CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE NEW TEACHER JOHNSON
The new week came and Michael started school. He had so many welcome-back gifts and cards. Everyone was sincerely asking him about his health. He couldn't help but smile. Especially when the Physics teacher called his name and told him, "Welcome."
Odelia wrote the most cards. She even added her love confession letter to one of her gifts. She was pissed off when she saw Kelvin open that particular one and she ran to collect the letter from him and hand it personally to Michael. The whole class had to smile or laugh at her cute gestures.
Sylvester whispers to Michael, "Odelia almost gave up on school. She would have done that today if you didn't show up in school".
"Thank God I came", Michael whispered back.
During the break, Michael didn't go to the canteen with Kelvin and Sylvester. He was in class with Michelle who was organizing some names in her I-PAD. Michael kept his gaze on her throughout. When he was about to call her name, he heard his own.
"Michael!!!", it was Odelia. Some people in the class just sighed. She ran to where he sat and touched his arm. Michael quietly shifted his hand, which made Odelia pause.
"Um! Let's go to the canteen. My treat", she said.
As if on cue, Michael glanced at Michelle. She was looking at him and so their eyes met. Her cheeks turned red, and she quickly blinked, looking away.
Just then, Kelvin and Sylvester arrive with a bag in their hands. Kelvin handed one to Michelle, who smiled, saying her thanks. They took the remaining bags to their seat. Sylvester looks at Odelia, who stands beside Michael. Odelia eyes him. While Sylvester smiles mischievously.
"Michael, pleaseeee", Odelia was persistent.
"I'll go with you tomorrow. Kelvin's already brought in something for me", Michael said softly.
"Okay", Odelia smiled like she just won a million dollars. She walked back to her seat giggling so loudly.
Kelvin turned to Michelle who was still pretending to be engrossed in what she was doing. He collected the book and wanted to say something when she finally looked up.
Shaking his head, he sighed saying,
"Just eat and continue this later", he said and sat on his seat.
* * * *
After the lunch break, a teacher walked in. A very tall and handsome man. He was also well dressed in his black suit and white shirt. When Michael looked up and saw him, his eyes were glued to the man. His expression was total admiration. Sylvester noticed Michael's gaze and tapped him lightly, "Michael".
Michael adjusts but doesn't take his eyes off the man.
"Mmm! Sylvester, who's that?",
"Teacher Johnson. The new Language and Ethics teacher", Sylvester said.
"He's handsome", Michael said. Even Kelvin heard it and looked at Sylvester who shook his head.
Teacher Johnson noticed the handsome boy wearing a cap that stared intently at him throughout the class. He gave Michael a smile, looking directly at him. Michael blushed and smiled back.
* * * *
Raymond sat on the seat at the back of the class. Seeing that Michael was back in school was unsettling for him. He was scared but then he was worried about the fact that no one had called him to the panel. Not even the principal has called him out. He just concluded that maybe no one saw him and so they weren't going to report or punish him.
Since morning, he's been staring at Michael. Watching his movements very closely. He has not spoken to Michelle but he noticed Michael staring at her. There was something more about Michael he wanted to find out.
'Is it the way he bolted his hands away when Odelia touched him or the way he was staring at Teacher Johnson?" he saw them exchange a smile during class.
He hasn't been in school since the incident with Michael. But surely, he's gonna ask Michelle about it. And very soon.
* * * *
Michael was with others at the laboratory that afternoon when Victor quietly walked up to him.
"Excuse me, Michael",
Michael turns to look at him. Kelvin Sylvester and Michelle too.
"Teacher Johnson wants to see you in his office. Here's his office number", Victor said and handed a small card to him.
Michael collects it and smiles heartily. Turning to others,
"I'll be back, guys." pocketing the card, he walked out.
"Teacher Johnson! Why is he calling Michael?", Michelle asked, "Are you sure Victor didn't mistake my name for Michael's",
Kelvin smiled, "Don't worry, Michelle. Let's just sit back and watch for now".
* * * *
The next day, at the canteen, Odelia was chattering so loudly and noisily. Michael sat on the other side, sipping Coke. His gaze was intently on her. He didn't even try to shut her up.
"Everyone was talking about your hair and how long it is. I was so angry that I didn't see it myself. I wasn't in school when all that happened. Pamela showed me the video on her phone. It wasn't so clear. I had to look for a clearer one. I would love to see it again. You look so handsome".
She kept on talking. Suddenly, she became aware of Michael's eyes upon her. She stopped talking and stared back at him.
"Michael, can I ask you something?", she said quietly.
Michael nods.
"Do you like me?", she pursed her lips.
Michael didn't reply. He just blinked twice.
"What did you say about the letter I gave to you yesterday?"
"I don't know...but you can ask Michelle", he said and shrugged.
"Michelle. Why?", Odelia was becoming angry.
"She helped me to read the letters given to me. I'm very sure yours is one of them." he nodded again.
"What?!", she was pissed. But brightens up almost immediately. "That's past now. I want your answer. Do you like me?"
"Maybe," Michael said and continued to sip his Coke.
"Oh! My! God!" she shouted, covering her mouth with her palms.
"D...don't ever take that back, Michael", she began to laugh so loudly again, turning attention to their table. Michael didn't care.
Kelvin and Sylvester walked in.
"Hey! Over here!", Michael called out to them. Kelvin sits beside Michael while Sylvester walks over to sit beside Odelia.
"Odelia...why are you smiling so much today?", Kelvin observed.
"Well...there's a big reason", she said, squirming in her seat.
"What is that?",
Odelia looked at Michael, who was looking back at her, with little or no expression on his face.
"Michael said he likes me", she chuckled softly.
Kelvin heard this as he was drinking water, he choked and poured it back.
"Really!!!", Kelvin and Sylvester chorused.
Odelia paused to look at them.
"What?! He said it himself. Isn't that so, Michael?" she turned to Michael, who sighed.
"Kel, let's go back to class", he said and stood up.
Kelvin glared at Odelia. Odelia glared back at him.
When they had all left, Odelia's friends, who sat close by, quickly rushed and occupied the empty seats.
"How did it go, Delia?", Pamela asked.
Smiling and looking at both of them, "He said he likes me!",
"Seriously?!!", Katerine asked with unbelief written all over her face. Odelia was slightly taken aback.
"I'm very sure of it. I've even made a public post about it in the school's chatroom. You can check if you want to", she told them.
Katerine quickly checked her phone and gasped.
"Delia!!!", she gasped again. "Everyone's talking about it",
Katerine looked up and looked around. Eyes were on them. Some were whispering silently.
"Not many people believe it tho. Michael just confessed to Odelia. Could this be true or one of Odelia's possible lies?" Katerine read out, trying not to laugh in between.
Pamela started to laugh but stopped when Odelia gave a quick side glance.
"I'm sorry".
Odelia leaned back on her chair. "I heard it clearly. So now he's mine and mine alone. Y'all back off".
* * * *
Michael saw the news the next day. He was very pissed off. He didn't expect her to post that. He stormed into the class and stopped in front of Odelia who sat chattering loudly as usual. Her two friends were also with her.
"Odelia!", his voice was calm but firm. It even caught the attention of other students in class. She stopped talking when she heard her name and turned around.
Michael shows her a picture on his phone, "What's this?!",
Odelia darted her eyes to the phone. It was about the post she made yesterday. Her facial expression changed. Tears already gathered up in her eyes.
"But... it... it's true", she stuttered.
"What's true?!", Michael rasped harshly.
"You said you like me. About this time yesterday", Odelia was already crying.
Some students were already secretly taking pictures and recording.
"Are you a dementia patient?!", Michael asked.
Odelia was slightly confused by the question. She shook her head, "But..."
"I don't like you. I'll never like you. So stop messing around whenever you see me. Also, stop with the silly questions anytime you come around me. It's really tiring. Now I want you to get rid of this post. Make sure I don't see it by tomorrow", Michael said and walked back to his seat, leaving Odelia to cry out while accepting the tissues her friends offered her.
Raymond tapped the next boy who sat beside him.
"You and the boys—bring Michelle to me, now!", he said and walked out of the class.