The Elections: Escaping the 4th

 The College Kid was walking down the street to his school room. He taught the freshman class and was going to the annual teacher cookout so in-case anything happened to the person they were assigned to everyone would understand the lessons they'd have to teach when they took that someone's place. He had never had to write plans, nor had he been assigned to anyone because everyone knew that he had bailed every year. "See you suckers later!" he'd cry walking down the street past all the houses. He'd usually stop by a close friend's house before fully departing. After that there was no sight until the next week of him at least.

The Kid arrived as his peppy and upbeat self. It was the happiest and laziest time of the year for him so he had nothing in particular to worry about. He had sat in his usual corner during the teacher meeting. The one in the back where he could listen to music if he had a jacket and could cover his palm. It was the summer so the air conditioning made it freezing and less suspicious. He was in his daze and all the teachers knew it but didn't care, heck they could have said anything and he wouldn't have even noticed.

"Do you think Kid is gonna leave town again?" Ms. Smith had said

"Of course he will, when doesn't he?" Mr. Jones had said

"Where does he go anyway?" Mrs. Turner joined "It's not like he can escape the elections, the whole U.S. is participating! He doesn't have a wife or kids so I suppose he can get away with it seeing as he's the only one in the household."

"Still it's Un-American! The economy has gone up, the scare of not being able to find a job is gone and education is at an all time high for us!" Mr. Jones said

When Jones had spoken the last words The Kid had sat up in his chair. "You know, education is at an all time low, it's more like brainwashing to me. The reason that it's easy to find a job is because the population keeps getting cut off each year. Think of ethics before you think of numbers Jones."

"Then why didn't Patrick get out of here huh? Why did he stay?" Mr. Jones replied

"Patrick stayed because he wanted to keep me safe. Something he accomplished."

"Too bad he didn't keep himself safe huh?" Mr. Jones snickered but stopped as he was struck across the face with a rock

"You shouldn't laugh about my father Jones, he taught me how to hit all my targets" The Kid smiled and waved his slingshot back and forth "wanna see how I do with a gun? Would that be American enough for you?" The Kid grinned from ear to ear then set his slingshot back in his bag. He looked up and Mr. Jones was pure white. "That's the face I like to see of your's. Where's G?"

"He's in his room" Ms. Smith answered with a more calmed look than expected.

"Thank you so much Tina, have a great meeting and if you need anything, I'll help you alright?" The Kid smiled and got up.

Ms. Smith smiled and blushed a little with surprise "Thank you, that's very kind of you"

"No problem and stay safe on the 4th!" The Kid said walking through the door. He walked down to the English Hallway and turned to the room across from his. "Hey Grigs" The College Kid said plopping down next to his companion "Gonna skip town this year? It's pretty fun if you do."

"No thank you man, but I would if I didn't have anyone I had to watch over." Mr. Grigsby replied. "Plus I have to make lesson plans for after this, in case something were to happen to this sexy beast of an English teacher ya know."

The kid laughed "Yes I do, but what do you think I do while I'm not in town, the fun certainty is I don't have to make lesson plans for anyone but me" He smiled and sat back in his usual chair that was marked only for him "You know, you were the best English teacher I ever had, well before I started of course"