The Demands of Mrs. Martinez

"Poor Ash... Now, what am I going to do with our project? He is my pair for the presentation tomorrow. Guys, take me with you if you'll visit him in the hospital please?" the small girl stated. She gave the group a questioning look and waited for any of them to respond.

"Yeah, we will visit him later, after class. Just come with us. But, it's better if you'll find a different partner. He will not be here tomorrow," another boy from the same group quickly suggested. 

"I almost forgot about the presentation tomorrow! You can join our group. Ash had it bad. It may take a month for him to heal. Tsk!" 

"Shhh, tone it down, man!" the one with messy hair stated. His eyes shifted in Stephen's direction. 

With this signal, his friends quickly understood that their conversation may be overheard by Stephen and they may offend him. All of his friends nodded at him. They sat straight and directed their eyes to their teacher.