Weirdos IV: The Emerald Heart

Chapter 17: The Outcast

The noise of chattering students echoed throughout the entire school. It's late in the afternoon and classes had just been dismissed. As people started pouring out into the school grounds bathing with the rays of the late afternoon sun, young Ike just sat silently on his table, seemingly oblivious to the noise and the presence of people around him. His classmates didn't give him any attention either, and Ike only moved from his table when nearly all his classmates had left.

For his classmates, Ike is a really strange and mysterious puzzle that they couldn't quite solve. He never made any friends ever since they started high school. Well, he did have a friend before, but she died just several months ago. Since then, Ike had become even a lot more withdrawn and shy. His classmates had already given up on him a long time ago. There's nothing you can do with someone who doesn't even want talk to you.

Whenever he's outside and alone, he would always be looking at the floor or in a spot where there's no other person. He's not the sour type of person, but he rarely smiles or frowns or gives any kind of reaction at all. He also only talks when the teachers ask him questions about the lesson or if his friend was talking to him. He only acts like a normal human being whenever he's with his friend. In short, he's the type of guy who would never, ever stand out in the crowd.

Despite being introverted, Ike is really good at studies. He knows how to solve even the most complicated problems and he always has an answer to whatever question their teachers throw at him. Throughout the years of his introverted behavior, his classmates just learned to adapt to him. Ike eventually became that guy that everyone from the class just simply ignores.

Ike finally stood up from his seat before heading towards the library. As usual, he kept his eyes on the floor as he walked in the student-filled corridors of the school.

"You're here to borrow books again? I'm pretty sure you've read every single book here in the library," Ms. Olive said after seeing Ike. She's the surprisingly warm and approachable librarian of the school. Well, maybe it has something to do with her still being young.

"I haven't read all the books in the Literature section, Ms. Olive," Ike replied.

"That's not what I meant, you dense kid," the librarian replied.

As Ike waited in total silence in front of the counter, Ms. Olive shot him a calculating look. "You know, books aren't the only thing that you can talk to in this school."

Ike kept his head bowed to hide the tears that suddenly welled in his eyes.

"Do you seriously think that she would want you to go on with your life like this? Do you think she'd be happy if she sees you in that state? You're still young, Ike. Don't waste your youth by moping about the things that had already happened. You don't have to be chained by your past, Ike. Life goes on," Ms. Olive said before handing several books to him.

"I'll be returning these books before the due date, Ms. Olive," Ike replied in a low voice. "Thank you very much."

The librarian just gave him a concerned look as he walked out of the room.

Orange-red sunlight greeted Ike the moment he stepped out of the library. With nearly all the students headed home, he felt a lot more comfortable as he walked alone in the empty corridors of the school. Their school is located on top of a hill, giving the students a beautiful view of their quiet town hugged by forests and mountains. Ike finally lifted his eyes off the floor to gaze at the majestic view below.

All of a sudden, ice-cold water cascaded down on him. A moment later, a heavy plastic bucket fell on his head before landing on the floor with a loud clatter.