Exactly two days ago:
All the kids at the Father John Juvenile Detention Centre were gathered in front of the old stage. The stage was made of wood and it had a layer of dust over it. The kids were seated on the dusty ground. They were unbothered by the dust since the whole juvenile detention centre was pretty run down. All the kids were wearing clothes that had holes in either their shirts or their pants.
On the stage, the dean and a middle-aged policeman were standing on the stage. The dean held a transparent box full of colourful spheres. A professional emcee was even invited. The adults looked to be the most invested in the event while most of the kids were uninterested and had started to doodle in the dust.
The middle-aged policeman smiled happily at the cameras. To the kids, this was just another show as well as background noise. The dean shook the transparent box and the middle-aged policeman reached into the box. He pulled out a colourful sphere and twisted it open. The emcee took the paper slip in it and read the number written on it enthusiastically.
“Number 345970!” The adults cheered, while the kids looked up in curiosity. A girl of small stature was pushed onto the stage. She had long straight hair and bangs that nearly covered her eyes. She stood on the stage nervously, her hands buried deep in her pockets.
The middle-aged man then put his hand in the transparent box again and pulled out another colourful ball. He twisted it open and the emcee took the slip of paper from it. He unfolded the paper slowly, pausing for effect. A boy in the front was praying so hard, it looked as though he was crushing his own hands.
“Number 369802!” The emcee exclaimed yet again. The boy who was praying stood up happily and rushed to the stage. He looked well-built. In fact, he looked like he could beat everyone to pulp. His expression was as though he had just won the lottery. The middle-aged man smiled at them and took a picture with both of them. He gave a look of intimidation upon seeing the boy before he left the stage. The moment he left, the adults all left to follow him. Upon seeing the adults leave, the kids left to resume their activities.
The kids whose two numbers were called out were then left standing in the empty hall on the stage. A person who looked like the secretary of the middle-aged man quickly handed them papers in their hands. He spoke hurriedly and quickly. The two were trying to catch every word he was saying.
With that, he left as quickly as he came. Both of them looked at each other confused. They didn’t really understand what he had just told them. Both of them watched him leave helplessly. If only he wasn’t in a hurry, then they wouldn’t have to stare at each other awkwardly.
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