CHAPTER 2- PLAY BOY

THEO

“Theo?”

Professor Adrian called out, I felt it was rather strange that he moved me to the front of the seat but… him calling me made my heart skip a beat… I hesitated before looking up at him.

“Yes sir?”

“What was the last topic?”

“Platonic Love” I replied nervously

“Good… you’re following…” He turned to the board and started writing down something then he turned to face the class “Now… how many of you here can define platonic love?”

None of them answered or raised their hands...everyone was dead silent thinking weather to risk getting it wrong or not... me, on the other hand knew the answer but was too shy to speak so I just stayed quite just like the rest of them

“if no one is gonna raise their hand I’ll do the picking...Theo?”

‘Shit...why me...’ I raised my head nervously and his gaze never left mine “Me?” I asked one more time

“Yes you... you don’t have an answer?”

“No... I mean yes...I do...Uhm”

“Don’t stress it Professor Adrian... he’s a nervous wreck” Blake shouted from behind me...

“Did I ask for your opinion Blake?... do you know the answer?”

“...No... sir” Blake replied slowly

“Didn’t think you did... now shut it and let someone else answer the question...Theo... I believe you have an answer you would like to give the class”

“Yes sir” I answered nervously

“Ok then...I’m all ears”

“Platonic love can be seen as love without sexual desires. it’s an emotional and intellectual bond that elevates the soul towards... trust and beauty”

“Excellent work Theo...” I smiled warmly before taking my seat

“Class? I’ll update you all on the...” He was cut short when Mr Stephan walks in... another professor that takes us on another lecture, he’s the only one who ever listens when I have something to say or hear my complains or saves me from the bullies, although he’s also a professor he takes care of me like he’s my elder brother...

“Good morning class...” Stephan greeted before coming in...

“Good morning prof. Stephan” the whole class erupted in greeting

“We have a staff emergency meeting today so classes ends by 2PM... Theo?”

“Yes sir?”

“After this class... my office”

“Ok sir” I replied smiling... after he left, I turned to face Professor Adrian and there was this cold gaze in his eyes like I just made him mad of some sort...

I just brushed the feeling off but for the rest of the class I could feel his eyes on me... I just kept my head down avoiding direct eye contact with him till the end of the class... then I slid past him when everyone was in a hurry to get past the door and rushed off to Professor Stephan’s office... he was more than happy to see me... so was I.

“Oh Theo... Thank you for honouring the invitation...sit” He gestured towards the chair in front of me...

“Thank you, sir...”

“Theo? You’ve been my favourite student for more than a year...so why are you been so formal with me...Call me Stephan”

“Ok si...Stephan”

“Good... so tell me about your day...”

“It was fine...”

“Tell me the truth Theo...”

“I was bullied again...they broke my glasses for the third time and pranked me one more time...with a bucket of water”

“Who did it? Give me their names...”

“No... never mind it’s settled now”

“Settled? They broke your glasses for God’s sake... are you just going to let them bully you everyday...I can report them to the vice...”

“No... I’ll be fine...”

“...But...”

“I can take care of myself... you don’t have to worry about me...”

“What about your glasses... I’ll get you a new one...”

“No need to...you’ve bought my glasses countless of times I want to buy this one myself.”

“Where will you get the money?” I adjusted my cross bag then clenched on to it tightly before replying...

“I’ll work for it...” I replied in a low tone... who was going to hire a nerdy looking asshole like me...and my uncle is definitely going to make my life harder

“What about your uncle? Would he even let you work?”

“I knew you were going to say that... but I will work... regardless of whatever he says or does”

“Ok... if you need help finding a job...I’m always here Theo...” He smiled warmly

“No, I don’t want to bother you with my problems... I’ll find the job on my own”

“Alright... whatever thing you need... my office is always open to you”

“Thank you, Sir Stephan...I’ll be going now” I left his office without saying another word...

Walking home felt like torture because it’s never safe there because of my uncle...never peaceful... always on the edge...

I got to the front of our apartment building...gave it a final stare before stepping inside and walking lazily up to our own room door... He forgot the door open again.

if he keeps this up...one day we’ll be robbed of whatever little belongings we have left...I peeked inside, and he was seated in the living room unconscious as always...

I tiptoed past him and to my room...I searched around my drawer for any news papers that had any job application ads on it...I searched for some couple of minutes then I finally spotted one... I was about to write out the contact number and address of the place... I didn’t see my uncle walking towards me...then he yanked the papers out of my hand

“Uncle...” I stuttered...

“What are you looking for in here?”

“Nothing...give me back the papers...”

“Why... what’s in it?”

“Nothing... we have a class project I need to prepare for... please give it back”

“No... this is my house therefore whatever goes on in this house I should know about it...” He paused before staggering backwards “What’s in here that’s so important?”

His gaze drifted to the paper in his hand then he abruptly opened it up and read through it...

“Give it back please...”

“Oh...I see what’s going on here... you think you can be able to get a job...looking like that? You must be delusional if you think you can be able to find a company who’s willing to take in a pimp like you... unlucky brat” His grip tightened around his Liquor bottle... then he smashed it against my head

Blood dripped from my head, and everything was spinning...I could hear him talking but couldn’t make out what he was saying... I was still dizzy from the hit then he drags me out of my room and out the apartment door before shutting the door in my face.

I walked down the stairs to look for help from anyone... but everyone’s doors were locked... then I walked outside in hopes of finding anybody, but the bleeding only got worse and to top it all off rain starts to fall heavily...

I turned to the other side of the street but didn’t see the car coming, the lights were too bright then I passed out...