His name was Alex, is what I heard in a rambled up conversation at school. He was known for his pranks and jokes throughout the school and he had a copious amount of comrades, more than eager to hear another one of his jokes that would make one holler with l laughter.
He was a new kid and had just joined in our school. It so happens that he’s had a hidden secret that nobody is cognisant of. It all commenced the day, I found him wailing his heart out on the frigid floor in the janitor’s room. I had woken up really late that day causing me to be late to school and miss the first bell. I quickly carried my cumbrous books I n my sweaty palms and sprinted to my class. But I halted when I heard the noise of a sniffling person in the janitor’s room.
Who could that be ? My heart throbbed faster as I walked towards the janitor’s room down. I was already l ate for the first period so it wouldn’t matter if I was a few more minutes late knowing that I’ll have detention after school hours. Without letting my mind wander again, I yanked the door open to see Alex. His hands were quivering and his eyes looked bloodshot and a myriad of tears streamed down his face.
I sat next to him and tried not to stutter as I asked him, “A-are you okay, Alex ?” He didn’t reply but continued snivelling incessantly. I fished my phone out of my pocket and called my beloved mother letting her know I was missing school and was going to walk Alex home. He quietly wiped his tears and furiously shook his head as if to say ‘No’. I took his hand in mine and to my utter dismay, I realized his hands were bleeding profusely and that his throat had become the colour of puckish green. My breath faltered as I grabbed his hands as gingerly as I could and tread all the way to the hospital.
In a rushed tone, I told nurse whatever I could think of that could have happened to him. My face was clouded with consternation as I waited in the public waiting room while my parents rushed to the hospital. My parents reached and my mother held me in her sinewy yet dainty hands as I recounted what had happened. My father let the information sink in and decided that he would manage the hospital bills. My mother claimed to hear that Alex’s mother happened to hurt him frequently.
The following morning was a Saturday so I would not have school. I caprioled out of my bed and hurriedly rushed to the hospital to check upon Alex. The nurse led me to the room and I discerned him lying on his bed limply.
As he saw me he broke into a wide grin and motioned me towards a note kept on the side desk.
I picked the paper in my hand discreetly and read what was written in his scrawny handwriting :
I know you will want to know about what happened. Infelicitously, a year ago, my dad left my mother for someone else. My mother couldn’t cope with the abrupt change and moved here to Texas. She was drowning in despondency. But I guess, it was too much pressure for her. She commenced drinking and became violent unleashed her vexation on me. I was terrified whenever she would be in an inebriated state. Yesterday she coerced me to eat smouldering burning coal so that I may never be able to talk again but my mother is in custody now. Till I get my voice back, make sure to make everyone guffaw till they fall off their seats. Thank you for helping me, it meant a lot. XOXO Alex.
By the time I finished reading the note, tears threatened to fall out of my eyes. Alex gave me a soft smile and took my hand in his robust hands and gave it a squeeze before he shut his eyes and fell into a deep slumber.
So now after three months, Alex is back to normal and lives with his aunt who showers him with unconditional love and takes wonderful care of Alex. Alex and I have become quite close and I can never stop laughing. I am ebullient and exultant that now Alex can achieve what he wants with his supportive aunt as his guardian.