Justin, the Hero

'Justin was a great rugby player. A true sportsman. A talent in the making,' said Mr. Regwizini, the Math teacher. It was the Math period but he had decided to hold a short "memorial" for Justin. He sat at the edge of his desk, his arms folded as he stared mysteriously onto the floor as though he was looking at Justin's corpse directly.

'Is he dead?' Sineas whispered into Clarissa's ear curiously.

She shook her head. She looked serious in her pink velvet blouse.

'Wherever he is, I know he is safe. He is definitely safe,' continued Mr. Regwizini, 'and he shall return again to Malrich and continue to do us proud.' He allowed a brief moment of silence. 'Is there anyone else who would like to share something about Justin as well?' he asked, his eyes perusing through the class.

A girl balancing on wooden crutches stood up and headed towards the front of the class, taking her sweet time while the rest of the class bowed their heads in silence. Her right leg was in a cast. Sineas actually felt more pity for her than Justin. Besides, who said Justin was dead anyway?

Clarissa sighed softly in boredom. 'How long is this going to take?' she whispered to Sineas but her eyes were on the girl. 'I don't think he's dead. He's probably run off with some second-rate skank.'

'But didn't you say that you were worried about him before?'

'I am, Sineas, but the guy's only been gone for two days and people are already acting like the president's been assassinated.'

'Well, he was the school president, wasn't he?' Sineas asked.

She laughed softly. 'You're hilarious, Sin.'

The girl with the crutches rambled on and on about when she first met Justin, about how he had once given her sage advice about making friends and how to follow your dreams…

Sineas cast a sideways glance at Clarissa. He took it back. He threw it again. He cleared his throat. 'Uh…uh, Clarissa?'

'Yeah?' she did not look at him.

'You eat, right?'

'What?' she asked looking confused and bored.

'I mean tonight…'

Someone walked through the door. It was the principal, Mr. Stanley. Ned Stanley as Aunt Janice had revealed to Sineas when she commanded him to go see Doctor Jacob. He had a clean haircut and sideburns and he was wearing a black suit. Probably average quality. On his feet was a pair of expensive looking black formal shoes. As soon as he walked through the door, Mr. Regwizini clapped his hands for the crutches girl and the entire class joined in. She walked back to her seat.

'Morning, boys and girls,' said Mr. Stanley. He had a very serious looking face. 'Soon after lunch, there will be a gathering in the gym classroom or as some of you call it; the basketball court. Most of the teachers and I have agreed to hold a "get home safe" gathering for Justin Foyer. I understand he is a model student and I think this is befitting of someone of his position. It's not compulsory and those who wish not to attend can go home soon after lunch. But we strongly encourage you to attend. Justin's family would be comforted to know that the entire school is thinking of their son.' The principal's eyes made contact with Sineas but only for half a second.

He looked aside. Did Mr. Stanley intend to tell the whole world that he was seeing a shrink? Or had he done so already? Maybe in the staffroom, when the whole bunch of them shared tea and biscuits and found nothing else to talk about.

'Furthermore…' the principal continued, 'do not be alarmed if, in the near future you may see the police walking around the school premises or even showing up at your homes. It won't imply that you're suspects. The police may need to question you concerning his favourite hangout spots, places he would go to in times of trouble, people who may have wanted to harm him. These questions would obviously be asked his friends.'

'Harm Justin?' one boy whispered to another. 'Only a fool would try to mess with someone like him.'

'Anyway, continue to work hard and make Malrich High proud.' The principal smiled at the students, nodded at Mr. Regwizini then left the room.

'Well, that was entertaining,' Clarissa said chewing on the blunt end of her pencil. She turned to Sineas. 'What is it that you were asking me about? Eating, was it?'

He laughed, embarrassed. 'Never mind…it was nothing.'

'You sure?'

'Yes,' he nodded quickly.