Adrian's POV
Summerville School - Early Morning
The driver dropped me off without even seeing if I had entered the school gate or not.
I couldn't help but look around as the other kids' parents were dropping them off.
Mothers were kissing them off.
Fixing their clothes.
The look in their eyes.
So warm, so affectionate.
As if they would pick them up any instance.
Father's were telling them, 'be good, I'll take you to the park on Sunday."
I turned back to see…
No one.
Even the driver didn't stop to see if I entered the school gate or not.
I adjusted my bad and walked off alone towards my class.
Mother didn't even have time to have breakfast with me.
She was busy scheduling her spa appointment.
When I went over and called her to come…
"Adrian, just go and eat." Mother said.
"I'm on an important call."
She could talk to make a spa appointment.
But didn't have time to pack my lunch box.
The butler did his duty…dropped me off at the school.
Daily routine,
Opens the car door.
Says, "Master Adrian."
Drives off.
Only looked back if a bump or intrusion comes in the way of driving.
Stops.
Opens the door.
closes the door as soon as I get off, and gets in drives off.
The first two periods went by normally.
The teacher asked me a question, and I answered.
But today no one clapped.
Instead they all whispered.
"Quiet," the teacher called out.
The rest of the time went uneventful.
I realized I was no longer included in the class by my classmates, I was…just there.
I exhaled as I still hadn't gotten over the previous incident.
But I guess I got happy a bit too soon.
The teacher got called to the staff room.
"Okay, I'll be back in a minute. Don't make any noise."
As she left, silence fell around me.
I don't know why, but today's silence was getting to me.
I felt like it could engulf me into itself, and maybe I won't exist anymore.
Then the classmates began to whisper, and started to look at me.
The look was an uneasy one.
One that made me wish I could disappear from this classroom.
"I told you he's not his son," a classmate whispered behind me.
"I look like my mother, but my eyes are on my father,"
"And you," the classmate continued.
"Look exactly like your father."
"Look, he still writes Rollings," another classmate whispered.
"He's not even a Rollings," the other classmate whispered.
The kids start to giggle.
"He's a Harmon—" he continued.
"His mother's a Harmon," The first classmate said.
"Yeah," another classmate said.
"My mother said a child takes his father's name,"
"He doesn't have a father, whose name will he write?"
"His real father's name obviously," a classmate said.
"I wonder if he knows who his father is."
They all broke out laughing.
Just then the teacher came in and they stopped.
Summerville School - Lunch break
I was sitting on the swing with my lunch box in my lap.
I opened it.
I looked around.
"What did you bring today?"
"Tuna fish sandwich, a cupcake and flavored milk."
"You always bring milk with you,"
"Of course mom knows it's my favorite,"
"She never forgets,"
"And you?"
"Mommy made pasta and doughnuts today."
Mine…
A plain cheese slice sandwich.
Packed by our maid.
When I heard the children talking again.
It made me feel so out of place.
"Don't disturb me." A student said.
"It's lunch time," the other student said.
"I know, but mom says I'm to take over father's business," the first student said.
"What about you?" he asked the other student.
"I have an older sister so I won't," The other student continued.
"Good for you. For me, my father says I have to follow him." the first one said.
"Hey," the first one said.
"Do you think Adrian will take over—"
"Him?" the other student said.
"You need to have a father to take over a business."
"Hey, he could take over his grandfather's—," the other one said.
"He has an uncle," the first one said.
"My mother said, 'she knew from the beginning his parents weren't even engaged." The first one continued.
"You know what my mother said," the second one whispered.
Yes, everyone had a future.
A place.
While..
I ..
No future.
No place.
I got up and walked to the other side of the ground.
It was quieter.
And right now…
I wanted to be alone.
I removed a book.
And stared at the name:
Adrian Rollings.
Once…
I was proud to see my name.
Now..
My own name seems strange to me.
"I began writing Rollings only a year back when dad adopted me,"
"Whatever that meant,"
"But now I feel this isn't my name."
"Why can't I have a father's surname like all kids?"
I didn't know if I should cry or laugh.
Is it because I'm a kid?
"I've seen dad being happier with Janet than he's with me."
"I've seen him buying girl toys and clothes whenever he takes me shopping."
"If dad's not my dad…"
"If mother never got engaged to dad…"
"Then…who am I?"
"Father does care …"
"Not as much as he does for Janet."
"Mom told he's my dad."
"Janet told me he's her dad."
"Dad never fed me with his own hands."
"But I've seen him feeding Janet."
Just then..
I heard footsteps coming towards me.
I froze.
"Hey," a student said. "Isn't that him? I heard he doesn't have a father."
"Oh, is he dead?" The other student said.
"No, he doesn't have one."
"How can you not have a father?"
"I don't know," the first one said. "But he doesn't."
"I have a father," I pushed the boy yelling.
"Oh you do?" The first student said,
"Yes," I yelled.
"Jonathan Rollings is my father."
"Do you even believe that anymore?"
"Yes," I said in a steady voice.
"Then why did he stop dropping you after the news?"
"He didn't," I said, voice breaking.
"He just…just…"
"He just isn't your father…"
"He just won't come to pick you up anymore."
The boys started to laugh.
"He's my father," I said, yelling.
"I'll show you."
I ran off towards the toilets and hid in one of the cubicles.
I thought I'd be alone here,
But I was wrong.
"Look, it's the fatherless boy Adrian.." one student said.
I don't know what happened but the next moment..
I had the boy pinned under me.
Then I froze, shocked at what I had done.
But before I could react…
"Teacher,"
"Teacher," the students started to call out.
Soon three teachers came and pulled me onto my feet.
"Adrian, what is the matter with you?"
"Shame on you,"
"Teacher, he called me a —"
"Enough," she said, pulling me towards the office.
"Sit here,"
She made me sit on a chair in the hall and went to her office.
Today was the fees submission day as well.
I kept watching other students coming with their parents to submit their fees.
One boy began to cry because she got less marks.
"It's okay, honey," his father said, kneeling to his level.
"It's just a few marks," he said.
"You passed, that's all that matters."
I recalled the time Janet was on the top and I was in tenth place.
Mother not only scolded me, but forbade me from eating lunch that day.
Then my eyes fell on the fess submission line.
The kids were standing in line with their parents.
Each parent holding tightly onto their child's hand.
My fees are always paid online.
As for holding hands…
Mother says, 'I'm a man.
Dad does, but only for a few seconds.
Flashback
An incident flashed before my eyes.
I once came to give a form for a field trip..
And saw..
Dad standing in the fee line holding Janet's hand.
Present
"Is Janet really dad's daughter?"
The bell rang so I went back to my class.
The classes resumed, but I wasn't allowed to attend.
I was told to wait outside the principal's office.
Today for the first time I realized how Janet felt.
Even though she was around, she would seem invincible…
Just the way I am here today but invincible.
Today I wasn't wrong, but I was the one who got the punishment.
I remember I once was running around in the party and bumper into the wine glass tower.
It fell.
No one was hurt,
But I told Janet pushed it,
Result..
The catering manager slapped Janet.
Janet was never wrong but because of my mistakes she often got scolded.
Today I was not different from her.
"Janet, I'm sorry."
My eyes welled up.
Tears seemed to roll down any moment.
Then I heard footsteps coming my way.
And from my blurry eyes I saw a figure walking towards.
I instantly got up.
"Adrian," Dad said.
"Didn't I tell you crying is a sign of weakness?"
I quickly wiped my eyes.
"Yes dad…"
I stepped forward thinking he would hug me.
But when I met his gaze, something shivered inside of me.
"Uncle," I looked down.
"Adrian," Dad said.
"Even if we aren't related by blood, I did raise you."
"Let's go inside."
I was happy to see dad was still with me.
My chest rose.
Dad is going to speak up for me.
"I'm sorry for Adrian's behaviour," Jonathan said.
"Mr. Rollings," the teacher said.
"Fighting?"
"Miss," Dad said.
"You know Adrian is a calm boy," he said.
"Today…for his outburst, I personally apologize to you."
Pause.
I was shocked…
Dad apologized…but I wasn't wrong.
"I'm surprised at his behavior," The teacher said.
"They called me fatherless…and…and…I don't look like you…I don't have a—" I broke out.
I looked at dad, but he didn't turn around to look at me.
I waited for him to reach out to hold me.
He…
Didn't.
"Adrian, go and sit over there," he said pointing to the sofa.
I lowered my head, and walked to the sofa.
He never made me sit away from him when he came before.
Now..
"Dad's changed."
Even though he wasn't upset.
He knew I wasn't the wrong one.
But he didn't comfort me.
Instead he apologized on my behalf.
But why?
Why?
I wasn't wrong.
They bullied me,
I didn't.
Dad's old words came into my mind.
"No one will accuse you unless there's proof."
I began to wonder.
Did I do something wrong?
Did I harm someone?
Or is it that I'm wrong?
The world seemed to have stilled around me.
Everything was dark.
Like I was the only one in the entire universe.
Images began to flash around me.
The kids teasing.
The hurtful words.
The comparisons.
Dad's reaction to me before and now.
Pause
Before dad never was called like this.
Yes.
That's why he's angry.
If I prove to everyone I am dad's son..
He won't be called to school like this…
then…
He'll accept me.
"Yes, I'll make dad accept me once again."