All The Arts That We're Not

Chapter 46

Arkin

Arkin had been staring down his paper for he doesn't know how long. They were asked with only with question but Arkin couldn't write an answer on his paper. He's  got the same question for a very long time now but it was just today that he's got so perplexed by the question; what they would take for college.

Final exam's fast approaching and so as the application for college. But it didn't fell like it for Arkin.

"Are you done now?" Arkin looked up to see Mrs. Hemsley who's now standing infront of him. He looked around and realize he's the only one left. "Take your time, I'll wait—" She didn't get to finish to her words when Arkin extended his paper.

A moment of silence occured as Mrs. Hemsley looked down to his paper who's got nothing in it. Arkin didn't wait for Mrs. Hemsley to talk as he made his way out the room.

Suddenly, he paused when someone grab his arm from behind. He looked over his shoulder and figure it was Jenny.

"Can I talk to you for a moment."

Once they settled to the bleachers, Arkin stayed quiet as he waits for what Jenny wants to say.

"I heard Zeke's not been attending his class lately."

"Why does it matter to you? Aren't you glad you've spread the whole campus about him." Arkin spoke, keeping his eyes straight to nowhere.

"I felt terribly sorry for Zeke." Jenny squeezes her hands together, and is now looking down. "I know I had been selfish and I realize that I had went to far. And I mean it."

"Then why'd you it anyways? Are you even aware how'd you made his life a mess as much as it was already. Now that everyone knows about it, do you think that changes anything and you think you've succeeded?" Arkin take a pause to breath and to calm himself.

"I'm sorry."

Arkin sniggered. "I don't really need an apologies nor does Zeke. And I guess it really doesn't matter to Zeke anymore. Now, people could hate him without hiding anything anymore."

Jenny couldn't hold back the tears any longer and just let it slid down her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry. It's  really not my intention to make his life miserable. I know was wrong, I should've done such thing. It's just that, I had been very eager thinking how I could be able to help without thinking how it affected people."

"Then why'd you still do it?"

"Because I wanted to keep my promise to Harold." She spoke and finally able to look Arkin in the eyes. "Harold's my bestfriend. I would not forget that day, he had told me how thankful he is to you that day you stood up for him. I just know how he meant it it, when he says it was the first time someone had stood up for him and he would always be thankful for that."

Arkin blinked several times as he take in what Jenny is saying. "Few days before he took his own life, how he wanted to return your kindness and how he wanted to protect you but, he doesn't know how and then I thought about this. But it looks like my way wasn't really a good idea." She let out a bitter laugh at the end of her sentence while Arkin take another time to process what she said.

Arkin knew there's a reason why Jenny did that, he just not expected it would be like this.

"You know what? Everyone could stood up for anyone. I wasn't strong nor am I confident but I did do what I have to. I'd  still stood up for Harold if I have to and I know you'd do the same thing but, sometimes you would have to think of yourself before you could think for other people and how you might have caused them."