Screen Time

Chapter 12: Catch You Catch Me

"So what's the plan?", says Simon as we roll down the halls of the school.

"What plan? All we need to do is find Brad, hit him really hard, and see what happens. Should be simple enough right?", I say as I skate next to him.

"I mean I guess. I just have one question though.", he says as he stops just in time to see one of the NPCs lose their balance and fall flat on their face. "Are the roller skates really necessary?"

"No, but neither was the shrimp Alfredo that we had for lunch and I didn't hear you complaining about that. In fact, I would say that the roller skates benefit the school more than pasta does."

"How on earth does making roller skates part of the mandatory dress code benefit the school? How is anybody supposed to get anything done with everyone constantly falling over and tripping?"

"They'll get used to it. Besides it's not like we were really learning anything anyways. Now where is Brad?", just as I say that, Brad comes crashing through the halls. Literally. He loses his balance almost immediately and proceeds to crash into everyone and everything within a 5 feet radius. Perfect. Now I just need something to hit him with. Like a bat. Actually no, maybe not a bat, I might need something stronger. Like a shovel!

"Robbie there you are!", in comes Jessica holding a shovel almost as tall as her with a neat little pink bow on top. "I've been looking for you!", she exclaims as she skates gracefully to my side. "Oh! Hi Simon!", she says surprised as if she just now noticed he was there.

"Oh uh hi Jessica...what's with the shovel?"

"Well, actually this is a birthday gift for Robbie! I was at the gardening store near school and when I saw this shovel it reminded me of him so I thought I'd buy it! Here you go.", she says as she hands me the shovel.

I turn to Simon who seems to be stun locked by confusion. It's clear from his face that a lot of questions are floating through his mind and he's trying to figure out what to ask first. Maybe he's going to ask why she got me a birthday gift despite the fact that my birthday isn't until a couple months from now, or maybe he's going to say something like "Since when was there a gardening store near school?" But when he finally decides to open his mouth, all he says is

"Seeing a shovel made you think of Robin...?"

"Thanks for the shovel Jessica this is exactly what I needed.", I say trying my hardest to stifle my laughter.

"That's great! I'm really glad you liked my gift! I-"

"Yeah, yeah sorry but I'm kinda busy right now so can I talk to you later?", I interject, cutting her off.

"Ok sure! Bye, Robbie! I love you!", she says as she skates away.

"That's nice.", I'm about to head over to where Brad is until I get distracted by the sound of quiet giggles. Seems like I wasn't the only one trying to hold in my laughter. "What?", I say to Simon who seems to have been waiting for me to ask that.

"Oh, it's nothing. Anyway, it was so sweet of her to give you that shovel. Isn't that right Robbie.", he says in a mocking tone. I elbow him in the arm but he just laughs even harder. I keep elbowing him. "Geez ok fine I'm done.", he says as he lets out one last 'haha'.

"Good now let's get this over with.", me and Simon roll to where Brad is as his two minions try their best to get him off the ground.

"Ok, we're gonna need to find a way to get him alone. I'll try and distract his buddies while you-", before Simon can finish that thought I rush up to Brad and hit him on the head with the shovel. A loud gong rings through the halls.