Chapter 4: The Aftermath

Monday – Evening

By the time I got out of detention (again), the sun was already setting, which meant two things:

1. I had missed my usual bus home.

2. My mom was definitely going to kill me.

I trudged toward the school gate, half-hoping Rina was waiting outside so I could yell at her for ditching me. But, of course, she was nowhere to be seen. Probably already at home, drinking iced Milo and watching K-dramas like she didn't just ruin my life.

As I walked to the nearest bus stop, my phone buzzed. It was a WhatsApp message from Azri.

Azri: Bro, where u at?? Thought u finish at 4??

I sighed and typed back.

Me: Extra detention. Thanks to Rina.

Azri: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I stared at the message for a long time before replying.

Me: Blocked.

Of course, I didn't actually block him. I just turned off my phone and waited for the next bus, which took forever to arrive. By the time I finally got home, my mom was already standing at the door, arms crossed.

I knew that stance. That was the "You Have 10 Seconds To Explain Before You Lose Wi-Fi" stance.

I took a deep breath. "So, funny story—"

"Mana."

"—I got detention."

I braced myself. A long silence filled the air, and then—

"Another detention?" she said, rubbing her temples. "For what this time?"

I shifted nervously. "Uh… escaping detention?"

Her eyes widened. "You what?!"

"I mean, technically, I tried to escape. I didn't actually succeed."

She sighed. "Mana, why are you like this?"

Good question.

She pointed to the dining table. "No phone. No computer. And you're grounded for a week."

A week? That wasn't too bad—

"Oh, and no PlayStation."

NO. PLAYSTATION.

"Mom, please—"

She held up a hand. "Don't 'Mom, please' me. Go do your homework."

I dragged myself to my room, flopped onto my bed, and stared at the ceiling.

One week of no games. One week of detention. One week of Azri laughing at me.

Being sixteen was suffering.

—Mana, Jan 2017