XIII:  Assignment  

Class continued throughout the day smoothly. Lewis and Matthew were not able to talk much in class as they were seated far from each other. Liam had his own world going on along with different people meanwhile, Lewis had his too.

Lewis kept pondering whether or not he will really show Matthew his scrapbooks. Those are Lewis' most precious treasures. They helped him cope with his anxiety and loneliness. The company of pets can go only so far. He wanted to escape and be free from all of the things that makes him upset and tired.

He just wanted a break.

He also made a matching journal from each scrapbook he made. The entries filled his experiences, observations, and feelings. Through writing, he expressed all the suppressed emotions he tried to hide.

Personal would be the greatest understatement his journals and scrapbooks were.

The teacher fixed his books and cleared his throat. "This assignment comes with two things. Which one would you prefer to hear first?

The class almost in sync. "The good news first."

The teacher chuckled. "Well, typical of you choosing the good first. Well, it is due five months from now which means you will submit this during the examination week. Now the bad part," He flipped his notebook to the page which he bookmarked. "The assignment's title is Know Me to Know You. Meaning, yes, it is by pair and no, I will be the one to choose who is your partner for this. And yes, this is 15 percent of your grade so do not ever think of taking this lightly."

The class let out a number of sighs and grudges. "The reason for this assignment is because your mental health is important and establishing a good connection from the people you least expect will reside inside the innermost part of heart."

It was his turn to sigh. "We all know what happened to him and the feeling it has brought us. This is the time where we should think outside what we know and acknowledge what you are feeling inside and who you want to become."

'Ah, him.' The him in this context is the student who died because of suicide. He is no other than the son of the of principal. He is gay and the principal refused to accept it. The rumors Lewis heard was he was beaten so bad that he had to wear sweaters despite the weather. He was also sent to attend some shady conversion therapy which just added fuel in the fire.

He hanged himself inside the principal's office after being gone overnight only for him to be discovered pale and cold with the noose wrapped tightly around his neck. As much as his father wanted to believe it was no more than lie. Tears cannot bring back the dead, nor apologies, and pleads.

Principal Rowe not only lost his son but also his wife and sanity. After his wife found out the suicide note inside her dead son's pocket, she was beyond furious. Her husband lied that he went out camping with friends instead he was sent to hell on earth – conversion camp.

His life was in jeopardy but after some time he managed to get himself together and worked the same way he did. Months after his son died, he approved of the LGBT club which Liam is a part of and he made it a subject that guidance counselling should be included in the curricula.

The teacher stated the pairs. Some are lucky and some were dreading. "Now, down to our last two pairs. Manson and Pierre. Walters and uh, oh! Walters and Harris."

Matthew expected to be called last since he is fairly new to the class but ending up with Lewis as his partner is jackpot. He will not bother himself being all touchy-feely with some stranger in class.

'Thank God. The universe really is on my side today.' Matthew thought. The teacher intentionally paired up Lewis and Matthew because he saw them going home together. He lived in the same direction as them so it was not much as a surprise.

"This is all for today. I expect a full-on detailed narrative with pictures of the both of you together. This assignment is a minimum of 20 pages. And no, that is nonnegotiable and yes, I will really read them all because let's face it. I am also your guidance counsellor. We read a lot of stuff."

He is the type of teacher to answer questions before they are even asked. He is a straightforward fellow. Every teaching and non-teaching staff respect him because of that. He exited the room and the complains erupted like a volcano.

As much as they hate it, they have no choice but to comply.