JUST A CHANCE!

                   CHAPTER   TEN!
                           CLIFF!




       There was this boy in my class then, his name was Clint. I called him "Cliff"  though not to his hearing 🤦‍♀️. He was a bully and was feared in the whole school. He was muscular, huge and tall. His appearance alone gives us goose pimples. He was a one-man-squad, no one dared cross his path. Unfortunately, he was my classmate😰. He took things from people by force and failure to heed to his forceful demand, you automatically become his puppet.
        One faithful morning, we were having a free period in class. The previous teacher had given us a class assignment and everyone were so engrossed in their activities. I was solving the questions with Teny, trying to tackle the difficult ones together.
Cliff came over to where we were sitting and asked Teny to stand up from his seat. Gosh, such arrogance! Teny looked at me trembling with fear, like I was gonna save him or what?  It was so annoying but all I could do was just stare. Up in my head, I was thinking of a better way to stop this mess!
Cliff repeated himself like Teny hadn't heard him at first.
      "Stand silly, I wanna sit" Cliff barked.
       "From my seat? Teny asked rather horrified.
        "Do I need to explain that I wanna sit right there. Just stand, let's see the nonsense the class hot brains are up to". As he said that, he shoved Teny off the seat and sat while Teny fell on the floor.
Teny shuddered as he landed with his back. I just sat transfixed, thinking of what next the bully would do. I helped Teny to his feet, took our books and left the seat. As we headed to a different post, Cliff called us back.
        "Morons, who asked you to leave? You dumb punks!
He loved calling people names, how did I forget that. At times even words that doesn't exist, he's a real dumb ass! If only he could read my mind 🤨 .
I nudged Teny to keep going and we pretended not to hear him.
        "Stupified ignoramus rattus, stop right there! He barked.
I shivered when he raised his voice. Teny turned and faced him. My face fell and I had no option than to do as well.
        "Fools as usual, you made me repeat myself twice. What should I do to the both of you. I'll pardon you for now. Frog jump to my feet!" He said smiling mischievously.
I got annoyed but said nothing. I was really scared of that guy, like really scared. He was a real terror, like who does that. Teny whispered to me.
        "Dave, let's not create more scenes here okay. Let's just do it, it won't take a lot from us"
        "Teny, that's the last thing in my agenda. I can't do that"
Teny looked at me surprised, maybe wondering what I was up to. He always knew I feared Cliff a lot and had teased me that he was better off than I. He looked at me again may be trying to read my mind.
Cliff got annoyed and stood up. He banged the desk, there drawing everyone's attention as Teny had feared.
       "Are you guys joking with me? I just give you five seconds to do as I say" He said and sat down watching us closely.
The whole class was looking at us in amazement and surprise. Teny was shivering so bad, I didn't know how I actually felt, but I wasn't going to do as he said.
      "Cliff, we're not gonna do that" I said stressing the Cliff so loud.
As I said that, the whole class jeered. Cliff banged on the desk again and stood up raging. This time, the whole class kept mute.
      "You had the got to dare me you idiot chap, no one dares me and go scot free" he said laughing in sarcasm. "Do as I say, he commanded"
       "Not anymore Cliff, I'm tired of doing as you say. We're not morons you know.
Teny stared at me, mouth agape. With that, he mustered courage from who knows where and supported me.
      "Yeah, Dave's right. You've got no right to tell us what to do or command us around. It's high time we started doing what we want"

Cliff was taken aback with great shock and surprise. He was really stunned, I guess he hadn't expected that from anyone. Maybe it never crossed his mind that where there is law, there are rebels! He looked around, I think feeling disgraced.
      "Hmmmm, cool and amazing. Good start for some little kitten. You two are in my black book, since you've decided to....."
      "Shut up Cliff, we didn't defy no one's order. What do you think you are on the first place. Do disgusting being I've ever come across" I yelled.

       Cliff ran to us and threw a punch at me. I carefully dodged it. He lost grip because of that and when I noticed it, I took advantage of that and kicked him on his leg. He fell flat on his tummy.
I kept kicking and punching him so hard. Teny was busy slapping his mouth. Cliff became so weak and couldn't stand. Teny got a rope from his locker and tied him hands and feet.
The whole class cheered us, laughing with joy. I shook hands with Teny and we laughed. I felt like a warrior who just won a tough battle. I wondered how France had felt when Hitler was defeated.
       Just then, Mr. Jayden came in. He was supposed to take us on practical science, we had lost track of time while so engrossed in our little business.
The next few minutes, we found ourselves in the principal's office. 
In summary of everything, we were suspended for a day. But I bet it was worth it, because Cliff never raised his voice on anyone till we graduated.
That reminds me, I won the "most courageous" that year!