Mr. Benjamin Miller, the guidance counselor, was taken aback when he saw Cade’s unpleasant appearance.
“What happened to you?” he asked.
“Good afternoon, sir. I’m here to report about a bullying incident. They’re being too much. I cannot stay silent forever,” Cade said.
“Please sit down.” Mr. Miller sat at his desk. “What’s your name and what section are you from?”
“My name is Curtis Fleming, a junior from section C.”
“Kindly elaborate on what happened to you.”
“As you can see, I am covered with raw eggs. Some students threw them at me.”
“Do you know them?”
“No.”
“We can check the CCTV.”
“Unfortunately, they made fun of me at the spot not seen by the cameras. The pathway on the way to the restroom.”
“In that case, we will strengthen our anti-bullying campaign. But no one can take responsibility for the damage you got since you don’t know them.”
“I have one person in mind who must be punished,” Cade said in a firm voice.
“Who?”
“Luke Harris from section A.”
“That cannot be, Mr. Fleming. Luke Harris is the campus president, and he has done nothing but great deeds in this institution for the past 3 years. There’s no way he could get involved in trouble.”
“Please call him, sir. So we can have a talk.”
Mr. Miller invited Luke to the guidance office.
“Good afternoon, sir. What is this about?” Luke said and took a glance at Cade.
“Please sit down, Luke.”
Cade looked intently at him who was unbothered.
“I called you here because Mr. Fleming said that we must punish you for his bullying incident a while ago.”
“What could I have done?” Luke asked.
“Let me ask you that, Luke. What did you do?” Cade said.
“I know nothing about bullying, Curt. We’ve been friends. You know that.”
Cade turned to Mr. Miller. “Sir, the day the rumors about the Generals manipulating me spread, they beat me up to a pulp. Liam did most of it. But Luke is the mastermind. He’s afraid I might surpass his achievements. All the bullying I experienced was his idea. I know it’s him.”
I’ve done that before. I know how he thinks.
“Oh, wow. That’s a huge allegation, Curt. I’m sorry if you’re still mad because the students think you don’t belong in our group. We never made you feel unwelcome. We were once your ally before you left us.”
“Stop acting like the protagonist, Luke. You are always been the villain. Don’t be shy about showing your true colors.”
Mr. Miller tapped the table. “If you don’t fix this issue now, tell your parents to see me on Wednesday. I’ll give you one day to be friends.”
Cade was muted. Parents? Do I have parents?
Cade refused to make the first move and be ‘friends’ with Luke. He informed his father about what had happened.
“Dad, the guidance office would like to talk to you in person.”
“What did you do this time, Cade?”
“I am the victim here. They bullied me because of this show you put me into.”
“I did what? As far as I can remember, I never forced you to do this. We had a deal, and it was very clear. If you can’t do it, you can drop out anytime. I’m on a business trip, so Antoine will be there.”
Cade threw his phone on the bed. He always has no time to deal with my problems.
The next day, Antoine arrived on his doorstep.
“Good day, Young Master,” Antoine said. He was dressed in his casual attire.
“Antoine!” Cade smiled from ear to ear as he hugged him.
“Did you miss me, Young Master?”
“I just miss my authority over you.”
Antoine roamed his eyes around Cade’s room. “What a tiny space you have here, Young Master.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve been living like a rat. My father is really heartless. How can he let his only son live like this?”
“Let’s talk in a wider space, Young Master. I already reserved a restaurant.”
“Thanks, Antoine. You’re awesome!”
Antoine led him to a fancy restaurant in Manhattan.
“It’s my first time to be here, Antoine. Did father tell you about my mission?”
“Yes, Young Master. I know exactly what to do.”
“So you are aware that I am not allowed to be anywhere expensive?”
“I am. But today, we are cheating.”
“We are really inclined, Antoine. You’re the best.”
Cade’s eyes twinkled with amazement as the server placed their order. He had never eaten so fast like this before. There were Myers of Keswick pork sausage, chicken-apple sausage, Nueske’s bacon, heritage ham with breakfast potatoes, and organic loose leaf tea.
“You seem so delighted with the food, Young Master. Way back in the mansion, these are ordinary dishes you would ignore.”
“Things are different now, Antoine. My life here is pure misery,” Cade blurted.
“So, tell me more about this bullying incident while I watch you eat.”
Cade told Antoine everything that had happened to him from the beginning until now. His mouth was like a rifle, shooting words at him nonstop.
“Mchalmmond is perfect for me if I were to study there as Cade Robertson. But as Curtis Fleming, it was horrible. Especially Luke.”
“Based on your stories, this entire setup is quite funny. You are like in a parallel universe and your other self is Luke. While Stan is like Lewis and Theo is Liam. But those jerks are an upgrade version of you and your friends.”
“What are you talking about? Stan is way better than Lewis. Stan doesn’t like fist-fight while Lewis is so good at it. Liam is worse than Theo. At this point, I can say Theo is a good boy. And Luke? He is… I don’t know. He is shady.”
“That’s why I said they are an upgrade. You better be careful.” Antoine dipped his pancake into the maple syrup and took a bite. “Let’s go back to the issue we are currently facing. So, you pointed out Luke as the mastermind without evidence. That is one mistake already, Young Master.”
“I know. I was just so mad and frustrated! I lost control.”
“We will definitely lose the argument if you continue with your claim. Let’s look for a safer alternative.”
“His father will be there, Antoine. They said he is a politician. Don’t get fazed.”
“I won’t, Young Master.”
***
There was a rumor in school: Luke Harris was called out to the guidance office for the first time together with his father because of an allegation. Curtis Fleming, the underdog, claimed to be the victim. The students stared at the two families as they approached the office.
“Hey. You’re a superstar now. Everyone is talking about you,” Elsie said as she popped beside Cade.
“How am I not surprised?” he replied in a sarcastic tone.
“Is he your dad?” She pointed at Antoine.
“I wish he is. Can you leave me in peace?” he grunted irritably.
Mr. Miller greeted them when they arrived and let them sit across from one another. He shook Mr. Harris’ hand with a hint of favoritism and respect, while his welcome for Antoine was a display of courteousness.
“Let me introduce myself first. I am Benjamin Miller, the guidance counselor. How about you, sir?” He turned to Antoine, “are you Curt’s father?”
“My name is Antoine D’aureville, Curt’s guardian,” Antoine shifted to Mr. Harris, “and you must be Mr. Clint Harris.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Antoine and Mr. Harris shook their hands.
“Let’s get to the point of the matter. Curt claimed that Luke must be punished because he is apparently the mastermind of the bullying incident. Is that right, Curt?”
“Do you have evidence to prove yourself right, Mr. Fleming?” Mr. Harris asked.
“I have thought about it last night and since I have no evidence for that claim, then I will give you another reason to punish him. This time, it is valid,” Cade said.
“What is?”
“Negligence. It is Luke’s duty as the president to ensure that the campus is safe for everyone to study harmoniously. But since bullying occurs, it means he neglected his duty as the president. He lacks the quality to be rightful for the position. I have ample evidence that I was being bullied. I hope it is enough for him to be punished. And perhaps… remove him from the position.”
Mr. Harris was marked with astonishment. Mr. Miller cleared his throat.
“Mr. Fleming, your reason is valid to punish Luke. But to remove him from the position? It is not enough. He must become the oppressor for him to be cast away.” Mr. Miller looked at Luke. “What can you say about this, Luke?”
“I would like to apologize. I have no excuse. To resolve this, I will be strict with the matters of bullying and make sure this will not happen again,” Luke said with a serious look on his face.
“Do you have anything to say, Mr. Harris?” Mr. Miller asked.
“I would like to thank you, Mr. Fleming, for pointing out my son’s flaw. Honestly, I thought he was too perfect.” Mr. Harris laughed.
“What about you, Mr. D’aureville?”
“No parent would be glad to see their child getting hurt. I hope the school will stand up to their reputation as the best school in the city,” Antoine said.
After their meeting, Cade stayed in the office for a longer time to persuade Mr. Miller to remove Luke from his position.
“Is there no other option to remove him from the position, sir?”
“Mr. Fleming, if you are so desperate to demote him, then give me signed copies of petition papers to remove him. Eighty percent of the students must sign the petition paper. I will give you two months. After that, whatever the result is, you must accept.”