School Activities

Detention

Jack and Ennis were taken to the library, escorted by the principal then left there. The librarian was there to tell them about their assignment. A report they would have to turn in to the principal Monday morning. It wasn't too difficult. All they had to do was study some civil war books and give their own thoughts about it along with the history of it. She led them to the right section then left them alone to do their work. Jack had noticed her leave the library, obviously trusting that he and Ennis would stay here the entire time.

There was obviously someone out in the halls to make sure they stayed put.

Jack sat down at the table that was already stacked with books on the civil war. Ennis sat down across from him. Neither of them said anything. Jack grabbed one of the books and flipped it open and started reading. Ennis did the same. This was already not going well.

Minutes passed, though it felt like hours to Jack as he just sat there, unable to concentrate on reading what was in front of him. He tapped his finger lightly on the book then glanced over at Ennis, who was already jotting down some notes. Jack looked over at the paper on his side of the table but knew there was more to this than writing down their own renditions.

"I'm not all that good at being a team player," Jack said, breaking the silence. At least they didn't have to worry about the librarian shushing them for talking in a library. They had the entire place to themselves. "But, I know that's what they expect of us."

Ennis paused in his writings and looked over at Jack. "We might get it done faster if we don't work--"

"There's always a catch to this sort of thing," Jack said, propping his arms on the table, the book still open before him. "I bet you anything the principal won't give a fuck to about this report. He'll be satisfied that we got it together as a team."

"I really doubt that," Ennis said then looked back down at his work.

"A report like this ain't gonna take eight hours," Jack said, drumming his fingers on the pages. "I can get it done on my own in less time than that."

Ennis looked back at him. "Then why don't you start studying so we can get through this faster?"

Jack was tempted to say something else then just fell silent and looked away. He lowered his arms and stared down at the book, hearing Ennis writing away. Despite the fact that this NEEDED to be done, he still couldn't concentrate. He was still convinced that they wouldn't get any extra credit for doing this. All they would be told was that they had learned to work together. And, apparently, Ennis wasn't in the mood to work together. The least Jack could do was work on the report. Just in case they actually DID get credit for it.

They had been working for about an hour when Jack got bored. He already had a lot for the report. He even had a page on the side about his thoughts on this stupid report. The report was going excellent, but he still wanted to complain since doing schoolwork on a Saturday was pure torture. He still wanted to go to that party, which would probably still be going on through the night. That was all he had to hope for. One way or another, he was getting to that party.

"You've got all that done?" Ennis asked when he returned from going over other books that weren't here at the table. His eyes were on Jack's papers. Most of which had been filled up. He sat down, setting his own notebook down. "Have you gone over this sort of stuff before?"

Jack pointed at his notebook with the pencil. "This is school," he said. "You go over the same shit every year just in a more advanced way."

"That's not--"

"That's what I tell myself."

Ennis opened his notebook and grabbed another book. "You're, uh...good at history?" he asked.