Chapter 97 First day at school
Liam sat quietly in class.
Today was his first day of school since they moved to Ivory City.
He wasn’t in the best mood. He knew something had happened to his mama, even though she had tried so hard to hide it from him. She hadn’t gotten out of bed to dress him this morning, and the worry had sat heavy in his chest all day.
Liam was so lost in thought that he wasn’t listening to the teacher, nor did he hear his name.
Bang.
A sharp knock landed on his desk.
“Hey, new kid. Answer the question,” a voice snapped, pulling him back.
Liam looked up at the teacher with tired, almost lazy eyes.
“Can you please repeat the question, ma’am?”
“The new boy’s about to get his ass whooped,” another student muttered.
Liam rolled his eyes.
The teacher frowned, arms crossed, clearly convinced he hadn’t been paying attention.
“What is first aid?” she asked, her face scrunched. She was already sure he would fail.
Liam’s mind drifted briefly to late nights watching his mother read medical books, to the quiet way she studied and the times he couldn’t help but study with her.
Then he answered
“Friedrich Esmarch defines first aid as the protection of fresh wounds from infection during transport to the hospital,” Liam said calmly. “It involves using simple methods such as covering wounds and immobilizing injured parts with basic equipment, like his famous triangular bandage to prevent deterioration before professional medical care arrives.”
The classroom went silent.
Even the teacher froze.
Liam noticed their reactions but didn’t care that was the easiest definition he knew.
“May I use the restroom?” he asked quietly. He just wanted to be alone to think about his mama.
“Y-yes… you may go,” the teacher finally said, still stunned.
As Liam stood and walked out, she glanced down at his desk.
His textbook was closed the entire time.
Havilah wasn’t in class either.
Since she had seen her parents fight, she hadn’t been able to pull herself together. The argument replayed endlessly in her mind. She curled inward, sitting alone at the back of the basketball court, knees drawn to her chest.
She felt like the reason for their fight. Like her father hated her.
Only her mother had come to her room afterward. Her father never did.
“Rich kid,” Rosie’s voice rang out. “Does your mother know you’re rebelling now?”
Havilah looked up.
Two girls stood in front of her Rosie and Mimi. They were her friends.
She rose slowly to her feet.
“Rosie… Mimi… I’m not rebelling,” she said softly.
“Yes, yes, we get it,” Mimi said, rolling her eyes. Her school shirt was unbuttoned halfway down. “We won’t tell anyone.”
They moved closer.
Rosie reached for Havilah’s bag. “How many times does this necklace get replaced for you?” she asked, already digging through it.
“I’m taking it this time,” Mimi said, pulling the necklace out. “You took it the last two times.”
Havilah stood still, watching. She was used to it.
Her friends liked sharing her things. That was what they always told her.
They tipped her bag upside down. Books and supplies scattered across the ground. A small, fancy gift bag fell out.
Havilah gasped and rushed to grab it.
“Let me see it,” Rosie demanded.
Havilah clutched it behind her back. “No, Rosie. You can’t take this one,” she said, her voice shaking.
“We’re friends,” Mimi pressed. “Friends share. Just let us see it.”
Havilah shook her head. “It’s a gift for my dad,” she said weakly. “You can’t take it, Rosie. Please.”
She had bought it during her vacation in Sun City.
Rosie’s face twisted. She lunged forward, grabbing at the bag. Mimi stepped in, cornering Havilah against the fence.
“No… please… you can’t take it,” Havilah cried.
They didn’t stop.
Until….
“Isn’t this daylight robbery?”
The voice sliced through the air.
Everyone turned.
Liam stood a few steps away, phone raised, recording.
“I was looking for peace and quiet,” he continued calmly, “but instead I find two students committing theft in a prestigious school.” His eyes flicked to the screen. “I’ll submit this video to the school director. I wonder what happens next.”
Rosie and Mimi paled.
They immediately dropped to their knees, panicking, apologizing over each other.
Havilah caught the view in front of her after they bent down. She saw him.
“Liam!”
Her face lit up. She ran forward, blonde hair catching the light, and hugged him tightly.
Liam stiffened. His ears burned red.
“What..what are you doing?” he stammered. “How do you know me?”
She pulled back slightly, still smiling.
“Sun City,” she said sweetly.
Liam looked at her properly this time. She was the blonde girl. The one he had saved before.
“Is getting robbed your hobby?” he asked flatly. “This is the second time.”
“They’re my friends,” Havilah said innocently. “They were just sharing.”
Liam stared at her like she was unreal. She was still clutching his shirt.
“Friends don’t forcibly take things from their friends,” he said.
She blinked. “Then… what do friends do, Liam?”
He paused.
“Friends protect each other. They have each other’s backs,” he said. “They share but not like that.”
Her eyes lit up.
“Then we’re friends now,” she said happily. “You protected me twice.” She beamed. “I’m Havilah Richard. You can call me Avi.”
Liam felt like steam was coming out of his ears.
“I can’t be friends with you,” he blurted.
Her smile vanished instantly.
“Why?”
Guilt pricked his chest. She suddenly reminded him of his mama.
“B-because you’re dumb,” he said too quickly. “You’re not courageous. You let people walk all over you.”
He turned to leave.
She followed immediately.
“I’m not dumb,” she said firmly. “I get high scores in all my subjects. I just don’t know how to be courageous.” She looked up at him. “Teach me.”
Liam stopped.
He had just insulted her and she wasn’t angry.
“You see?” he said slowly. “I called you dumb, and you didn’t defend yourself. That’s the beginning.” He faced her. “Stand up for yourself so they never try that again.”
She smiled hopefully.
“If I do that… we’ll be friends, right?”
“Yes,” he said, already walking away. He didn’t think she could do it.
She already had the zeal. Havilah’s eyes burned with new resolve.