The Price of being Pretentious

Chapter Fifteen: Responsibility

It was another week of preparation for the finals. This is the day of revealing the results of the last examination. But to me, it will be a day of judgment. If I deserve another set of beating or not. Well, of course, my stepdad was the judge. I know I did well on the exams, but I can't help to be nervous. So nervous that I didn't get enough sleep. My chest was hammering inside as it would explode in no time.

I was the first one to arrive at school. Call it a miracle, but I am always like this when it's a day of posting the results of exams. I greeted the school guard. I was glad he didn't recognize me. I remembered that night was the first time I met Paris. Why did it remind me of that jerk? I should've remembered it was the day I cheated on the exams before the semester ended.

I stood next to the announcement board. Staring at other papers displayed there kept my mind occupied and ease my thumping heart while waiting for the staff to hang the results. I could see posters from the art club, sports club, book club, journalism club, movie maker's club, some weird clubs like a paranormal club, UFO club, and other stuff. I laughed at the daily comics posted by the comic club. I was busy reading when a breath of air tickled my ears.

'Hello.' The voice whispered.

'Aaaaaaaaaaaah!' To my surprise, one of my fists landed on his face.

'Damn it! Argh! Straight to my nose! Really?! Ow! Ow! Ow!' He cried after I hit his nose.

'Paris?!' My eyes widened as I saw that it was him.

'London, you're a sadist!' He said, covering his nose.

'You surprised me! It was an accident! Let me take a look.' I said as I removed his hand to see where my fist landed.

It was already swollen. I felt sorry as I bit my lower lip.

'What?' He inquired.

'It's swollen. I don't know if the infirmary was already open.'

'Just how many have you already sent there?'

'I guess you're the twentieth guy. The one-fourth of it was due to an accident, while the rest was intentional.'

He gasped. 'You are a sadist! What are you? A thug?'

'The first attack was from them. They just never won against me. Anyway, I'm sorry. Didn't mean it. Don't surprise me like that again.'

'Yeah, I would never surprise you again.' He said emphasizing the word never. 'How come that they didn't report you?'

'I threatened them.' I said simply.

He looked at me with no emotion. I glanced at him innocently. He sighed, then shivered a little.

'Hey, why are you early? Too excited for the results?' I teased him.

He snorted. 'Look who's talking about being early. Aren't you the one excited? You who came here first.'

I shook my head. 'Actually, I'm nervous.'

'Why are you nervous about it? You did well on the exam. I mean- You worked real hard.'

'You're right. I worked hard. The reason it made me nervous and worried that my hard work wasn't paid off.'

'You should trust yourself more.'

'Easy for you to say.' I shook my head, then turned to him. 'Anyway, we had to do something about your red nose, Mr. Rudolf.' I chuckled.

'Now you're making fun of me. Don't forget that this is your doing.' He said, pointing to his swollen nose.