Weak Threads

Chapter Four: Ezekiel's Performance

"What do you think?" He asked her while he tries to hide her by cornering her. Her eyes were focused on his newly polished shoes. He craned his neck down to look at her, adjusting due the gap of their height. She threw out her arms towards his torso and whispered her gratitude.

"Well, that's all I want to know, Gertrude."

He held her arms away from his body and patted her head before walking away. He checked his watch and fixed his collar as he walks towards the empty halls. He could see that the skies were still bruised in color through the large glass windows across the lockers. He was in the right time wherein he can seek peace from a place designed for thousands of teenagers.

He could order a tea in the rooftop canteen but that would take out necessary time for silent action. His steps became slow as he narrowed towards the maroon door. A gush of cold air greeted him as he opened the door. A man was standing near the jalousie windows, his hands were on his pockets. Even behind, Ezekiel could easily see that he was in his thirties from the growing baldness obvious on his head.

He took a step minute by minute, trying to land each step with silence. He eyed the man's appearance as he goes closer to him. The man stood straight and had broad shoulders. He could see that this man was deep in thought while watching the bruised colored skies fading as brightness overcomes.

Ezekiel paused from taking another step when the man decided to turn around. Ezekiel was right on his assumption. The man was his uncle Ben Stratford, the other teacher in his grade who teaches Math.

"What brings you here, Zeke?" Ben asked, astonished by his sudden appearance. Ezekiel looked at Ben's irises and didn't respond. Ben furrowed his eyebrows and placed his hands on his hips while he waits for Ezekiel's answer.

Ezekiel blinked a few times and thought of any phrase to save the moment. He didn't want him to know or doubt about his intent. He grabbed an armchair and pulled it closer to his back. He sat down and buried his face with his palms.

"I've got a problem, Ben. You can't tell Mom and Dad," he cried and sniffled air out from his nostrils.

Ben scratched his neck and sighed. He looked at the time on his wrist watch and sighed again.

"Perhaps, the teacher I'm going to meet is absent for the day. We could talk about this now. Inform me when you come to me next time."

And by 'teacher' you mean 'student' Ezekiel thought and pressed his lips together, trying not to smirk out of the blue.

"Ben, I'm ga-"

Ezekiel turned around as the door squeaks and reveal Gertrude Angstrom standing. Ben's lips spread out with a grin, he patted Ezekiel's shoulder continuously and clicked his tongue. Ezekiel furrowed his eyebrows and gritted his teeth. Stupid Gertrude was ruining his plan.

"BEN, I REALLY NEED TO TALK RIGHT NOW," Ezekiel shouted and stood up. He raised his palm towards Gertrude, signaling her not to go in.

"Sir, he knows about it and I think this should be stopped," Gertrude blurted out. Ben exchanged glances from the two repeatedly, trying to suppress what was happening. He pressed his lips together and pointed at the door.

"Stay away from my sight, the two of you. We'll talk after my last class." He said silently as he crumples his trembling fist and looks down on his feet.

Ezekiel stormed away from the room and intentionally bumped her. His first plan was ruined just because of some innocent little idiot. He walked through the locker halls and unlike earlier, it was already packed with a few students rummaging on their lockers. Some turned their heads to greet him hello but he decided to ignore them. Triantillegence posters were placed everywhere and some were on the floor. He stepped on one of it and picked it up, although he knew everything about it and he was already a part of it. Hopefully he was going to achieve it for everyone.