"Clinic? Why? Are you a dentist?" Kyle added.
"No, sweetie. But my teeth ached and I kept changing clinics that's why."
The truth was that Travis' teeth were not aching. He knew lying was immoral, especially in front of his adored students. But he had no choice this time for the sake of his mission. He felt guilty for lying to them, but admitting the truth would only make them more confused, and worse, they could change their views of Travis now that their affections for him had progressively shifted. So, rather than informing them out of malice, Travis should let them uncover his actual motives. Travis was concerned that his class would be disappointed in him.
Generally, people who lie frequently want to be in charge. When the facts of a circumstance do not comply with such control, they fabricate a falsehood that does conform to the preferred conclusion. Such people may also be concerned that the truth may make them appear untrustworthy. And that's what Travis was bothered about.
"Be sure not to play too much later, okay? There are two substitutes. It's okay to play pranks on them, but don't do too much. They're pretty gorilla about pranks as well."
The antics were ignored by the class, but they became more interested in the two substitutes Travis had mentioned. The students were curious as to what they were like: normal, or not normal like Travis, or below normal. In any case, this would be their first time having a substitute, since before they were relocated to this classroom, and when they were still living as regular students at Bihira High, the teachers would not be substituted because they could be fired if they took even a day off. So, the teachers in Bihira High won't really take a day off except for Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays.
"By the way, did you guys answer the paper I gave you yesterday? You need it for your career path and I will need it too to discuss it with you one by one privately."
The class was too stunned to speak, the majority of them. Some gave; "Shit, I totally forgot about that!" "Damn! I didn't finish mine." "Fuck! I don't know what to answer so I drew a dick on the papers." "I forgot mine at home. But still, I didn't answer it." "Oh, I'm lucky. I finished mine. Although I didn't answer them seriously." And by just seeing their faces, Travis could see who was able to answer and who wasn't. They started murmuring, asking their friends if they'd answered the test or not. As for Travis, he grinned and was amused by what he observed, though, because they were worried for nothing.
"So who answered the test?"
The first ones to raise their hands were Clara, and Petra followed by Andrea, Faith, Sara, and Lila. As for the boys, only Liam raised his hand. "Oh, just a few of you, I guess. But I'm glad, everyone. You may put your hands down now." They all put their hands down right away. "Now, who among you weren't able to answer?"
The remaining students, Opera, Maurine, Janice, and Karina, raised their hands midway through as they were embarrassed over not answering the test. But, at the very least, they raised their hands, as opposed to the other individuals, who did not raise a single hand. Travis noticed a few hands raised, but despite the few numbers, he could tell who the others were who didn't respond. Nonetheless, he was pleased that the students were being participative with him on this particular day.
"There's a lot of you but that will still be valid until the end of the school year," Travis rested his hands on his waist, "You take your time answering that. You may take your hands down now." Those who heard that had their jaws dropped. Even Andrea gave a; "The heck?! I answered this fucking nonsense the whole night, I even involved my brother with this and had a fight with him because of the dumb questions. And now answer this for the whole school year?"
Travis was pleased despite the fact that he could see her reactions. Andrea's sincerity in answering the questions was obvious to him, and Travis appreciated every effort she did just to answer them. All of the students, except for Mareta who was still meditating, felt relieved to know that the deadline was never today, and so they celebrated with a, "Yes!"
And so, their teacher continued, "For the finished papers, I need someone to collect them for—"
"I will take care of it." Suddenly, Zeus offered himself to do the work.
"Oh, Zeus?" Travis felt thankful. "Thank you so much, dear."
Instead of responding to his instructor, Zeus simply stood up and wandered around the classroom, collecting completed papers from his classmates who were done with it. He laid the papers carefully and neatly on his palm with a straight look, or rather a disgruntled one.
"Woah. New life, Zeus eh?" teased Peter when Zeus roamed around his area.
"What's with the sudden change, bud?" Terfinn patted Zeus' right arm.
"You're in good hands now, my Zeus," and Kyle was laughing at him.
Zeus just didn't respond to them nor gave them any recognition. The way they treated Zeus was never insulting treatment to Zeus himself. The way they act around was normal at all, so there was really no need for him to be affected by their words. Rather, he was thankful deep inside for some reason.
It didn't take long for him to gather the forms, so as soon as he finished, he sighed and walked after Travis in front of the class to hand him the papers. Before he was about to blurt his words, he first took a deep breath and then spoke, blushing in a shy, "I-I just want to thank you for going through all that trouble for me. My mother's delighted now that I authorized letting the firm run again."
At first, Travis had a blank face, but after processing the words, he changed his expression into a glad one. He had no idea that Zeus totally became a different person after going through all those challenges for him. While Zeus handed him the papers, Travis didn't hesitate to receive them. "No problem, my dear student." Zeus then glanced at him, feeling thankful for the kind words.
"If it's for you, I'll do whatever it takes, even if it takes forever."