Today, Matthew wasn't in school, and I wondered why. There was no one I could ask about Matthew, except Mark. He was the only person I could ask about Matthew but he was the last person I wanted to speak to. I thought all morning on why Matthew wasn't in school that it distracted me in classes. I just was absent minded all day.
As I walked back to class from lunch, someone blocked me in the hallway. I looked up and it was Mark. I remembered what Matthew said to me the other day, but Mark had to be so annoying. I tried to move away from him, but he still blocked my path.
"Get out of my way Mark, I'm not in the mood for your trouble today." I said angrily.
"You think I enjoy talking to you. I'm just surprised how you've avoided me all day, and didn't care to ask about Matthew. You claim to be friends but it's obvious you don't care." Mark said.
"Of course I care, I've been distracted the whole morning because I've been wondering why he wasn't in school. It's just that I can't ask you about it." I said.
"Fine then, don't ask me. Sorry for blocking your way, you can head back to class." Matthew said, giving way to me.
"Wait." I said, "Won't you tell me why he's not in school?"
"No I won't, until you come to me and ask. I didn't stop you to tell you why. If you want to know, come to me and ask." Mark said as he headed to the class.
"Didn't I just ask you? Why won't you just tell me now?" I yelled out to him, pissed off.
"The very reason you couldn't ask me earlier on." Matthew said, as he walked further away.
"You're so annoying, you hear that." I yelled out.
"I can't hear you…." Mark said as he entered the class.
"He's just unbelievable" I said to myself angrily. "How do I ask him now?"
As I got to the class, Mark glared at me like a proud unicorn before looking away. I'm sure he was expecting me to walk up to him and ask. But I worry that Catherine might walk in and I'd be in trouble. I sat down for a few minutes but Catherine wasn't back from lunch yet, also lunch time wasn't over yet. So I decided to take the risk of walking up to Mark, hoping Catherine doesn't come in.
I walked right to the back where Mark sat.
"Tell me, why wasn't Matthew in school?" I asked hastily.
"So you finally came?" Mark said.
"Can you just answer me Mark, I really don't have time for pointless bickering now. I said, looking through the door for any sight of Catherine.
"And why do you keep staring at the door?" Mark asked.
"Are you going to tell me or not?" I asked again in haste.
"Calm down, I will. I know I said you didn't care earlier, it doesn't mean you should rush me." Mark said, sounding unserious.
"I see you're not ready to tell me. Then don't." I said, turning around to leave.
Mark grabbed my hand and stopped me from leaving. I turned around immediately to drag my hand before someone saw.
"Let go of me Mark, what's your problem?" I yelled and the entire class turned at us.
"Lower your voice," Mark said as he let go of my hand.
"I'd tell you. Matthew got beaten by a dog last night." Mark said. "We were walking home when a dog ran out from its compound out of the gate and chased us.
"Oh my God, is he okay?" I asked worriedly.
"He's in the hospital but he's fine. You can come check on him after school." Mark said.
"I won't be able to leave the house after school. Would he be discharged today? If so, I could go check on him at home." I asked
"Yes he would. You can go and see him in the night then." Mark said.
"I would definitely check on him." I said.
As I turned to return back to my seat, I saw Catherine standing in front of the class entrance looking stunned. Fear washed over me as It went down through my spine. When did she get here? By her looks, she definitely saw me talking to Mark. How long has she been here? Did she see Mark hold my hand? I wondered, feeling so frightened. Catherine walked back to her seat without saying a word to me.
All through the remaining class, I turned around to look at her countless times but her face was still and expressionless. I couldn't tell what she was thinking. Even when we went home, she still didn't say a word.