C2 Cody

He came back to the present. Over the years, he had created a strong bond with his sister. They were friends. She was even like his mother. Though she was innocent and naïve, she looked after him and that mattered a lot.

Clara was twenty-four years old. She had already graduated from the university and she became a famous actress at her youth. However, her fame didn’t stop her in having time and the childhood fun with Casey. They confided with each other a lot. Their father was busy a lot running his auditing company. He was deeply immersed in business because he wanted the best for him but they had each other’s company.

Casey walked to school. Clara had gone for a movie shoot earlier that morning. He would have boarded a taxi but he decided to walk half a mile to get to school.

He approached Mill High School. He exhaled. He hoped luck would just shine his path. The first day was not good and he didn’t know what schooling there had in stock for him.

The bell chimed. He checked his wrist-watch and realized that it was 8:30a.m. He hurried to his class. At first, he was late but he evaded punishment because all the prefects would have gone to their classes. No one wanted to miss classes all in the name of carrying out duties on behalf of the school.

Clara was not at home so he slept late and of course, he woke up late. He had stayed up late the previous night playing videogames. He just hoped that he would not be dealt with severely by the teacher.

He composed himself well. He got to the class. He prayed he would be merciful towards him.

“Good morning sir.” He said, stopping by the doorway.

“Late coming isn’t it? This is just the second day of school. Kid, you are preparing in earnest form for failure”. The teacher bellowed

The teacher stopped just when he noticed something.

“You are a new student, eh. Well you have two options”.

”I’m sorry sir”.

“No need for that. It’s strictly two options. It’s either you answer a question or you spend ninety minutes in detention after school”.

“Okay sir. I would like to answer the question”.

”List the first twenty elements in front of the whole class”.

He walked to the front of the class and exhaled deeply owing to the fact that he was nervous. He was silent for some moments and just when the teacher was about to speak, he began to recite with confidence.

“Hydrogen, Helium, Boron, Beryllium. Carbon….”

The students were awed by the courage and the confidence of this new boy who was promising as he appeared. They watched in amazement until he said the last element.

“Thank you.” Casey said and ended his speech. It was actually more of a recitation.

“You can have your seat”. The teacher said to him. Every student turned their gaze to him as he walked towards the middle row of the class.

“Let me have your attention everyone.” The teacher called out.

“As you are aware, this is a new session, I am here to introduce myself to you. I am Mr. Harley and I will be your chemistry teacher. Have a nice day every one”. The teacher said and walked away.

...

It was soon lunchtime. Only a few students were left in the classroom including Casey. He was getting bored about this new school already. He didn’t like the school. Not that his ‘parents’ couldn’t afford it- his dad was the owner of a reputable auditing company and his sister was one of the most famous young actresses of her time.

He just hated the school for no reason. Well, maybe the unfriendly atmosphere had a quota to contribute; he didn’t just know why. He was still pondering about this when a student about his age walked up to him.

“Hi. I see that you are new”. The boy approached him politely.

“Yes I am. Thanks”

“I am sorry for the way those guys picked on you yesterday and the way the Chemistry teacher reacted towards you today.” The boy said

“Thank you for your care. It’s not your fault it’s theirs.”

“Anyways what you did earlier today was awesome”.

“Really”

“Yes, everyone thought you would just stand there and stammer. You blew everyone’s mind”. The boy complemented.

“I did?”

“Yes, you did. By the way, I saw you were alone. Maybe we could hang out and become friends?”

Casey wasn’t sure of what to say. This boy was calm and friendly so he decided to give him a trial.

“Yes, thanks for being you. I’m Casey ‘Manuel”.

“I’m Cody Morris”. He said with an extended hand for a handshake.

“It's nice to meet you”. Casey said receiving his extended hand.

“Nice meeting you”.

…

It was 3:45p.m. The taxi stopped at the front of a big mansion. Casey emerged out of the cab. He walked right in and saw his sister in the living room. She had her pink earphone on and she was moving to the tempo of the song she was listening to when her eyes met him.

Casey exhaled. He knew Clara would bombard him with series of questions. She wasn’t at home the preceding afternoon so she didn’t get updates.

She removed her earphone.

“Hi Clara, you are back from the movie shoot already”.

“Yes. I’m feeling cheated because that movie shoot deprived me of some gist. How did your first day at school go?” She asked, fixing her gaze on him.

“I knew you would ask. The first day was bad”. He reported

She gasped in bewilderment.

“What! How did that happen?”

“The students were unfriendly and proud, you know. Some boys even came to taunt me.” He said, using his hands to make gestures for clearer description.

“So, what happened today?”

“Today was almost like yesterday. At least until lunchtime. I woke up late and walked to school out of will.”

“What can you do without me?”

“Stop it already”. He said with a shrug.

“Sorry. Just continue”.

“The Chemistry teacher thought I would be humiliated in class because I didn’t want to answer his questions at first but to the surprise of everyone he did.

Clara clapped and smiled.

“That’s my brilliant brother”.

“Sure, it is. At lunchtime I made a friend and I think I like him”.

“Yes. I told you that you were going to get along”.

“By the way, what’s for lunch, I’m famished”.

“Your food is on the dining table”.