Exhilaration | Shawn Hunter [Boy Meets World]

I Am Not a Crook

At school, Shawn and I were reading off activities for Cory to try out.

"Football?" I suggest.

"No, no. Pain. Cleats on face," Cory answered.

"Modern dance?" Shawn questioned.

"No. Lotta girls. Tights. No."

"Drama club?" I ask.

"No. Lotta guys. Tights. No."

"That's the list, Cor," I toss the list.

"None of these are me. I mean, here I am, going into my eighth year of public education, and who am I, really?"

"You're you."

"You're Cory Matthews," Shawn adds.

"Yeah, but there's no Cory Matthews club on here, there's no club for ordinary guys who don't know who they are and aren't great at anything," Cory said.

"So start one."

"Oh, I probably wouldn't get in."

I face palmed myself as the bell rang. "Oi."

"Cory, you got a lot of good qualities," Shawn told him.

"He's right, Cor. Yeah, you're honest, loyal and decent."

"Housebroken, too. I'm a stinkin' beagle," Cory moped, causing me to pat his shoulder as we enter the classroom.

We sat down just as Mr. Turner spoke, "All right, people, this just off the wire. Elections for next year's eighth-grade class president will be held next week."

"Who cares?" Cory faked sneezed.

"Detention!" Mr. Turner mocked him.

"Sorry!"

"Too many people whine and moan about the way things run around here. Well, this is a chance to change things by getting involved. But remember, this is a student election- "

"It's not a popularity contest," we all repeat back his previous words from last week. 

"I think we've been spending a little too much time together. The point is, your class president doesn't need to be a quarterback or a cheerleader. You'll be much better off with someone who's honest, loyal and decent."

I automatically look at Cory as Shawn said, "Cory, that's you."

"What?" he asked. 

"You wanted to know who you were. You could be president."

"Come on," Cory scoffed.

"All right, let's have some nominations," Mr. Turner called.

"I got somebody good. I nominate me," Meese spoke up.

"Your humility is impressive, Meese, but someone else has to nominate you."

"Topanga, Betty, how about it?"

I look at my desk while Topy said, "No, go away, and don't look at me."

"Come on, Meese here has the guts to run," Mr. Turner said. "Someone should have the guts to nominate him."

Cory raised his hand. "All right, big deal. I'll nominate him."

"What are you doing? That's your competition," Shawn told him.

"I'm not running."

"Anybody else?" Mr. Turner asked.

Shawn got up. "The great state of Shawn nominates the people's choice Cory Matthews."