Sugar Coated Detention Blues
Roy was home unusually early that night. Barging straight into his room, his mother thought that perhaps Roy was finally getting his priorities right and get down to his studies. Boy was she wrong.
Roy flung his school bag into the dark, dusty corner for him to pick up the following morning. He placed his favourite CD of the moment into the music deck and thumped the very foundations that held his house firm to the ground. And in an instant, his room once again transformed into a human pigsty as he rummaged his wardrobe for his football jersey.
It was the Inter-School football semi-finals after school the next day. And remembering his coach's last words to him that day, Roy was determined to get sufficient rest. Scoring four goals in the last 5 matches for the school, it wasn't easy for Roy not to feature in the semi-finals. He is red hot in form, working his magic down the left wing, mesmerizing the defenders like a professional gymnast.
Roy was up early the next day, his heart pounding and fluttering. Negative thoughts eroded his mind as he thought about the what ifs. The bell that signalled for assembly startled Roy from his thoughts as his classmates ceased their chattering and formed into their neat rows. As the National Anthem was sung, Roy overheard Sally and Zul discussing about a Math problem. "Shucks!", he thought. In his excitement, Roy had totally forgotten about the Maths worksheet that was due that day.
Frantically, Roy slithered his way up to Sally as the class was walking toward the science laboratory. Roy still had 2 hours before math class, and yet again, he found himself copying homework. Sick and tired of his lazy ways, Sally, being the sweet and demure girl of the class, once again allowed Roy to copy her hard work wholesale. Or so we all thought.
It was about time, Sally thought that Roy started concentrating on the academic side of school. And so, during recess that day, she marched confidently toward the teacher's lounge, with a hideous motive.
Sally emptied endless tales on Roy's bad habits to the form teacher, who was seated right beside the discipline master and school principal. She felt accomplished and tried hard to subdue the grin on her face as she left the lounge. Just before the school bell rang to mark the end of recess, a familiar voice boomed through the speakers.
"Can Roy from 4B please report to the principal's office immediately?", it echoed through the school walls. "Fuck!", Roy thought. "What now?", he quizzed himself, as he hurried toward the office with half the school fixated on him.
In a few minutes, Roy emerged from the room, his heart overflowing with sadness. His eyes drooped heavy with vengeance as he thought hard about whoever that could have snitched on him. Roy couldn't think of anyone at all. "You are out of the football team Roy. Until you prove to me you are worthy to get back into the team", the principal barked. "But it's the semi-f...".."No buts!", the principal interrupted Roy. "The ban comes into effect immediately! You will report for detention everyday. Let me brush up your lazy bones. Now go back to class!", the principal seemed firm with his stand.
Roy cursed himself silly as he dragged himself into the class. Everyone fell silent as Roy made his way to the back of the class with a glint of tears in his eyes. Within a few minutes, through stolen whispers, the entire class was now aware of Roy's predicament and how he's going to miss that all important semi-final football match that same afternoon. And silently, Sally felt the gloss taken out of her actions. Guilty as a murderer, she somehow knew that her actions had shattered that boy's dreams. And Sally felt sorry. Really sorry.
As soon as the bell rang to signal the end of school, noise filled the air as the students congregated amongst their cliques and plan their activities ahead. Roy took his time to keep his books, his face still painting a picture of a sullen mess. He looked out toward the canteen where the football boys usually sat. They were all getting ready for the big match. Roy shouted out to them, still affording a smile as he wished them luck. Feeling like a pricked pin, Sally hurried past Roy, deep with regret.
Roy entered the detention room with his mind elsewhere. How ironic it was that the room was facing the football pitch. The players looked like small matchstick men as they lined up for the kick off. Roy leaned against the corner pillar as he concentrated eminently on the match. It was obvious where his heart was at that moment.
Sally cleared her throat as she stood at the entrance of the detention class. Startled, Roy asked, "Sally...What are U doing here?". "Ermmm...I don't know how to put this in words but...actually...I was the one that told on you. I'm sorry", Sally blurted out, not daring to look Roy in the eye.
Roy looked at Sally full of shock and awe. Too devastated to even feel any hate toward Sally, Roy turned his gaze back onto the football game. Only this time, his mind was elsewhere. Never had he felt so betrayed. To think that he secretly had a crush on Sally!
Sally, stood rooted, waiting for Roy to mutter something. But Roy remained numb. Sensing her presence wasn't welcome, sadly, Sally turned and walked slowly out of the room, stealing a glance back at Roy, hoping he'd at least say something or perhaps...look back. Just as she exited, she placed a bar of chocolate on Roy's bag, remembering how much he loves chocolates judging from all those empty wrappers he stashed under his desk in the class room.
The school football team lost that afternoon by a single goal in stoppage time. The team missed Roy, and Sally hoped she didn't have to suffer the same fate too.
