Green Success (Original)

Ch6 - (a) - Mocking

Chapter 6

- Mocking

    The sun was bright the next day. A lone beetle crawled in the depths of the weeds. It came to a halt when a line of ants crossed its path. The generous ants who were working so hard waited, and allowed the beetle to cross. Then the ants got back to carrying their leaves...

    "There's always a full sun, wonder why they never have a sun festival!" Andrew said.

    "Wow! That was not funny, lamest joke I've ever heard." Mark replied.

    "nice nose!" Luke said looking at Andrew's purple nose, a dried scab remained around it.

    "Indeed, it certainly fits you well..." Mark added. "Makes you look like the clown you really are! You know what? Nice joke!"

    "Same with his bruised lips....." Luke said again.... "And his pale face..."

    Andrew smiled again. Long sat down. "So any luck with your dad?"

    "Me and Luke were going to sell the Green Stuff today!" Mark replied.

    "What about me?" Matt added as he sat down, Andrew had already scooted over for him.

    "Sure, you too." Mark said.

    "That's good...I guess." Long said, "Hey do you happen to have any extra cardboard or wood?"

    "Cardboard? Are you nuts! Do I look like the rich kid!" Mark shouted, "We have some wood, but that's for burning so we can eat! All our cardboard is on the walls."

    "Our walls are getting moldy and broken!" Long laughed.

    "I have some!" Andrew raised his hand.

    "Shut up!" Mark said, "Go back to your corner!"

    "You do?" Long interrupted.

    "Yeah, I have lots of cardboard... And uh, paper too."

    "Paper?" Luke replied, "That stuff is expensive!"

    "He's obviously joking." Mark said, "Again!"

    "You do?" Long asked.

    "Don't listen to him!" Mark shouted.

    Andrew stopped, "Do you want us to just sit here and wait for something to happen?"

    "What! That's my line!" Mark said.

    "You can come to my house today and pick it up." Andrew offered.

    "Really? Do you have any tape?" Long asked.

    "Oh come on! Does he look like the rich kid!" Mark shouted.

    "Yeah I have tape too..." Andrew replied.

    "Wow, and I have a hundred bucks!" Mark yelled, "We need to sell Green Stuff, remember?"

    "So when are you going to give it to me?" Long spoke up.

    "You can have it today...if you want. You can come to my house." Andrew said.

    Long looked around the table, Mark made a facial expression that screamed, "Don't do it!"

    Luke elbowed Long, "Don't you remember we have plans today!?!"

    "I have plans?-- oh! I do have plans!" Long said.

    "Long can't go because there's something special today---" Luke said.

    "wha-- Oh yeah!" Mark said, "Long's doing something later today, he can't go."

    "There's something special today?" Matt whispered to Mark. Mark elbowed Matt, "Oh, haha! I guess there is something special today."

    "Very well then..." Andrew said looking back down, he was still smiling.

    "I do believe I have plans today." Long said, "But I still might be able to go to your house and be back in time."

    Mark and Luke slapped their own faces.

    "I'll do it!" Long said.

    "Stupid!" Mark and Luke fell out of their seats...

    "What about the Green Stuff!" Mark said. "My dad?"

    "I thought I told you we don't need to sell Green Stuff." Andrew replied.

    The loudest bell rang throughout the school. The students started walking towards their classes and the surrounding noise grew. Mark glared at Andrew. Andrew smiled back and Mark clutched his fist. He looked at Andrew's bruised up nose and scabbed up face and lowered his hand before walking away.

    "What do you think happened to that girl from the other day?" Andrew said scratching his head as he watched the students pass by. "What the? Who was I talking to just now?"

    "Well, it's finally lunch!" Long said at the table.

    Luke ran towards the table, "Guys! I sold the Green Stuff!" he shouted, "Here's the money!" He shoved it in Mark's face.

    "Wow! You actually did it!" Mark said with a smile. "Forty bucks! Looks like the Green Stuff actually works!"

    "Keep it!" Luke said.

    "I promise I'll make it up to you!" Mark said. "But forty bucks still isn't enough..."

    "I know!" Luke said, "I can get more Green Stuff, actually I need twenty bucks for the green stuff, so if you do the math: one bag costs twenty, we sell it for forty, then we use the money to get more, sell them and keep doubling our money!"

    "Oh really? Here! Take the forty back and get some more green stuff!" Mark said with a smile. "Don't forget, I just need the money before the end of the week!"

    "So you sold it?" Andrew asked.

    "If you're scared of getting caught then get lost!" Mark said.

    "We might all get in trouble..." Long added in, "If we go to jail..."

    "And that's why we don't get caught!" Luke interrupted.

    "And what if you do?" Andrew asked.  

    "By the way where did you get the Green Stuff?" Mark added.

    "This guy who works at the store with me sells it." Luke said.

    "Really? Where do you work?" Mark asked...

    Luke and Long both looked at each other, "At a convenience store." Luke said.

    Mark stopped, Luke and Long both swallowed. "Where did you say you worked again?"

    "A... a convenience store?" Luke said timidly.

    Mark stopped again, his face grew red, he pounded his fist on the table then he shouted, "Really?!?!"

    Long and Luke both gulped, "Yeah really..."

    Mark slammed his fist down on the table, "Because that's awesome! At least you have a job!" Mark leaned back, Luke and Long sighed in relief. Mark looked at Long, "You better not be late for you know what." Mark said, "And if you find out Andrew was just lying this whole time, make sure to let me know." Mark said balling up a fist.

    Andrew smiled back.

    "Why does he sit at this table again?" Matt whispered to Luke.

    "We don't know..."