Chapter 5 Mocked

"What's that?" Eddie glanced at him questioningly.

"Stop beating yourself up over her. She's not worth it. Focus on what's ahead, man. You've got too much potential to waste it on someone who didn't appreciate you."

Eddie let out a heavy sigh, feeling a small flicker of hope stir within him.

"Thanks, Phil," he said, his voice steadier this time. "Thanks for always being there for me, I hope I will have the power to also be there for you in the nearest future."

"That's what I'm here for, Now, let's get some sleep. Tomorrow's another lecture day," Phil replied with a grin as he beat Eddie's chest playfully, "and remember, Mrs Patricia, the vice chancellor herself promised your departments an 'early in the morning' session. You don't want to be late."

As Phil settled into his bed, Eddie lay awake for a while longer, Phil's words echoing in his mind before sleep finally shut his eyes.

The next morning, Eddie woke to find Phil not around, but he paid it little mind.

Their schedules were different, and it was common for them to be out after all; they weren't reading the same courses.

In the hostel premises, a few unfamiliar faces still lay in their beds, indifferent to Eddie's presence. He swiftly bathed and dressed, noting with alarm that he was already thirty minutes late for Mrs Pat's class.

"Fuck, the session must have started, this woman will kill me today," he muttered to himself, hurrying out to catch up.

Arriving at the entrance of his block, he stepped into the classroom, only to be met with a chilling reprimand from Mrs Patricia.

He had known this would happen; she had never shown him mercy, and his lateness now left no room for a favor.

Clearing his throat, Eddie greeted her,

"Good morning, Mrs. Patricia."

"What's this good about the morning, Eddie?" Mrs. Patricia's voice dripped with anger. "How dare you come to my class this late?" She yelled.

Before Eddie could respond, a voice from the back chimed in, "Mrs Patricia, it seems he's still recovering. He got the shock of his life last night in the garden."

The class erupted in laughter. Another voice added, "He thought he was dating Eunice Lemar!"

Laughter and mocking comments filled the room, Eddie's anger boiled, but he held himself back.

"Eddie Clown!" Mrs Patricia remarked in support of the taunts from the students.

Eddie clenched his fists, swallowing the lump in his throat as the mocking laughter echoed around him.

His eyes darted to the vice-chancellor, Mrs. Patricia, whose stern expression offered no refuge.

"Decorum!" Mrs Patricia's sharp voice cut through the noise, and the laughter ceased.

She turned her cold gaze to Eddie, her lips curling into a sneer.

"Eddie Celestial, you've become a joke in this institution. First, you waste time chasing a woman out of your league, and now, you think you can stroll into my class like some campus celebrity?"

The words hit Eddie like a whip. He opened his mouth, desperate to defend himself.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to...."

"Spare me your excuses!" Mrs Patricia snapped, cutting him off. "You're a disgrace to this class. To this institution, even."

The words stung, but Eddie forced himself to stay calm.

"Mrs. Pat, I'm deeply sorry for being late. It won't happen again," Eddie said softly, his tone as apologetic as he could manage.

Mrs. Patricia smirked, sensing his humiliation. "You've been a constant disappointment in trying to be the best student in this institution, Eddie. And now, you've even failed as a man. Eunice Lemar? Really? She left you because you're nothing but a low-class dreamer."

The class gasped at the audacity of her words, some students shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

At that moment, Sebastian, Eddie's coursemate and sometimes rival, rose from his seat, his face dark with anger.

"With all due respect, Mrs. Pat," Sebastian said, his tone cautious but firm, "that's out of line, ma'am. You're an educator, not a judge. Whatever Eddie's personal issues are, they have no place in this classroom.

Mrs. Patricia's eyes narrowed at Sebastian. "And who do you think you are to question my authority?"

Sebastian held her gaze, unflinching. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Pat, but I just wanted you to value fairness. What's happening here isn't discipline...it's a public humiliation."

The tension in the lecture room was palpable, but before Mrs. Pat could retaliate, the classroom door suddenly swung open.

A campus security officer entered, flanked by two more men in suits.

"Eddie Celestial?" the officer called out, his tone formal.

Eddie froze, confusion and dread flooding him.

"Yes, I'm Eddie," he replied cautiously, stepping forward.

The officer handed him a cold gaze. "You're being summoned to the administrative office immediately. Follow us."

Whispers rippled through the class.

"What did he do this time?" someone muttered.

Mrs Pat crossed her arms, her expression smug. "See? This is what happens when you can't get your act together, Eddie. Now go deal with the consequences of your failures."

"What have I done to attract the chancellor's attention? I hope this ends well." Eddie wondered, his legs feeling heavy as he followed the officers out of the classroom, his classmates' eyes burning into his back.

"Sebastian, please say something. I don't want to be expelled." He glanced briefly at Sebastian, whose face showed genuine concern.

*********

At the administrative office, Eddie walked in only to be pressured by a panel waiting for him led by the chancellor himself.

Eddie lowered his head to greet on entering the office before he was interrupted by Dr. Charles, the chancellor.

"I don't need your greetings, just have a seat. When did you turn into these?" Dr Charles barked, cutting him short.

Eddie sat stiffly in the chair, confused about what the chancellor was talking about as the weight of their stares pressed down on him.

Across the table, the vice-chancellor and the panel wore cold, judgmental expressions.

"Eddie Celestial," the VC began, her tone clipped, "these allegations against you are serious. Harassment, threats, and public misconduct...such behavior is unbecoming of a student in this institution."

Eddie's palms were sweaty. He wanted to shout, to plead his innocence, but his throat felt dry.

"I didn't do any of those things," he said weakly.

"Then explain the reports from Eunice Lemar's family," the VC snapped. "Her parents claim you sent her threatening messages after your breakup. They've even provided screenshots."