Lies Lies Lies

A Good Story

"Tell me about your rehabilitation will you?" Headmaster Vaughn gives me a look of sympathy. Almost like he wants...to help. I think back to when my father dropped me off. He had the same look in his eyes. He only wanted to help.

That didn't turn out so well.

I avoid the question. I turn away from the headmaster and slouch backwards into my chair. Why does he want to know anyways. All he wants is to "help" me. And nobody can ever help me. They always make it worse.

"John, I know it was not a good experience for you. Avoiding the question tells me that much."

I cannot. I can't. They always said that if I ever told, I would be punished. Much worse than the last time.

"I don't believe that that is your business, headmaster."

His face falls. "John, I want to help you. I really do. If you will not tell me, I will find another way to gain the information."

"Headmaster, I am prohibited to tell you. I am under contract. As is my father. And all the staff at the rehabilitation center. And Keon. Nobody can tell you!" I yell. He cannot get the fact that I absolutely CANNOT tell him. I am prohibited by contract.

"Keon...This makes sense. During your interview with him you were noticeably shaky and unstable. And then the following attacks....John, thank you. I suppose we will have to continue this conversation another time. I have another meeting I must get to." Headmaster Vaughn stands and puts his hand out. I do not stand to meet him. I messed up.
I slipped.

And I broke my contract.

"John?"

"Yes...Oh. Sorry. I...it's nothing. It's fine. Could we continue this conversation soon? I..."

"Broke contact? Yes I noticed. It is ok, John. I will not tell. Besides, you seem to need someone to talk to..."

I say goodbye and walk out of the headmaster's office.

Immediately I am met by none other than Isen. Our resident nosy gossip. Lovely.

"John there is something--"

"I don't want to talk, Isen."

"Well I was wondering if you were aware--"

"I don't want to talk, Isen."

"People know about Joker!"

"I. Know." I give him a death glare. Immediately, I regret my decision to activate my ability from before. He cowers a bit before saying "Oh." and moving on with his...whatever it is that he does.

"Isen."

But I have something I need from him.

He turns on his heel and visibly gulps before meeting my gaze. "I need you to publish something."

"Publish what?"

"I will send it to you later. Go."
He speedwalks away to his next class. I head for the roof. I need to get my head on straight. I am not thinking clearly at all.

The doors swing open at the small effort I put to opening them. Wind rushes through them and my hair becomes windswept. It is chilly, but nothing I cannot handle for a while. I walk over to the railing. The sky is cloudy and gray, the sidewalks are crowded by nothing but air, and a few rain droplets hit my face. They are cold.

I slump down against the fencing. With my head in my hands, I begin to breathe too deeply. Until I hear a band of footsteps. "Hello?" I have made myself a target.

"John...Did you really think you could hide after that whole fiasco?" a boy with ice blue hair asks.

"We know how much of a monster you are." A girl with pink hair joins the crew.

"And we aren't going to let such a weakling hurt us anymore." Three. There are three of them.

"A monster now?"

"Yes, a monster. You brutally beat up students with no mercy!"

I stand. I loosen my stance by placing my hands in my pockets and leaning slightly more on one side. Less threatening. Or nonchalant. I'm guessing they are probably going to take it the second way.

"Do you even care about your classmates?"

"I doubt he does."

"JOHN!"

Another voice? This time it comes from my right. I turn to see none other than Cecile standing with her arms crossed and her face in an unpleasant expression.

"What are you doing here, Cecile?"

She quickly glances over to the group of students standing only about 6 feet away from me. Then she turns to me again. "I heard there was a group of students going after the supposed Joker. It...Would make a good story."

The students stand in shock to see Cecile not automatically taking a fighting stance. They looked up to her...

I chuckle, "It would make a good story...But I can think of an even better one." Her eyes widen. She mouths "Now?" to me. They cannot see the small exchange of silent cues.

"Students, what was your plan when coming here?" Cecile takes a few slow steps towards them, her eyes now glowing bright teal.

"Well, there were some rumors--"

"We were scared---"

"Joker hurt us and we want revenge.."

Cecile smirks. "Go for it. If he really is Joker, then go for it."

I still stand nonchalant against the fence. I am waiting. All it takes is one person...but none of them go after me. They all stand still. They all are frozen in place. I would estimate about 5 more seconds before someone else activates their ability. People are always uncomfortable in their own silence.

"Well? Are you going to take advantage of your opportunity?" Cecile taunts, hands on her hips.

The boy steps forward. "I will. If you two don't join me, so be it." He powers up his ability.

Cecile smiles. I smirk.

A good story huh? I think this would make an excellent mystery.

The boy waits for a split second with his ability activated before coming at me. He is only a mid tier, but it is enough. I allow him one hit. A small piece of hope.

Because once your hope is shattered, the fight is over. Hope keeps the human spirit going.

A weak punch hits my shoulder. I turn away, pretending to be in immense pain. Pretending to be weak.

"..you're not...jok--"

I turn back around. I activate my ability and copy his. With good form and an amplified version of the boy's ability, it is not hard to shatter somebody's shoulder.

He falls to the ground. I grab the collar of his shirt and lift him up. "Don't you EVER try that again." I throw him into the ground and land a few solid punches to his head before getting up and waiting for the next one.

The two girls stand in shock. Mostly at their friend, but some of it is obviously directed at the fact that the rumor was true. That I am Joker. The most powerful student in the school. The student they just taunted and challenged. One of them lets out a high pitched scream. "ERRON!!!"

A very good story indeed Cecile.

One Isen will have a wonderful time publishing.

A mystery that the public will have a hard time solving.

And one that will silence the people who doubt me. Who ever hurt me.

*Thank you for reading this Chapter of LIES LIES LIES. Be sure to vote for this chapter, add the story to your library, and leave a comment with your thoughts on the chapter! Sorry for being late (I have a bad habit of doing that), but wattpad deleted this 2 times and I had to rewrite it multiple times. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. 

-Ghostly :)