Lucy walked forward cracking her knuckles."Hell no."
Turning a deaf ear to her words he said, "Hey Lucy you remember when we had Daniel right we were in high school."
He started reminiscing about a much simpler time when they were both in high school. This made Lucy stop and hear the clown out.
It was high school. Both James and Lucy were freshmen. James had moved in from out of state. He had joined the school in the middle of the year because he had to deal with a bunch of things at home. James hadn't been to school since eighth grade. Any knowledge he learned from middle school was thrown out the window. It was like his brain needed a refresher on the basics.
Lucy being in both his math and science classes was asked by a teacher to help James with refreshing his knowledge. Lucy being the quiet kid she was couldn't say no but didn't like the whole idea. Plus the teacher who asked her to do this offered extra credit from both classes because the math teacher was his wife. They both discussed this with each other. Since James hadn't been to school since eighth grade they knew all too well what happens to a teenager's brain when they go long periods without using what they learned from school. So with reluctance she said yes. After all extra credit never hurts.
Thanks to both the science and math teachers James and Lucy sat next to each other in every class. James would ask questions whenever he didn't understand something. Lucy would always be annoyed at answering this guy's questions. She even lent him her notes the same ones most people begged for some even offering to pay her. Yet this guy was getting them for free. Perhaps this train of thought was the reason she had no friends. Or maybe it was something else.
Throughout their interactions Lucy realized this guy wasn't as annoying as she thought. They seemed to share the same interests games and opinions. Overall he wasn't as dumb as he made himself out to be. She estimated it would take him at least two months to learn all the info she had given him. It took him just under three weeks. Yet he continued to play dumb in class.
"Hey James" Lucy said frowning as she looked at him. "I know you're just as smart as me. I don't know why you keep doing this dumb act. Are you just doing it so you don't have to do as much work"
One thing she hated was people who took the easy way in life especially when it involved throwing others under the bus.
"Well" James said without missing a beat "I guess you're right. I am lazy."
"Yeah I thought so. I'll be letting the teacher know about this and well this will be the last time we talk to each other."
James just looked at her walking toward the teacher smiled and said nothing.
Soon after the teacher came and asked if what Lucy said was true. James being quick on his feet gave a half truth and half lie about everything.
"Well teacher I did learn some of the material but I'm not quite sure of myself. That's why I still want Lucy helping me. But if it's too much trouble she doesn't have to help me anymore. After all I would be pretty annoyed too if I had to help someone like me" he said with an awkward and self deprecating laugh.
Lucy was baffled by this guy's shenanigans. "Wait what teacher that's not it at all he's just lying."
"Listen Lucy if helping him is such an annoyance you could've just said so. You don't have to put up with the burden of teaching another student. I'm sorry for putting this on you. After all you're just a student and it's my job as the teacher to make sure he catches up on his studies. I just thought since you're smarter than most kids you'd be able to nevermind. I'll be in charge of teaching him from now on. Don't worry about it anymore."
"Wait teacher I didn't mean it like that."
"Don't worry I know how much that extra credit means to you. I won't be taking it away. After all you still went through all that trouble of teaching him. It's the least I can do as your teacher."
"Wait Mr Willson I don't really mind helping him" she said with a guilty conscience. "You go through so much trouble grading our papers you do so much for us."
He smiled as if he was a whole different person from a moment ago.
"Well if you insist I'll leave him to you. I knew I could count on you. If you do need anything from me just let me know."
"Eh wait" she was a little stunned at how quickly he agreed.
"Is there anything else Lucy"
"No nothing at all teacher. I'll be sure to teach him all I know."
He just smiled while walking away.
"Wow."
Lucy turned to her side and heard a familiar sound from her right.
"What" Lucy said irritated at hearing this all too familiar voice.
"For being as smart as you are you seem to have no people skills whatsoever."
Even more annoyed and with a slightly curious tone she questioned "What does that mean"
"I mean you do know both the math and science teachers are throwing me their workload onto you right"
"Yeah right and I'm the prettiest girl in the world."
James just looked her up and down. "I mean there's potential."
A blush made its way onto her face. "Yeah right. And what makes you think that Mr and Mrs Willson are dumping you onto me They're some of the best teachers I've had in a while. Even if they are doing that so what They probably just need a break. They deal with a lot of troublemakers and try their best to help everyone."
"Yeah no discredit to them. But just because they're good people doesn't mean they're incapable of doing bad. And the reason why I'm so sure It's probably because my parents paid them to make sure I get good grades in their classes."
With an unconvinced expression she said "I don't believe you."
"Why I mean the evidence is that they're very lenient with me. A bit too lenient. I know I'm new and all but it's been three weeks and I haven't shown any signs of learning anything. Not even the simplest concepts in any of my classes. And despite all that my grades don't fall below eighty percent. It's like I'm not even trying. They don't seem to care. They just keep taking the bribes my parents give them. After all they're being paid to make sure I get good grades. They just never specified how. Not that they even care" he said the last part trailing off with a hint of sadness.
The bell rang signaling the end of class.
Lucy didn't say anything more. Silence seemed to be her only answer.
"I'll take the silence as disagreeing. Meet me today at six thirty around the convenience store down the block. You better be there cause I'll be waiting. Don't be a no show" he said walking off to his next class.
After the final bell Lucy was about to walk home just a ten minute walk away when she noticed James pointing at her then at the store down the block and finally at his watch. He was clearly indicating six thirty.
"Yeah yeah I see you in two hours."
She went home took a bath studied a bit then put on a hoodie and jeans with a pair of black sneakers as if ready for an adventure.
Twenty minutes later she arrived at the convenience store.
James was already there dressed in all black.
"Oh you made it."
He looked her up and down. "Hmm not bad. All black looks pretty good on you. We even match."
"Thank you I guess."
"Alright let's go."
"So I've been thinking. What you said sounds reasonable but you have no evidence. I can't just believe you based on words alone. Mr and Mrs Willson might be using me but they've been nice to me. I just can't believe what you're saying."
"Uh huh."
"It's just absurd."
"Yeah I know. Why do you think we're here"
"Huh Wait why are we in front of the school"
"Why else To see what your favorite teachers are up to" he said pulling a small box from his pocket. It was a lockpick set.
"You got curious so your natural response is to break into the school" she said alarmed.
"Well I tried other things. None were as successful" he said as the door clicked open.
The moment it did a wave of fear hit Lucy.
"I think I know what they're up to but I can't be sure" James said stepping inside.
"Hey Wait Don't just walk in Come back It's not too late to turn back We can still lock the doors and act like nothing happened."
James grinned. "You better close the door Lucy before someone sees you."
She looked back and saw a group approaching. "Crap." She shut the door quickly and peeked out the glass. Thankfully the group moved on.
James was already walking deeper inside.
"Well come on Lucy You're here Might as well see Come with me."
She frowned but followed irritated with the day's events and silently swearing she wouldn't hang out with this guy again.
As they walked through the hallway James seemed to be looking for something or someone. He peered through each classroom door. Eventually they reached their science class on the far east side of the building. That's when they heard faint sounds.
They moved closer. The faint sounds turned into unmistakable moans.
Lucy's eyes widened. James smiled.
Just on the other side of the door Mr and Mrs Willson were very clearly doing something they absolutely shouldn't be doing at school.
Lucy felt a wave of confusion and anger. "Wait This is why they made me teach this guy So they could fuck each other in the damn school What the hell"
Before she could raise her voice James put a finger to her lips.
"Shhh Don't be loud."
Lucy looked at James. He was smiling like he expected this. He pulled a camera from his backpack.
"Wait what are you doing"
"Obviously recording the evidence."
"How The door's closed The window's blocked."
"Exactly why I plan to go in."
"You can't be serious."
"How else are we going to prove it We need to show someone the principal police anyone."
"Yeah I get that but why are you so excited about this"
He shrugged. "Maybe it's the thrill."
She grabbed his hand. "Wait What happens to us after we take those pictures What if they kill us to silence us"
James almost burst out laughing.
"It's a valid concern"
"Yeah but they're not that stupid. Or at least they shouldn't be. Besides we left fingerprints. My parents track me. And everyone knows they're always the last to leave. It wouldn't be hard to figure out."
"Still we could just report them now."
"Come on Lucy Who do you think they'll believe Two students a shy girl with no friends and the new guy or their two favorite teachers"
He pulled his mask down and motioned for her to do the same. He counted down.
"Alright you ready Lucy"
She panicked. "Wait I'm not ready"
"Three"
"Wait a sec"
"Two One"
Seeing no other choice she opened the door. James barged in with the camera.
"Hahaha Got you crazy fucks"
He was expecting something shocking.
What he saw went far beyond.
Yes Mr and Mrs Willson were indeed doing the deed.
But sitting in the corner pants around his ankles was the principal.
James froze. Lucy peeked inside and froze too.
Then a voice came from the corner.
"Hey What are you doing Who are you"
Before the principal could even get up a middle aged man sprang forward dashing straight at James.
"Oh shit" James muttered. Mr. Willson was making his way towards James as if his life depended on it and it did.