THE PLOT
The next morning, Linus was again quietly eating his breakfast with Rerun. He was hoping for a quiet and calm morning.
But someone had other plans.
"Get ready you two, we're leaving early again" Lucy stated, after finishing breakfast.
Rerun quickly got up and ran down the hallway.
But Linus was less enthusiastic. "Why are you now so adamant on going to school early?" he questioned.
Lucy angrily glared at him as they got up from the table and began moving to the door.
"And, why are you suddenly meeting with your friends like this?" he continued, curious.
As they walked down the hallway, Lucy suddenly shoved Linus against the wall.
"Listen blockhead" she snarled "I'll meet up with my friends when I want, and I'll talk with them about what I want. And, it's none of your CONCERN".
She raised her fist.
"So stay out of my way or I'll pound you. Got it?".
Linus nodded.
"Good" Lucy said.
She shoved him down the hallway and stormed away.
Getting up from the common threat of violence Lucy had just delivered, Linus walked after her.
This time, the bus stop was empty, and only a few people were on the ride to school.
Linus stayed quietly reading for most of the trip. Yet he was not forgetting Lucy, and her sudden threat.
Her friends were not exactly the nicest people, and neither was she. So for her to abuse him like that just for being curious, meant she didn't have good intentions.
He was still caught up in pondering this as he got off the bus and walked towards the school, and as a result, bumped into an older boy standing around.
His security blanket fell out of his hands, and began to fly away in the wind.
"My Blanket!"
Quickly the boy thrust out his arm, grabbing the blanket before it could escape.
He offered it back to Linus. "There you go kid. Try tying it to your wrist".
Linus nodded, and did his suggestion.
"Thanks, Sorry about bumping into you" he apologised.
"It's nothing" the boy said.
Linus began to walk away, while unbeknownst to him, the boy was staring curiously.
And then, recognition dawned on Edward Black's face, he knew who that kid was.
But Linus was not paying attention to him. He was once again thinking about Lucy's scheming.
She was planning something, he just knew it.
"So we will be on standby if you need us" Neil told Edward. They were in the locker room.
"Yes, be in close proximity, so I can bring you guys in if I need the help" he replied.
"I for one, wouldn't mind a nice game of cat and mouse".
Maddison was also there, as were Henrietta and Samantha. Edward had gathered his club to brief them on who he was going to confront.
"Thanks Maddison. But I want to understand the game board before we play our pieces" Edward told her.
Maddison shrugged "Okay then Mr Chess-master. Let's go guys".
The members of SOJAS departed, moving to nearby classrooms and halls.
While Edward leant on his open locker, intending to look casual. He looked at his watch, it was 8:00am, the meeting time.
"I see your a man of your word, Black"
Violet Gray walked up to him. Accompanying her were Patty and Shermy, along with two other unidentifiable kids.
Edward shrugged "I tend not to say anything I can't do"
He closed his locker door.
"But of course, words only do so much, don't they"
The new speaker was a girl that now approached the group. She was slightly shorter than the others, with black hair and blue clothing.
"So, your the new kid eh" she offhandedly said.
"Edward Black" Edward introduced himself.
The girl smirked "Lucy Van Pelt".
At that, Edward now looked quite intrigued, which Lucy noticed.
"Is my name familiar" Lucy asked intently.
Edward nodded
"I had a classmate named Lucy last year" he told her.
That was a lie, rather, he had recognised the surname Van Pelt, rather than the first name. His young cousin had lived in the town at some point, and had had some insight to give Edward about a friend of hers. She had told him he was also named Van Pelt, and had supported her during a tough time.
"This girl must be his sister" he thought, his cousin had mentioned that.
"So" Lucy began, "I take it that you are interested in someone's plot against a blockhead"
"I am"
"You should understand what I could say is all classified. If you tell" she pointed to herself "the Queen won't be pleased".
"Naturally" Edward flattered. "I shan't be disrespectful".
Lucy grinned
"I like your manners Black" she said, and began explaining her plot.
"For years Charlie Brown has been the biggest blockhead in Birchwood. He's the pinnacle of failure, the lord of losing. So me and my friends have constantly been on the job of ensuring his failings continue. We've belittled him, we've called out his lousy baseball, and his poor love life. Heck, I've even got him to pay me at my psychiatry booth to read out his shortcomings.
Edward began to become irritated at this information.
She groaned "But every time he keeps on trying again, so I've got an plot to drive home the message. In the upcoming football game, I will ensure I hold the ball for him to kick.
"And by hold, she means HOLD" Violet bragged.
Lucy laughed mockingly
"What she means is that I won't let him kick that ball, I'll pull it away every time he can score a goal" Lucy stated. "Then Charlie Brown will lose the game for Birchwood".
"And it will make it quite clear through his thick skull, who's the winners, and who's the losers." she concluded.
Edward now looked visibly angered.
"That's the simple version, but what do you think?" she asked him.
Edward thought it was absolutely appalling behaviour. He was infuriated, these bullying brats were just asking for it.
And he was about to summon the rest of SOJAS to confront this clique, and tear into them for their cruelty.
But then, he hesitated
Because his Chess-master thinking mode activated. He could manipulate them to his ends, he could play this much differently.
Yes, that could work in his favour.
"I believe" Edward forced himself to say "that you deserve commendation for your work."
Lucy and the rest nodded, smiling cruelly. A smile Edward matched.
"In my old town" he continued "I was also considered a success by many. And let me tell you, there is nothing worse than to be at the top off your game, only for some failures to pretend to be on the same level"
"These pathetic fools undermine and take advantage of true winners. So, it is time to offer these people the ultimatum they deserve, either they're winners, or losers. NOTHING. ELSE. MATTERS. BUT THAT".
From behind him, Edward briefly thought he heard someone move as he yelled. He ignored it.
"So you're in" Violet asked intently.
They all looked at him.
"I am" Edward told them all.
Lucy grinned in satisfaction, "You won't regret it. It's a pity, but this'll be the last time we do a plot like this one"
Oh, I certainly think it will be, Edward thought angrily.
"Before you go" he asked "Is there anyone I should make sure doesn't know about this?".
Lucy nodded.
"Obviously not Charlie Brown" she told him "You'll recognise him by a boring zig zag shirt. My brother Linus also, he'll be dragging around a dumb blue blanket."
She paused.
"You'll notice" she laughed "That you can spot the true blockheads from a mile away in this town. But anyway, just don't tell anyone about this"
"I won't say a word" Edward promised.
Lucy nodded curtly and she and her friends left.
There was silence in the locker room.
Quietly, Edward pulled out his phone and texted his friends.
After all, he technically wasn't saying anything.
"I have found the ringleader, meet me soon" he texted to them.
Now, Edward knew exactly who to take down to ensure his success.
He grinned cunningly, and began to walk away from the lockers.
But then Edward stopped, he saw something move at the end of the hall. It quickly vanished and he heard the sound of running footsteps.
He knew that they must have been eavesdropping on him and Lucy, meaning he would have to deal with them soon.
And he knew who it was, he had seen a blue blanket as they fled.