THE KILLER

Peaceful High School...

Class was starting in less than a minute. Students scrambled into their respective classes, and immediately sat down just as the teacher strode in. Slight in build, he was not one who should be messed with. 

Mr Smith stepped into the class with a frown on his face. A look of displeasure. 

The students braced themselves for his fury so early in the morning. "Who was the one who put gum in my office chair yesterday?!" he thundered so loudly that dust shook from the ceiling.

"I do NOT  tolerate such misdeeds! Own up now, and I will give you a lighter punishment!" No one raised their hand. Bad mistake.

"Alright then. Julias! Antonio! Marco! Aemilia! Patrine! Sofia! Luca! Andrea! 8 of you, stand up!" The students stood. 

"You 8 were meeting with me for extra lessons outside my staff room yesterday!" Did any of you put bubblegum in my seat?" He growled.

"No, sir." Aemilia said quietly. "We would never! We also don't want to see you angry, sir!" Sofia immediately put in, while Julius and Antonio, who sat next to each other, snickered softly at each other. "It's not like it isn't funny and entertaining when he loses it. We get to skip some parts of class!" They whispered, still laughing silently.

"That's it!" Mr Smith hissed, apparently still angry." Since no one admits to having put the gum, I want each and every one of you to write a 1000 word essay about disrespecting teachers, to be handed in by tomorrow, understood?"

The whole started complaining and whining, but Mr Smith quelled them with a look. "I said, is it understood?" "Yes, sir." The class forced out those words.

With that, Mr Smith started droning on and on about English and Geometry.

Lunch

" Ugh! i don't want to have to do his stupid essay about disrespecting teachers. Can't they understand that we have better things to do?" Aemilia complained while the other 7 got their lunch tray. "Chill, Aemilia! If you want, we can do that essay together. Less time consuming!" Luca exclaimed.

"...Fine... let's go over to Sofia's place, since her house is the biggest!" Sofia smiled thinly. "Then come to my house straight after school ends, then."

Background information:

Julias, Antonio, Marco, Aemilia, Patrine, Sofia, Luca, and Andrea were friends since 8 years old. They had progressed to high school together. They had a tight bond together, and often went on trips with each other. They would do anything for each other in order to see them smile. Even outrageous things... like faking events to play to the others' advantage and hiding information for each other. They called themselves "The 8 Notorions"

Present

The 8 of them walked the way to Sofia's house, and were talking and laughing with each other, not at all concerned about news of the recent murder of a counter lady in this area. there was no distrust among them at all. It did not exist. 

"Let's rest for a while, shall we? My parents have gone away on a business trip, so I'm alone for about 2 months. They left yesterday, so if any of y'all wanna come over for a sleepover, pls do!" Sofia looked at them earnestly.

"Of course! Guys, shall we stay at Sofia's house tonight?" Andrea immediately agreed. The rest were also enthusiastic. "We'll need to go home later to get our stuff here, and we'll stay for about 5-10 nights here, yes?" Marco said.

****

"Disrespecting teachers not only undermines the educational process but also weakens the fabric of society. The classroom is meant to be a sanctuary for learning, growth, and development. However, when disrespect enters this sacred space, it disrupts the delicate balance needed for effective education. Students who disregard their teachers often miss out on the opportunity to grasp the depth of knowledge and life lessons that educators aim to provide.Moreover, disrespect towards teachers breeds a hostile environment that hinders meaningful communication. Open and respectful dialogue is crucial for effective learning, and when this foundation is eroded, students are deprived of a chance to engage with their educators and peers in a constructive manner. This can lead to feelings of isolation and frustration among students and teachers alike, ultimately impeding the overall quality of education.Beyond the classroom, disrespecting teachers has far-reaching implications for society. Education is the cornerstone of progress, and teachers play a pivotal role in nurturing future leaders, innovators, and responsible citizens. By disrespecting teachers, society inadvertently undermines the value of education and diminishes the respect for knowledge itself. This, in turn, can lead to a decline in critical thinking, empathy, and social cohesion."

"There! This should do it for the ending! Our 1000 word essay is complete!" Julias sighed.

"Agreed! that was a very tough essay! I might need brain regenerating pills now!" Patrine joked.

****

Night

The 8 of them sat together in a circle and listened to Antonio tell stories of all sorts. When he told the recent case of the robber who killed the counter lady, several of them laughed. "How much money did the robber take?" Julius asked. "It was on the news, didn't you see?"