“Pass me the next box,” Juan called out.
Ajay
didn’t hear him—he was lost in his own thoughts again.
“Hey!
Ajay!” Juan shouted louder. “I said pass me the next box.”
“Sorry
about that,” said Ajay. He reached down, picked up the last box, then carefully
climbed onto the first rung of the ladder.
“This
is the last one,” he said, reaching up into the storage loft.
Juan
took it from him and disappeared from view. Moments later he returned, a
satisfied grin across his face. He reached up, pulled the light chord, then
climbed down the ladder.
“Well,
that was the last of the Christmas decorations,” Juan said as he lifted the
door shut. “The headmaster said we could have the rest of the day to ourselves
once we were finished. What do you want to do?”
Ajay
just stared at the floor.
“Hello!
Ajay! Hola! Namaste!” Juan shouted.
“What?
Sorry,” said Ajay. “I was just thinking again.”
“Homesick
still?” Juan asked. “Everyone will be back in a few weeks, then school will be
back to normal.”
“I
know, I know. I just would have liked to gone home, that’s all,” Ajay said.
“Well
then you should have asked Santa for plane tickets home,” Juan said with a
chuckle.
Ajay
blushed.
“What’s
wrong?” asked Juan.
“Um
. . .” started Ajay, “I actually did.”
Juan
laughed, then put his arm around Ajay.
“That
is what makes you so awesome, Ajay. You’re the most honest person I have ever
met,” said Juan. “But you need to relax some.”
With
that Juan tightened his arm into a head lock. Before Ajay could react Juan gave
him a quick yet fierce noogie.
“Ow!”
said Ajay as he pushed Juan away. “What was that for?”
“Now
all you can think about is your head hurting, right?” smiled Juan.
Ajay
stopped, then started laughing. He put his arm around Juan, still smiling, then
went for his own headlock. Juan pushed him away and started laughing.
“See?
You feel better right?”
Both
boys started to circle each other, each looking for a chance to strike.
Suddenly, the entire building shook with a loud explosion, almost knocking both
boys over.
Having
regained their footing, the two boys stood there, staring at each other. Both
of them were unsure of what to do next. After a few long minutes passed they
heard the sounds of someone running up the stairs.
It
was the headmaster.
“Oh
thank heavens,” the headmaster sighed. “I was almost knocked out of my chair.
You boys seem to be fine, are you not?”
“Yes,
headmaster,” they replied in near unison.
“Good
to hear,” replied the older man. “I have got some bad news.”
The
two boys exchanged quick glances, unsure of where this conversation was going.
“There
has been an accident, as I am sure you are aware,” started the headmaster. “A
pipe ruptured on the main boiler. I am afraid the school will be without
adequate heat for some time.”
Once
again the boys exchanged glances, each giving the other a look of surprise.
“I
know how much fun you were having being here between semesters,” started the
headmaster. “However, unfortunate as it may be, you will both have to return
home for the remainder of the holiday. My secretary is already notifying your
parents. Also, the school will take care of all travel arrangements. Both of
you will be out on the first available flights tonight.”
Ajay
dropped to his knees and buried his face in his hands.
The
head master reached over and tentatively patted him twice on the head.
“I
know, lad. This is upsetting for me as well,” the headmaster said, then turned
and looked at Juan. “Once he composes himself, you two will both pack your things
and wait in the lobby. A car will be here within the hour to take you both to
the airport.”
“Yes
sir,” Juan said. “We’ll manage . . . somehow.”
Ajay
just sat on the floor, head in his hands, concealing his grinning face.
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