The first class ended, and it was already break time. As Roze was about to leave the classroom, she was forced to stop.
“Roze, would you mind staying for a short moment? I would like to discuss some matters with you,” the teacher said.
“Of course. What would that be, Mr Thomson?” she replied politely.
He waited until the rest of the students had left the room, the door closing softly behind them.
“First of all,” he began, “I would like to discuss your plans regarding acceptance into a prestigious college. However, for the past month, your grades have dropped significantly and have remained consistently low. I truly understand your personal situation, but you will not be eligible for a scholarship if you fail to show progress by the end of this semester.”
I was surprised by what my teacher had told me. It had always been my dream to enter one of the most prestigious colleges, hoping to find someone or perhaps something.
“I understand what you’re trying to say, sir,” I replied carefully. “I’ll work harder and come prepared next time.”
“It would be best if you start now,” he said firmly.
“Yes, of course,” I answered.
He paused, then softened his tone slightly.
“Well, this may not concern your academics directly, but how are you doing lately? I know how deeply you grieve your friend’s death. You seem… withdrawn.”
“Uh, yes,” I said, nodding. “I’m doing better than before. Thankfully, my friends have helped me overcome my mental distress.”
“That’s good to hear,” Mr Thomson said.“Camelia would be delighted to see you doing better now.”
I froze. Hearing her name from his mouth stunned me.
“Indeed” I said.
“Oh, she will,” he replied with a faint smile.“That girl seemed to harbour you, after all.”
“She did?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.“What makes you think that?”
“Oh, come on,” he said dismissively.“Everyone knew Camelia cared deeply for you. You were the only one she truly treated as a friend.”
“Everyone knew that but you seem to know her better than I do.”
“What do you mean by that?” he asked, his tone shifting. “I just know how much she meant to you,” he said defensively. “After all, I was the one who helped start your friendship. If I hadn’t asked you to look for her back then, you two might never have become friends.”
There were moments I had turned a blind eye, only to realise how much I should have questioned before.
“I suppose,” I said slowly. “Which makes me wonder even more why you were looking for her that day.”
“What do you mean?” he asked sharply. “She skipped my lecture, Roze. She asked to go to the bathroom and never came back.”
“Yes, she did,” I replied. “But it makes me question why she would skip your lecture in the first place. She never did that in her other subjects. Only yours.”
His expression darkened, his face twisting into something far more vile.
“What are you trying to imply, Roze?”
“Did you know her before?” I asked bluntly.
“No, I did not,” he snapped.
“Then why was she scared of you?”
“Is that so?” he said mockingly. “Was she scared of me?”
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “But one thing I know for sure is that she never wanted to see your face.”
Mr Thomson leaned closer, his eyes burning with rage.
“Are you sure about that?”
“I knew her well enough to realise it,” I said firmly. “With all due respect, if there was something personal between the two of you, I won’t speak on it for the sake of her privacy and peace.”
“Then why bring it up?” he demanded.
“Because it sickens me that you’re one of them.”
“She signed up for it remember,” he said coldly.
“I don’t think so.”
“Roze,” he scoffed, “she slept with every man across this town. Do you really think she didn’t ask for it?”
Before I could stop myself, I slapped Mr Thomson across the face.
“My friend had no choice,” I shouted. “She had no choice to begin with, and you knew that. Instead of helping her, you took advantage of her. You were trying to sleep with one of your students. Did you ever think about your reputation? I wouldn’t hesitate to report this to the principal or the authorities.”
Mr Thomson laughed hysterically, like a devil finally revealing his mask.
“Who would believe you, Roze?” he sneered. “Everyone labelled her a whore, and that’s a fact you can’t deny. Even if you told everyone, who would trust you? She’s dead. Who’s left to testify for you?”
“Go to hell, asshole,” I spat.
“And what makes you any better?” he shot back. “You knew what was happening. Why didn’t you help her then?”
“Well, that’s—”
My words caught in my throat. My thoughts blurred as memories of that day resurfaced. I wished I could forget them. I stared at Mr Thomson, rage simmering inside me.
“Goodbye, Mr Thomson,” I said coldly. “I hope my grades won’t be affected despite my upcoming performance in your subject.”
“Don’t worry,” he replied smugly. “I’m not that kind of teacher.”
“Good to know.”
I left the classroom, fury boiling inside me. I wanted to strangle that man, but I couldn’t let my emotions take control. Reporting him wouldn’t change anything. No one would believe me. He wore the mask of a perfect adult and an excellent teacher, and that alone made me sick.
As I turned the corner, I bumped into someone.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said quickly.
“Well, would you look at that,” a familiar voice remarked. “Whenever you’re angry, you always walk at such a fast pace.”
It was Emily. She hadn’t spoken to me in a long time.
“I guess so,” I replied awkwardly. “Sorry again.”
“Don’t worry,” she said. “It was just an accident.”
We passed each other without another word. She still carried that composed attitude she always had. Sometimes, I thought I should be more like her, not letting emotions sway my actions. Outside, I spotted Richard sitting alone on one of the benches. He seemed deep in thought. I decided not to approach him. Instead, I went to the one person I could talk to right now.
“Hey, Jophan. Can we talk after lunch?” I asked.
“We still have time now,” he said. “What is it?”
“It’s about Mr Thomson,” I said quietly. “Does he still handle the music club?”
“Yeah, he still does.”
“Have you noticed anything strange about him?”
Jophan paused, thinking.
“Hm… not really.”
“Come on, Jophan. Think.”
“I’m not sure,” he said. “He’s just a typical middle-aged man to me.”
“Any strange behaviour at all?”
Then it hit him.
“Oh,” he said slowly. “He does seem to favour Emily for some reason.”
“What? How so?”
“He talks to her more casually than the rest of us.”
“And you don’t think that’s weird?”
“Well,” Jophan said hesitantly, “Emily is quite a social butterfly so it seems they had a much more engaging conversation.
“Jophan,” I snapped, “he’s twice her age.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Emily is in danger,” I said firmly. “Have you ever thought about that?”
“Wait,” he said, shocked. “You think Mr Thomson would ike her? He has a family.”
“That makes it worse,” I replied. “Mr Thomson is not what he seems. He’s targeting girls half his age.”
Before he could respond, the bell rang.
“We’ll talk at lunch,” I said. “I’ll tell you what I know.”
“Okay,” he replied. “Thanks for telling me about it.”
Inside the office, someone knocked on Mr Thomson’s door.
“Good morning, Mr Thomson,” Emily said softly. “May I excuse myself to discuss the music performance for the upcoming event?”
“Oh, Emily,” he said warmly. “You don’t need to be so formal. You can speak to me normally.”
“Haha, I can’t do that,” she replied, stepping closer. “You’re still my teacher, after all.”
Meanwhile, Jophan sat in class, his thoughts racing.
There’s no way… right?
But why does this feel wrong?
He felt uneasy, unable to ignore the discomfort growing inside him.
Should I talk to Emily about it?
He discreetly took out his phone and sent her a message.
Message: Emily, are you in class?
No reply came.
Then he remembered their previous conversation.
“Hey, Jophan,” Emily had said before. “Can I
ask you a favour? Please tell the members about the piece we’ll be preparing for the event.”
“Has Mr Thomson approved the music yet?” he had asked.
“Not yet,” she replied. “That’s why I’m going to his office during break. It’s the only time he’s free.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll tell them to come after school.”
“Thank you.”
Back in the present, Jophan felt a chill run down his spine. Something felt wrong.
He excused himself from class, pretending to be sick and went to the clinic, but instead headed toward the office.
