I Hate School So Much

Randall Williams was arraigned today in court for the murders that he committed as the "ABC killer". Through his attorney, a woman named Kelly Day, he pled not guilty to the charges and to everyone's surprise asserted his speedy trial rights and set his case for a preliminary hearing within ten days.  My Mom told me that this is very unusual in a murder trial. The news was there. They asked the D.A. , "does Williams going forward on a "time not waived" basis mean that the case against Williams is weak?" The D.A. responded, "no comment". When asked by the TV reporter how Williams was caught the spokesperson for the St. Christopher police department said, "no comment".

The police really don't like to give my parents or any other meta-heroes credit if they feel like they don't have too. They are OK with the members of the Guild of Heroes dealing with alien invasions or subterraneans but when it comes to human-level criminals they feel like the superheroes are stealing their thunder. The reporter then asked, "Did Deca-Man and Dart capture Williams?" Again the police spokesperson said, "no comment".

My Mom then turned off the TV and told me to finish getting ready for school.

I went to Stacey's house (as required) and picked her up to walk to the bus stop. At the bus stop were Kenji and Juan. I'm kind of bummed, between schoolwork, Stacey, and crime fighting I really don't have much time to spend with my friends anymore and basketball tryouts will be coming up soon too. Kenji and Juan have noticed the difference too and while not giving me a cold shoulder their greetings were devoid of some of there usual enthusiasm.

"Hey Blake" said Juan.

"Blake" said Kenji.

I responded and then Stacey ushered me off and away from my friends to wait for the bus. I'm starting to get the sense that she doesn't like my friends. I started putting it together when she asked me last week, "why do you hang out with those guys?" She thinks that they are geeks and that hanging out with Kenji and Juan hurts my reputation and in turn hurts her reputation for dating me. Middle school social dynamics is complex. Apparently Stacey hasn't figured out that I'm a geek too. Even today, with all of the superhero movies like Captain America and Green Lantern, having a big comic book collection isn't considered cool. There is a "geek chic" going around but I'm not entirely proud to say that I'm the real thing. The bus came and we sat in the back. She held my hand all the way to school.

When we got to school we went towards our separate home rooms.  After she kissed me goodbye I turned around and started walking towards my class when suddenly I found myself face down on the ground with my books strewn all about me. I hate this school.

"Have a nice trip?" I didn't even need to turn around to know that it was Joshua McIntyre who was responsible for my position on the ground. How I hate this guy.

"C'mon Blake get up" he beckoned.

I gathered up my belongings and as I got to my knees I found myself staring straight into Josh's crotch. When I looked up I found his eighth grade face snarling down at me. "What are you going to do about it Anderson?" he said.

I didn't do anything about it. I could literally crush Josh in my hands and yet I didn't do a thing about it. My parents have constantly instilled in me that I can't use my powers to hurt kids at school and that I have to maintain my secret identity. So what did I do? I pretended to cower. There was a group of kids who had witnessed my fall and subsequent further indignity.  I didn't care what they thought.  I've been use to putting up with that kind of abuse for years at school but after I began to skulk away I turned my head and gave one last glance towards Josh. When I turned, however, it wasn't Josh that I saw. My eyes went right past Josh and over his shoulder. Stacey had turned around when she heard the commotion. I could see the disappointment in her eyes when I refused to take the bait from Josh but what was I to do? I just turned around and walked to class. I could here the laughter from the other kids as I walked away.

After school when I met Stacey at her locker to go home with her she said that she had to stay late after school.  I did get to spend time with Kenji and Juan on the ride home from school.

God how I hate this school.