In those days when men were men if you are a senior student in the high school, not to talk of being a prefect you command some form of respect and exude authority wherever you go within the school premises. These days, things are no longer the same. That was the ugly truth which Kendrick failed to understand.
Appointed the headboy of his school, Kendrick had read how other prefects in proceeding years had carried out their functions with swag. He wanted to follow in the same pattern but unfortunately he failed to understand that times and seasons have changed.
He got his first baptism of fire when he entered the Form One class. The students merely greeted him and continued with whatever they were doing. Unlike the usual norm, they were supposed to rise from their seats, greet him and remain standing until he was done with whatever information he has for them, except when he expressly asked them to sit.
That day, he felt embarrassed and a thought crept into his mind: these students don't respect me. He had wanted to order for corporal punishment but it seems a force beyond him restrained him from doing so. He silently walked away after passing his information. Next time he will use the class monitor to do the job. For him, less contact with them, less disrespect.
A Five Minute Freewrite: Respect Me.