Issues

"Hey, Thomas. What's the problem? "Forrest said of Thomas as he gazed attentively at the noticeboard announcing that the school will host New Year's Eve 2021.

"Oh, nothing. This announcement was caught my attention", Thomas said, pointing to the announcement.

"This is so cool that the school had a New Year's Eve celebration! Whether or whether the program should be followed is up for debate. We'll come if we have to. As a result of my preference for outdoor parties over those at home", Katrina chimed in, "I'm sorry," she said because of the excitement.

"I don't know," Piper added, "we're just waiting for the principal to make a statement."

"Hm, alright," Katrina said as she walked away from the three of them.

"Wait a minute! Kat!", Forrest pursued Katrina.

Meanwhile, Thomas and Piper are on their own. Thomas saw Piper's sorrowful expression as a result of Katrina's demeanor toward her.

"Are you all right?" Thomas inquired.

"It's OK. You know, it's not uncommon for couples to argue", Piper responded with a sigh.

Forrest and Katrina appeared to be waiting for them in the cafeteria. He noticed Katrina and Piper's glum expression on their faces. He then sent Thomas a text message while gazing him in the eye.

Forrest: What's with those two?

Thomas: They appear to be at odds with one other.

Forrest: Why?

Thomas: Maybe because of the issues this morning.

Forrest: What issues?

Thomas: Didn't you notice?

Forrest: No.

Thomas: Oh, don't you know?

Forrest: I swear, I don't know.

The bewildered look on Forrest's face came from the fact that he had no idea what was going on between Piper and Katrina.

Thomas: Piper is concerned about you and offers you a tissue.

Forrest: Oh, that issue. Why should such a quandary be a problem?

Thomas: I don't know.

Forrest: Okay, I'll talk to Katrina later.

Thomas: Don't do it.

Forrest turned off his smartphone and went back to his meal. Thomas had no choice but to submit to Forrest's will. The four students returned to class after a meal was served to them. Ella was seated on Thomas' chair when they came in class.

"Hey, Thomas. Do you want to sit here?", Asked Ella.

"No, I'm not. If you wish to sit, go ahead and do so. I'm only looking for a place to store my phone under the table.", said Thomas.

"Hey, Tom, can I talk to you alone for a minute?" Piper asked, tapping Thomas on the shoulder.

Thomas bowed and then left the table, leading Alex to believe that Thomas had a crush on someone else. Then, when she observed Ella's anxious expression, she replied, "El, don't worry. Thomas was only trying to aid his friend, and nothing more than that. Why should you care about that?"

"They are, nevertheless, quite near."

"Yes, I am aware of this. So you're possessive of Thomas, El. Remember how you urged him to leave you alone?" Alex persuaded Ella that she was the one who wanted to be kept away from Thomas.

To my increasing dismay, Thomas began to show an increasing interest in women other than me. - Ella.

"Be aware, El. Please, don't be possessive with your partner or yourself. Thomas will become your possession if you worry about him enough."

Is it true that I have Thomas under my control? - Ella.

"Yeah, you are correct. I'm the one who told him to stay away from me."

"Your ideas have become so distorted that you are unable to tolerate sharing things or persons with whom you are infatuated. Even though no one is free from the grasp of possessions in our world since everyone has something in his life. Even your own body, which is filled by the spirit, is a symbol of ownership."

Ella felt possessive as she realized what Alex had said was true.

~~~

Meanwhile, Thomas and Piper are looking at each other outside the classroom.

"What do you want to discuss, Pip?"

"I'm at a loss for what to do with Katrina; she's like a child who has to be escorted by her mother, you know what I mean?"

"I see what you're saying."

"I was thinking..."

"Pip, I don't think you'll want to end your relationship with her. That's a bad idea to do it.", Piper was forbidden by Thomas to break up with Katrina.

In addition, Thomas continued to make his case "Katrina, on the other hand, is perhaps the size of a little kid. Consequently, I hope that you do not end your relationship with this woman."

"Okay, I'll do my best to be with her till the end. Tom, thank you for your support." Thomas was hugged by Piper.

"Pip, thank you for your kind words. Those are the purposes of having a buddy."

Suddenly, they were startled by a loud noise "Greetings, sweethearts! Come to class as soon as possible, I have something important to say!"

What lovebirds? We are just friends... - Thomas.

The teacher followed Piper and Thomas inside the classroom.

"Good afternoon, students," says the teacher.

"Good Afternoon, sir," the students all said at the same time.

"Uh, what is this?" murmured Forrest to Thomas.

"Forrest, I'm not sure. He seemed to be trying to communicate with us."

"So, students... Because the COVID-19 virus has become more severe, we want to cancel New Year's Eve at school."

Students became dissatisfied all of a sudden, making the classroom environment raucous.

"Not only that, but the school is up to here today. You're going to start deploying an online learning system tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, sir. We're understand."

Kring... Kring... Kring... Kring...

"Alright, you're free to go home."

School is over for the day and the students are go home.

~~~

Thomas arrives safely at his house, where Forrest is driving him home. While heading towards his house, Thomas noticed Ella strolling with her buddy, Alex. Thomas and Ella are neighbors, in addition to being childhood friends. Ella noticed Thomas from afar and waved her hand, understanding she was greeting him.

Thomas extended his hand to Ella as well.

Mother and Maya had gone to work, so it was quiet at home. Thomas then went to take a shower and get ready for lunch.

Mom, what are you making today? Let's have a look... - Thomas.

There are numerous side dishes on the table, one of which being Thomas' favorite delicacy, Cream eggs on toast. The components are toast or biscuits topped with béchamel sauce gravy and chopped cooked eggs. Various spices, including as black pepper, garlic powder, celery salt, Worcestershire sauce, sherry, chopped parsley, and/or chopped green onions, are frequently added to the broth. A sprinkle of paprika or chilies is commonly used as a garnish to many meals coated in light-colored sauces.

That's great! - Thomas

Thomas enjoys his favorite foods as well.

Kring…

Kring…

Kring…

When Thomas looked to see who sent the message, he discovered that Piper was the one who had done so.

Piper: I... Failed, Thomas.

Thomas: Failed? Why did it fail?

Piper: It's just me and Katrina....

Thomas: Please don't tell me you're going to—-

Piper: We split up.

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.

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To Be Continued...