Chapter 6 : Dirty Laundry

Chapter 6 : Dirty Laundry

“Mr. Lansing! What is this I hear about you falling off a table? Are you all right?”

Uh-oh. Principal Dune. Not good.

“I wouldn’t really say I fell, per se, Principal Dune. More like took a tumble. Didn’t look before I leap. A mere miscalculation on my part. And yes, I’m fine thanks,” I tried to look innocent, hoping my pretty, pretty eyes would distract him from lecturing me and alerting my parents.

“What on Earth were you doing on a table anyway? It is against school rules to vandalize school property, Mr. Lansing, and I’m afraid this act counts as vandalism!”

Everybody began to fan out, not wanting to be caught in the line of fire.

“A young man like you ought to know his responsibilities, Mr. Lansing. Imagine the damage you could have inflicted upon other innocent children! They could have been trapped under you! Or worse, if you had broken a bone, cracked your skull, gotten a concussion, your poor parents would be devastated!”

I nodded, hoping I looked understanding and disappointed with myself. It’s not that I don’t feel bad about jumping onto a table and falling down, the falling down part really hurt! Thing is, it was pointless of Principal Dune to lecture me. I knew I wasn’t going to do that again. I already had enough bruises to last me a century.

“Put others before yourself Mr. Lansing! It is one of the most important moral values to be instilled in you. The world would be in complete and utter chaos if everybody put themselves first! Numerous countries at war! It would be world war III!”

Wow. Falling from tables could lead to world war III. Somebody alert the government!

“Alright. I suppose you have learnt you lesson. You may continue to enjoy the rest of your lunch. I suppose the bruises you’ve earned are enough punishment for you.”

The principal wandered off, leaving me sprawled upon the floor and amazed that I didn’t have yet another detention to add to my list.

I hurriedly got up and raced to the line, hoping lunch wasn’t over yet. I hadn’t managed to get any chow into my rumbling tummy! Thankfully, there was barely any line as everybody was already seated and done with eating.

I grabbed a slice of pizza and a can of Coke, paid and made my way towards Jae, Jas and the gang. They looked up and regarded me with a wan smile or two. I frowned in reply and munched my pizza.

“Hey, Paul, Rowan and I were thinking bout getting our driver’s license today. Wanna come with?” a guy named Wesley said.

“Uh,” I started. I’m colorblind remember? I can never drive. But no point telling them that. They didn’t know. I had kept it a secret since the disaster with my old school.

“Uh,” I repeated. Everybody looked at me expectantly.

“Yea man, you’re the only one who hasn’t gotten one yet. You should totally go and apply.” Jae grinned supportively.

“Well--” I paused again, not knowing what to say. To tell them the truth would be to subject myself to utter humiliation and to have to go back to being taunted and teased everyday. Lie. Yes. That was my best choice.

But what lie to feed them? What would satisfy their hunger? I’ve made the ‘I’m busy today’ excuse a thousand times over. I had nothing.

“Okay. Thing is, I can’t. Not today.”

“What? Why?” Everybody sat up straighter, wanting to hear what I had to say.

“Well, I don’t really want to. I don’t need to drive! Pah! I have a driver. Why do all the hard work for myself?”

“But it’s like, the point of being sixteen. Heck! You’re seventeen! You learn to drive, you get a car, and zoom!” Jae made a strange motion with his hands.

There was no way out now.

“Alrighty then. Let’s go get me a driver’s license.”

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A blue convertible stopped in front of the school gates. A petite girl with gigantic hair stepped into it and slammed the door shut behind her.

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