Temptation.

Lenny sure knew the meaning of this well under-stated word. He was enticed with it at an early phase of his life – at the young tender age of ten. The incident had left him scarred for life. Not only did it mark him down with a black record, it was also impossible for him to get a good job. His best friends had eyed him with suspicious looks and he often received dagger-sharp glares from people he barely knew in school. Although ten years have since passed, Lenny could still recall the incident clearly…

 

The classroom was completely silent, except for the lone scribbling sound of Lenny’s pen. He was writing furiously away, pausing only to ponder over the seemingly endless math sums that he was given to do. Being in detention class was definitely not on his list of favorite things. Lenny’s stomach growled hungrily. He looked up, wondering if he should sneak down to the canteen to grab a bite before he continued with the sums. He was sure his math teacher would not find out if he was quick enough, therefore, he got up on his feet, preparing to slip out.

 

Just then, he caught sight of May’s Billabong wallet sticking out from the corner of her unzipped bag. May was one who was notorious in school for flashing around her branded stuff and huge amounts of pocket money, bragging about them to people, especially those she looked down on. Lenny, in quite desperate need of cash recently, was sure that it would not hurt to just deprive May of a little of her pocket money. Afterall, May was one rich girl. Assuming that no one was around, Lenny swiftly took May’s wallet and stuffed it into his pocket. Little did he know, a classmate of his, Ernest, was actually watching him all this while…

 

 The bell rang with a shrill sound, signaling the end of the break. It was time for English. All the students were pulling their textbooks out of their bags when May let out a ear-deafening scream. Alarmed, everyone stopped what they were doing and their form teacher Mr Lee, rushed toward May, clearly worried. May who was now sobbing uncontrollably, informed Mr Lee about the theft. Mr Lee, set with a grim look, interrogated the class but no one owned up. Letting out a sigh of exasperation, Mr Lee questioned the class once more. This time, there was a small white hand which raised timidly from the back of the class.

 

“Mr Lee, I saw Lenny taking May’s wallet during the break earlier,” stammered Ernest, all the while stealing fearful glances at Lenny. 

 

 “I did not! He’s talking rubbish!” Lenny protested, only to be hushed by Mr Lee who had now begun searching his bag. Finding no sign of May’s wallet, Mr Lee started searching Lenny.

 

True enough, a Billabong wallet was held up by a triumphant Mr Lee minutes later. This time, Lenny was the on e sobbing uncontrollably instead of May. Trying to explain that the stealing was done only in a moment of folly, Lenny made futile attempts to save himself. He was brought to the principal’s office, and got reprimanded with five strokes of the cane and a black record. Returning to the classroom, clutching his painful flaming bottom, Lenny’s face burned with shame as the class broke out in peals of laughter.

 

Since that day, Lenny’s life in school was made miserable. He got shoved out of sidewalks for no apparent reason, spat at with vulgarities, and he lost all his friends. Despised and unwanted, Lenny lost all hope in life. How he had regretted taking that darned wallet but unfortunately, once cannot turn back time.

Lenny has since grown up to be a man of many talents but they still remain undiscovered. Whenever he tries to apply for a job, he would always be dismissed upon the opening of his records. Up to now, he still remains fearful of that one word. That one word had done him in forever. Temptation. 

 

i wrote that back in Secondary 3. :D

 

if you notice, i always like matching beginnings and endings, and they’ll always be the bane of my writing, causing me to spend at least 20 mins out of the 1 hr allocated thinking about a perfect start and end.

 

annoying, but very satisfying when you re-read the completed essay.

 

i’ll post a few of my old essays up a few entries later. by the time you finish reading them, you’ll probably be nodding in agreement, and telling me that i really am crazy about them beginnings and endings.

 

 

ok, i admit. i blogged this entry cause i was bored.

 
and if you skipped all the way here without reading my essay, i don’t blame you.

but still, show some interest can?!emoticon