How to Kill a Man in Thirty Seconds

Chapter 5: An Enlightening Experience

That morning, I received my first ever detention.

Principle Harrison stared at me with narrowed eyes and a withering frown for a few light years before he spoke a single word.

I couldn't blame the old man; a geek like me simply did not end up in the principal's office. It was an unspoken law, a betrayal of his trust as he saw it than an issue of a broken rule.

Adrian seemed to switch personalities when convenience saw fit, for he had turned unusually silent once again. Long eyelashes swept over hooded eyes as he stared at the floor. His unruly hair had fallen over his face but of course, he didn't bother brushing it away. This kid needs a haircut. I thought. Hell, I'd cut him just fine.

Adrian's expression was bland, as if he hadn't nearly cracked another kid's skull open just minutes prior.

The realization made me uncomfortable. Wasn't this how psychopaths acted right before they completely lost their marbles?

It was all Adrian's fault. It had to be. I'd attended Redwood High for three years and managed to keep a spotless record and all it had taken Adrian Hunt was one morning- scratch that, a few minutes- to completely sabotage my reputation and flush all my hard work down the drain.

Ugh! I didn't come from a wealthy family who could afford to send me to a fancy college, nor did I have the looks, that this irritating kid unfortunately did, to take advantage of. I relied solely on hard work and spotless record to live a life I could be proud of when I was older. But of course, he had to take that away too, didn't he? I thought bitterly.

Harrison admonished Adrian first, at the top of his lungs for nearly an hour, to which the boy remained in mock silence, even when the principal demanded to know what had caused him to flip. The most memorable moment for me was when the Principal leaned down to meet Adrian's gaze and muttered coldly, "Son, I've met boys like you before, who think they're all knowing and manly and have egos bigger than their IQs."

Adrian's face did not give away even the slightest reaction. Nevertheless, I felt the corners of my lips tip upwards into a fat smirk. Ooh, savage. I felt a great adoration for the principal that I hadn't felt ever before.

Harrison continued, "But let me tell you, for what you have done, Mr. Hunt, you are not a man. And at this rate, you never will be."

I laughed then. I flat out, just burst into laughter. Probably not the most intelligent move.

Immediately, Harrison turned to me, glaring down at me through his spectacles, "Oh, I haven't even started with you, young lady..."

It was an aeon later when we trudged out of the principal's office. I felt disappointed in myself and furious at Adrian for making me feel that way.

Wednesdays and Fridays.

Harrison had given Adrian and I detention every Wednesday and Friday afterschool as punishment.

I turned on him the moment the door slammed shut behind us, "Why'd you do it, beat him up, I mean?"

Adrian's gaze flickered over to me and for a moment, I thought I caught some emotion. But he glanced away before I could decipher it, "Because I felt like it. It's your fault you butted into it, Charley, not mine."

"Why, Adrian? Does it satisfy you seeing that poor kid bleed to death?"

He glanced at me, one corner of his lips tipping upwards cruelly, "Maybe. Why? Does it bother you, Charley?"

Anger rushed out of me, only to be replaced by horror as I stared at him in disbelief.

"Woah," I murmured, more to myself than to him as my eyes widened, "you're really messed up, Adrian. You're... you're not right in the head, are you?"

Disbelief transformed to sympathy as realization dawned on me. I smiled at him empathetically. Fishing into my backpack, I retrieved a card and shoved it into his hand, "You're going to need this."

His brows knitted in bewilderment as he reluctantly read the text etched onto the card.

It was the contact number of a psychologist.

When his gaze returned to me, his mouth was hanging slightly open and he looked as I'd slapped him across the face. Ignoring his reaction, I smiled warmly at him, "You know, it's perfectly normal for people to... go crazy in the head sometimes. Sara is one of my mum's good friends; she's really great at what she does. So, Adrian..." I placed my hand on his shoulder sympathetically, "Stay strong, okay?"

With that, I turned heel and walked away.

"Wait," Adrian called after me; he appeared straight up insulted. He was staring at me incredulously, "I'm not crazy, Charley."

I glanced back at him and shot him a winning smile, "Oh don't worry. It's nothing to be ashamed of, Hunt."

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A/N- oooh.... that was a fun  chapter to write.Dont forget to vote and share and tell me what u think! Again, love u loads for taking your time to read this <3