A Second Chance

Part 7 - Shot by Cupid

Disclaimer: I edited this video from it's original music. I grab Aldub 9th monthsary dance prod and the song from High school Musical Movie). Credit to the original owners.

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Richard is a little distracted. He half listens to Ms. Cassy's questions. He feels guilty for not being able to return the book to Nicomaine that's why he didn't hear his name being called until someone elbowed him...'Y-yes Ms. Cassy...' Richard sat up straight.

'Mr. Faulkerson...you seemed to be a little distracted? Did you review? She asks

'Yes Ms. I did' Richard replied

'ok let's see...' she walks back and forth at the front thinking for a question to ask him. Let it be easy...let it be easy...he chanted...

Ms. Cassy then paused and look at him...'Apartheid...from what country was it derived from? Do you know what Apartheid means, Mr. Faulkerson?' 'Uhmm...' sh**t! I've read it...I know I've read it. He began to panic.

Ms. Cassy was distracted by someone at the door...'Hold on to that thought, Mr. Faulkerson'.

Whew! God bless that person! He look at the door but didn't see the person Ms. Cassy is talking to. He immediately texted Sam to ask the answer to the question. He was looking down and typing on the keypad when a shadow fell on him...

Patay! He said to himself. He looked at the black shoes....his eyes moved slowly upward while he said...'Ms. I'm sorry my phone beeped. I was just checking if it is from my m...om...' he was looking at those eyes the moment he finish his sentence.

'W-wha...' he didn't finish the word. She's in front of him. Half of the day he was looking for her and now she's in front of him!

He wanted to laugh out loud but that would be crazy. Instead, he made a poker face but deep inside he's jumping up and down.

They look at each other in the eye for about 10 seconds, but it feels like a minute or so, he thinks. Out of the blue, she leaned her arms out on his desk. their eyes now leveled, she whispered 'separateness in Africa'...but he heard her loud and clear...what did she say?

She speak again in a loud voice 'my book please'....

He was mesmerized by her voice. His hand, with a life on its own reach out beneath his desk and grab her book while his eyes never leaving hers. She reach out for the book, stood straight and went out. She said thank you to Ms. Cassy at the door who is still talking to someone. Richard look out the window. It was her friend, Sandra or something who was with her and who was talking to Ms. Cassy while she gets her book from Richard. Is she alright? Why is Sandra assisting her? He wondered.

He was still looking out the window when Ms. Cassy called his attention again...'Mr. Faulkerson...as I was saying...from what country Apartheid is derived from and what does it mean?'

Richard remember what Nicomaine whispered and now he understood what she meant...he said aloud 'separateness in Africa'

Ms. Cassy nodded 'very good Mr. Faulkerson! And what is that separateness if you could elaborate and from what year it started and ended?'

Now Richard, feeling recharged remembers all he has read about that topic...'Apartheid is an Afrikaans word meaning separateness or the state of being apart. It was a system of racial segragation in South Africa enforced through legislation by the National Party or NP, the governing party from 1948 to 1994' Richard finished with a smile, his dimples showing.

'Hmm....I'm impressed' Ms. Cassy said

'Thank you Ms.' Richard replied

'Ok. We will have our 2nd batch tomorrow for those who were not called today. Prepare! Class adjourn!