Ethan's pov
I noticed the eyes of the teacher lingering on me for a few seconds before looking back at the class.
"Okay students. How are we doing today? I'm happy to see most of us are in school today." He said casting me a glance and I couldn't help but smile internally.
"We are doing fine sir." The class chorused.
"Alright. I have an important announcement to make but before that, I would like to offer my sincerest apology to Ethan Madleev for the misunderstanding that took place the last time. It was totally my fault."
The classroom fell silent.
I felt dozens of eyes turn toward me again.
A small frown formed on my face.
I couldn't understand why Mr Raymond was bringing the incident up again.
The matter had already been settled.
Or perhaps it hadn't.
No matter how many apologies were offered, the humiliation I felt that day wouldn't simply disappear.
The whispers.
The accusations.
The looks of disgust.
They were things I couldn't forget so easily.
To get rid of the unnecessary attention I was getting, I forced a smile and Mr Raymond smiled back before continuing his speech making me sigh in relief.
"The school's anniversary is coming up next week and..." The class cheered and clapped their hands cutting the man's speech.
Mr Raymond waited until the cheers died down, then he continued,
"And this year, the celebration will be unlike any we've had before. Not only will parents, relatives, and friends be invited, but we will also be honored by the presence of the governor, Mr. Harris, and the Minister of Education, Mrs. Dila.
This will be the first event of its kind since our prestigious school, Brandon High School, was founded fifteen years ago. We hope it will be a memorable occasion for both the school and everyone in attendance.
We encourage all students to invite their family and loved ones to join us in celebrating this special milestone.
Thank you."
The class cheered as Mr Raymond walked out of the class.
I watched as everyone bubbled with excitement, chatting and laughing among themselves.
I couldn't bring myself to care about the upcoming gala because I already knew I wouldn't be attending.
I couldn't abandon my work at home, and even if I did, I had nothing decent to wear.
Since enrolling in Brandon High School, I had never attended any of the school's events.
Whenever my aunt bought fine clothes for Daniel, she never bothered getting anything for me.
I still remembered the day I gathered the courage to ask for my own outfit after expressing interest in attending one of the school functions.
The response I got was a hard slap across the face.
She called me shameless and ungrateful, as though wanting to be like every other student was some kind of crime.
Ever since then, I never brought up the topic again.
"Ethan, what are you thinking so deeply about?" A female voice disrupted my thoughts. I raised my eyes to look upon the excited face of the young girl.
Emily raised her brows as if to question my silence.
"Nothing important. Just some random stuffs." I brushed off her question.
She stared at me briefly before adorning her face with a smile again.
"You would be attending the gala right?" She asked eagerly.
"No." I replied bluntly. I saw the smile on her face falter at my answer.
"Why is that? Everyone would be attending and you should too." She said, sounding frustrated.
Her frustrated expression brought a smile to my lips.
I opened my mouth to reply her when I noticed a teacher enter the class and we had no choice but to put our conversation on hold.
During the lesson, I turned my attention from the teacher to look outside the window when I noticed Daniel's eyes on me. Had he been staring at me? For how long?
The shameless boy didn't bother to look away and I wasn't ready to back down either.
Some students noticed the tension and soon the class was filled with murmurings.
"Quiet. Focus on the lesson." The teacher shouted, bringing everyone's focus back to her.
After the lessons were over for the day, I didn't waste a second and picked my bag, ready to leave for home.
I felt a push on my shoulder as I took a step towards the door. I rolled my eyes before turning to see it was none other than Daniel, his eyes glaring at me.
The day had been peaceful with no one trying to bully me or say anything to me and I had been pleased. But it seems it's not going to be peaceful until the end.
"What do you want?" I asked him with no expression on my face.
"You are not thinking about attending the gala, are you?" Daniel asked with folded arms.
I scoffed at his question. The boy was being foolish.
"I have never attended before so why would I attend now?" I asked back.
I saw a scornful smile grace his lips as his eyes continued glaring at me.
"Good. I thought you might have forgotten your place because of the nice treatment you have been getting since this morning and just wanted to help you by reminding you. There's so much work for you to do at home. I'm sure mom won't be happy if you abandon them." He said and the class that had been silent started murmuring again.
I smiled coldly at him before turning my heels to head out of the classroom.
There is no point in me wasting my time and words on an ignorant fool.
As I walked out the school gate, I looked up at the sky to see the sun high up in the clouds. It was shining so bright, a huge contrast to my dark world.
"Ethan, wait up." I turned to see the owner of the voice running towards me, her long hair swaying with her movements.
When she reached where I was, she was panting like she had ran a mile.
I noticed her hair looked disheleved as a result of her running and I raised my hand to straighten her hair.
I felt her body freeze at my action, her big blue eyes staring into mine.
For a moment we stood there, my hand on her hair and I must say it felt good.
Seconds later, I dropped my hand from her hair, smiling at her.
"Why did you run like that?" I asked her.
She shook her head as if to bring herself back from her trance before clearing her throat.
"Give me a heads up before you do something like that again." She said and turned to start walking.
A chuckle broke through my lips as I followed her.
"I wanted to go home with you, that's why I ran after you." She said and I glanced at her.
"Not what you are thinking. I don't mean I want to go to your home, I meant we should walk together since we are going in the same direction." She said when I didn't reply her, looking flustered.
I rolled my eyes at her words.
"And who said I was thinking that?" I asked, looking at the road.
"Hmph. So about the gala, you would be coming right?" She asked and I turned to look at her.
"Didn't you hear the exchange between Daniel and I. I can't attend." I replied.
"I did but..." She trailed, her lips pursed as she stared at me.
I sighed and turned to focus my eyes back at the road.
"Even if I choose to come, I have no decent clothes to wear." I said.
"That's okay. I can get you clothes." She said, her words stopping me in my tracks.
I turned to look at her, my entire demeanor now filled with annoyance.
What does she mean by that?
"And why would you do that? Are you taking pity on me or what?" I asked in annoyance.
I saw as she stared at me with her small mouth open, before shaking her head as she continued walking.
"There you go again, losing your temper. You could refuse it if you don't want it. Why must you get upset?" She said, smacking her lips.
I didn't reply her as I still felt a bit annoyed. I didn't like the tone she used. It made me feel like a beggar and I hated it.
"I'm sorry if what I said didn't sit well with you. I just wanted you to attend the party, I would really love to see my friend there." She said.
My eyes didn't leave her face for a moment as we walked and deep down I know I wanted to attend the party.
It's just that I had lost hope of ever attending one long ago.
But looking at her now, I wanted to attend now.
A smile unknowingly came to my lips as I said,
"I will be there."