"Kea, how long do you plan on sleeping? Get your lazy ass down here. right now!" A middle-aged woman in a purple jacket and black leggings stood at the foot of the staircase in her home.
Above her, a room moderately sized, with a bed placed against one wall and a desk opposite it. There's a closet on one side and a few posters on the wall. Sitting on his bed was a teenage boy named Kealin, with his short spiky hair and bright blue eyes. He wore a pair of rumpled pyjamas that had seen better days. He was completely absorbed in a game, his headphones drowning out the world around him.
suddenly, the middle-aged woman storms into the room and takes off the headphones
"MJ, what gives?" Kealin cries out
"What gives? Have you seen the time?" She replies, her eyebrows knitted together as she glares at him.
"It's 8:30, and you're not even dressed. Oh, for God's sake,Kealin, when will you grow up?" With that, she stormed out of the room, leaving Kealin stunned
"Wait, 8:30!" the teenage boy exclaims as he rushes to tidy his room. The room was a mix of chaos and comfort, a desk cluttered with comic books, a closet overflowing with clothes and posters of video game characters and bands plastered on the walls.
Kealin bolted into the bathroom, barely glancing at his reflection before splashing cold water on his face.
"Dammit, late for school again. Call of Duty called, and I answered, "Now I'm paying the price with zero sleep."
After a hasty breakfast, during which MJ offered him an earful about responsibilities, Kealin stepped off the subway train and onto the bustling streets of Brooklyn. The humid summer air clung to his pale skin as he made his way through the crowded sidewalks, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety about his first day at his new school. This was his first time in the city, and everything felt different from what he was used to.
The towering skyscrapers, the cacophony of car horns, and the smell of street food wafting through the air all combined to overwhelm his senses. Kealin had been living with his foster mom, MJ, for a few months now. She was a kind-hearted woman who had taken him in when he needed a place to stay. Despite the initial challenges of adjusting to his new home, Kealin had grown to love MJ's warm smile and gentle guidance.
As he walked into his new high school, Kealin couldn't help but notice the curious glances from his classmates.
"Hey, have you seen him before?"
"Nope."
"Must be that new kid who transferred from New Jersey"
Chatter filled the air, and whispers floated around him like a breeze. But Kealin turned out the chatter, focusing instead on finding his classroom.
"Class 2-B... Class 2-B... Ah! Class 2-B!" he muttered to himself. His heart filled with anticipation as he approached the entrance. With a deep breath, he paused outside the door, feeling the weight of anticipation on his shoulders.
"I just got here; everyone seems to know each other except me. I feel like an outsider, a stranger in a strange land. So..." He thought to himself, "I gotta make a good first impression."
Before he could second guess himself, he pushed the door open.
"Are you gonna stand there all day, or are you gonna come in?"
A cold, stern female voice commanded from inside the classroom.
Kealin inhaled before stepping inside. The classroom was filled with students, all eyes turning to him. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks as the room fell silent, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.
"You're late, young man," the female teacher stated, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Oh, sorry, m-" Keulin began, but as he turned to face his teacher, he couldn't help but break into a grin. Her appearance caught him by surprise. The teacher was a female with notable curves, but what truly stood out was her bald head that reflected sunlight and sharp eyelashes that seemed to almost pierce the air between them.
"Just how much oil did she use to make her head so shiny?
Suddenly, he burst out laughing uncontrollably. The sound echoing
in the quiet room.
"Hahaha... Haha... Ah-Ah... Hahahahaha, " he gasped, clutching his
abdomen as he doubled over.
"What's wrong with him?" One girl whispered to her friend, both of them
watching with wide eyes as they giggled at the sight.
"Don't know," the female replied, a bemused expression crossing her face.
Kealin barely noticed the murmurs behind him; he was too caught up in
his own merriment. After a few moments, he finally regained
control, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, though the smile
remained plastered across his face.
"Do I amuse you, young man?" the teacher asked, her voice icy,
but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes - was it
curiosity or perhaps irritation?
"Yes ma'am... no, wait... not at all, ma'am, " Kealin stammered, trying
to compose himself.
"Really, then what's so funny?" She probed, crossing her arms and
raising an eyebrow.
Kealin paused, placing a finger on his chin in mock contemplation.
"Um... let's see those lashes would definitely kill a guy if he ever tried
to kiss you, and that bald head is like a disco ball. It would definitely
blind a guy..." He nodded his head as if making a serious point.
"No, wait, those were supposed to be my thoughts; they just came out.
I didn't mean it, I swear!" Kealin exclaimed, his voice rising in pitch as he glanced nervously at his teacher, who was now regarding him with the intensity of a hawk.
A stifled laugh erupted from the back of the classroom, and soon, the entire room erupted in laughter.
"Hahahaha..... Hahaha... Hahahaha!"
"I like him." one student whispered, while others nodded in approval.
"Way to go, dude!"
"Not bad, not bad."
"The new kid is certainly funny."
"I know, right?"
"Disco ball!"
The laughter was infectious, but Kealin couldn't shake off the feeling of dread creeping in. Right now, he wanted to disappear, dig a hole and hide in it, or bury his head in his chest. He could practically feel the teacher's eyes boring into him. Every chuckle from his classmate felt like a double-edged sword, and he wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.
"After this class, I'll bury you," the teacher's eyes seemed to say, and Keelin gulped, a mix of discomfort and uncertainty filled his stomach.
"Principal's office now." she commanded, her tone unyielding.
Kealin's heart sank " Wow, that escalated quickly" he thought as he trudged toward the dear, feeling the weight of his classmate's laughter behind him a mix of sympathy and amusement
As he walked through the halls, Kealin felt a mix of emotions swirling inside him. The laughter of his classmates echoed in his ears. the stern command of his teacher. He found the principals office. a room filled with framed diplomas and motivational posters.
"This room reeks of education," Kealin thought
"Ah, you must be Kealin." said Principal Jackson, a middle-aged man with a warm smile that contrasted sharply with the sternness of his office
"Please sit." Kaelin shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Unsure if he should be flattered or worried
"I've heard quite a bit about you already,"
"Um, yeah, that was my first day. I guess?"
"Your first day, indeed, now why don't you tell me what happened?"
Kealin went on to explain everything as it happened. what he did and what he said, the heat rose up in his cheeks as he realised his mistake
"Hah...eh..hm…Sorry I coughed, "the principal said with his his mouth
hand on
"I could have sworn he laughed Kealin thought." I didn't mean to disrespectful, Sir. " Kealin said quickly in an earnest manner.
"it was just-"
"-a lapse in judgement" Principal Jackson finished for him raising an eyebrow while trying to hide his smile
"It seems you've made quite the impression. I understand that humour is important in high school, but you must remember to be respectful to your teachers as well." He said."Now as much as I enjoyed your joke,I can't let you off so easily... you understand what that means, right?
"I understand"
"Good you're new here, and it can be overwhelming, but you'll find your place. Now back to class with you, " the principal said, waving a hand dismissively
"Thank you, sir. I'll do better, " kealin said, feeling a sense of relief. Wash over him
"And do try to keep the jokes for recess" with a nod of gratitude, Kealin stood up and made his way back to class, his heart pounding in his chest but a smile creeping back onto his face.
When he returned to class. the atmosphere had shifted. His classmates were still buzzing from the earlier laughter, but now there was a sense of curiosity about the new kid. As Kealin shifted his gaze to his teacher. the smile he had earlier immediately dropped as he stared at the letter "R.i.P." boldly written on the board.