Something Else

Chapter Three: The Daily School Routine

Blackness was all Michael could see, the soul sucking darkness. There was a faint noise in the distance, it sounded like someone was calling his name. Michael tried to ignore it, it must just be a dream he thought. The more he tried to ignore it the louder it got, until that was all he could register in his mind was his name being called out.

"Mr. Hubert, wake up," the teacher was saying as Michael bolted up. Everyone in the class was either staring at him or laughing their heads off.

The teacher glared at him, "Would you like to tell me why you were sleeping Mr. Hubert? If I'm boring you then you can take a trip to the office."

Michael was fully awake now, "I'm sorry sir, you weren't boring me at all, I promise it won't happen again," he lied, knowing it was bound to happen often this year.

The teacher gave him a stern look before walking back to the front of the room and continuing the lesson. Michael sighed knowing that this was only the first of many times he would get in trouble this year. He slouched down in his seat and watched the teacher write down the lesson plan for the beginning of the year. He looked over at Mary and wished that he could be different, that he could be cooler and better looking, then he might have a chance with her. Michael pushed this thought out of his mind and looked out the window to the forest. As his eyes scanned the tree line he had to do a double take. He looked back near the far corner and focused in on it, thinking he saw something. When he couldn't find what he was looking for he leaned back in his chair and thought that he must be going crazy. The more he thought though the more that he was sure what he had seen was real, two men in black suits had been watching him. Just when he started thinking about why they were there the bell rang, signalling that it was lunch time. Michael waited till all the other students rushed out of the room until it was just him and Josh. They both stood up and grabbed their stuff, exchanging joking glances, then they left the room and navigated the halls till they got to the cafeteria. They waited in line and got their food before continuing to the table furthest from the doors that no one was sitting at. They took their seats and started eating, trying to ignore all the noise from the many conversations from the other students. After a few minutes of peace Josh motioned behind Michael. Knowing what it meant, Michael sighed, waiting for the impending trouble that was approaching rapidly.

"Well well, look at the two best friends," Stephen said. As he walked by Michael he smacked him on the back of the head. Michael looked over, containing his anger, at Stephen and his two lackeys,

"What do you want Stephen?" Michael asked.

Stephen glared at him, "Now is that anyway to talk to your superior?" He questioned. Josh laughed under his breath, along with a few insults. Stephen focused over on Josh, "What was that dumb ass?"

Josh looked at him and tensed up, "N-nothing."

Stephen stepped closer to him and raised his fist, "I think I should teach you some manners punk."

Without giving it a second thought, Michael jumped out of his seat and delivered a solid blow into Stephen's side. The bully staggered back a bit, his friends unable to do anything from the surprise, and the room went silent as everyone looked at them.

After a few seconds of wincing and heavy breathing, Stephen said, "You are gonna wish you were never born." He lunged at Michael and connected a jab into his jaw, causing Michael to fall back onto the ground and taste blood in his mouth. Stephen went to kick him, but Michael narrowly dodged it by rolling away and jumping up. Michael looked over just a little too late as the next punch thrown by Stephen hit him right in the eye. As soon as the punch landed Michael felt dazed and off balance, and he teetered back. Before Michael could react, Stephen threw another punch, and when it hit Michael in the nose a loud crunch sounded out. Michael stood for a moment longer before falling back and his vision went black. Back to the darkness, he thought before he lost all consciousness.