One Stupid Thing

2:3:48

Yet another day of school commences. Pope, Kie, JJ, and I are all back in Mr. Sunn's history class, finishing up a test on the Roman Empire.

"Mr. Sunn, can I borrow Pope for a minute?" Multiple other students, including me, look up from our papers to see who it is. A shorter man holding an envelope stands in the doorway.

"We're in the middle of a test right now," Mr. Sunn replies in a hushed voice.

"I'm from the Vanderhorst Foundation," the man tells our teacher. Mr. Sunn sighs, but gives in.

"Mr. Heyward, it's for you." Pope reluctantly stands up from his seat and follows the man out into the hallway.

"Thank you. Good to see you, Pope."

I glance over at Kie, but she just shrugs. JJ captures my attention and mouths 'what's that about?' I shrug and mouth back 'no clue.' A few moments later, Pope hurries back into the classroom and sits back down in his desk, envelope in hand.

"Okay, what was that?" Kiara whispers to him. Pope holds up the envelope for all of us to see and, pressed into the golden wax seal, is a symbol that is all too familiar.

"Is that what I think it is?" I ask him.

"Yeah."

"What the f—fu... fu... fudge?" JJ exclaims. Mr. Sun rolls his eyes.

"Alright, let's focus back onto our tests, guys," he scolds us. I pick up my pencil and finish my test with time to spare. Once the bell rings, signifying the end of the period, the four of us hurry out of the classroom and follow Pope down to the library.

"Is this a game of tag?" JJ pants, trying to keep up.

"I don't know," Kie replies.

"Pope, seriously could you slow down?" I ask him, but his stride doesn't falter. We enter the library and continue following Pope.

"Am I gonna have to beat you with your protractor? What is going on?" JJ presses. The librarian shushes him, but we ignore her. We've got more important things to worry about. If Pope will just tell us.

"Seriously, Pope, you are driving me insane," Kiara tells him. I take a seat next to her at one of the tables.

"Okay, so that guy was from the scholarship committee. Take a look at this," Pope says, keeping his voice low and holding out the envelope. JJ snatches it from his hand. "Read it." JJ hurriedly opens the envelope and pulls out the letter inside.

"Out loud," Kiara says. JJ stares down at the letter.

"I can't read cursive," he admits. I reach up and take the letter from him.

"Dear Mr. Heyward," I begin. JJ stands over me following along as I read and Kiara listens intently from beside me. "I am reaching out because I have material evidence that can exonerate John B. Routledge. It is of vital importance that you come and meet with me in person at my offices at 27 King Street, Charleston at 8:00 p.m. sharp tonight. Please come alone. Regards, C. Limbrey."

"Charleston?" JJ repeats in disbelief.

"I know. It's like an eight-house drive plus the ferry. How will we get there tonight?" Pope asks.

"Yeah, we'd have to leave right now."

"I have a free period," Kie informs us.

"'Material evidence'? What does that even mean, 'material evidence'?" JJ asks us.

"It means he can clear John B," Kie replies.

"Oh, shit, then we're going to Charleston," JJ says, louder than anticipated.