American Dream

Chapter 4：solo sigma

Carter

'So, guys, I hope you guys did do a presentation. Carter Miller? I think there was the option for group work.' 

'Oh yeah, I did pair with him.' Chris said, lying to cover for me. That was saving my tail which would probably be lit on fire. 

'Wow, wow. The first 2 after 10 people failed to submit. Thumbdrive?' 

Chris handed over a chip, which he plugged in. 

'Alright, so my point is that why trying to conform to societal ideals will make you:@

He clicked to the next slide. A football player with a Poop emoji over his head. 

'An utter loser.' 

Boos and jeers from the football team erupted in the lecture hall, as Jax, the team captain yelled. 'The black trash is just jealous. Al he'll ever be is garden manure.' 

I saw anger flit across Chris's face. 

'As I was saying. Fits my description perfectly.' He replied, grinning sarcastically. 

'Also, breaking from the norm-is the path to'

He clicked the pointer. 

'Finding a more meaningful life.' 

Images of a large group of people heading towards the right, and a shining orb called. 'Individual meaning', as a red-highlighted figure turned through the crowd to walk towards. 

He then went through each example. After describing the problems of trying to fit into each, he then explained in great detail the futility. 

'Nobody wants to be an Omega, Gamma. Male or female. White or black. Everybody wants to be an Alpha, or a beta. Yet, to give you some statistics.  24% of males are estimated to be alphas.  23% are estimated to be betas. Yet less than 1% of the world's population are global greats.' 

He flashed to a screen depicting Geoffrey Greene, Joshua Cheptegei, and Selemon Barega after the Monaco Diamond League.

'Let's consider this guy here. He is very against alpha males.' He gestured to Greene. He then played a clip of his criticism of American jock culture after an Indoor competition. 

'By breaking from the norm of trashy partying, this is how we get world beaters. USA has a ton of these jocks, but not so many world beaters. half of these guys can't even do 40 push ups.' 

Some catcalls and laughter burst from the crowds. 

'So, while most of us fall into these categories, I think that we should deviate from the label. Seek our own lot in life. Take the road less taken. For that will make all the difference.' 

With that, he ended his speech. 

Resounding applause broke through the ranks as we stood on the podium as Mr Jones asked. 'Questions? This is a liberal arts module, so I expect some debate. I must say, great work Chris. By the way, psychology was  a sham, so I'd actually be teaching you guys liberal arts.' 

'How are you so sure this ain't a cover up for being a black trashbag who doesn't want to admit he's a loser?' Jax asked, defiantly. 'I mean, you have a single dad, who works as a ha! Debt-payer. You won't ever amount to anything in life. I'm sure your idea of worth ' 

Instantaneously, all the tension of bullying, taunting and ostracizing between the popular clique and the lone wolf hunting his own goals exploded. Within seconds, there was an all-out brawl, but I was sure Chris had thrown the first punch. After several tense heartbeats, both were punching each other on the ground, kicking and hitting. 'I've had enough of you! I've put up with this too long!' 

Chris was paying the price of pent-up frustration and lack of love in his live. I could tell. He always had to force his mind and body into that optimal-performance state, because he didn't have anything else to look forwards to. Now, the ticking time-bomb of social anger imploded. 

I grabbed him from behind, pinning him behind, pulling him off. 'Calm the heck down. Calm down!'  I yelled, slapping his face. 

Mr Jones stood between two boys. 'I thought this was High school. Where boys were almost men. You boys act worse than toddlers. Chris, I think you have better maturity than to do this! Jax, you crossed the damn line! You respect everyone, regardless of what you think of them, what facts they happen to state! I don't care if he's black, single-parented, or poor! He is a human worthy of respect!' 

*********************

Chris

ISS. Suspension. Just real great luck I had. The school director literally let Jax off with it since he was a 'top athlete'. I even heard the words 'just a black boy' coming out off his mouth. 

'Just a black kid. Those damn animals don't belong in our school' I could hear our principal say. 'Look, I'm black too, you really gonna be unfair? He insulted his parents. I'm saying, go ahead, Christopher 100% deserves to be punished. How about Jax.'

'We need him to play college ball.His Dad's in the school directors. That Brown kid's dad, he's a nobody.'

'If we can't even make it an equal world now, when will it be?'

'Never.'

'I'll see about that, Headmaster.' Mr Jones muttered, before entering the room.

'Very convenient, I happen to have no classes today. So, I think I'd give you something to spice up your time, then?'

'I'd like you to write a self-introduction. Be honest. Who are you, how would you define yourself. Take this as a chance to get redeemed. If it's good enough, it won't be in your track record.'

He passed me a booklet and a pen. 'Scribble away. Anyways-' He slid a bag of chips over at me. 'Eat up. They're still new off the block.'

After hesitating a long time, I grabbed the ice pack and placed it against my head. I began to write, words and experiences spilling into ink.

'I was always second-class. In life. It never felt quite right. My mom and brother were murdered by white supremacists when I was 3. My dad was never the same again.

However, there was one chance. I bumped into Coach Colin, and he told me I could be the world's best in 6, 8 years' time. Especially in the 5000Meters.

That's my hope in life. Win big.

I've always been unpopular, despite always excelling in everything.

I know that one day I won't have to acknowledge those who called me trash, 'cause they were just describing themselves. Friends are accessory.'