The teachers’ staff room is a luxurious and comfortable space, a stark contrast to the modest and often cramped areas found in less privileged institutions. As Olive and Desmond entered, they were greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere, reminiscent of a high-end lounge.
The room was large, with plush sofas and armchairs arranged in cozy nooks, ideal for relaxed chats and informal gatherings. Elegant artwork adorned the walls, and the soft, plush carpeting on the floors dampened the sound of footsteps.
A modern coffee machine sat on a granite countertop, always ready to serve up a perfectly brewed cup of coffee or tea. A variety of gourt biscuits, pastries, and fresh fruit were displayed on a silver platter, restocked daily by the school’s attentive staff.
The staff room buzzed with activity, as teachers and administrators ca and went throughout the day. The room was filled with the sound of conversation, laughter, and the occasional phone call. Despite the hustle and bustle, there was an underlying sense of peace and serenity, reflecting the school’s dedication to creating a supportive and nurturing environnt for its staff.
Olive’s eyes scanned the staffroom in search of Mr. Jas, and soon she spotted him arranging so students’ books. She approached him with Desmond by her side.
"Good afternoon, sir!" Olive greeted, catching Mr. Jas’ attention as he looked up and raised his eyebrows in acknowledgnt.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Jas," Desmond added with a smile.
"Oh my goodness! What happened to your face? Did you have a bicycle accident?" Mr. Jas asked, concern evident in his expression as he noticed Olive’s bruised face.
"Yes, I had a big fall, but the wounds are treated, and I’m getting better," Olive replied with a smile.
"I’m glad to hear that. Please be careful from now on. So, how can I help you both? We teachers just returned from the assembly where we had a eting with the new principal. I still have a lot of student assignnts to mark," Mr. Jas explained, sounding frustrated.
Olive couldn’t help but wonder why neither
the principal nor any teachers were available to help her when she was kidnapped. She also questioned whether the security guards were included in the eting. She sighed heavily at the thought.
"Actually, my teammate Lucas backed out of the competition, so Desmond agreed to fill in for him," Olive revealed, prompting Mr. Jas to heave a heavy sigh.
"I’m very good at debate," Desmond chid in with a serious expression. "I promise to ensure that we win the debate competition, sir."
"It’s not about being good at debate. I’ve already submitted Arthur and Lucas’ nas for the competition, and it cannot be changed," Mr. Jas explained, causing a look of disappointnt to appear on Olive and Desmond’s faces.
"But can’t we submit a new entry with and Arthur’s nas?" Desmond asked, raising his eyebrows in curiosity.
"That’s not possible, Desmond," Mr. Jas replied with a heavy sigh. "Just why did Lucas back out at the last minute?" Mr Jas wondered with a frustrated sigh.
"I guess I’ll have to speak for and against the motion," Olive said as she forced out a smile.
"That’s not possible either. One student speaks for, and another speaks against. You can try to convince Lucas to participate so that you both can win the prizes if you erge victorious against all the other schools," Mr. Jas explained, looking at the two students before him.
"And for Desmond, aren’t you skilled at singing? Your friend Henry excels at playing the violin, and you can harmonize with your voice." Mr. Jas suggested, eliciting a bright smile from Desmond.
"I haven’t submitted his na yet, so I can include yours for the singing part." Mr. Jas concluded.
"I truly appreciate it, sir. Thank you very much." Desmond expressed his joy sincerely as he observed Mr. Jas write his na with a permanent marker on a piece of paper.
"Arthur! Mr. Jas called out. Try to convince Lucas to join you, and if he doesn’t agree, then there’s nothing more I can do. Besides you can’t change your teammate throughout the term. You team mate would always be your teammate till you finish this term." He added.
Olive could only sigh heavily at Mr. Jas’ words. Lucas seed like a devil sent to make her ti at Belmont difficult. If only she had avoided him and stayed in her own lane when she first arrived at school, she wouldn’t be dealing with all the challenges she faced now.
"Alright, thank you, sir. Olive finally replied with a forced smile, while Mr. Jas nodded in agreent. Olive then left the staff room, with Desmond following closely behind her.
Once they exited the staff room, they were greeted by Mark.
"I’ll go see Henry now so we can start practicing. Thanks for today, Arthur. I wouldn’t have had the courage to et Mr. Jas if you hadn’t followed ," Desmond expressed his gratitude, while Olive nodded with a smile.
Desmond then walked away, leaving Mark and Olive alone in front of the staff room.
"What happened in there?" Mark asked, pointing towards the staff room, his eyebrows raised in curiosity.
"Desmond was able to join the competition as Henry’s teammate to sing, while I’m still stuck with Lucas. Mr. Jas said I have to persuade Lucas to join the competition or forget about it," Olive revealed sadly, her gaze fixed on the ground.
"I already told you. The rules wouldn’t change because of you," Mark said. " But what if you speak to Lucas again? Who knows, he might agree this ti"
"Do you think so?" Olive raised an eyebrow and smirked. "That guy is very stubborn."
"I know, but it’s worth a shot. It’s better to try than not at all," Mark said, smiling and placing a hand on Olive’s shoulder.
"That’s true. Thanks, Mark. I’ll give it a go. Let’s see how it goes. I hope he listens this ti," Olive declared with a smile.
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