Coding Decoding | on going

t w o

Peggins shook his head a couple of times, trembled and hugged himself. As if almost out of habit, he took some deep breaths to calm himself down and finally called out, "Ms Jenkins."

"Mr Peggins, are you ready with your answer?"

"I am, Ms Jenkins." Peggins breathed out, clutching the table as strongly as possible.

"Alright, let's hear it."

"They would say, 'imma go to the cafe.' or even be more specific of their task and tempt to highlight it and say, 'imma go get a drink' or 'imma go get a bite.' They often tend to use less and fewer words to express themselves."

"Brilliant, Mr Peggins. Have a seat." Ms Jenkins smiled gently, "Such an excellent way of using the word 'tend', Mr Peggins."

Islared turned around to look at him again. His face completely flushed as he looked around him, only to caught Isla's eyes.

Isla took this change and nodded in appreciation, which, in turn, made him blush even more.

"Mr Alley, stand up, will you?" The same voice of Ms Jenkins snapped her attention to her partner Alvero.

Alvero stood up groggily, his coat trampled by who knows what, as he flashed his signature smile while scratching his neck, in an attempt to be cute. Some girls awed in response.

"Yeah, Ms Jenkins."

"Yes," She sharply corrected,

"Mr Alley, try to pay more attention to your studies instead of looking for every chance to sneak out and talk between my lessons," Ms Jenkins snarled like a snake, "Your father doesn't work so hard for the state only to have his son...prancing around the whole CPA."

"I assure you he does not, Ms Jenkins."

"That was a rhetorical affirmation, Mr Alley."

"Of course, Ms Jenkins."

"Have your seat," She ordered, defeated, "Now, back to the lesson. Who can tell me the basic reason for this evolution? The use of lesser and lesser words to express themselves. Did anyone ever paused to think what might have possessed them to?"

"Laziness?" Alvero thought out loud, catching significant attention at himself. Isla face-palmed.

"I appreciate your brainstorming, Mr Alley, but," she paused for a painful moment, "no. Anyone else would like to try? Ms Roger, let's hear your answer."

They say the brain is the one that controls emotions and feelings but at that moment she felt every single organ of her body throbbed with anticipation. Her stomach pooled with urgency and her brain clouded with anxiety.

She stood up, nonetheless, begrudgingly, straight and upright looking at the teacher, pulling all the mighty strength she has left after the rivalry at the stadium.

"Yes, Ms Jenkins," she said, her face confident, insides crawling with fear. She opened her mouth but no words came out, but she, for sure, felt the sip of water she took a moment ago, rise gingerly up her throat.

"Give me a minute," She apologised, calming her nerves which were, for sure, up the roof, "I swear I am not stupid. I am just panicking."

"Of course, Ms Roger." Ms Jenkins cooed while going back towards her desk for the second time today. "Just be aware, the bell hours in a few minutes."

"That's a bit intimidating," Isla muttered to herself. "I have my answer."

Ms Jenkins nodded as if signalling her to go on.

"I believe it happens because the cognitive structures that were used previously, were quite a mouthful. Hence, making the communications complex," Islared breathed out in a quick attempt to rummage through her brain for answers,

"And the central purpose of linguistics is communication. So, the use of complexities in weaving, with the lack of better words, longer or harder words usually ends up defeating the purpose. My second point, though might cast off as weak, shortening up a word, using constrictions, usually is not time-consuming-"

"Ms Roger, you don't have the whole day. Just shorten it up!"

The irony, Roger mentally rolled her eyes at her.

"Of course, Miss," Roger bowed her head for a while, "I am sorry. My points are, I personally believe that when a language evolves, it's possible to engage more and to make a language as fluid as possible. To make it more comprehensive. It is usually to save up time or-"

"Again, Roger, you're not writing a book!" Ms Jenkins slammed her hand on the table making Isla slightly flinch in response. The fear she felt inside, came bubbling in.

"I am sorry, Miss."  Isla hung her head low clearly not sorry.

"Have your seat," Ms Jenkins sighed when she heard the bell ring. "The class is dismissed. We will continue in our next session. For the State, By the State, From the State."

"For the State. By the State. From the State." The Felixes pledged in unison before slowly getting up, crowding the exit, murmuring among themselves and finally leaving the classroom

Isla slouched back into her seat, exhausted. No matter how hard she tried, she just wasn't enough.

Alvero scooted closer. The classroom was empty. "Well, isn't she a ball of sunshine?"

They both burst out laughing.