I awoke to the unthinkable; Columbus High school had had a fatal shooting. I stood in shock as the news broadcast told the story about a outsider kid who got fed up with being made fun of and went nuts in the schools main courtyard with his Dad's handgun, killing two and injuring thirteen before he killed himself.
Although this wasn't the first time something like this happened in the country, but what made it so much of a shock for me was that Columbus High was not five miles from the high school I go to now Longpark.
As I sat and ate breakfast I thought about how bad it must have been for the shooter. Getting made fun of was nothing new to me. I'm six feet tall and skinny, and I'm not really a vision of popularity. I know what it is like to get constantly harassed by everyone at school.
I found myself thinking about what I'd do in the same situation, and quickly shook the thoughts out of my head. As bad as being made fun of, I knew it would all pass after school was over and done with. Besides why would I want to be friends with the jerks from school? I wouldn't mind a couple of the cheerleaders though but to hell with it.
At school the mood was definitely somber. The usual chatter of the main courtyard was down to a dull murmur. I think the scare of just how close that shooting was, really hit home with everyone at school. Even the jock table ignored me as I walked toward my class. No one even glanced my way to say some lewd remark or anything.
My first class was art and I really liked the teacher Mr. Mackey, but I liked sitting near the cheerleading team captain Stacy Child. She was a vision of complete perfection; I mean this girl could beat Britney Spears in a beauty contest on her best day.
I expected to continue our art project of drawing an imaginary neighborhood with the use of depth, but instead Mr. Mackey stood at the center of the room. He looked around at everybody before he spoke.
"I take it you have all heard about what happened at Columbus." He said.
The room was silent and Mr. Mackey took it as a yes.
He turned toward where Stacy and a couple of jocks were sitting. "I want you to think about this for a minute. You might think that the young man who did this was some sick depraved kid or something, but the fact was, he was just another kid. He was someone who got made fun of and picked on and drove to the breaking point by other kids, just like you." He turned to all of us and raised his arms. "It could happen here. You realize that? Think on that one guy who everybody makes fun of, think about the things you may have said to that individual and how it affects him."
He put his hands down. "I would like you to think about what could be done to make it up to the one you all think is a loser, because you never know what that 'loser' may do tomorrow."
While it was a good speech I couldn't help thinking that everyone began to look at me. I mean sure I got made fun of a lot but did they really it think I was capable to do something like this?
Without turning around Mr. Mackey said. "Everyone get your supplies and continue with your projects."
Once settling I resumed the work I was doing to a Victorian style house that I had place on the edge of my block. It was then that Stacy sat down next to me. I glanced up at her in surprise that she was sitting down next to me.
She caught my eye and smiled sweetly, a smile that warmed me. "Hi, James."
I blinked and shook my head. "Uh, hi Stacy," I looked around. "Did you want me to move?"
She put her hand on my shoulder. "No, no nothing like that. I just wanted to see what you thought of what happened."
I looked at her and felt a bit of anger rise in me. She wanted to see if I was going to go psycho like the guy from Columbus.
"Why do you care about what I have to say all of a sudden?" I asked sharply.
She jumped in her seat slightly. "No reason I just thought I'd ask is all."
"Yeah, you wanted to see if I was going to go all crazy like that other guy. You know what Stacy? You and your fucking jock asshole friends can go fuck themselves." I said and took my stuff to another table.
She paused a minute and then came after me. "Hey wait a minute." She said. "Look I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that you know? I just wanted to see if I could make up for being mean to you."
"I'm well aware of the fact that you're only doing this because of what Mr. Mackey said. I don't want you to be sorry I want you all to go to hell and leave me alone. That alright with you?" I asked.
Stacy frowned. "I really do to want to make it up to you James. I never realized the effect teasing could have and I want to do what I can to make things better."
I snorted to myself and said sarcastically. "I think a blowjob would make everything go away."
Stacy was silent for a second then she put an arm around my back and leaned in real close. I froze as she pressed her lips to my ear and I could feel her warm breath flow over the side of my face.
"It's a deal." She whispered. Then she pushed away from me and walked back to her table.
My eyes widened and I sat still for a minute. When glanced at her, she had resumed her work like nothing had happened. Did she really say yes?
I didn't have any other classes with her so as they day went on I figured she was joking and forgot about it. I did the various class assignments and by the end of the day the mood in school while still not normal had certainly elevated from what it had been this morning.
I went directly home after school, and first thing I noticed was a red Mazda sitting in my driveway. My Dad was in the kitchen sorting out a stack of papers and putting them in his briefcase.
He looked up when I walked in. "Hey son! Your friend just got here so I let her in, she's waiting for you in your room. And let me tell you son, you've got yourself a hell of a looker there."
"Stacy's here?" I asked puzzled.
"Yeah, get up there and do your thing." My dad said.
My dad is a dirty bastard sometimes.
