Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

chapter 39: 'I can explain'

"Did you know Samuel was actually framed?" Michael asked on our way back to the hostel the next day.

Today was for English language and physics. It was quite an interesting day because I got to experience a student being caught in the act of cheating.

Samuel was a very timid looking boy with glasses. He never spoke to anyone except for when he needed to take excuse to go to the toilet. The exams made everyone jittery, but he was always quiet, calm and collected.

But today, he seemed different.

On the way in, I could notice him shoving pieces of paper into his clothes. He thought no one would spot him but he was wrong.

As soon as the exam started, the invigilator walked over to his seat and ordered him to bring out the pieces of paper he had hidden.

He must've spotted him too like I did.

I didn't support his wrongdoing but I couldn't help but wonder how stupid he must've been to keep the papers in his clothes right in front of the exam classroom when he could've done so right from the hostel.

"There's nothing on me, sir." He said, his voice shuddering. The fear was obvious in his voice.

"Young man, don't let me scatter your head with cane, bring out the papers now!" The invigilator threatened.

In defeat, he brought out many rumpled pieces of paper from his underwear. He kept dipping his hands into his bosom and bringing out more and more papers that I thought he had a whole book in there.

Soon enough, he had brought out all the cheats with him, and the invigilator led him to the vice principal's office.

"Why do you say so?" I asked.

"The papers he was holding did not contain his class syllabus, but that of our class"

"So someone in our class probably forced him to do it." I said , realising that that was the reason the whole thing didn't sit right with me. I didn't really know Samuel but I knew he wouldn't do something like that of his own accord.

"Yup, it's quite sad, now he would face the consequences alone because he can't rat the 'seniors' out." Michael replied.

"But can't you do something? You're in the student Council for that reason right?"

He sighed.
"It doesn't work that way, doyin"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's okay to report your classmates to the school board for something they did but not when it has to do with a junior."

"So, skipping classes isn't allowed but framing a junior is?"

"I'm afraid so"

"That's just unfair"

We walked past the school field, and I noticed some balls on the ground. Just then, an idea struck my mind.

"Come, let's make a deal". I said grabbing his hands.

"Wh-what deal?" He said, dumbfounded.

I dragged him all the way to the field. I let go of his hands and picked up a ball.

As we were walking past and my eyes fell on the balls on the field, my mind quickly traveled back to a couple months ago, when nurse temilade advised me to make enough memories to warm me up in the future.

The term was almost over and we would all go home for Christmas break immediately after the exams. Then, I would have to wait till next year to do anything worth remembering with my friends. That didn't sound right to me.