The Class on Calculator Lane

Chapter 3: "Who is FS Bassiouny?"

Alex was otherwise known as FS Bassiouny. I recently found out that the navy required him to change his name in the chat. FS meaning for Future Sailor which on the uniform, their first names are nowhere to be found.

He was lying in his bed flat on his stomach, swinging his legs back and forth. Dozens of paper scattered amongst his big, fluffy blanket. Textbooks opened like clockwork. When suddenly, his phone vibrated. Messages from the chat staring back at him. He turned on the news only to slide everything off his bed. Several textbooks thumped to the floor as loud as the crack of thunder. Papers flew into the air like confetti from a pinata.

He could hear a crowd screaming outside as his mother slammed the door shut. She stamped her way over to his room with her hands on her hips. A disconcerting look on her face. She had Asian like features mixed in a little American. Her black hair seemingly resembling Velma from Scooby-Doo. Alex already knew what she would say. He already knew she saw the news.

"What in god's name is all of this commotion... " she paused. Her eyes darted towards the TV," you're gonna go out there and tell the goddamn press you're still alive!"

Alex blurted," But you're wrong mommy. The little boy you've known all your life is gone. He's dead. Long gone. Just in time too."

"Alex, you're scaring me, honey."

Tilting his head slightly he mentioned," Don't be scared mommy. Just call me FS."

"Okay FS, can you go tell the press you're still alive, please? You know how much I hate company," she stated in a more soothing, sincere tone.

Alex shook his head. The whole world now thinks he's dead. The endless thoughts that ran inside his mind warped him with excitement. He wouldn't have to go to school anymore. Or even go to training for the navy. God, how he hated the workouts. He would constantly come home completely drained of life, ready to hibernate for the rest of the weekend. His bones turning to mush as if his limbs would soon grow numb and just fall off. Instead, he could just live off the sea with his dad. No one would ever feel the need to see him ever again.

"I want to go home mommy," Alex muttered.

She replied," You are home honey," he shook his head again.

"No, with daddy."

His mom also shook her head," I'm sorry honey, but you can't see him."

"Why?"

"Cause he did bad things. Evil things. Things you could never imagine."

"What kind of things?"

"Just get some sleep, honey. You have a big day of training tomorrow," his mother turned off the lights leaving just a crack. He sat there patiently on his bed frozen like a statue. His eyes glared at the room across the hall. The light shimmering from underneath the door. Once the light shut off, he hopped off his bed. He grabbed a black leathered suitcase from his closet, shoving piles of unfolded clothing into it. Before he left, he took a long, last glance at his room.

The room contained a small twin-sized bed, neatly made, two straight-backed chairs, a small desk, a bureau-without any mirror-and a closet that could only fit two people. There were no drapery curtains at the dormer windows, one small picture on the wall. It consisted of him and his dad happily fishing at East Fork when he was just six years old. Glancing back at it, brought a tear to his glistening eyes. He really missed dad. There was no doubt about it.

"Goodbye Alex," he last stated before walking out the front door.

* * * * *

Priya waved goodbye to her parents as they walked out the door. She had the house to herself. Rarely, she had the house to herself. Considering she had a younger, more obnoxious brother she had to deal with on the daily. She shimmered in glee that he was going over to one of his friend's houses. With a wide grin on her face, she plopped on her bedside unlocking her phone.