A THRIFT SYSTEM

chapter four

My head shook as I looked as I looked at the message on my phone. Not because I was scared but because I had underestimated my opponent.

Underestimated, Jeremiah, Layla. To think that they would go that far was something I hadn't anticipated.

." Is that really true?"

"Pontius would be rusticated."

"I can't believe we are finally going to rid ourselves of that low life."

"Well, it's a byebye to go riddance. To garbage."

My hand shook slightly as I tried to grip onto my new phone. " You need to put that down and heal up." My mother's voice said gently.

Her eyes darted towards me and I quickly hid my phone.

Martha was a soft woman and she could turn a blind eye to most of the things I do. She was not a bad mother but she always gave me time to prepare my mind.

I was going to tell her the source of the money but I need to prepare my mind, myself. No one would believe a gaming app that gave me that much money.

Not even the most sane person.

So, I had to find a way of letting her believe me.

"You need to stop trying so hard to get noticed. I know you want a good life but isn't that meant for the rich?”

Martha said looking at me as she placed the tray of morning coffee on my sick bed.

She touched my forehead and looked at her time.

"This is good. You are improving. You will soon be on your feet and be back to school in no time." She said with a smile.

"I need to go, son. I am working the double shift today."

I wanted to tell her to stop working so bad. I can now take care of the bills but how do I tell her that I was worth a million dollars?

I had spent some money to get myself nice things and the house we were in but how do I tell her what was really going on. Moreover, I just got a message from the school authorities that I would be facing the panel for trying to defend myself against Jeremiah.

"Pontius? Are you alright?" My mother asked staring at my face.

"Is there something that I should know?" Martha asked.

I looked at her very well. I knew my mother was not ready for the school stress. Work was taking it toil on her and having her to deal with my school life would be too much.

"No,mum. I am good." I find the courage to speak.

"Good, I am going to be back as soon as possible by tomorrow morning. You can take care of yourself right?"

Martha said again.

I nodded again and watched her walk out of my room.

I closed my eyes to try and rest but it won't just come. I needed to fight back, I needed to show Jeremiah I was not scared of him. I need to go back to school.

I groaned as I threw the dulve that was covering my bruise down to the cold floor as I walked towards the bathroom to take my bath.

[AT SCHOOL]

"Is that Pointus? What the hell is he doing here?"

"He got the memo I think?"

"Do you think he can win against someone like Jeremiah?"

"He is a fool to think he can actually belong in this school. That he could belong in our world."

" I even heard he has some cash to spend around."

"Cash? Hard earned money from his mother's double shift at work. Who the hell is he trying to impress?"

"Layla of course. Who will not give his best to have a go at that fit body of hers. I knew she was messing with him all along. Because how can someone so gorgeous date someone like him. A low life “

The words hit me to the curb as I dragged myself through the school compound that was silent the moment I walked in. I could hear their whispers but I was not here for the students.

I was here to let them know I was the victim and Jeremiah should pray the price for bullying me.

I felt all eyes on me, like I was some kind of freak.

As I walked through the hallways, the whispers of the students followed me like a bad stench. Almost, like I was the villain when they all should point at Jeremiah for being a bully.

I walked towards the Dean office where most of the students dreaded entering.

The door slammed shut as I came face to face with men and women who were old enough to be my grandparents.

"I can see you get our message, Mr Pontius. Please have a seat." A middle aged man said without looking at him.

It felt like he could smell my anger, rage even though I had applied one of the most expensive perfumes before coming down to school.

I limped towards the chair in front of them before one of them came at me.

"We heard you almost injured one of the prominent students on campus. Is that true, Mr Pointus?" A woman who had a pointy nose asked

My face went pale.

"What? I believe there are CCTV cameras right inside the school. Why don't we have that checked before I am accused." I said defending myself.

The room went quiet.

"Do you think you can win against big students like, Jeremiah? His father donated exclusively to their growth of this school and not only that, he gave you the scholarship you rely solely on. If you felt so wrong about what was done to you why don't you ask your double paying shift mother to pay your tuition fees? Then we might count you equal with some of the students here." The Dean said again adjusting this spectacle.

I clenched my hands in anger.

This was clearly about superiority.

About who had the upper hands.

Definitely about social status and I was at the rock bottom. The least on the ladder.

"We are willing to look the other way for now if you could afford the tuition fees because the school council has decided to retrieve your scholarship."

Mr Frank Hudson said, staring at me.

I looked at their faces, fearless for the first time in my life and the word slipped out of my mouth.

"How much?” I asked staring at his face.