down her cheeks.

"Before the cops return to interview me about what happened, I asked Ms. Maliah, their house-maid, not to tell anyone about what happened and just bring me to the nearest hospital to get treated. I'm glad that she just did what I asked her to do and sent me to the nearest hospital. From then, I asked Ace if I could stay in his place for a week until I recovered. That was the time when I told you that I'll be staying on his place to finish some requirements and to prepare for the incoming examinations." I said and gave my parents a quick glance to see their reaction on my confession.

"During those times, I've convinced him to report them to the guidance office of our school but they just ignored our report and told us that we are just destroying the image of the Willoughbys. After that happened, we've discovered that the guidance counselor is a close relative to the Willoughbys that is why she did that." Ace told Mom and Dad.

"Since then, we just remained silent for what happened because Tyler even threatened us that if we didn't follow what they wanted, he'll be beating us like what happened before. Then yesterday, when they involved the both of you in their jokes, I can't restrain myself doing nothing. I punched him and this happened." I said while gesturing my bruises on my face.

"I'll be calling our lawyer." Mom said while she was wiping the tears in her cheeks. I was about stop her but she was already dialing the number of our lawyer on her phone. Dad also told me to keep quiet and stay on my seat. He wasn't that vocal compared to Mom but when he speaks, you should be following him. That is why I remained seated while trying to stop my shaking hands for what is going to happen next.