Be Not Afraid of Greatness || Neil Perry

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫

𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐤𝐞 at age 9 when she was in the process of stealing one. There was a boy at her school by the name of Michael Lonsh that continuously harassed the young girl, whether it was throwing books or mud at her or kicking her down to the ground. The one thing that Will knew about him is that he had a bike. A sleek red bike with silver handles that his father had bought him for his tenth birthday. That bike was Michael's prized possession and he would complain if someone even got too close to it.

So on a November day in 1951 Will stole it. She smashed the lock that was wrapped around the wheel and began to run. She heard shouts from behind her and turned to see Michael chasing after her, and gaining on her fast. With a deep breath the girl jumped onto the seat of the bike and began to ride down the streets of Boston. Will can remember the rushing wind whipping through her unruly hair. She can remember the feeling of pure and total bliss as Michael Lonsh's voice faded into the distance. The bike still sits in the garage of Will's old house and Micheal still searches for his lost possession.

A group of eight students of Welton stand in front of the headmaster, none of them wearing their uniforms or looking as if they attend the prestigious school. A row of bikes are in the courtyard behind Mr. Nolan, each one looking as if they are in desperate need of an upgrade. Rust coats the pedals, changing the once silver to a deep brown. The paint that they can only assume was once blue has chipped and faded to an odd shade of grey. Beside Will stands Cameron, who the girl continues to spare disdainful glances at. Though she has only met him a few times, those times were enough to tell he is a stickler for the rules. Something that Will is sorely not. Mr. Nolan paces back and forth in front of the teenagers, a stern look on his face aged face. His eyes are squeezed to near slits, the wrinkles around his face becoming much more prominent due to the action.

"When you leave this campus you are representing Welton Academy, phone calls from those complaining will result in immediate expulsion. These bikes shall be brought back in perfect condition or else the money will be made up by working in the kitchens. You shall be gone for no more than four hours." Mr. Nolan told the group as if he had recited the speech a thousand times. The students nod along with each of his commands, though most do so absentmindedly. The headmaster then looks to Will. "I want no fighting, no running away and no phone calls from the police. Am I clear?"

"Crystal." Will responded with an almost proud smirk on her face. Mr. Nolan slowly and unsurely nods his head before turning to the rest of the group.

"Keep her out of trouble." He ordered the boys, much to Will's dismay.

"Of course, sir." Charlie sarcastically said, earning a glare from the girl.

"Leave." Mr. Nolan commanded before turning around and walking back towards the school building.

"I'm really feeling the love." Will commented, turning to look at the company of seven that is around her. With a sigh she walks over to the line of  bikes and grabs the nearest one. The brakes are tested, as well as the air in the tires. The boys watch this occur with confusion, wondering why she is checking these things.