Chase your fate

chapter 25

"Four hundred and thirty-seven dollars" Alex said through gritted teeth to the boys around the table "that's what it costs to have a rear windshield replaced in a 2012 mustang.".  Luke, Chris and Walt looked at him as he sat shaking his head.  "Where'd you get that kind of money?" Chris asked.  "Where do you think?  Dad forked it over, but he said it was going to cost us the ski trip next month." he spat out in disgust, glaring over at the table where Chase and his band of misfits sat laughing.  They're laughing at me, I just know it.  "I should go over there right now and take it out of his ass.".  The boys all looked from him to Chase "You know that you could.." Chris spoke up "Mr. Carraway would be on your side, you know that,  and we'd all back you up.".  Alex looked at them as a wicked grin came to his face.  "No.... not here.. he's gonna pay for it.... in full... and we can't do that here.".  He smiled that cocky grin at them as he told them his plan.  The boys all laughed at that, knowing that Alex always ended up getting what he wanted and coming out on the other side, smelling like roses.  He looked across at the table at all of them "and the best part... this time, he'll have to live with knowing that his girl had to watch while we beat his ass, and that there was nothing he could do about it."

........

Mrs. Evernight stood in front of the class in her trademark long sleeve shirt and black pants, slowly pacing the room, holding a paper in her hands.  "Class.." she started "..you all know that I rarely share works from your assignments.. but every now and then, I just can't help myself..  I assigned you all to write a free paper.. about anything that you wanted.. and they were all wonderful, but there was one that just captured me, and I can't help but to think that it should be heard.  Chase?  would you like to read yours for the class?  Or would you rather me read it for you?".  Every head in the class turned to look at him as his face grew a deeper red.  He looked over to Devyn in a cry for rescue, only to find her face lit up, beaming like a lighthouse casting it's rays across a turbulent sea.  She smiled reassuringly at him, nodding her head.  He looked back to Mrs. Evernight "Um.. it.. I didn't really think it was that good... um.. if ... if you don't mind... I'll let you read it ma'am." he said, wishing that he could dissolve into the chair.  Mrs. Evernight smiled, nodding her understanding, as she stood in the center of the class and began to read.

"My Desert Rose.... by Chase Daniels...

Every now and then

the world surprises us

We're so used to this wasteland

that we are totally taken aback

when beauty is found

So unsure of how to approach it

afraid that if we touch it

it will be destroyed

and disappear forever

never to be seen again

We look on in adoration

trying to understand

how such a beautiful thing

could ever be found

in a world falling apart

And so many times

it seems so out of place

that it is trampled underfoot

by those that can't appreciate

what they don't understand

It offers hope, in a world of despair

Proof that beauty still exists

in a world gone mad