Branded - Eric Walters [2]
“And Gandhi would walk right up to you wearing that hat and dare you to suspend him,” I said. “Defying the rule to raise awareness of its unjust nature.”
“Yes, he would—”
The bell rang to end class, drowning out his last few words.
“That bell could wake the dead,” Mr. Roberts said as it faded. “Please make sure you all attend the assembly,” he said. “It is mandatory, and as you know I would give Gandhi a detention if he didn’t show up!”
We had a school assembly once a week, and it was the same as any other class. If you didn’t attend you were given a detention.
I joined Oswald and Julia. We started to leave with the rest of the class.
“Oswald!” Mr. Roberts called out. “Can you please stay after class? I want to discuss something with you.”
Oswald nodded solemnly. This wasn’t going to be good. Oswald hadn’t handed in today’s assignment. He was hoping that Mr. Roberts wouldn’t notice. Fat chance. Mr. Roberts noticed everything.
I gave Oswald a tap on the shoulder. “Hang in there,” I whispered.
“Do you think he’s ever going to learn to keep his mouth shut?” Julia asked as we walked out of the class.
“How long have you known Oswald?” I asked.
“Fair enough. But he was just joking around in there. Mr. Roberts has to be a little understanding.”
I laughed. “Remember, this is a guy who would suspend Gandhi. What chance does Oswald have? Besides, this isn’t about what Oswald said, it’s about him not handing in today’s assignment.”
“Did he really think he could get away with that?” Julia asked.
“He thought Mr. Roberts wouldn’t notice, and he’d hand it in tomorrow.”
“Not smart,” Julia said. “But that’s Oswald.”
chapter two
I waited for Oswald at my locker. He never showed, so I was almost late for the assembly. The auditorium was nearly full when I walked in. That was no problem for me because the seat that I was heading for would be empty. I made my way to the front of the room in the very center. Julia was the only person sitting in the front row. Where was Oswald? I expected that he’d be there.
Hardly anybody else ever willingly sat up front. It wasn’t my idea or Oswald’s. Julia said it was her responsibility as student president to be visible to all the students and staff.
I slumped into the seat beside her.
“Where’s Oswald?” she asked.
“I was going to ask you the same thing. Maybe he lost track of time.”
“He’d lose track of his head if it wasn’t loosely attached to his body,” she said.
“I just hope he gets here on time.”
“You don’t think…”
“He wasn’t suspended,” I said. “That’s just crazy thinking.”
“So crazy that you thought of it too without me saying it,” said Julia.
“Mr. Roberts likes Oswald,” I argued.
“He’d suspend Gandhi, remember? Oswald better get here soon. The assembly is about to start.”
I looked at my watch. It was synced to school time, to the second. It was less than a minute to the start of the period, and that meant the assembly would start in one minute. Things always started on time since Mr. Roberts had become principal.
“I don’t know what’s worse, missing the assembly or walking in late,” Julia said. “You know how Roberts is about people being late.”
Julia said people and not students, because Mr. Roberts was no easier on staff who arrived late.
“From where we’re sitting, it’s not like Mr. Roberts won’t notice Oswald isn’t here either,” I said, looking around. “Maybe he can sneak in and take a seat at the back.”
The crowd noise suddenly stopped. I looked up to see Mr. Roberts striding across the stage. Everybody knew to shut up when he appeared. On stage, already seated, were the two vice-principals and the department heads. None of them were talking. They knew better too.
Mr. Roberts could be tough, but he was fair about it. When somebody else was at the podium talking, he listened, hands folded on his lap, paying complete attention.
“Good afternoon,” Mr. Roberts said. “I’m so glad you all chose to join us this fine Friday afternoon.”
“Like we had a choice,” Julia said under her breath.
She always gave a running