Chapter 2

Joshua had chained his bicycle to the tube's ladder and the two friends walked toward school. Though Samantha attended the elementary school and Joshua the Jr./Sr. high school, the buildings weren't that far apart.

"My other friends can't believe that you want to hang out with me." She said.

"Why wouldn't I want to hang out with you? You're my best friend." Joshua asked.

"Probably 'cause I'm younger than you." Samantha told him.

"They apparently haven't realized our parents and their ages. I mean I know that we're almost six years apart but that isn't a big deal." Joshua smiled.

"Yeah. So what are you going to do after school today?" She asked changing the subject.

"Well I have an article to write about the upcoming football game against the FunTown Badgers. But other than that there isn't much going on. How about you?" He inquired.

"Nothing really. Today is tryouts for the band so I'll see how that goes." Samantha said.

"Well I guess this is where we say goodbye. Meet you on the playground after school?" Joshua asked.

"As always." She smiled and walked into the elementary school. Though her classes wouldn't start for another forty-five minutes and that meant she could go up to the library and pick up some books. The librarian had allowed her to come in early as long as she helped with putting the books back on the shelves.

Joshua walked a little farther and went up to his locker. Unloading his book bag, he grabbed his necessary books for first period and made his way to math class. Class started at eight-thirty and he was always on time.

In the hall, he bumped into his friend Patrick. The two had been friends since kindergarten and Joshua had trusted him with the secret about his abilities.

"'Sup?" Patrick asked.

"Not much, Pat. Did you get the third question on the homework?" Joshua asked.

"Uh, let me check." His friend said as they walked into the room. Sitting in their assigned seats, Patrick pulled his homework from his binder.

"Nope. Hey you coming to the game on Friday?" He asked.

"Yeah. I have to write an article about the game." Joshua told him.

"Why don't we catch up at the game? I have to play in the pep band." Patrick wondered.

"Sure. You guys are done at half time right?" His friend asked.

"Yeah." Patrick answered. Just then Mr. Fore walked into the room. He was about to start class when George walked in late. The boy never said a word, kept his head pointed down toward the ground, and went to his seat a couple behind Joshua. As George walked by him, a horrible vibe went through Joshua and he realized today wouldn't be any ordinary day. Patrick saw the look on his friend's face and he knew there was trouble afoot.

"George, do you have a pass?" Mr. Fore asked. The boy shook his head 'no'.

"Then I will need to speak to you after class." The math teacher said. When he said that, Joshua could feel the rage coming from behind him.

After math, Joshua told Patrick what he felt and that the two of them should try to keep and eye on George.

"You don't think he'll try to do something violent, do you?" His friend asked.

"I don't know. If he does we'll need to get everyone out of the halls. Don't approach him because you might become his target." Joshua said.

"He's so quiet, you'd never expect him to do anything or hurt anyone." Patrick said.

"You know what they say 'its always the quiet ones.' I'm going to go talk to my Aunt Trixie and let her know what's going on. You head to English and I'll catch up." His friend replied. Patrick nodded and went down the hall. Joshua turned and went downstairs to the Vice Principal's office.

To Be Continued...