Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine 

"She's back." 

"Look that demon that almost killed..." 

"Who knows what she must have had with liam" "She's the girl in that picture!" 

"I heard she was his girlfriend. The b*tch got dumped!"

"Who knows..." 

"She should have been expelled. Why is she here?" "We should be more careful in this school..." 

My face reddened as I walked through the crowd of bodies at the school aisle. I spent two weeks at home (Jude extended it). l had the worst days of my life, yet I have no hope of any better. I deserve all this, don't I? 

Liam is better and back at school. The leaked photo have been erased from the corrupt memory of the school committee. Mr. Kam promised that the news would have cleared off by the time I resumed. But do students really forget? Returning to this school might be the hardest thing Jude kam has subjected me to. I felt like it was my grave. Like I was returning to my escaped death. How else can I live in a school where I have no image, no good image at all?! 

I tried to focus my mind on where I was going, my class, it's three rooms to the left, on the fourth floor. The words they threw at me, I expected more. I just wasn't ready for any. When I stepped into the class, all eyes fell on me, also expected. I managed to take a few steps. I had a letter in my hands, written for Liam. He was at the far end of the room, two seats before mine. He looked good-- I mean, no bandages or plasters as I have pictured In my dreams. He's well but he had a scornful look on his face that made all the confidence I had in me fade away. I stalled myself and walked to my seat. The class was unusually quiet. I didn't care. I ripped the letter into pieces and poured it remains in my locker and buried my head in it. I wanted to behave like nothing happened. I wanted to live the rest of my life in school as a loner, alone, quiet, peaceful. My plans were to: attend classes only; stay put in class during lunch break and prep; no clubs, no chats, no troubles, try to be a

'student', listen during lessons and attempt homework. Great resolutions huh? They were funny to me. I just made them anyways. 

Damien walked into the class, then a teacher, our Literature teacher, Master Donald. We settled down after greeting. I reminded myself of all my plans in a few seconds. I was probably the first to place my textbook on the desk. The teacher instead of carrying along with my serious vibe began with chit chat. 

"Glad to have you back Paige!"He waved. I nodded. The class jeered. 

"Quiet!"He hushed them. "We all know what time of the school year it is. It's mid term. I hope everyone has seen the notice board." 

I scolded myself for not checking. Not my fault though, I couldn't have if I wanted to. 

"I like this time of the year the most. Where I have all my trouble makers under one roof. The boarding house awaits you all." 

An applause erupted through the class while I tried to explain to myself what he just said. 

Boarding House? I've heard rumours about compulsory boarding school for final year students and I forbidded it immediately. This can't be real. 

"It's going to be fun though. We would be on an excursion this year. "He paused. "I'll safe the details. You should read the information posted on the notice board if you haven't. It's not an holiday so I will give a project. Fifty marks..." 

The class gasped. Fifty marks?!

"It's not an easy one. I will mark based on your work. There's no specific question or problem to solve. I'll give you a theme and you'll create a work worth your fifty marks. Get it?" "Yes sir."We echoed. 

"Damien, how many students are in your ckass?"He asked. "Twenty one." 

"So groups of three would do. Each group would have different theme. Make use of all literary devices you know to create your work. "He paused. "And I have another... One project can't give you fifty mark. There's another. Let's make the groups first." 

"Hmmm, ratio of boys to girls?" 

" eight boys, thirteen girls. " 

"Well, that's two girl in a group then." 

He started to call out names from the register, making perfect groups of three. Until, he got to Paige Kam, then everything looked wrong. 

"Waooo, we have only two students left. Why?"He scratched his head. 

"You forgot me, Master Donald." Damien who was lost in the crowd of students at the front of the class, putting down names, pointed out. 

"Oh... Then we have the last group. Liam, Paige. Kindly step out. And Damien. You make group seven." 

I wanted to vomit. I felt like it was a dram. I'm back to this guys again. What the fuck?! 

"Worst group!" 

"Mac donald, you making big mistake!" 

"Sworn enemies!" 

The class jeered. I didn't notice how the guys looked because I couldn't look at their faces. I didn't have the guts. I was just...quiet.

"Keep all your mouths shut!"Mr. Donald shrieked. "One more word from you and I deduct twenty marks from your mark and your group members' " 

That helped. 

"I do not teach my students only literature in english. Especially, final year students like you. There's a lot you need to know, a lot you need to discover about yourself before youet into the world -- that crazy world. Fortunately, I've made the best groups, no one, I mean no one, should come to me asking for a change of group member. It's not allowed. Learn to work together. Each group would present one work. Your work must be unique and original." 

He gave each team, a theme. Ours was "What if nature feels?" Wierd. Even to my hears. 

"Then the second project."He cleared his throat. "It's not related to the subject I teach but it's important. Since we have an excursion this year, you all will have to do something... I'll give out fifty dollars to each group..." 

"Master Mac!"They hailed. 

"Quiet! I meant it when I said I'll deduct marks. Each group is expected to make the minimum of five time the capital as profit. You know what I mean then. Make an investment, any kind. All I care about is your return" 

"That's impossible!" 

"Nothing is impossible. There's so much power in team work. Good day class."He left. 

There's power in team work... 

Do I even have a team?! 

Why do I see failure smiling at me?!