Act Two
Scene Three
[Morning light crept through the thin curtains of Kelvin's room. His eyes fluttered open slowly, swollen from crying. The house was unusually quiet. For a moment, he forgot everything… then reality rushed back in.]
Kelvin: sits up abruptly …New school.
[He groaned and fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. A soft knock came at the door, gentler than before.]
Miss Tijarius: Kelvin? Are you awake?
Kelvin: coldly Yeah.
[The door opened slightly. Mrs. Tijarius stepped in, holding a neatly folded school uniform.]
Mrs Tijarius: I won't stay long. I just wanted to leave this here.
Kelvin: looks away You already decided. What's the point?
Mrs Tijarius: places the uniform on the chair The point is… I care how you feel, even if I can't change everything.
Kelvin: bitter laugh Feels like you can.
Mrs Tijarius: Kelvin, sometimes adults make choices children don't understand right away. Not because we want to hurt them—
pauses
—but because we're trying to protect them.
Kelvin: Protect me from what? My life was fine.
Mrs Tijarius: quietly Was it really?
[Kelvin stayed silent. His fingers clenched the bedsheet.]
Mrs Tijarius: I saw the way you stopped smiling. The calls from your old school. The late nights. You thought we didn't notice.
Kelvin: voice shaky That doesn't mean you move me like I don't matter.
Mrs Tijarius: You matter. More than you know.
[A long silence. Kelvin's shoulders slowly relaxed.]
Kelvin: softly I'm scared.
Mrs Tijarius: steps closer That's okay. Being scared doesn't make you weak.
Kelvin: What if I don't fit in?
Mrs Tijarius: Then you learn. You grow. And if you fall… we'll be right here.
[Kelvin finally looks at her.]
Kelvin: I don't promise I'll like it.
Mrs Tijarius: small smile I'm not asking you to. Just… try.
[She gently touches his shoulder and heads for the door.]
Mrs Tijarius: Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes.
[She exits. Kelvin looks at the uniform again, then exhales deeply.]
Kelvin: to himself One day. Just one day.
[He stands slowly, the anger still there—but now mixed with uncertainty and a small trace of courage.]
[End of Act Two, Scene Three]