"I didn't mean to tear her sketchbook... but the moment I looked into her eyes, I knew I'd crossed a line I shouldn't."
In our class, everybody picked on Aiko Mori. She never talked, just a quiet girl who would always carry her sketchbook everywhere she goes. Others talk behind her back, vandalized her table, throws small crumpled papers at her. No one would help her. So when I grabbed her sketchbook... I didn't think it would be such a big deal.
She stared at the torn pages, then at me. Her eyes boiled with emotions. My laughter died the second I looked at her. She was.... angry, sad? I couldn't tell.
"I'm sorr-"
She stood up, her chair knocked down to the ground triggering a loud noise. The class that was filled with chatter went completely silent, all eyes turned towards us.
She grabbed my hair, pulling it hard. I instinctively shoved her to the ground and lunge on her.
"That was my sister!"
Her hand clenched harder like a rock that wouldn't let go of my hair. With no choice, I pulled her hair trying to make her let go. Mr. Hiro the homeroom teacher entered the classroom.
His voice was blurry, I couldn't hear anything besides the commotion surrounded by my friends. Right now, it hurts... tears dropping in my eyes, the teacher shoved the student away, grabbing both of my arms, pulling me away from her. Her hands finally let go, it still burns but I was relieved.
"why would you hit a girl?"
"I- I... she started it first. She pulled my hair out of nowhere!."
"Just stay at your seat and don't move!"
I sat down, remembering her words, I looked at the torn sketches on the ground.
"Her sister? It's just a drawing, there's nothing to be mad about." I thought to myself.
Mr. Hiro went to check on Aiko that was on the ground tearing up. I couldn't see what was Mr. Hiro face making but I knew it wouldn't be good.
I don't regret what I did. It wasn't my fault... at all. It was just a drawing that can be sketched again. And... she would made a fuss just because of that? What's her problem.
After a moment, Mr. Hiro got everyone seated.
"Aiko, Ren, stand up!"
The words spoken... just as I knew it, everyone got tensed, including me. My hands wasn't shivering from fear, but... my brain was numb, like a rock had hit my head earlier.
"REN why did you do it!" He shouted.
"I- it was her. She started it, not me"
My friend had raised his hand up, trying to help me with pursue the teacher.
"Mr. Hiro, It wasn't Aiko that started it, it was Ren..."
"Wh- what. It's not tr-
Mr. Hiro slam the board looking at me with a fierce glance.
"Enough with the LIES Ren! Did anyone saw him started it first!"
The class immediately raised their hands...
Class? Students? What kind of friends are those? The numb in my head worsen...
"Why? Why? Whywhywhywh..." That was all I could thought of. I was being accused, do I even deserve friends...
I looked at Aiko, biting my lips, She was staring down, her hands trembling below the table, her mouth shut like a locked door.
"Aiko... say something" I asked
"ENOUGH! I'll see you both later after school" Mr. Hiro shouted.
The lesson is as usual, boring. I stared at the whiteboard, looking at the words, nothing really came to me. I looked at Aiko.
She didn't move much. Just sat there, gripping her pencil tightly. Her sketchbook was under her desk, with the torn drawing on top.
The last lesson ended, remembering Mr. Hiro words, I went to splash my face with water. I was nervous, but I couldn't think anything else.
I walked slowly at the hallway, stalling for time, the next turn was to the staff room.
I entered the staff room to see that my parents and another person? Seems to be Aiko's parents. They were all seemingly waiting for my arrival...
I stood there, waiting for anyone to raise their voice first, my eyes were staring down, not wanting to look at their expression towards me.
"You know, the sketchbook... that was the last thing she and her sister made together before the incident" said Aiko's mother.
Hearing that, my eyes had been locked staring to the ground, not wanting to look up anymore. My hands clenched tightly to each other, nothing came to my mind anymore.
"Why did you start the fight after tearing her drawing, isn't that enough?" Mr. Hiro said, his face laid on his hand, staring at me like I had committed a serious matter.
"It wasn't me, I swear. She started it after I torn the drawing."
"The students said that you were the one who caused the fight after tearing her drawing.
Enough with the lies Ren, just tell me the truth."
I looked down, gritting my teeth, fist clenched tightly as if my nail is going to penetrate the skin. My heart beats fast like it would explode any second, tears started dropping in my eyes. I was crying?
I wasn't crying because I was in trouble, I was crying because they lied.