The Problem Child

This is What I Mean

Charlie was looking at everywhere but at the teacher. It has been almost a minute since the teacher was just standing there and staring at him without saying a word. It was like the looks he sent his way spoke so much more than what words could convey.

Did he expect him to melt away or something?!

With every passing second, Charlie felt the silence unbearable and suffocating.
He could almost hear the clock inside the teacher's room ticking away. All he wanted to do was just run away from there.

After what felt like ages, Mr. Goodman heaved a heavy sigh. And Charlie couldn't help but think that it was a sound of disappointment.

Charlie gulped his dry throat and looked up at the teacher.

"Charlie, I used to speak of you with such great pride" Mr. Goodman spoke, leaning on the table with his arms crossed. "And what have you done?" he sounded like he just lost all the hope he had for this world and it brought an uneasy feeling in Charlie's heart.

Charlie just stared at him without uttering a word.

Another sigh escaped the teacher's lips.

"The last time, McWillus and Hillinger were the ones who were standing right where you are now. I see you hanging out with them lately. They did better this time. Good for them... But what have become of you, Carlton?"

Charlie felt a lump raising to his throat. Never once in his life had he heard a bad remark from his teacher. He had to fight back the tears that threatened to well up in his eyes.

He could no more look at the teacher, so he quickly turned his gaze down to his feet.

"Is something going on with you?" The teacher enquired further.

"No" It came out as a low, broken voice.

The teacher sighed.

"I expect better scores from you, Carlton. Make it up for me the next time"

Charlie pursed his lips and nodded.

"You may take your leave"

Charlie turned around briskly and stepped out of the door. He stopped momentarily as he saw the last person he wanted to see at the moment- Trevor- standing there, leaning his back on the wall.

Trevor has been waiting for a pretty few minutes. He tried listening in, but couldn't hear a thing the teacher spoke.

It wasn't like he wanted to go to class anyway, so he decided to just stand there and wait until Charlie came out.

Eventually he did and Trevor couldn't help but feel a little awkward at the way Charlie looked at him. He looked like he was going to cry.

"Er... Hey" Trevor hesitantly waved, raising an eyebrow.

Charlie felt a wave of emotions flood his mind and anger was one of the many dominants among them. If he could punch a hole through that skull of Trevor, he would.

He just walked away, clenching his jaw and stomping his feet.

Trevor whistled as his head followed Charlie's movement. For some reason, he found the situation funny.

He cocked his head to his side in confusion and strided forward to catch up with the other boy.

"Yo, what happened to the Goldie of the class? Where did all your good scores go?" Trevor asked with a smirk and it only made Charlie have an outburst.

Charlie stopped walking and yelled at Trevor.

"What happened?! I was living a great life, Trevor. And you just had to walk into it and I thought,... Maybe it was getting better. Because you acted like you cared. Like,... You are the one who built my hopes up and now my life is going down-hills... All because of you!"