------Lucas’s POV------
We were all standing up at the front of the classroom, Riley on the evil side, and everyone else on the good side. Jason wasn’t here today, and honestly, after last night, I couldn’t blame him. I needed to apologize.
Mr. Matthews started us off. “So, what did you find out? Are people good, or evil, or what?”
“We miss Riley,” I answered, causing her to look at me.
“That's your opening statement?” Mr. Matthews asked.
Farkle took over. “Yes. And it's genius.”
“Why's that?”
“Because a change in Riley's behavior has changed the world we lived in,” Smackle reported.
Farkle nodded. “And if we didn't notice the change, it would mean we are not possessed of a natural goodness that helps us recognize it in others.”
Maya chuckled a little. “Ah, I was gonna say that.”
Mr. Matthews turned to Zay. “Zay, what have you found out?”
“I noticed she ate my cookie.”
“Do you forgive her for that?”
Zay shook his head. “No.”
“And do you not forgive her because you're an evil person?” Mr. Matthews started to smile.
“No,” Zay said. “I do not forgive her because I'm a good person who lost a good cookie.”
Mr. Matthews nodded. “Well, do you think you could ever forgive her?”
Zay thought it over for a moment. “It's possible I might forgive her in time.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“'Cause I was raised right. I don't know who raised her.”
That made me think of Jason again. We all started to look down in shame. I couldn’t believe that Jason would insult both Mr. Matthews and us. We all just wanted what was best for Riley. Why couldn’t he see that?
Mr. Matthews seemed to take it in stride and gave a good-natured laugh. “Okay. Why do you think you might forgive her?”
“Because I know what she did isn't who she is. Sometimes good people do bad things.”
I smiled again. Zay had done good. We might have a chance to win.
“Thank you,” Mr. Matthews said, before turning to Riley. “So, can I hear from the other side?”
Riley folded her arms across the podium. She seemed defeated. “This is a world of poverty, hunger, and climate change. And we know it, and we tolerate it, and we have not changed it. So if the world creates the opportunity for us to do something good or something evil every day, and that world is full of poverty, hunger, and war, doesn't the state of the world answer that question? Doesn't it prove that the world is evil? That we are evil?”
“Good points, Miss Matthews,” Mr. Matthews said.
“I’m not finished. I learned that even though people may have good intentions, they can still do evil things. Forgive my language, but they say the road to H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks is paved with good intentions. Even when we want to protect someone, sometimes we all need to make sure that we’re not just hurting the people we’re trying to protect.”
The class was silent for a moment, before Mr. Matthews said, “You win Riley.” And I knew he was right. There was no way that we were going to be able to get the old Riley back. And I couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
YOU ARE READING
Girl Meets Closet
FanfictionAll Jason Anderson wanted was to get through history class. His life was hard enough as is. But when Mr. Matthews calls on him to share some thoughts, his life will change. For better or worse, he needs to be ready to take on the world.
