New chapter, now some gears are starting to go into motion.
Chapter 4
Linus's Point of View
It was theology class time. One of my favorite classes of the day, learning about different cultures and their religions was quite a treat. The fact that it was also taught by the local pastor Father Andrew made it even better. We often spoke to one another after class, and he made me think about concepts like morality, knowledge, and the universe.
However, with how Charlie was and how he slowly was showing visible signs of just giving up. Along with the fact that most of the student body was more than willing to step on him (figuratively and sometimes literally in Violet's case) it made me look to him for guidance.
"Father, what do I do? At this rate, if Charlie continues to be treated like this…" I spoke with fear and sadness gripping my heart. It was no secret that Charlie had been more open about committing… well.
That.
The action that most would only think of doing on their last legs.
…
"Well Linus, I see that this Charlie Brown has had it rough this entire time on this earth. As one of Gods children, it seems as if God is trying to temper his soul."
"Temper his soul?"
"Hmm, I remember Charlie when he was a lot younger. Quite a rambunctious child!" He chuckled. "I do agree that perhaps others are taking it too far. God cannot interfere with free will as you know, but he may soon show the people in this school a product of their consequences. And it could be that what God has made Charlie go through could be in preparation for him to receive a rebirth and a reward."
"A rebirth?"
"Yes… as we read in class and as is mentioned in the Bible. It often takes both fire and water to purify both a soul and a body. Metaphorically speaking of course. Perhaps we may see soon him receiving a reward, but he needs the strength to go through with the trials before him."
"But how then can I help?"
"Be there! Be with him in his trials! Do not be afraid of adversity! It is what molds the soul into becoming worthy of entering heaven. 'We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in total despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.' You must help the Boy find his way! So that both you and him can be closer towards grace." Father Andrew said with verbosity. Hmm.
"I guess I can see that, Father. All right, I need to go to the next class. I will see you around!" I said, finally renewed with vigor.
"Ok Linus, and remember: 'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged! For the LORD your God shall be with you wherever you walk and go!'"
I walked out to my next class and thought about what he said. Be there. Maybe I should step up. It would be what God would want the righteous to do. But how can I make it up to Charlie? Maybe…
Then I felt a tap on my shoulder form behind.
I looked around and saw Heather staring at me.
"Linus… how are you?" she said softly.
"Oh, Heather! How are you doing?"
"Good… just finished dance class and I have a free period next. I was wondering if I could speak to you about something. Or rather, someone…" She said, blushing and scratching the back of her head.
"Huh? Who?"
"Well…" she looked around "I can't say here, lets go somewhere a little more secluded."
She took me into a practice room for the band kids. Must be serious if she wanted to be all alone. She almost looked scared, peaking at every corner as if to make sure someone was not looking.
"Finally. Now, about him… Charlie Brown." She said, with her face almost as red as her hair.
"Huh? Charlie? Why Charlie?"
"Well… what if I told you someone has a crush on him."
…
Oh
"You do?"
She stared at me; her whole body blushed as she sat still.
"Was it… that obvious?"
"No, not until you suddenly decided to drag me here."
"Oh… I guess I might as well be blunt. Yes, it is me."
Oh…
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
If Charlie knew this… he would probably be over the moon.
"What is the issue? Why drag me here? Can't you just tell him?" I said, questioningly.
"Yeah… but there is one problem… Violet."
Woah, that's a tone I never heard from her before. So much rage and malevolence.
"Woah, hold up. I though You, Violet, and Patty were all buddy buddy with each other since elementary school."
"Well, we were. But something changed Linus. I don't understand it, but now more than ever Violet seems to have a personal vendetta against him. I don't know why. I don't know how. But she seems to be out to just make his life as miserable as possible. I am pretty sure she is probably paying off some people too to do so."
…
What?
Who spends money just to hate one person in particular?
What the hell is going on in Violet's head?
"That is why I need you Linus. I need to figure out a way to make all this stop. Sure, I am smart, but I need someone who can help me usurp her."
HUH?!
Usurp? What the hell?
"So, a coup against Violet is what you're plotting?
"Yeah… basically."
That left me stunned… She wanted to be the new queen B… all so she and Charlie could be together.
Huh, maybe true love knows no bounds. Maybe this is what Father Andrew was talking about.
"You do know that if this doesn't work you might me stomped on has hard as Charlie is right now, maybe even harder if Violet gets all the details?"
"Yeah, but for Charlie's torment to end, it's a risk I am willing to take. Either way, we will be together at the least."
This girl is crazy!
…
Charlie you lucky bastard.
"And if I agree? What do I need to do?"
"I need you to get some dirt on your sister. Something so I can make sure she joins and does not double cross us."
"Dirt on my sister!? Are you crazy!? She will kill me if she finds out that I have been snooping around her stuff!"
"Please Linus! If not for me, do it for Charlie! I can't stand seeing him be treated this way and I know you don't either! Please! Do it before… before…" She started to cry.
"Before what?"
"Before he does something that we might all regret…" she said softly between sobs.
Err….
Gah. This might be against my better judgement. But if it is for Charlie to be able to finally have a regular social life again…
Fuck it. Let's play ball.
"Ok, fine." I said to her.
She was still crying. She was quite a gentle soul at the end of all of it.
After a while she finally stopped crying. The bell might ring any second…
RING RING RING!
Oops, next class.
Heather composed herself, looked at me, and shook my arm.
"Ok… it's a deal?"
"Yeah."
"For Charlie?"
"For Charlie."
…
This will be one hell of a ride.
"Oh, and please don't tell anyone we had this conversation!" She said to me. "We need to keep everything behind closed doors for now! Not until we finally get Violet off her high horse!"
"Ok, you can count on me!" I said, puffing up my chest to look manly.
"Hehe, of course. See you later Linus!" She waved back at me before exiting the door.
Huff, I guess I got my work cut out for me.
Hopefully once this is all over, Charlie can finally be at some stage of peace.
Maybe… if he is even capable of it at this point.
Charlies Point of View
Well, Cooking went as well to be expected. With both Peppermint Patty and Marcie gnawing at the teeth for my attention it left it difficult to get any cooking done. I did though and managed to get a B, typical. Life always likes to throw me a wrench in my plans.
"Well, if it isn't Failure fuckhead!"
Oh great… Thibault.
Originally, he was much shorter than me and never really picked fights with me that often. But now he was full blown six foot eleven inches and height and had enough muscle you could mistake him for a truck. He must have exchanged that brain of his for muscles as he performed worse than me in academics but was our star player in football.
Full jock, through and through.
"What's up sissy, got any lunch I could grab from you? Or are you and your parents still to poor to even afford that!" He shoved me straight into a locker. Hard.
God, this guy…
"Don't ignore me Brown! If you don't give me some type of... what's the word... AH! TARIFF! If you don't give me a tariff from you ill take it by FORCE!" He lifted me with my shirt collar. Shit. Last time he did that my arm and chest were bruised for an entire week. Might as well give him something…
"Here, five dollars. It's all I got I swear!" Passing him the five dollars, he looked at it offended.
"Five dollars? FIVE? DOLLARS? YOU STUPID FUCK!" He shoved me against the locker again and punched my stomach so hard I started to wheeze. This is bad. Real bad.
RING RING RING!
"The bell… ok Brown, you got lucky this time. I am in a better mood than usual, so I'll let you off easy. Next time though Ill give you a new asshole!" He spoke. He dropped me and ran off with my 5 dollars.
I sat down and held my stomach. It hurt like hell. My last class of the day was Health 101 luckily, so it wasn't physically intensive, but I still had baseball practice after.
Fuck…
Might as well get moving before I am late to class.
…
I hate my life and myself.