THe Teacher Walks Into The Classroom by Amelia Natasha



The teacher walks into the classroom with wide strides, and the sound of the students’ chatter immediately comes to a halt.  A few students run back to their seats after hearing alerts about the teacher’s presence.
                The teacher slams his pile of books on the table, startling the students. He sets his palms on the table, leaning over to look at each pupil in front of him.  He spots two unoccupied seats at the back of the classroom, and narrows his eyes critically.
                “Who are those sitting at the back?” He asks firmly.  The students turn their heads to the back, making incoherent mumbles all the while.
                The class monitor, Jay, stands up politely and says,” Jack and Juliet, sir.” The teacher looks at her and nods his head, motioning her to sit down.
                “Are they absent?” he asks once more. “Anyone knows why they aren’t present?”
                A student sitting in front stands up and replies, “Mr. Choi, I saw both of them at the canteen earlier this morning.”  The teacher, Mr. Choi, raises a skeptical eyebrow at her.
                “Where are they now?”
“I don’t know, sir.”
Jay raises her hand to gain the teacher’s attention.  “I can go look for them, sir,” she suggests.  “It’s a class monitor’s job after all.”
Mr. Choi thinks for a moment before accepting her suggestion. He hands her a pass and says in a stern voice, “Ten minutes.” Jay nods and then walks out.
Mr. Choi sweeps his eyes over the classroom and all the students dare not make noise.  He takes the opportunity to brief the students on the do’s and don’ts of his lessons.  Soon, Jay comes back with two students behind her.
“I’ve caught them, sir!” she exclaims, motioning to the students standing behind her. “I saw them doodling on the toilet walls.”  Mr. Choi casts the students, Jack and Juliet, a hard look of disapproval.  He then orders the class monitor to return to her seat.
“You two are in detention,” Mr. Choi declares, obviously fuming.  “A three-hour detention for vandalizing the school property and being late for class!”  The two students continue bowing their heads in shame, staying silent.
“Go back to your seats.” Mr. Choi commands. “I‘ll inform the principal about this.”  Jack and Juliet return to their seats hastily.  The teacher shakes his head emphatically.
“If I see any of you behaving like that next time,” Mr. Chai says.  “Get out of One Achievers. Only students with a good self-discipline are allowed to stay here.”
No one replies.  Everyone feels scared.

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