Family, Love, And Friendship

Decision & Loss

While we waited for the adults to make a decision on what to do with me. Kei got a call when he  looked at the caller ID. It was the military, we silently looked at each other knowing that this likely wasn’t going to be good news. I put my hand on his, as he answered “hello is this Kei?” “yes it is” “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but your older brother Al has passed away from his injuries, we tried our best but it just wasn’t enough to save him” “no, no, no, NO, it can’t be, this isn’t happening, he’s not gone he can’t be, No, Al” “I’m sorry, but he’s gone” Kei broke down into tears,  and the hand holding the phone dropped to his lap, he went silent and hung up. He just sat  there sobbing. I pulled him into a hug, and let him cry into my shoulder. The adults finished while I  held him. The truth was, my parents didn’t know about Al being injured, only Ezrin knew that part.  The Principal came to get me, but when he saw me holding Kei who was sobbing uncontrollably  and the phone in his lap, he picked up that something had happened. Since Kei couldn’t say I did.  “his older brother Al, who has been serving in the military for 2½ years now, was badly wounded,  and Kei just got the call that he has died due to his injuries” “I understand, but you’re needed back in the other room, to hear the final decision” Kei I.. I need to go back to the other room, but I’ll be right back ok?” “o...ok” I let him go and followed the principal back to the other room, I sat back down where I was before. “as you know, we have been talking to determine the correct plan of action moving forward” “I understand, but can we please make this quick, I need to get back to  Kei, he needs me right now” “Understood, then I’ll get right to the point, our decision moving  forward is to expel the older student, and suspend you for the 2 weeks outside of school, we have  reached this decision because of the circumstances surrounding this incident, and your showing  genuine heart of character, you care very much for Kei, and that came across loud and clear, you  care for him so deeply, that when you saw him being hurt, you snapped trying to protect him, and  the fact that, even when keeping the secret caused you so much anguish, you still kept it, even  when facing trouble with the law, you didn’t falter until you were granted permission by the person who’s secret you were keeping, to reveal it, this ability to trust you with even the worst and most painful secrets, is a very rare but valuable trait, and 1 that deserves great respect” Thank you, now not to be rude, but may I go now?” “yes, you may, I will finish talking with your parents and  teachers, then you will be free to return home” “alright thank you” I then return to Kei’s side and  tell him the good news, that I’m not being expelled just suspended, and that the student who hurt  him is being expelled” a small sad smile forms on his face at this news, he then hugs me and I hold him until it’s time to leave and go home.