FAILED HEART

The school bell rang and the students started heading home. Fred came out of the restroom dressed in his sweater on a hood to at least reduce the attention he drew when going home. He headed out of the school and just a few meters outside the school, he heard his name very loud and clear, and he knew immediately that it was James, here to finish what was started. Fred ignored and kept walking straight, and James hurried to him and took off his hood. This set Fred's teeth on the edge. "What do you want, James?"

"I still can't find Derek silly, what did you do to him?"

"What do you mean, what did I do to him?" there were a few minutes of silence. Students were now encircling them. The majority were student journalists, filming the scene. Fred realized James was still expecting an answer. "I told you already, I killed him" Fred was about to continue his journey when James pulled him back and punched him in the face.

Fred's mouth started bleeding; he gave a sinister laugh. This pissed off James, and he thought of doing something more, so he can trend as much as Fred on the Olympic High School News. He punched Fred again and again. It felt good that Fred didn't retaliate. Perhaps, Fred is Stoic. Just another throw of the fist, and Fred held his arm. He gave him what seemed like a supersonic punch. "I told you, I killed him!" Fred roared out in anger.

"What's going on here?"

The students around watching the WWE championship fled immediately at hearing the principal's voice. It was just Fred, who was standing like the god of Punches, and James lying on the floor like a dead man.

"Fred? What did you do to him?"

"He started it ma, he…"

"Hush!" she shuts him up as she tries to lift James, some others gathered to help James, who was unconscious. They hurried him into the principal's car parked not far from the school gate, and the car drove away. No one asked Fred how he was, everyone left

him. He had never felt this lonely in the middle of the road in years. He almost had a drop of tears, but as little as a drop of tears can be, it could damage his entire confidence, and he wasn't ready to give up on his pride. Furthermore, he took a walk back home and the journey was cold.

At home he checked out his reflection in the bathroom mirror, Fred tried to wipe the blood out of his face and compress his already swollen cheeks. "Bloody Derek" he mumbled and left the bathroom.

He had to go to work. Mr. Kelvin would not grant any excuse for being late. Despite being his father's best friend, Mr. Kelvin thought it disciplinary to deduct Fred's salary due to lateness or absence. Fred hated it.

***

The alarm woke Fred up and his first thought for the day was a suspension. He could get suspended for putting up a fight with the head boy. Fred gathered himself up and prepared for school. He got to school just about time for the assembly. The school assembly was a beautiful sight. Olympic High School students were best at being neat and properly organized. They sang and prayed to God that Wednesday morning, and it was time for the principal to come up with the announcements and, when necessary, disciplinary actions.

"Good day everyone!" she called out and they responded. "I would just go straight to the point, Frederick Okorie, the assistant head boy is under a week's suspension for the bullying and harassment of the head boy, James Ani."

The students murmured loudly and started having conversations on the assembly ground which was prohibited.

"Quiet!" a teacher called out.

"It is quite unfortunate that I was able to witness the assault myself yesterday just outside the school gate. It is a disgrace to the school, a bigger disgrace that they are perfect, and the biggest disgrace that no one among your students could report the case before it escalated." She sighed, "I am ashamed"

One of the student's hands was raised. He wanted to say something. "Come on up and speak" The principal granted.

Derek came up, "Good afternoon ma, I just wanted to say that it would be an unfair justice if Fred takes all the blame. It all started yesterday after the discussion at the sick bay while Fred was found unconscious. He later went back to the class while I stayed behind in the sick bay because I started having a runny stomach. I want to apologize for causing this disaster because James cared about me and thought Fred had done something to me, it is unclear to me why he would think that way, but James started the fight. It was recorded and they are evidence. The moment Fred retaliated was when you came around and concluded Fred was the bad boy. Fred may be rude and annoying, but he is going through a lot on his own. I found out he is an orphan yesterday, and not just an orphan, but he doesn't have any family or guardians. Fred pays his bills himself; he works as an assistant in a veterinary. In summary, Fred only acts based on the shit he has been through."

"Well said Derek, but I wouldn't tolerate the use of 'shit' in my school next time," The principal said and everyone laughed. "Well, I would love to see the evidence myself before calling off the suspension. Simultaneously, take a match to your classes"

They matched to their classes while singing,

A good child is a pride to his parents,

A bad child is a shame to them,

Oh God don't let me be a bad child.