Everyone started to act weirdly at home after that mass. My father started to quiet down for a while. My mother acts like everyone is stepping on glass, worried about everything.
The day feels like a year. The atmosphere is so intense. Not being able to control it anymore, I broke the ice.
"Mom? Is there a problem?"
My mom looked at me with a smile.
"Nothing really, don't worry about it."
I sighed.
"At least try to practice your fake smile. You make me more worried." I whispered as I went back to my room for a nap. Sometimes it is better to shut up than interfere. The only help I can give them is not giving them any problem.
—-----
Sunday passed by, and the time for school started.
"Hey brier!!!" a familiar voice called my name as I was about to enter the gate of my school.
"Ow Jom! How is it?" Jomarie and I became close, the same with the other groupmate that I have a while back. Jomarie called our group "Honest Rangers". Our section is Honesty plus Power Ranger, which is his favorite, created this name.
Every time I hear that name, I try to stay as far away from them. Like the fuck, man, who names a group like that? It sounds like the name of your dog combined with the name of your hateful enemy it just doesn't match up.
Jom ran towards me. I should feel glad to have a friend. However, as I remembered our group name, I felt really bitter.
"Hey, I heard some news! Is it true that someone messed with you?" he asked worriedly.
I told him everything about what happened and how Kyle ended up in a hospital.
"That's messed up! They should be put in jail! How can they remain in school if they are that violent? So what will happen now?"
"I don't know, maybe they'll call me later."
—------
Hours passed, and finally I was called to the principal's office. A few meters away from the meeting place, noises could be heard.
"tahbbdbka fuck you!!!" I can't determine what they are talking about right now. It is surely chaotic. Some students even try to take a peek, like watching some scripted show being shown on the TV.
Once I entered the room, I saw the disgusting side of being a human. I stayed in the room and no one noticed me. The principal is trying to mediate things to avoid escalating. The parent of the seniors that ganged up on us defending her child. Kyle's and the other members' parents trying to get some justice. Other parents even asked for monetary compensation for the mental health damage they caused to their children and more.
I've seen this multiple times. In some cases, teachers face lawsuits for something like this. This especially became a trend during this time because of a TV show that helped some people broadcast cases like this on national TV. People saw that trials can be skipped and be judged by everyone before facing a proper judge.
This said TV show caused us a big headache back then, for every movement we do is being reported to it. Everyone is scared of being shamelessly blamed on national TV. Students become dumber because we can't help them grow for fear of their mental health.
I left the office because no one even took a glance at me. This case is really out of the control of the principal and surely would go to the higher-ups. I waited outside the office because I think I might be needed later for my report. I simply sat at the nearby bench.
"It is more fun watching something like this on TV," I commented as I listened to them outside.
"That is true, seeing them in person is really scary."
I was shocked for a moment when someone unexpectedly replied to me. I didn't see him or hear any footsteps, maybe because my focus is elsewhere.
"Hey! Don't scare me like that!"
"Dad?" I was stunned for a moment when I saw my father was beside me. I didn't even tell them what had happened because I think they needed to do something more important.
"How did you know?" I asked him.
"Hey boy! I should be the one asking questions! What the hell happened? Why didn't you tell us?! If your Uncle John hadn't told me, I wouldn't know about this!"
I started to think of a way out of this. I told my Uncle John about what had happened last time when I cut his hair. I should have expected him to tell my father about it.
After a few seconds of thinking, I decided to tell him everything that had happened. I already told this story once a while ago, so the flow of the story is smoother.
"Hmmm." After finishing my story, my father started to think.
"You're not hurt, right?"
"Nope."
"Okay. So, my previous question: why didn't you tell us about this?" my father asked. Looking at his expressions, I can't identify if he is mad or not. This kind of unknown scares me. It is much better if they shout at you; at least you know that they are mad.
"Well. I noticed that you guys have some bigger problems to deal with, given the atmosphere yesterday, so I decided to not say a thing about this," I replied. I am guilty for getting caught in this mess. But if I can go back in time again, then I'll still do the same thing.
I heard my father sigh a little after hearing my reply.
"Forget about it, I'll deal with this. Next time, don't hide it. Also, don't worry about us. There is nothing we can't handle. If a problem arises, just tell us immediately before it becomes a bigger problem."
I nodded my head as I watched my father's back as he entered the office. It feels like his back has become wider and bigger.
I stayed outside because things happening inside are not good for anyone's health. I can see some of the bullies and my groupmates sitting, stuck inside, sweating rivers as they watched their parents.
"Hard pass!"
—-------
A half hour after constant chaos inside the office, they finally settled down. I am really glad that my father is the one who came today. I haven't heard him speak a word after his introduction inside. If ever my mother was the one who came, surely everyone inside would either be put in jail or the hospital.
I peeked inside and I heard my father finally speak.
"What happened that day is not normal. Children drinking alcohol and hurting other students is not a normal thing. The latter could be avoided if only the drunk students were not allowed inside. The security is lacking, so the school is partially responsible for what had happened today."
"Well-" someone wanted to interrupt but was stopped by my father. He radiates a different aura now, so they shut up.
"I did listen to all of you for hours. Now I think it is my turn. We are all adults in this room," he said while looking at everyone.
No one spoke after that.