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 listen to the clown.
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 gone. 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 catch up. She was quiet and didn't like the idea but she couldn't say no. The teacher even offered extra credit because the math teacher was his wife. They both agreed it would be helpful since James had been away from school so long. So with reluctance she said yes. After all, extra credit never hurts.
Thanks to the teachers, James and Lucy sat next to each other in every class. James asked questions whenever he didn't understand something, and Lucy was often annoyed at having to answer them. She even lent him her notes, the same ones everyone begged for. Some even offered to pay for them, yet this guy got them for free. Maybe that was why she had no friends, or maybe it was something else.
Over time Lucy realized he wasn't as annoying as she thought. They shared the same interests, liked the same games, and even had similar opinions. He wasn't as dumb as he acted. She thought it would take him two months to learn everything she gave him, but it only took him three weeks. Yet he still played dumb in class.
"Hey James," Lucy said, frowning 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?"
James smiled. "Well I guess you're right. I am lazy."
"Yeah I thought so. I'll be letting the teacher know about this and this will be the last time we talk."
James just smiled as she walked toward the teacher.
Soon after, the teacher asked if what Lucy said was true. James gave a half truth and half lie. "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. I'd be annoyed too if I had to help someone like me," he said with an awkward laugh.
Lucy was stunned. "Wait what teacher that's not it at all he's lying."
"Listen Lucy if helping him is such an annoyance you could've said so. You don't have to put up with it. I'll take care 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. You'll still get it."
Lucy felt guilty. "I don't really mind helping him. You already do so much for us."
The teacher smiled. "Well if you insist I'll leave him to you. I knew I could count on you."
"Ehh wait," she said, surprised at how fast he agreed.
"Anything else Lucy?"
"No nothing teacher. I'll make sure to teach him everything I know."
He smiled and walked away.
"Wow."
Lucy turned and saw James smirking.
"What," she said, irritated.
"For someone as smart as you, you've got no people skills."
She frowned. "What does that mean."
"I mean both teachers are dumping their work onto you."
"Yeah right and I'm the prettiest girl in the world."
James looked her up and down. "I mean there's potential."
Her face turned red. "Yeah right. And what makes you think they're dumping their work on me. They're some of the best teachers I've had."
"Yeah they are good people. But even good people do bad things. And I'm pretty sure my parents paid them to make sure I pass."
"I don't believe you," she said flatly.
"Why not. They're way too lenient with me. It's been three weeks and I still don't know basic stuff but my grades never drop below eighty percent. They don't care. They just take the bribes. My parents pay them to make sure I pass."
The bell rang. Lucy didn't say anything.
"I'll take the silence as disagreeing. Meet me at six thirty by the convenience store. Don't be a no show," he said, walking away.
Two hours later Lucy went to the store. James was already there dressed in black.
"Oh you made it," he said. "Not bad. All black looks good on you. We even match."
"Thank you I guess."
"Alright let's go."
"So I've been thinking," Lucy said. "What you said makes sense but you have no proof. I can't just believe words. They've always been nice to me."
"Uh huh."
"It's just absurd."
"Yeah I know. That's why we're here."
"Why are we in front of the school," she asked.
"Why else to see what your favorite teachers are up to," he said pulling a small box from his pocket.
Her eyes widened. "You brought a lockpick. Are you insane."
"Well I tried other things. None worked," he said as the door clicked open.
Fear hit Lucy instantly.
"I think I know what they're up to but I can't be sure," James said stepping inside.
"Hey wait come back it's not too late to leave. We can still lock the door and forget this ever happened."
He grinned. "You better close the door Lucy before someone sees you."
She looked back and saw a group walking by. "Crap." She shut the door quickly.
"Come on Lucy you're already here," James said.
She followed him reluctantly. They walked through the dark hallway until they reached their science class. That's when they heard faint sounds.
They moved closer. The sounds turned into moans.
Lucy's eyes widened. James smiled.
On the other side of the door Mr. and Mrs. Willson were clearly doing something they shouldn't be doing.
Lucy froze. "Wait this is why they made me teach this guy so they could do that in school what the hell."
Before she could yell James put a finger to her lips. "Shhh don't be loud."
He pulled a camera from his backpack.
"Wait what are you doing," she whispered.
"Recording the evidence."
"How the door's closed the window's blocked."
"Exactly why I'm going in."
"You can't be serious."
"How else will we prove it. We'll show the principal or police."
"Yeah but why are you so excited."
He shrugged. "Maybe it's the thrill."
She grabbed his hand. "What if they kill us to silence us."
James almost laughed. "They're not that stupid. Besides we left fingerprints. My parents track me. Everyone knows they're always the last to leave."
"Still we could just report them now."
"Come on Lucy who do you think they'll believe two students or their favorite teachers."
He lowered his mask and motioned for her to do the same.
"Alright you ready Lucy."
"Wait I'm not ready."
"Three two one."
She sighed and opened the door. James rushed in with the camera.
"Hahaha got you crazy fucks."
He expected something shocking. What he saw went far beyond.
Yes Mr. and Mrs. Willson were doing the deed. But in the corner sat the principal with his pants around his ankles.
James froze. Lucy peeked in and froze too.
"Hey what are you doing who are you," the principal shouted.
Before he could get up Mr. Willson sprang forward dashing straight at James.
"Oh shit," James muttered as Mr. Willson charged at him like his life depended on it, and it did.