A Crack Away from Destiny

Joshua

As morning descended upon the country of England, the subjects of the country awoke to a seemingly ordinary morning with energy filling their bones. Except for Josh, who felt limpness in every limb he even remotely tried to move. His arms refused to help him up, so he lied in his bed, staring at the ceiling. He came to a sudden realisation that he had a dream that night, which might've provided the reason for his sense of weakness. What was it again? White... room. A white room! But who was in it? A girl with beautiful, brown hair and grey eyes protruded through his thoughts. Of course, Lucy! Wait - that doesn't sound right... Josh stood there for a moment, tapping his foot, racking his brain for the mystery girl's name. Louise! Yes, that must be it! Louise Melón. Josh stood there with a crooked smile plastered upon his face, which faded into a frown as he realised that Alexa was also there. What business did she have there? Or was it my dreams now punishing me to make my life in more miserable? Was that it? Josh, unfortunately had limited time to think as Sarah Peddlestone, marched her way into his room, slamming the door against his wall.

"Why, hello, Josh. Who were you with last night?" she inquired.

"What? I wasn't with anyone."

"Are you sure? Does this sound familiar to you?" Sarah produced her iPhone from within her pocket and made her way next to Josh, showing him a picture of black. At first, Josh was quizzical until he realised she was showing him a video. Without a moment of reluctance, she tapped the screen. The black screen kicked into motion, hinting the person who was holding the iPhone did not have a steady hand. Suddenly murmurs were heard from the faint sound, but there wasn't anything Josh could make out. Then as if bright as day, Josh heard, "'Well, Louise Melón, I hope you find me... somewhat presentable.'" Following that, giggles were heard in the background. His heart plunged into his stomach. However, he knew he mustn't display anxiety on his face and instead furrowed his brows together.

"You were in my room when I was sleeping?!" he yelled.

"What were you doing in there, anyway? I'm pretty darn sure I didn't leave my comics in your room this time!"

"Well, I went to the bathroom, and then I heard some muttering or something coming from your room and I don't know. I guess curiosity got the best of me. And who the heck is Louise Melon?" she asked without even a hint of regret. Josh sensed that none of that was true and that she probably stalked him all night because she has nothing better to do. It's not like nighttime was meant for sleeping, or anything.

"It's Louise Melón! And she's just some person in my dream, but aside from that, I don't want you sneaking around my room anymore, got it?"

"Gosh, yeah, whatever. And what does it even matter how I pronounce her name?" she exasperated. Instead of replying, Josh shooed Sarah away from his room.

"This is going on YouTube, you know that, right?" she yelled outside the door. Now that Josh thought about it, he pondered as to why he was genuinely concerned as to how people pronounced her name. And yet again, his thoughts were interrupted to the sudden realisation that if he didn't hurry up, he might be late for school. And he couldn't afford to ruin his reputation.

***

Seeing Alexa that morning was slightly unnerving, especially considering the fact that she spent no time kicking his butt but walking past him with a group of her minions. But of course, Jordan had no intention of showing up either. And yet, Josh couldn't help but feel betrayed. A sense of loneliness crept inside of him, though he knew it was part of his life he had thought as he gathered his books he would need for the day ahead. Josh ambled down the hallway towards his science class. To his surprise, everyone was already settled in their seats, awaiting further directions from the teacher. Josh scurried to the front row, slumping into his seat, which earned him an intimidating glare from Mrs. Opling. Josh shoved his books into his desk and glanced upward to face the teacher.

"Good morning, everyone. I thought we should start with handing back the science tests I managed to grade! Now, for some of you, I will tell you that you may want to study a little harder for these next tests. For those of you, however, who earned an A or B, good job!" she exclaimed, looking at Josh as she said that last line. Mrs. Opling gathered a stack of papers from her desk and held them nestled in the nook of her arm as she began passing back the packets of tests. Every so often she would grin at a student as she passed back a test and whisper an "excellent work." Josh sat stiffly in his seat. And though he knew he earned at least and A or B, he still felt edgy for some unknown cause. Mrs. Opling was about to go towards him when she made a sharp right in between the desks, walking towards the back. She picked up the test on the top and gently left it on Alexa's desk, leaning in to whisper something. But by the way she was leaning in closer than how she'd congratulate a student, he knew it was due to exact opposite. Alexa picked up the test and immediately placed her thumb on the top right corner where the grade was circled in thick, red ink. He frowned. He knew that Alexa hated his guts and the feelings were mutual with him, but he wasn't so cold-hearted because he understood what it felt like to have that horrible feeling as if one's heart were sinking to the very depths of the ocean - out of reach. Alexa flipped over the test, so that the grade would face downward. A minion leaned over towards her, inquiring something, but she waved away the question.  

"Excellent job, Mr. Peddlestone," said Mrs. Opling, snapping Josh back to the front. Josh flipped over the packet, which was facing down. On the top right corner in thick, red ink was a "100" with a smiley face in each zero, circled. "Now, we will go over it because unfortunately there has been a sizable amount of F's in this class-"

"Ahem. I'm sorry, am I interrupting?" interjected a male, French voice. Everyone's focus snapped towards the door. Josh nearly flew out of his seat. His bus driver stood halfway in the doorway, still wearing the same trench coat but with the missing hat, revealing straight, dirty-blonde hair. However, on his hand was a long, thin cut stretching from his palm to the back of his hand. Josh recoiled in his seat.

"Yes, as a matter of fact. Who are you?" she inquired, making her way towards him.

"Why, I'm the new guidance counselor," he introduced, holding out his hand. Mrs. Opling didn't take it. Josh gulped. Something queer was transpiring here and he wanted no part of it. Striking blue eyes eyed Joshua for a moment before he proceeded with his request. "Ah, I'd like to see Alexa Johnson and Joshua Peddlestone for a moment, if that is alright?"

"What for?" Mrs. Opling persisted. And that is why science is my favorite subject-

"I have heard various cases where people witnessed some kind of fight? I thought I should handle this quarrel between these two... bright students," he concluded, providing an eerie smile with an unknown essence, creeping up Josh's spine.

"Very well. Don't keep them for long, though, I need to go over some imperative information on the second page," she replied after a pause. Josh's heart felt as if it had plunged down into the depths of ocean - out of reach. Alexa stole a quick glimpse at Josh before pushing aside her chair and following the "new guidance counselor" out the hallway. Josh pushed aside his chair, glancing at Mrs. Opling as if to say, 'how could you sell us out like that?' Mrs. Opling returned it with an apologetic smile. Finally, realising there was no way to avoid this mysterious man in the cream-colored trench coat, he plodded his way out the hallway, ready for whatever fate that awaited him.