Handsome Lying Jerks

Chapter 17

 Chapter Seventeen

A Friend or a Foe

Travis Becker ran as fast as he could for he was late in his first period that was because he watched the morning news about the recent murder last night. Almost all the news channel covered the death of one of Mapleton’s finest detective, Robert Weismann, who was killed inside his vehicle. Travis got really anxious upon realizing that people in their town were being killed in succession.

His first class was with Mr. Brent Jones’. As he reached the classroom, he started catching his breath. He caught everyone’s attention when he stood up the door.

 “Come in, Travis,” Mr. Jones delightedly invited him, “we’re just getting started.”

Travis entered smiling as he wiped his sweaty forehead. Richard Grayson, Louis Lockwood, Ismail Ambani, Jude O’Brien, Willie Hample, Malcolm Schmidt, Claire Summers, Quentin Hamilton, and Jenna Lucas were in his class during this period.

There were seven rows and seven columns of chairs inside the class. Travis was seating at the front of the fourth column; Louis was seating at the last seat of the fourth column; Richard was seating at the fourth row of the first column; and Ismail was seating at the fourth row of the last column.

“So, class, let’s resume,” Mr. Jones clapped his hands as he resumed, “what is your biggest dream? Anyone? I need a volunteer.”

Malcolm Schmidt quickly and excitedly raised his right arm.

Mr. Jones called Malcolm.

“Well,” Malcolm said nobly, “I wanna famous!”

Everyone in class smiled. Mr. Jones smiled as well, “what kind of popularity you want to achieve?”

“Hmm... good question,” Malcolm rubbed his chin while thinking.

The class started to giggle with Malcolm’s manner in talking as if Mr. Brent Jones was just his buddy.

Malcolm breathed in and out before answering, “I want to be a celebrity: an internet sensation, maybe. I want to be seen on YouTube or maybe Facebook with my awesome videos that will make me popular; reach millions of hits; be trending on Twitter and be talked around the world.” While talking, his eyes looked dazzled looking nowhere as if his sight could see through the ceiling.

“Okay,” Mr. Jones said, “that’s a huge dream you got, Mr. Schmidt. Thank you.” Then,  Mr. Jones scanned the class. “Who else? Come on. I’m encouraging you to speak up and express yourselves.”

 Jude O’Brien raised his left arm.

“Go ahead, O’Brien.”

 “Like our drama boy here,” Jude started a he glanced at Malcolm, “I also wanna be famous.”

Most of his classmates cheered him especially the girls and his friends from the football team.

“I want to be known for something that I have gone through,” Jude continued. “Maybe someday, I would write about my experiences. Apart from that, sir, I also wanna be a pro-footballer! Yeah!”

With his last statement, his class hooted and made noises. Jude even gave high fives to his friends.

Then, Mr. Jones called another one and kept the ball rolling. He called almost everyone in class: as well as Travis, Richard, Ismail and Louis. It was as if the whole period was about listening to his student’s dreams – pretty much obvious that Mr. Jones has not prepared any lesson for that day. Then, he finally called one last person: the one who was seating at the center of the fourth column and fourth row: Willie Hample.