Majestic Harold
We reached the school campus and I thought about the upcoming evening.
Suddenly a girl’s hand grabbed my wrist and towed me backward. It was Kate.
“You really frightened me.” I gasped.
“Come with me, Jesse,” she said and dragged me toward the parking lot.
I followed her in silence; her hand still held mine and we hid behind a parked car. I looked around for Sarah.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I pressed her hand. “Where are Sarah and others?”
After a few second’s pause, she pointed to a man walking quickly near the students chatting with outsiders inside
the campus. He looked imtimidating and his voice was frightening. He hissed at everyone to send the outsiders away
from the campus. He appeared to be a professor.
“Jesse, that is Harold, a strict professor.” “He scares everyone.” ,” she whispered in my ear.
“Jesse, what are you doing here?” A familiar voice interrupted my thoughts. Finally, I recognized that it was
Sarah. She stood behind me with a taunting smile. She raised her eyebrows; her questioning eyes asked us about the
dread on our faces. Kate showed her Harold roaming there, and her eyes widened watching him.
And then Alex and Annie arrived.
“What’s the problem? Alex asked. “Shall we join in your game?”
“You are the one could face Harold, . Go Alex,” Sarah said in a voice softer than a whisper, mocking him.
He shared a silent look with us, then said in a hushed voice. “I can but . . .” he paused, craning his neck for a
better look. , “I’m not interested now.” ,” he resumed lamely. He didn’t have the courage to confront Harold. “Let’s
go,” he added gravely, ducking his head, and looking for Harold.
When we laughed at him, he asked, “You don’t trust me?”
“Yeah, always, .” Sarah scoffed as she shook her head.
“Is he always like this?” I asked suspiciously.
“Yes,” Sarah answered. “We’re used to this.”
“Where’s Jason?” Kate asked Alex, instantly serious.
“He is in the cafeteria.” ,” he laughed. “He didn’t finish his breakfast yet. It will probably extend to lunch break.”
Alex’s voice was sarcastic now; he started to taunt everyone whenever he got the chance.
“I think he didn’t eat at home.”
“No Jesse, it’s his second breakfast.” Alex’s eyes were vivid with real interest now, at mocking someone.
“Stop kidding, Alex.” Sarah said, furious.
“It’s getting late; time for class,” Annie reminded us. “We should go.”
We all nodded, but Alex couldn’t shut his mouth for a second. He whispered continuously on Annie’s ear which
made it difficult for her to hide her laugh. We hurried; our classes had already started.
Later in the day, Sarah who sat behind me in class was reading her book, but it was hard for me to concentrate
on the class, and I waited impatiently for the bell to sound. When it rang, I ran to the parking lot.
I was glad to see Rick was already there. Something - it must have been my eagerness to see Fredrick - made me
move quickly to the car. Everything was in out of focus in my vision, except for the car.
“Jesse. Jesse, wait.” Someone called me. I turned to see my friend Alex.
“Hey Alex.”
Sarah, Kate, Jason and Annie arrived a moment later.
“Why don’t you stay with us for few minutes?” asked Kate.
“Perhaps, you are feeling hungry.” ,” Jason said.
“Don’t assume everyone is like you, Jason.” Alex grinned.
“No,” I laughed. “It’s not like that. Rick is waiting for me.” I replied quickly, wanting to get away from there.
“We’d like to meet your brother, Jesse.” ,” Alex said. “Sarah told us about him,” Alex persisted in meeting Rick. and I couldn’t think of a reason to say no.
“Why not? Come.” I nodded reluctantly as my mind was filled by thoughts of Fredrick.
We walked over to where Rick parked. He stood outside the car. I heard him talking with someone on the phone,
but he disconnected the call when I touched him.
“Hey.” He smiled, but I could tell he wasn’t in a good mood.
I started introducing my friends to him and soon his unhappy mood changed because of Alex. I was surprised
to see a smile on Rick’s face such as I never saw when we were at home, and it cheered me. But I couldn’t hear for a
few minutes when I saw the smile on Rick’s face, and so I didn’t hear their conversation. Finally, they concluded their
chat reluctantly. Rick beckoned to me to get in the car after saying goodbye to my friends.
“You have good friends Jesse,” he said and started the engine. Rick liking my friends comforted me. I nodded.
I wanted to tell him about my plan to visit the Indian restaurant and meet with Fredrick. But I was afraid of him,
if he refused to accept it. I’m not usually a daydreamer, but thoughts of Fredrick’s changed me to a day dreamer in
the dream zone. I was fervently waiting for the evening with tons of bewilderment. I started to express my thoughts
and plans.
“I’d like to see Fredrick.” I wet my lips and blinked at him and then proceeded slowly. “He invited me to his
restaurant this evening.” I looked at him. “Can I . . .” ?” I stammered, almost in a whisper.
“Sure.” ,” he agreed. “You want me to drop you there now.” ?” He waited for my response, his expression
unfathomable.
“No.” I answered. “I’m not going now.” “Fredrick will pick me up from home after an hour.” I bit my lip, deep
in thought.
“Okay,” .”
When we got home. Rick was ready to leave as soon as he dropped me off, anxious to be on his way. I wanted
to find out his secrets but I didn’t know my way around Florence.
“Don’t go.” I stopped him in sudden urgency. “Stay with me for awhile.” I creased my forehead pitifully.
“Yes, of course.” His voice was friendly.
We lived in the same house but never spent any time together. I felt disappointed by this, so I insisted Rick to stay with me.
D. Aswini
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