ELEVEN*
"I was something of a prankster. One time I put a ski mask on my head and used a fake gun on the school secretary so that I could get some of my friends out of detention."
-Luke Perry.
"Without meaning, learning has no purpose. Without a purpose, schools are houses of detention, not attention."
-Neil Postman.
"It was just a slight malfunction of character."
-Cath Crowley.
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"You again, me meet again!" Ralph disclosed the moment I walked into the detention office. He smiled brightly and instantly pointed to the seat next to his. I took it without hesitation not because we are close, but because he is the only familiar face in this office at the moment. Other students seem to be either chatting away or looking through the window. And did I forget to include that Ralph was my drive to school today?
Okay, I think it skipped my mind but he did the most surprising and unintelligible thing this morning. He drove to my house and kept blasting his horns till I agreed to go in his car since Jess was running late, who was I to say no to a free drive?
"What brings you here milady?" He queried with a smile and tilted his head to a side for gesticulation.
"It was just a slight malfunction of character Smith. What have you done again bad boy, because I know this place is like a second home to you." I responded raising a brow.
"You guessed right. Home sweet home. Anyways let forget about that. I can keep you company till the detention elapses." He remarked and smacked his lips. For some odd reasons, the lips look reddish and more succulent today but I snapped myself off it just as soon as the thought began.
"How do you enjoy being here almost every time Ralph? It must be boring and tiring."
"Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes," he whispered in my ears with all seriousness.
"After that, who cares? He's a mile away and you have got his shoes." He finished off loudly while I chuckled away before he joined me.
"The thing is, I just happen to have a chair dedicated to me in this office. So, as the responsible student that I am, I have to resume office and mark attendance here. I hope that answers your initial question?" He hinted with a sheepish smile.
"You know racism and bullying in this school is just crazy. Innocent kids get victimized daily and nothing is being done about it. It breaks my heart," I started and rested my hand on my chin as my face depicted sadness.
"Yeah, but this has been going on for centuries. All you can do is do your best and leave the rest because even when our sets graduates, it is still gonna continue. It is everywhere," Ralph countered as he looked me deeply in the face trying to reason along with me.
"What has come over everyone? The world is coming to an end and it worries me." I revealed and breathed out strongly before proceeding to stare at the window.
"Though everything looks crazy now, with so much happening out there every day. Murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, etc just name it all. It looks like the world truly wants to end," he started and used a fingertip to raise my face to look at his.
And when he was sure that I looked deeply into his, he concluded. "Don't worry about the world coming to an end. It is already tomorrow in Australia." He added and we both burst into laughter. At this point, the other kids saw us as crazy because we laughed so hard like we didn't care.
"So, pretty lady. I hope I haven't been keeping you bored so far?" He probed with a side smile that reviewed his deep dimples. His eyes look like a beautiful shade of brown. Just like your typical hot chocolate.
"Do you often refer to all girls as a pretty lady?" I scrutinized flashing him a smile.
"Only the pretty ones, baby doll," he stated smirking. He didn't comb his hair today making them completely tousled and his bangs covered a side of his face giving him the complete hot look. His teeth sparkle when he smiles and let not forget about the dimples. He looks completely cute, dashing and devilishly handsome.
"Thanks, Mr big fat ego." I complimented while he looked mortified at the nickname as his eyes widened and will compete with the regular size of a saucepan.
"What was that you just called me?" He demanded, stroking his jaw.
"A little nickname for Mr handsome here," I divulged and shrugged my shoulders and accepted the gum he brought out from his jacket.
"So, you find me attractive," he squealed and shifted his chair closer excitedly.
"Not really," I lied. "I'm only calling you what you want to hear so I won't wound your big ego," I spilt with a smile while he touched his chest in agony and pretended to be in pain.
"Omg!" he exclaimed. "You wound my heart baby doll, you wound me so badly." He reiterated still screaming with fake tears. While we both laughed at his horrible acting skills.
"So, you know you have been flirting with me. Quit it now and try it on some other girls." I declared and stared at my wristwatch. Few more minutes to go. It being fun all thanks to Ralph.
"I agree I can be a flirt and I know you are different from the other girls but I can't just help it. do you have a WiFi because I think we have a connection," he hinted with a wink. He is probably expecting me to blush or fawn but I guess I did disappoint him.
"Cute, but it won't work on me and you know it. So just stop wasting your talent here. It's so old fashion," I implied yawning.
"It might be old fashion and I might not be a photographer but I can picture us together some other time you know," he continued.
In other not to spoil the moment, I decided to turn it into a competition instead.
"Fine, pick up lines don't work on me or for me, but because of the situation, we find ourselves. Let me make it a competition." I clarified while he wolf-whistled, I cracked my knuckles.
"You know karate because your body is kicking!!" I started while he nodded his head.
"Do you like my sweater? its boyfriend material." He affirmed and shoulder bump mine.
"But all I see is a leather material," I revealed on purpose while we both snickered.
"You are one hell of a spoiler you know," he said sticking his tongue at me.
"Are you lost? Because heaven is a long way from here Mr big fat ego." I complimented while he flashed me his million-dollar smile. The atmosphere felt cool and fun. Detention must have sucked if not for Ralph.
"Now you are the true definition of a flirt. Look how smooth that line went tomboy," he remarked clapping.
"I'm not a flirt, I'm just tryna win the damn competition, bad boy," I admitted with a smile while he chuckled.
"If you were a plant you will be my cutecumber you know," he whispered in my ear making it tingle as he smelled of mint mixed with male Cologne.
"So, you are insinuating that I'm cute? Interesting." I acknowledged nodding my head vigorously.
"Now let me tell you this, you may fall from the sky, you may fall from a tree, but the best way to fall...Is in love with me," he whispered the last part in my ears softly. His voice sounded like the best melody ever. It felt serene, magical, beautiful, inexplicable.
He held my face delicately like it was the most priceless thing in the world. I got lost in the brown goodness of his eyes, my body tingled and yearned for his touch. I swallowed hard and mumbled incoherent words while his face moved closer till they were inches to touch. It felt so real, till my phone rang breaking every magical moment and I jerked back to reality realizing that we are still at the detention office.
"Hey, mom?" I said the moment my phone touched my cheeks while I stared at every other thing that didn't bear the name Ralph.
"We have a dinner meeting today with some important business associates. I need you to be ready at five asap. Well dressed and ready. Your chauffeur will be there to pick you, love you." She ended the call after spilling what she wanted to say.
A man entered the office and declared we are free for the day. It three thirty pm already. I have less than two hours to prepare.
"Thanks for being my detention buddy. You are the best detention company a person can ever ask for. You made my day from sadness to three-sixty degree excitement. It nice to be well acquainted with you. Bye," I said all at once, picked my backpack without looking back. I was halfway out of the door when Ralph called me.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked standing right behind me.
"What will that be?" I perused looking around but couldn't find any of my things.
"You forgot I was your driver this morning. How do you intend going home without me?" he probed with a smile and marched forward.
"How could I forget," I facepalmed. "So I am basically stuck with you. Alright, after you," I admitted as we headed towards his car.
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