The Assignment

Brief A/N-The next six chapters are all POV chapters from each of the major characters. It is all written in the present tense.

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Chapter 2- Ethan's POV

Mr. Dig is the coolest. No kidding. I love teachers that make you think about stuff and give assignments for no grades.

I have nothing against school. It's just not really my thing. But at least Mr. Dig tries to liven it up, you know, keep things interesting.

I'm not too bright. Everyone in school can tell you that. I've heard lots of dumb jokes in my time, especially from my so-called best buds. Things like, "How many Crafts does it take to screw in a light bulb?" That's one of the favorites. My family doesn't have the greatest rep around town I guess you could say. My new stepmom makes me look like a brain surgeon.

I look around at my friends. I guess I'm considered a jock cause I play sports and stuff. It's not too big of a deal. I'm good at it, unlike school.

It'd be cool to be smart and have the last laugh all the time. Not smart in a stuck up way, but kinda like Gordon. . . Gordo, whatever he's called these days. He's one of those guys who seems to know everything about everything without really rubbing it in your face all smug like. He's not a jock or a nerd. He plays sports sometimes and he does the whole school thing.

He's just Gordon. That's who I'll write about. Yeah, that makes sense. I scribble stuff in my notebook as things pop into my head. Hmmm, what's cool about the little man?

He has interesting hobbies for one. He's always filming stuff with his video camera and knows tons about old movies, directors and movie stars. I've gotten to see a few of his films and he's got mad skills. He wants to be a director one day and I'll bet he makes it. Heck, I'd pay ten bucks to see his films.

I love movies, especially those old black and white detective ones. Gordon is the only one I can talk to about that stuff and doesn't think I'm too weird. Danny only ever wants to see those big action movies where everything blows up and there's like no story. Kate and Claire only want to see those weepy chick flicks. I like the classics.

Another thing I've noticed about Gordon is that he's always thinking about something. His mind is always going, even when he's in the middle of talking about something. It's like if you look at him hard enough you can see the wheels actually turning in his head. Not that there are really wheels in his head. It's just an expression. It would be kinda cool if there were though.

I'm a straightforward dude. What's going on in my head usually comes flying out of my mouth, whether it should or not. It'd be tight to be sort of deep and mysterious like. Gordon has all these layers to him. You can tell that usually when he says something, there's a lot more on his mind that he really wants to say but holds back.

Plus the ladies all love him. I've heard the cheerleaders talk about him. They think he's cute and perfect boyfriend material, not like me.

I'm good with the ladies, but it's different. Girls don't trust me too much and their parents even less. Just cause I'm a jock and a big fan of the female form, they always think I'm gonna take advantage of them and press the situation.

I'm not. I'm not like that. I would never hurt a woman. My family might not be smart, but I wasn't raised like that. If a woman says no, that's what it means. I think I'm a respectful kind of guy----most of the time. I guess it goes with the rep.

The ladies like Gordon cause they think he's sweet, sensitive, smart and about a zillion other things. Parents think he's trustworthy and reliable. I even heard Kate call him "the perfect guy" once, but she was talking to herself and doesn't know I heard her. Plus, his two best buds are girls and they like him well enough, so it has to mean something, right?

Girls like me too. I go on lots of dates. Not to sound conceited, but usually it's cause girls think I'm hot or they need a popularity fix. That's what I am to them.

I've never had a proper girlfriend. I hook up at parties and dances, fool around on dates, but that's it. Would you believe I've never gone on more than four dates with the same girl? I've tried.

Right now Gordon is dating Lizzie, one of his best friends. Lizzie's great. She used to have a thing for me, and she asked me out, but I blew her off cause I'm stupid. I told her we should just be friends cause I was trying to get with Rhonda, this hot cheerleader, at the time. Dumb move. Rhonda has zero personality and even less brains than my stepmother. Lizzie's hot and has a personality.

Lizzie moved on. I don't know if her and Gordon will work out, but that's how a real relationship is supposed to work. Dating your best friend. Now that's cool.

My eyes zone out forcing me to look away from my paper. My hand needs a break. I'm not used to writing so much so fast. Only for Mr. Dig.

At least lunch is next. I could totally go for a slice of pizza, extra cheese and pepperoni. I swear my brain only has two switches, food and girls.

Speaking of girls, this class has some fine specimens of womanhood. Especially Miranda, Lizzie and Gordo's other best friend. I've had my eye on her lately. She's cute, spunky and a pretty cool chick to hang around with. She's got a temper, but if you stay on her good side it's okay.

I look over to her. She's smiling to herself for whatever reason. She has a nice smile. Today she has on plaid pants and a shirt that says "Problem Child" in red letters across the front.

That's something I don't get. Girls always wear those shirts with sayings written across their chests. Obviously they are there to be read, but then the ladies get all mad when I stare at their chests too long trying to read them. Can I help it if I'm a slow reader?

I shift my gaze over to Gordo. Even now he is completely gone, his brain a million miles off. Did his brain ever shut off? He probably thought more while he slept than I did during an entire day, hell an entire week.

I guess what gets me the most about Gordon is that he's respected. His peeps respect him. They want to hang with him and hear his opinions on important matters, you know, listen to him. No one asks me for my opinion, except on maybe sports.

I have opinions and thoughts and ideas. They might not be as intelligent as Gordon's over there, but it would be cool if I ever got to share them with anyone.

People take Gordo seriously. It gets lonely being a joke a lot of the time.

I want to ask Miranda out, but I'm scared. Me, scared. That's a laugh. Ethan Craft doesn't get scared around the ladies. But like, what if she thinks of me what everyone else does? Gordon is her best friend and he's super smart, so talking to me instead would be kind of a let down.

Miranda totally catches me looking at her. I give her one of my special Ethan looks. She smiles and turns back to her paper.

I look down at my own barely legible paper. That's it. I write my apologies to Mr. Dig on it, but I have nothing left to write. It's not like we're getting grades.

If I know Mr. Dig he just wants to make us kids think a bit. A character growth kind of thing to help us learn a little bit about ourselves without lecturing us like most of our other profs would. See, I'm not so dumb after all. I catch on.

The bell rings. I hand in my paper and saunter out of the room. My stomach rumbles.

I pass Miranda, Gordo and Lizzie on the way to their lockers.

"Pretty cool class guys", I say to them.

"Yeah", Lizzie answers quickly looking nervous. Gordon remains silent, again brain working overtime.

Miranda's the only one who appears to be acting normal. "Pretty cool", she agrees, giving her friends odd looks.

My stomach rumbles again. I've got to get something to eat.

"See ya later", I tell her.

"Yeah, later", Miranda calls after me as I go to leave, but she's not looking at me. Her eyes are focused on Lizzie and Gordo.

I sigh. Sometimes Gordon doesn't know how good he has it.