BETRAYED💔

CHAPTER 6:CUT OUT

~9 MARCH 2016~

"Isn't it suppose to lay slimy,jelly-like eggs in big amounts?"
"That can be the answer if they said the only frog but the question asks about the Suriname toad,"
"How do Suriname frogs--or toads lay eggs?"
"See here, Petunia. The Suriname toad's eggs are kept under the skin at the lower part of the toad's body. Tadpoles will grow and come out of the skin,"
"Ouch! That must be painful,"
"Yeah,"

   After endless confusion and discussions, Petunia and I finally finished our Science homework. We were sitting together at my table in the classroom. We sat separately this year--our teacher changed a few people's places. Now was a free period so we decided to do our Science homework.

  Our exams were coming up and I was scared and nervous about how I will do my exam. Next year, I will be sitting for my major exam, so I have to start working harder now. Mum even put me to tuition classes. I had to go to two different tuitions.

"Are you coming to tuition tonight?"
"Have to.No choice,"
"She didn't give any homework, did she?"
"Nope, she didn't,"

  Later that day, I got ready for tuition. My classes start at 7:30 p.m. and the time now was 6:30 p.pm.Dad sent me to tuition. I took off my shoes and entered the room. The tuition was attached to the principal's house. She runs a kindergarten too. Her house is just beside the tuition centre. Some students were already there when I reached. Mrs Hearthens were our teacher. She teaches all primary school students from Standard 1 to Standard 6. There are actually two sessions---afternoon and evening. I was taking evening sessions. There are only six students my age. Including me.

Since we were Standard 5 students, our place was at the two rows in the back on the right side of the classroom. I took my seat in the centre of the first-row table--between Petunia and Jane. Daisy sat on Jane's right. It was Maths that day so I took out my Maths exercise book and start continuing it.

"Which page are you on?" Petunia asked me.
"I'm on page 49.You?"
"Same,"
"Didn't  she tell she wants us to enter a new topic together?" Jane asked.
"I think so,"
"All the Standard 5 pupils, bring your Maths book," Mrs Hearthens called us to the front.

We stood around her table as she started teaching us the new topic. She gave us a few examples and ask us to do a few pages. We all went and sat at our places. We had to go together to discuss so we waited for each other to finish.

"Hey, Rita," Drake called me. He was sitting behind me.
"Yes?"
"How did you do question number 4?"
"Page?"
"Fifty-four,"
"Oh, it's simple," I said as I explained it to him.

After everyone was done, we stood in line to get our books marked. I was standing in between Petunia and Mark, a year 4 pupil. "Hello, sis," he said as I greeted him back and we had a small talk. Petunia joined now and then. She, Daisy and Jane were busy talking to a guy a year older than us. His name was Samuel. He comes to tuition with his cousin, Ben and both of their younger brothers.

I've not talked to him much but I've talked to his and his cousin's brothers. Both boys are the same age as Mark and were quite fun to talk to. Our turns came soon as we surrounded the teacher's table again. Since I was first, Mrs Hearthens took my book to mark while the others check their work themselves and Mrs Hearthens will sign it later.

"When is your exam?" Mrs Hearthens asked.
"Next week, teacher," Petunia and Jane chorused.
"For all of you? Drake?"
"Yes, teacher. It's the same date,"
"Then, we'll just do revisions today,"
"Okay, teacher," we chorused.

~~17 MARCH 2016~~

Finally, the first exams have finished. We won't be studying for the rest of the day since we just finished our exam but I'll have to go for Choral Speaking practice. Yes, I joined this year too. After recess, I went back to class to pack my belongings before going for practice.

"Is the practice till the end of school hours?" Petunia asked.
"I guess so,"
"When is the competition?"
"Next month,"
"Then, yeah. Mrs Rendall will make you practice for hours,"
"Hmm. Not gonna deny it. She is obsessed with winning,"

The practice was hell. Mrs Rendall didn't let us take any proper rest. My throat was getting sore. Finally, the bell rang indicating the end of school hours. All the students have started to slowly come out of their classes, ready to go home. I could see Petunia, Daisy, Jane, Denise and Tina standing near the stairs. "Okay, girls. We will continue to practise tomorrow," Mrs Rendall said as we took our bags to go back home.

Days after days passed with endless practices. We had gotten our exam results and I feel like I am slowly dropping. I have to get back on track. "Okay, girls. Time's up. Continue," Mrs Rendall said. Grace sighed beside me as I chuckled at her reaction. We got back to our positions and started practice again.

~~26 APRIL 2016~~

The day of the Choral Speaking competition arrived. We took a bus from our school to reach the venue. We were the eleventh group to perform. Since we had quite a lot of time left to perform, we decided to have lunch first. I wasn't feeling well for a week. I had a cough and sore throat but it was slowly getting better.

Mum had to get to work so she couldn't stay longer to watch the performance. She sat with me while I was eating. Since I shouldn't eat spicy food because of my sore throat---and the food was the usual spicy chicken with rice and some vegetables, Mum opened the plastic containing the spicy chicken and added only a little bit of it for me and continued looking at her phone after I fed some for her.

The competition finished and we reached our school. As usual, we were first. I am pretty sure practices for the State Level will be tougher than this. Even the last time we got second place for the State level, Mrs Rendall wasn't so happy about it.

~~28 APRIL 2016~~

Two days after the competition, Mrs Rendall called all the choral speakers to the assembly hall. We all gathered and Mrs Rendall started telling us about the State Level Choral Speaking Competition.

"So, girls, you know the State Level competition is coming up,"
"Yes, teacher," we chorused.
"Okay, so we will start our practice after next week. And about the recent competition, I had told you guys a few things, right? And I did tell you guys if you didn't listen, I would have to cut you out,"
"Yes, teacher,"
"First, you guys did not behave when we won. You guys jumped like monkeys. Second, you guys were looking at your phones most of the time instead of watching the other choral speakers perform. And third, I did tell you guys not to act like babies and behave if your parents are there. I guess you were pampered well enough, Rita,"
"Teacher?"
"Your mother came to see you and I saw her feeding you. Are you a small baby for her to feed you?"
"She didn't feed me, teacher,"
"Stop arguing and talking back to you teacher? You are trying to say that we are lying?"
"Teacher, but---"
"Stop it! You are not part of the group for the State Level and that's final,"

After a few more discussions and scolding, she let us go. Once I reached my class, Petunia asked about what happened. I told her everything and she was confused.

"Mum didn't even feed me,"
"Why do these three English teachers hate you so much?"
"Tell me about it. I wasn't feeling well and I shouldn't eat spicy food, so Mum put only a little bit of chicken for me since there was nothing else and I don't know how much I could have and we were talking normally, not even often,"
"It's okay, Rita. Think of the advantage. We have more time to study and you don't have to pressure yourself during practice,"
"You are right though. I can spend more time with you guys instead and don't have to leave classes early for practices,"

I went home and told Mum I was no longer in the Choral Speaking group and told her the reason Mrs Rendall said. Mum said it was a stupid reason and not to worry. "Just concentrate on your exams. You'll be sitting for a major exam next year," she said.

That night, I laid on my bed, hugging my plushie as I thought about my day. I knew the things with my teachers wouldn't end. My gut feeling was saying so. I just hope whatever grudge my teachers have with me, wouldn't affect my studies.