Never Ask Never Tell

i

Staring at the old, daunting building, he seemed stunned and almost...fearful? Never thought I'd be back here after the shit that went down last year.

Spotting his friends, he quickly shook the thoughts out of his head, making his way towards them. They hold my last string of sanity at this point.

"Ready for another year at this hellhole?" he asked.

"Eduardo!" it was like a cheer "Never thought you'd be back."

"Mmm...neither did I man, yet I am somehow here."

"How'd they let you in after the stunt you pulled last year?"

"Hell, if I know. My father got a call, told me to pack my shit, and that I'd be leaving in a week. So here I am."

"Well, we're glad you're back." he felt someone shove themselves into his side "..or at least me and Matilda are."

He looked over at Matilda, who looked up from her phone, and gave a (seemingly distracted) smile.

"Oh thanks so much Delilah, my love! That makes me feel so much better!" he mocked, jokingly, of course. He wrapped his arms around the girl.

"Can you really blame us? My old man was on me about it for weeks when we left for the summer."

"To be fair Hamza, you did play a big part in it."

The sound of robes sweeping through the pebbles, and the crackle of heavy footsteps caught the group's attention. They all turned to see the headmaster, a contemptuous man who could never seem to wipe the sneer off his face.

"Well I hope none of you pull such trickery this year!" his German accent was thick, and rather hard to understand at times "This is your second to last year, so pray tell you make it a good one! Especially you Mr Eduardo, understood?"

The small mumbles of "Yes sir." and "We will." left him satisfied.

"Now, on your way!"

At that, the teens stunted. It was only 8:30, and pupils and teachers alike were still saying goodbye to their loved ones. But regardless of their opinions, they simply agreed. Arguing with a man like him would equate to that of arguing with a brink wall; so, all in all, fruitless and would only cause further issues in the future. The man was known to dish out punishment -fair or not- to any student who got on his nerves in the slightest.

They turned away, and were about to walk away when "And be sure to stay out of trouble!"

"We know Mr Hartnäckig!"

The man glared at the boy, before stomping away, ready to terrorise another poor soul, for simply breathing in his general direction (yes, he had indeed done that, though let's keep that story for another time).

The teens sighed and began making their way to the hall, for the annual Welcomers Assembly. Not that anyone enjoyed it, but it was better than whatever bullshit lesson they'd have, starting from the next day.

"Jun Seo! Hey man!"

They spotted their friend, a man (expectedly his father) both talking in quick, short and snappy sentences -in Korean, as the others presumed (rightfully so, might I add).
The boy looked over, and gave a small nod in greeting, before his head was jerked back by the man. He kept his head down, his voice low, not audible to anyone. They exchanged a few more words before, he was shoved away (so harshly that the boy stumbled), and the man composed himself, sat in his car and drove away. As far as anyone could tell there were no tearful goodbyes, no hugs, not even a "See you in the holidays." Not even a fucking goodbye. Nothing.

Ah..Mr daddy issues is returns Yay.
Hamza didn't like the boy much, but he learned to accept him, just as the group had learned to accept him when he first joined.

The boy made his way towards his friends, a small, relieved smile on his face. Well thank fuck, thought the old fucker would keep bullshitting on and on.

"Hey guys..."

Matilda dove into his arms, to which he pulled her close; and held her there. "I've missed you."

"Yeah, me too. I've missed all you idiots."

"You seriously couldn't have come up with a nicer name?" Hamza jeered in annoyance -as per usual. At this the others rolled their eyes.

"Oh is someone offended..." Jun teased "no, no, I mean it as a term of endearment. You know this, how many times must I remind you?"

"As many times as I ask."

"Oh..there comes the witch." Delilah mumbled.

Even from afar, the group spotted Mrs Majo, a witch like woman (entity) as she was often described, whose enjoyment came from making her student's school-life as hellish as her being allowed her. There were tales about her being a witch, who (unfortunately for those students who dealt with her on a regular basis) in her past life was meant to have been burnt as the stake during the Salem Witch Trials, but somehow escaped. It was a common theory that circulated around the school (so don't be so surprised when you hear about it).

"Ah, Ridwan Edward-"

"Eduardo, ma'am."

"Don't interrupt me!" she remanded, sharply as I was saying "Now as I was saying; before I was rudely interrupted! Mr Eduardo, Mr Khalib and the Emsby ladies, please report to Sir Rigoroso, after the Welcomers Assembly. Mr Seo, you are to come and find me after. Is that understood?

She wasn't happy with the nods she received.

"Is that understood?" her glare alone was enough to get an answer out of them.

(Mostly) in unison the group mutters "Yes ma'am."

"Thank you." she rubbed the bridge of her nose, clearly frustrated "Now get to the hall, before you get caught slacking around."

The group began walking away.

"And don't forget Mr Seo."

The boy hurried over, shoving himself into Hamza, clearly vexed about the situation.
"Ah! Calm it!"

"Well I'm sorry, but I'm stuck with the old bitch, while you morons get to prance about in your rooms."

"Don't forget, while you deal with the coon, we have to deal with the drunkard."

"Oh thanks, so much for moral support."

"Just pray we survive, till tonight anyway."

Matilda halted her steps. "What do you mean by that?"

The boys simply smiled, those mischievous, annoying grins.

"Guys..." Delilah had that, motherly look in her eyes.

Ridwan smiled and picked her up, bridal style, planting a kiss on her forehead. "Don't even worry about it, mi amor."

"EVERYONE TO THE HALL NOW! ANYONE GET THERE AFTER THE BELL, AND EXPECT DETENTION WITH SIR RIGOSO FOR A WEEK! AND DON'T ANY OF YOU DARE COMPLAIN! You've been given your warning."

They all quickened their steps, making their way past the crowds of newcomers. "Move over!" they all yell, shoving and elbowing their heads, all the little shits whining and complaining.

This is gonna be a long year...