NEW LIFE : A SECOND CHANCE

The first place Kyle headed to, was Sakura Academy.

It was late evening and the school had already ended. However, Kyle knew that Principal Godric would still be in his office. He had double-checked by looking at the cameras that were still hidden there.

He made a mental note to come back later that night to remove everything. After all, he was going to stop schooling here now. As he walked through the front gate, he couldn't help but stop for a while and look at the school.

He may have only been here for three years, but it also held a lot of memories and special moments for him. It also seemed to represent his carefree days and by stopping school, it was as if he was leaving all of that behind.

Kyle sighed and headed toward the Principal's office.

?.?.?.?

Principal Godric was looking at Kyle in total shock. His mind could hardly process what Kyle was saying.

"You ... you're leaving?" Principal Godric repeated.

"Yes," Kyle said, "It has nothing to do with Sakura Academy. I've been nothing but happy here but it's just that ... "

Kyle sighed, looking sad and then looked at the Principal, "Principal Godric, I'm sorry to put you through this as it's quite sudden, but I can't stay."

"What about Kay?"

"I believe my father will be seeing you in a few days' time to transfer her," Kyle said.

Principal Godric frowned, "Wait. This does not make sense. Why do you say Kay is transferring, but earlier, you said you're quitting school? I thought you're quitting to go to another school but your choice of words was specific, isn't it?"

Kyle lowered his head, knowing that Principal Godric would catch that.

"Principal Godric," Kyle said slowly, "What I'm going to say next is highly confidential. I trust you'll keep it to yourself."

"Of course," he replied.

"To put it bluntly, I've had a falling out with my father," Kyle revealed, "The details aren't important. Suffice to say, he's kicked me out of the house."

Principal Godric's eyes went wide open.

If you had told him the world was ending tomorrow, that news was far more believable than Kyle being disowned by his family!

He looked at the boy in front of him that had never given him any problems, and one who was extremely respectful and capable.

It wasn't like Principal Godric had never heard of parents kicking out their problematic kids ... but Kyle?

He felt like he was getting really stupid right now.

Why was everything Kyle telling him, not making any sense?!

"I do not plan to go back home and will be making my own mark in this world," Kyle revealed, "My father believes in tough love and wants to break me but I'm going to prove him wrong."

Even then, Kyle didn't want to paint Patrick in a bad light. No matter what, the issues between him and Patrick were private, family matters.

"So you're just going to up and leave?" Principal Godric asked.

"No, of course not. I will be leaving as I can't stay here. However, I will be taking my DSE* at the end of the year as an independent student. So I will be back for that since it's only held once a year," Kyle explained, detailing his plan.

"In fact, I've already been given a conditional offer for an accelerated degree. I simply need to get at least Bs for my DSE."

"I am informing you of my plans so that you're kept aware of them. However, I need you to keep this information to yourself. It must be kept a secret. Even from my parents. Especially, my parents," Kyle repeated, his face showing the seriousness of the situation as he stressed it.

"Why is that, if I may ask?" asked Principal Godric.

Kyle grinned, "Because I'm being childish. Since he feels I'm incapable, why disappoint him?"

Principal Godric had no reply to that. Since Kyle himself admitted it, nothing he said would dissuade him.

"My own father looks down on me," Kyle said bitterly, "And though I admit that I still have a lot of things to learn, having him disregard everything I've ever done makes me want to punch him in the face."

At that, Principal Godric's eyes did pop wide open.

He had never seen Kyle act like this before - a normal, angsty normal teenager. Seeing this side of him shocked him to the core.

However, he truly understood why Kyle was feeling and acting that way. He also felt honoured that Kyle trusted him enough to reveal his plans.

An hour later, Kyle left the office, holding the school leaving certificate and Principal Godric's personal testimonial of Kyle's contribution to the school.

Kyle was now no longer a student at Sakura Academy.