Chapter 3: More Problems at School

“Look at her, Adam. She’s so hot.”

Adam listened to Jack ramble and stare longingly at Melissa. The students were crowded together in the school’s football field, waiting while the firefighters extinguished the flames in the third-floor classroom.

“I have to ask her out! I mean, after that trauma we all just went through, I might have a shot this time.”

Adam leaned on a fence near the bleachers, uninterested in Jack’s attempt to find love. “Never mind that,” he said. “That fire in the classroom—how did you do it?”

Jack paused a moment. “Hey, wait a minute. Now I know I’m not exactly an honors student here, but you don’t really think I’d start a fire just to save myself from an F? And besides, I don’t even bring matches to school. You know I don’t smoke.”

“That’s not what I meant. Come on, you know exactly what I’m talking about.” Adam opened his mouth to continue speaking—and then paused. Was it possible Jack really didn’t know? Adam wasn’t sure what he was accusing Jack of, either. One minute they were sitting in a normal classroom, and then, within the next four minutes every desk in the room was on fire.

At first, he thought it the work of some prankster. Perhaps someone had placed gasoline on the students’ desks before class? No, that was impossible. Everyone would have smelled or noticed it.

I know what I saw. His pupils were dilated. Jack was acting very unusual.

Adam had been close friends with Jack since long before entering the tenth grade, and he was positive that his friend wouldn’t lie to him.

But what happened?

“It’s like I’m telling you. Your pupils were dilated, and then moments later the fires started. It was beyond insane.”

Jack shrugged. “You must be mistaken, Adam. I don’t recall any weird eyesight problems. You know what? It was probably just passing indigestion. Besides, the teachers already said the fire was due to like umm, a weird anomaly with the sun, or something. At least, I think that’s what they said. I’ve never been any good with sun-stuff.”

The neat lines the school had placed the students in dissolved. Students wandered off towards all ends of the field. Melissa stood on the grass near the other end of the bleachers, huddled together with two of her friends, the three of them chatting away.

“She’s right there,” Jack said. “I think I’m actually gonna do it this time. I’m serious. I’m feeling really lucky today.”

“Look, you need to forget about that. I mean, let’s face it, Jack. You’re just going to humiliate yourself. Besides, we have more important things to talk about.”

“Well, we can talk about whatever you want later. I’m going over there!”

Adam watched his carefree friend march over to Melissa. He decided to follow Jack, if for no other reason than pure amusement. If Jack refused to discuss Adam’s theories now, he would drop them for the time being.

Melissa had transferred to Elms High during the beginning of the term, becoming immensely popular in a short period of time, although Adam didn’t care much for her. She was pretentious, overly snappy, and she dressed like a woman in her late thirties. Melissa and her friends turned as they heard Adam and Jack approach.

“Hot day out today, isn’t it?” Jack remarked casually to the girls. Adam took a seat on the bleachers and waited for the show to begin.

“Hey, I know you,” Melissa said. “You’re that kid that sits in the back, the one that’s always getting yelled at by the teacher. I remember, because last week the teacher was yelling that you’ve missed every single assignment this term. You’re Jack Harris, right?” The two girls behind Melissa giggled. Even Adam, who was normally indifferent to such comments, let out a chuckle from where he observed on the wooden bleachers.

In a sadistic sort of way, it amused Adam to watch his friend struggle to find a reply. Most people would quit while they were ahead, but not Jack. No, he wouldn’t be satisfied until he made a complete fool of himself.

“Well, I guess you could say that’s me,” Jack said. “But come on, homework is a waste of time. Anyway, how about that fire in class today, eh? It was scary, right?”

Melissa glanced at Jack with a puzzled expression. “I think that’s pretty obvious. Personally, I can say I’ve never seen anything like it. A girl has to learn to accept a lot of things in life, but having her desk turn into an inferno for no apparent reason, well, that’s not one of them. So, is there something that you wanted, Jack?”

Adam refrained from snorting with laughter as he watched his friend try and muster the courage to move forward. Melissa’s tone wasn’t unfriendly, but it certainly wasn’t warm. Adam felt the oncoming embarrassment in place of Jack, as he had done so many times before.

“Well, you know, I just kind of wanted to say hi, and all. I saw you standing here and I thought hey, another classmate, maybe we could talk about that crazy fire, and you know, some other stuff.”

Melissa yawned and scratched dirt from under her nails as if nothing Jack said mattered to her. “It was really weird,” she said. “Another mystery of life, I guess.”

“You know, I actually didn’t do the homework last week, and as bad as a fire is and all, I’m actually kinda glad. Now that everyone’s homework has been burnt to a crisp, Mr. Munson’s kind of out of luck, isn’t he?”

Melissa cocked an eyebrow and then walked to the bleachers with her two friends. She took a seat before continuing to speak. “Well, some of us, Jack, actually worked pretty hard on that assignment, and won’t be glad if we have to do it over again.”

Jack tensed, probably realizing he’d said the wrong thing. He let out a breath and took a seat next to Melissa. She gave no indication it bothered her.

“Well, at least we’re not in class for the time being.”

“I suppose if you’re someone who hates school that would be something to smile about.” She paused. “What do you really want, Jack?”

“Well,” Jack began, “Melissa, I really like you, and I have since the very first time I saw you. Now I know that I’m not exactly smart, and I know that I’m lazy, but if you gave me a chance I know I would make you happy.”

Adam thought he’d fall off the bleachers. He couldn’t believe the bluntness with which Jack asked Melissa out. Not only was it poorly executed, but coming from Jack, it sounded unreal.

Melissa also noted the awful attempt. She and her friends looked at each other and shook their heads.

“I’m sorry, Jack, but that’s going to be a ‘no’. You’re a nice guy and all, but.” Melissa paused for a moment. “To put it nicely, you’re a mess. And as a friend, let me tell you—a girl wants a guy with at least some sense of fashion. Get a haircut, put on some muscle, and gain some ambition.”

Jack’s mouth fell open. He looked as if his heart had been ripped out of him and then detonated with explosives. He tilted his head down towards the grass and avoided meeting Melissa’s eyes. It was cruel, but it was life. Adam was only moments from going to console his friend when Melissa shocked everyone by putting down her books and placing an arm around Jack’s shoulders.

Her impassive voice softened. “Look, how about this? You seem like such a nice guy. You’re not like all the other macho-brained idiots around here, and I could use a good friend like you. Why don’t you let me help you with this math? I know you’re struggling with it, and I’m actually pretty good. Let me tutor you.”

Jack looked up from the ground, surprise forming wrinkles over his features. Adam was glad Melissa decided to spare his feelings.

“You want to tutor me?”

“Sure, why not? You could certainly use the help, and since I moved here recently I don’t have a lot of guy friends.” She winked at him.

Melissa and her two friends stood from the bleachers. She took one step forward then stopped mid-stride. “Oh, and by the way. We’re starting tonight, so be ready for me around eight. I’ll come to your place.”

Adam thought he could hear the sound of his friend’s heart beating faster. “You’re what? Tonight!”

Melissa laughed. “Yes, Jack. Give me your address. The teacher is probably going to make us redo the assignment in record time, so … you kind of need to learn this stuff as soon as possible."

Jack rustled around his pockets in a fanatical craze, and Adam knew he didn’t have paper to write down his number. When Jack came up short he pouted, giving Adam a pleading, desperate look.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Adam said. “This is why you should come to school prepared.” Adam reached into his backpack, and then passed Jack a pen and a yellow Post-It. Jack scribbled something that might have been English, but upon closer inspection resembled ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Melissa saluted them. “I’ll see you boys around later.” She walked gracefully away with her two friends.

“Did you see that, Adam? She’s coming over tonight. I told you I was lucky today. She’s going to be tutoring me. The most gorgeous girl in school is coming over to my house.” Jack wore a grin, and Adam couldn’t help but return a smile of his own. “Adam! Let’s do our victory bump.”

“No way, Jack.”

“Aww, come on.”

“Jack, there’s no way in hell I’m bumping fists with you while shouting, ‘wonder twin powers activate.’”

Adam didn’t know what could’ve possessed Melissa to try tutoring Jack. That in itself was a lost cause. Adam knew because he had tried. He had tried on several occasions, he recalled bitterly. At any rate, he appreciated the kindhearted response.

“Can we please go back to what we were talking about before?”

Jack sighed. “Fine, fine, whatever.”

Adam thought of a way to return to the odd conversation. He hoped for the life of him he was correct in his assessment of Jack. If the fires turned out to be the work of some freak, scientifically-explained accident, then Adam would feel stupid for months.

“Right before the fires started, moments before it was our turn to have our homework checked—what were you doing?”

“I already told you. I wasn’t doing anything. You were there, remember? We were sitting down waiting to be yelled at, and the desks just started lighting on fire. If you seriously think that I somehow pulled out a firework or something, you’re crazier than I am.”

Adam rubbed his eyes. Clearly, his friend didn’t understand what he was implying. Adam needed to explain that he suspected him of doing it mentally. Adam wasn’t sure where his suspicions came from, yet he couldn’t shake the constant nagging in the back of his mind that something was very wrong.

Adam was about to speak, but he closed his mouth, catching movement out of the corner of his eye. Two classmates marched over to the bleachers, halting in front of Adam and Jack. Adam knew by the scowls on their faces that the two punks meant trouble.

Adam recognized one as Richard Davins. He’d been the one throwing paper balls at Jack earlier. The other one, Adam didn’t recognize. Both were giants. With each step, muscles popped out of their tank tops. Oh, they meant trouble alright.

“Wow, Jack,” Richard said. I’ve seen some pretty stupid people in my day, but you’ve gotta be pretty far up that list to ask Melissa out on a date.” Richard’s lackey snickered like the good little minion he was. “We saw the whole thing. Pathetic, Jack. Really, really, pathetic.”

Jack’s face drained of color. Whenever he came across Richard, the behemoth-sized boy couldn’t resist creating trouble, and it was obvious that Richard enjoyed it.

“You did a real good job, didn’t you? Getting Melissa to pity you like that.”

“What do you mean, pity me?” Jack asked. “We’re friends and she’s tutoring me. That’s all there is to it, I swear.”

“You know, I don’t get it, Harris. I mean, did you honestly believe that a pathetic loser like yourself could even be friends with someone like Melissa, let alone date her?”

Jack held up a finger and tried to reply, but Richard cut him off. “Tell me, Jack, did you really think in that unbelievably stupid brain of yours that you had some kind of a shot? Have you lost your mind?” Other students approached, and Adam knew by their wicked grins and eager strides that they were each hoping to see a fight break out.

Adam turned to Richard. “No, I’m sure she’s much better off with you, Dick. After all, I’m sure she would go together much more wonderfully with a misguided Jock whose only scholastic achievement was learning how to tie his own damned shoelaces.”

Dozens of students arrived to catch the comment, laughing madly at the remark. They turned to look at the one who had said it. Adam closed the chemistry book he’d been reading and readjusted the glasses falling low over his eyes.

“Did you say something to me, nerd?” Richard glared at Adam while punching his open hand.

“Did I say anything to whom?” Adam asked. “I hear a voice, but I don’t see anyone. Oh, that’s right. My vision automatically filters out idiots. It’s a defense mechanism, you see. I would lose my mind if I had to gaze upon brain-dead imbeciles all day.”

Thirty students pointed and laughed at Richard. In a battle of words, someone with Richard’s meager intellect had little chance of defeating Adam.

Rage formed lines on his pit-bullish face. Adam knew he’d provoked Richard, but Adam was feeling pretty angry too. It was true he had expected Jack to receive some kind of ridicule, but this was absurd.

“Do you have a death wish, punk?” Richard said. He flexed his muscles, accentuating them to impress the crowd.

In hindsight, I may have just made a big mistake.

Adam glanced at Jack. His friend was in his own little world, looking at the ground in silence. Then Adam turned back to meet Richard’s eyes. If the larger classmate decided to make things physical, Adam doubted he would be able to do much against him.

“What are you looking at?” Richard asked. He peeked at the crowd each time he spoke. Adam knew his type. Richard needed to ensure his actions were met with approval.

What an idiot.

Jack roused as if coming out of a trance and stood beside Adam. “What’s your problem with us anyway, Richard?”

Richard sneered at Jack. “I just plain don’t like you, or your nosy little nerd friend, for that matter.”

Adam sighed. “Well, I can assure you we don’t like you either, which is why the simplest solution would be for us to not speak at all. Think of how much of this nonsense we could avoid.”

Adam never understood why Richard bothered with them. If Richard hated Jack and himself as much as he claimed, why not just ignore each other completely? It was a part of human nature Adam couldn’t grasp.

“Do something about it then, I’m standing right here,” Richard said, missing Adam’s point entirely. He spread his arms wide in an inviting gesture, once again looking towards the crowd. They were growing hungry for action. Richard gave Adam a preemptive shove that sent him backward and onto the grass, prompting the spectators to go wild.

“Fight! Fight! Fight!” they roared.

Adam jumped back to his feet. At this point, a fight was unavoidable. As poor a fighter as Jack was, Adam hoped they’d have a chance if they both went at Richard together. That, of course, was assuming the friend Richard brought along stayed out of it.

“Fine, if you want a fight, then I’ll give you a fight,” Jack said to Adam’s surprise. “But not here. How about tomorrow at the entrance of the school, one hour before class starts?” Melissa was now among the spectators, which explained Jack’s sudden change of demeanor. He obviously wanted to impress her.

“What’s wrong with right here? Are you so afraid that you’re trying to put it off?”

“No,” Jack responded. “Look around. Security is everywhere. As a matter of fact, some are already on the way here.”

Richard shrugged. “Whatever, it’s your funeral. Just make sure you show up tomorrow, because if you don’t, I will break every bone in your body.”

Despite Jack’s bravado, Adam knew very well that on the inside he was morbidly frightened. He was lazy and hated exerting himself. If ever someone was less suited to fighting, Adam would like to meet them.

Three men in the school’s blue security uniforms arrived a few moments later, flashlights and walkie-talkies dangling from the sides of their belts. “Is there a problem?” a tall one asked, looking in Richard’s direction.

“Not at all, sir, I was just having a chat with my friend here.” Within a few moments the disappointed crowd broke up, leaving Adam and Jack alone on the bleachers.

“Oh God, this is horrible. I can’t fight! What am I gonna do? I only acted brave because Melissa was watching.”

Adam looked up towards the sky. A single cloud challenged the bright sun’s rays, providing them with a few moments of shade from the onslaught of heat.

“We’ll figure something out. I can’t fathom why you decided to feed into him and take on his ridiculous challenge. In fact, the easiest thing to do now is to just not show up. Then he’ll have just wasted his time.”

Jack nodded. Adam had earned his full trust over the years. If he said it was pointless, then he was positive Jack would listen. Sure, he might experience some shame if he didn’t show up, but anything was better than getting his teeth knocked out. Besides, at the very, least Jack now had something to look forward to.