Good?

time passes.

September 2014

Francisco has the small box at the top of his drawers. His parents asked him about it and he simply ignored the question. Since his mother 'caught' him smoking he has been under house arrest until November. Basically, he can't go out with friends until that month. Before, he wouldn't mind staying at the house. There were games, books, movies, and his parents were nice to just chat with. Now, all of those things are drowned out by a single person. The worst part being that this problem can't simply be discarded like trash.

Also, his high school debut hadn't gone as well as he had wanted it to. The first day there he was involved in a fight that had drugs at the root of it. That didn't sit well with his mom. At a young age his mother made sure Francisco was the smartest. Even though they weren't in the best of financial situations Jasmine payed tutors to come and teach her child. This went on for five years until it got to a point where Francisco was knowledgeable when it came to math, science, physics, and even old English literature. Unfortunately, due to his time with his tutors he hardly had a chance to even make friends at school. Which, in fact was the reason he begged to enroll in a normal high school. He just wanted to know how it felt to be normal. His mom, after a heart-to-heart talk, agreed under the challenge that if any of his grades drop below a 100 then he will be removed. He hugged his mother and agreed with the terms.

Jasmine, still does now know about her husbands affair. Every time they sit at the table it seems that Francisco is the only one feeling awkward while his parents chat away about their days. Even in their mid-thirties the two still flirt plenty to be disgusted. He watches his father hand her a napkin, the same hands that grabbed another woman's backside. He sees the way he eyes his mom, eyes that have seen more than one naked body. Francisco eats and tries to come into the conversation. But he usually becomes the butt of a joke as the father tries to keep him out of it. They all simply laugh it away but in those moments Francisco would sometimes make eye contact with Monaco. The young boy looks down at his food for the rest of the meal.

October 2014.

Francisco managed to make his first friend two months into his high school debut. It took a while, but the moment where he was invited to eat out was ecstasy for him. Technically, freshmen aren't allowed to eat off campus. Of course, that rule only managed to stay solid for a month before the teachers found it to much of a hassle to stand guard by the parking lot. But, there is always that one teacher who takes his job a bit too seriously.

'Shit', his new friend says, 'Mr. Heresy is right there. Got any ideas of how to distract him?'

'Easy', Francisco says, 'You get benefits when you're number one in class. Just get smarter'.

'That sounds like an insult. Was it an insult?'

'Take it how you want it', the growing boy says, 'Now, follow my lead'.

With that the boys nonchalantly walk out of their safe zone and begin to walk towards Mr. Heresy. Is his name actually that? Who knows, or cares. Once you've been dubbed something then you are that until you are named something else.

Mr. Heresy wears the typical white teacher outfit, he sees them and calls out, 'Francisco! Where are you going?'

Francisco waits to respond until he's right in front of him. He is just middy below his teacher so he has to look up.

'Oh, to my house if that's alright. My friend here', he grabs his friends shoulder, softly, 'Is not the brightest. As you see when you grade our papers in math. So, I was thinking of taking him to my house real quick so I can teach him how to be a more essential part to society'.

Mr. Heresy nods, oblivious, 'That's the number one student in the school. Alright, go ahead. Just make sure you're not late to next period'.

'Thank you', Francisco says as they walk pass. The two friends don't talk until they are inside the car. Once in the safety of the vehicle they look at each other. A small grin appears on both their faces.