Almost one week passed after Kevin was beaten up by Scott’s group. Kevin acted as if nothing happened. He doesn’t want his teachers to notice his bruises because he worries a lot about his scholarship. All he wants is to finish his studies and his only hope is the scholarship he has. He has a big dream for himself. He wants to be acknowldege by others. And for him, the only way to escape the hard life is education. So, his only choice is to stay inside the campus, together with the bullies that he encountered everyday, and threatens him everytime.
Every time he sees Scott’s group, Kevin can’t do nothing but to lower his eyes to avoid quarrel. He pretends not to see them even though they are in front of him. He ignores every words that his ears can reach. He tried to extend his temper, but sometimes, he can't help himself from being irritated and annoyed. The first thing that pops out in his mind is to hold his right hand over his left hand. It is a friendly advice from someone and he practices it because he thinks that it's, helpful.
There is an upcoming quiz by the next week. Kevin is getting his notebook in his locker to have some review. Joseph approached him and asked if he’s alright. He just nodded his head and, understood. Joseph saw a marked calendar inside his locker.
“I can guess that you have lots of routine everyday”, Joseph said smiling.
“Y-yeah, I have..plenty of routines..I’m working as a service crew in a restaurant during weekends..and the rest, I’m studying my..some of my books..and.. I meditate” Kevin replied weakly. Each date in the month of December is marked one by one by a black “X”. Some have a small check mark on it.
“So, today is December 9.” Joseph said, looking at the marked calendar.
“Y-yeah..” Kevin replied with a soft voice, not looking directly at Joseph’s face.
“Oh, right.” Joseph replied with his head nodding. “Meditation. You mentioned meditation earlier, right?” Joseph added and Kevin nodded his head once again. He gave Joseph a weak smile.
“Meditation is somewhat like, full moon meditation, and tomorrow’s full moon, right?” Joseph asked once again, trying to gain Kevin’s trust. Kevin looked at him straight to his dark brown eyes. There is an uneasiness between the conversation of the two. It seems that one is a 'playing safe'.
“Yeah..W-well, Joseph, I gotta go. I have to study our lessons..so, I’m going” Kevin replied and left Joseph. Just by the moment when Kevin left, Scott’s group arrives.
“Jo!” Matt yelled, calling Joseph as ‘Jo’. Matt loves to give nicknames to his friends, except for Scott. Scott’s name is too, short, so he decided to call him Scott, or sometimes, ‘Scotty’, but it’s a bit weird, especially to others.
“Hey,” Joseph saw them. Everyone greets him, except for Scott, who has a frowning face.
“Scott, what’s the problem?” Joseph asked calmly. Scott starred at him. Everyone’s expecting that Scott will shout for they know that he’s still mad at Joseph.
“Nothing. Dude,” Everyone was surprised. That is the first time that they saw Scott like that way. He always sounds sarcastic and impatient at all, but that time was different. He didn’t ruin his pride. He smiled and had a hand shake with Joseph.
“So, what’s up?” Joseph asked with a little laugh. Scott replied him in the same way. Everyone felt relief. They thought that Scott will punch Joseph, but it didn’t happen.
“Tomorrow’s Saturday, right? We are going to have a few get together. Wanna come with us?” Scott invited Joseph warmly.
“Where’s the venue? What time?” Joseph asked. It seems that he had his final decision-to come and join the others. “Don’t mind the exam first, no-good Kevin will let us copy his answers, right?” Scott added with a grin on his face. Joseph lowered his eyes and shook his head a little.
“Hey, going to come with us?” Kristoff followed up. Joseph looked at Kristoff and the rest. He nodded his head and replied very soon.
“Yeah. I’m going”.
“Good. See you tomorrow night, the waiting place will be on the second avenue, near the small chapel. We’re expecting you to see you there.” Scott tapped Joseph’s shoulder and left him.
“Yeah, will come!” Joseph yelled and goes in opposite direction.
