Once Upon A Prank

Dude we're gonna be late"

"I'm walking as fast as I can right now. Don't push it"

Hunter scoffed at Josh who was waddling like a penguin, his geeky glasses slightly askew on his face, a sheen of sweat glistening on his face.

Josh had a thing with neatness, he couldn't bear being dirty. He didn't play like normal children, act like normal children or ask questions like normal children.

Like yesterday, he asked his mother why the lightning glared across the sky before the horrid thunder stroke.

The puzzled mother told him it acted as a warning so we would know if thunder was gonna strike soon.

Josh, his best friend since seven was a little overweight and wasn't helping matters at the moment.

"Hurry up. Look Zoe's waiting". Sure enough Zoey Chase was waiting impatiently for them.

"What are you guys? Ducks?" Zoey asked, tapping her foot on the sidewalk.

Zoey was shorter than Hunter, had hazel colored eyes and was African Asian.

"Josh caused it"

Josh huffed and panted his way over "Was...late...sorry"

"Whatever. Let's just go, the buses is gone now"

Hunter, Josh and Zoey trekked silently under the few rays of the sun and made it to school six minutes before the bell rang.

They all went to their lockers, Hunter's and Zoey's were three lockers apart while Josh had his near the end of the rows of lockers in the hallway.

Josh took out his Biology notes and the project he spent all night working on, and shoved his backpack inside his locker. As he slammed the locker shut, he could sense someone or something behind him.

He gulped.

He didn't need two guesses to guess right.

He turned around and towering over him was Brent and his clique who did all his biddings and all but worshipped the ground he stood on.

"If it isn't little smarty pants"

"I wanna ge...get to class ppl-ease" Josh stammered

"Hey, whats that?" he asked,.pointing at his biology project.

"My science project"

"Gimme that" Brent snarled as he snatched it away from his hands.

"Nooo" Josh pleaded "please, I need it for class"

Brent handed the handwritten brochure to Cory, one of his minions.

"Here, read it to me". Cory launched into a self acclaimed speech about frogs and their oscillatory behavior of their pharynx producing special sounds and signals vibrating inside the water to attract mates for reproduction.

Brent yawned. "Boring. But, I'm keeping it."

Josh whined. "That's not fair, then what will I submit in class?"

"Make do with this". Another disciple, Jake, thrust a ratty piece of paper at him.

At that moment, the bell rang for first period, and the boys ran away. At first, hr thought it was because they were eager to get to class but looking back, he was wrong.

So Josh did what curious kids do best and he opened the paper thrust forcefully at his hands, he was dumbfounded.

"Clear the halls people. Principal coming through". Sure enough, Principal H. Rockwell (Nobody knew his first name but they were guessing it went in the ranks of Dicky) barreled through the few lingering students loitering the halls and stood beside Josh, brandishing a megaphone.

Then he yelled in Josh's ear. "Why aren't you in class!!" through the mega phone.

Josh jumped and his books and the sheet of paper fell to the ground.

"I'm really, really sorry, principal, I was-". His heart skipped ten beats and flew into his mouth as the principal crouched and picked the paper up.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here". He said, scanning the paper showing the anatomy of a naked female species of the Genus, Homo sapiens complete with sketchy labels including "tits" ( seriously, what the hell are those ) and other things which an eight grader shouldn't be seeing...yet.

"Holy Incarnation" Principal Rockwell screamed, his eyes wide, saucer-like.

"Where did you get this?"

"I uhh, i-" Josh gulped.

"Doesn't matter. Young man I want to see you in my office ASAP". The principal said.

"What are you all looking at?" He screamed at some ninth graders who hurried away as fast as they could, away from the principal's sharp tongue and even worse: detention. They whistled to themselves, sure of their next object of ridicule at lunch.

Josh found his way to the principal's office, a tear slipping away from his eye.

Meanwhile...

📚📚📚📚📚📓📑📚📚

In class, Hunter was casting what he thought was discrete guesses at Ashley. He'd liked Ashley since she transferred schools to H.G Wells Junior/High school.

Ashley was white, had enchanting blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair which she curled.

Ahh....

If I could just bask in her heavenly presence, he thought.

Why is it that she never glances my way? Hunter sighed frustrated. What do I even feel this way? What is this?

All his questions went unanswered as his mind was blank.

Mr. Bryant cleared his throat. "Ahem, Hunter, if you're done looking at miss Ashley over there, can you answer the question on the board.

Hunter turned bright red and kept his face straight so Ashley who was seating at his side wouldn't see.

Unfortunately she already had.

This is not just my day.... Hunter thought

🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔

While students filtered out of the classes and filled the halls trying to get to their next class, Hunter held back.

Mr. Bryant was packing his lesson notes and things inside his bag when Hunter went to his desk.

"Sir about Ashley" the teacher looked up "I think I kinda like her"

"You think? You were paying attention more to her than my lesson". He chided.

"I'm sorry, I just want to ask you for advise"

"Really? For what?" Mr. Bryant asked evasively.

"Should I approach her? Tell her my feeling's?"

"Love is in here" he said patting Hunter's chest. "You'll know when its the right time".

"When is it going to be the right time?"

"That's up to you to decide". The teacher said before leaving the class leaving Hunter to think about what he just said, his mind glazing over his options

Josh counted the number of cobwebs In Principals Rockwell large office. By the side were numerous trophy's encased in a large show glass - to intimidate people - Josh was sure.

He counted the files disarranged on the table, bellying the urge to get up and stack them right.

He noticed the worn out chair that was chipped at its edges. He noticed the creak of the worn out chair if you leant backwards.

He saw the stack of books high up on the shelves that looked like it hadn't been touched in years.

There was a portrait of Shakespeare hanging on the wall, looking directly at him.

He looked at the name tag on the desk and wondered if Principal's Rockwell had a last name. Maybe he was just Mr. Rockwell.

Simply, he was bored.

He had been here for the last fifteen minutes and the principal still wasn't here. Maybe he forgot that there was someone waiting for him in his office. Maybe he wanted him to get bored and leave so he'd be under greater punishment. Maybe he wanted to leave him alone so he would think about his acts penitently.

If that was the case, then it was working.

Tremendously.

He must have been pretty swimming in his thoughts because he didn't notice the door groaning as the principal stepped in.

His spine stiffened and his previously arched back stood up straightened. The principal sat slowly in his seat. Then he removed his glasses and looked Josh straight in the eye who acted like everything else in that office were more interesting than the principal.

His tone was no longer friendly or joking, instead it came out gruff. "I take it you know why you're here?"

Should he take his chances? What were the chances that he'd get Into bigger trouble? No. He couldn't risk it.

"Yes- yes sir"

"Sometimes I wonder what's wrong with you kids these days. In my time- "

Josh rolled his eyes. There he goes again.

"Don't you dare roll your eyes at me child. I'll have you know that I can have you in detention for the whole year".

Josh gulped.

"So we kids back then didn't have the privileges you kids have nowadays. There were no computers, no laptops, no one to drive us to school every morning. With all these privileges I expect something more from you. Something better. I expect potential. Is that too much to ask?"

Now he sounds like my dad.

"And what do i get? Rogue students. I'll have to ring up your parents about this".

"Nooo, please". Josh pleaded, falling on his knees bringing his hands together like a Catholic receiving the Holy Eucharist. "Don't do it sir. Give me a whole year of detention. Put me in the Dramatic Club. I'll join Ms. Lily's horrible music class. Please". Tears were now running down his face and the more he tried to stop, the more they streaked his plump face.

"How did you even take hold of this?" The principal asked as he held up the incriminating piece of evidence up.

Even if I tell him, he'll say I'm pointing names when it was clearly in my hands when he caught me. Then he'll ask why I took it and why they weren't near him when he saw him.

And when Brent hears of it, I'm doomed. I already have enough bullying as he remembered the many times he was giving heaps of homework to do and when they poured his home packed lunch on the floor and stepped on it. When they struck him because they knew he couldn't defend himself. And how he could still here their insults ringing in his head.

Worm. Fatty. Over fed guinea pig.

He had enough on his plate as it was what with trying to study hard for exams and coping with his father's alcoholic abusiveness.

Mom would be disappointed. His dad probably wouldn't care. He never did.

WHAT!??? You ask. That's a story for another day.

He didn't need more bullying on top of that. He lifted his tear stricken face upwards and sent a silent prayer to the Lord.

"Please sir, I'll do anything"

"Anything?"

An evil glean through Principal Rockwell's eyes as he awaited his answer.

The portrait of Shakespeare felt as if he was breathing down on his neck. His skin prickled.

Josh gulped. Then he said: "yes sir. Anything".

It kinda came out squeaky but you couldn't blame him at that moment.

🍣🍞🍜🍛🍲🍩🍵🍣

"Have you seen Josh?" Zoe asked as she looked around the cafeteria.

"Didn't see him in class today" Will, one of Josh geeky friends said.

"Maybe he's in the library. You know Josh's a sucker for books". Hunter said. "No offence" he added to the two geeks sitting with them discussing about zodiac signs.

"None taken". Seth, the smaller of them replied.

Zoe was confused. Josh wasn't the kind of kid that skipped class or the rebel type. He always like being on schedule. He even had a schedule for every day pasted in his room and a copy in his backpack. And he always followed through. That's how rule-abiding Josh was.

The thought of Josh breaking his lunch schedule didn't sit right with her.

She gobbled up her lunch and stood up. "Where're you going?" Hunter asked

"Looking for Josh. You coming?" Hunter glanced discreetly (which didn't go unnoticed by Zoe) at the blonde girl sitting near the middle of the cafeteria. "No I'm good"

Hunter wasn't gonna stop ogling Ashley anytime soon.

💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

Zoey trudged through the almost deserted hallways to her locker. She hadn't seen Josh anywhere. She had checked in the gardens, in the gym, in his locker, even under the desks.

She'd even looked in his hiding place in the library which had a 98% chance he'd be there but he wasn't there.

When I do see him - she thought - he'll tell me why he's MIA lately.

Now she just had to take out her books from her locker and go to her next class before the bell rang and a hall monitor saw her or worse - Principal Rockwell - the detentionalist.

Hunter had named him that. Josh had said that wasn't even a word,.while she just went along with it.

She approached her locker and twisted in the combination.

Tada!

A whole bouquet of red roses was stacked in the top. She brought it out and a valentine's card fell out.

She picked it up. It read:

Roses are red

Violets are blue

You don't know me much

But I like you

You'd have thought she'd think something in the lines of:

"OMG! I HAVE A SECRET ADMIRER"

Or

"Who left their flowers here people?"

But she was thinking "Is it Valentine's already? And why are these flowers writhing?"

Josh was thinking. A lot. He was upstairs, laying down on his bed. He'd gotten himself into a lot of trouble. All because of Brent.

Brent.

His name tasted like dead leaves in his mind. Always taunting him. Always finding a way to manipulate him. But there was nothing he could do. His hands were tied behind his back.

"Joshie!"

Josh's mother's annoyingly overprotective voice floated upstairs. "Yes, mom?"

"Your friends are here!"

Almost immediately, he heard short footsteps pounding on the steps. Hunter. He almost didn't have enough time to snatch the piece of paper he was mulling over and threw it under his pillow.

The door burst open and Zoey and Hunter burst into his room, shaking its hinges, just as the paper was buried under the pillow.

"Where were you at lunch?" Zoey demanded

"Uhh i was in the library" The last part came out with a tilt, sounding like a question.

"You can't fool me" she said. Hunter flopped down on the bed and the paper peeked out.

No, they can't see that! Josh thought.

He'd to maneuver them somewhere else. Somewhere safer.

"Let's go to the tree house"

"Why?" Zoey asked.

"Let's just go".

Josh noticed Hunter hadn't spoke since he'd came here. Normally Hunter liked to crack a few jokes in a conversation. Josh wondered why.

Josh and his friends were almost out the door when his mother gripped his shoulder. "Where do you think you're going, young man?" Mrs. Grimshaw queried.

"The treehouse mom".

His mom seemed reluctant to leave his shoulder.

"The treehouse, you say? Her brain, thinking rapidly.

"Yes mom". Josh's eyes widened in shame as a safety helmet materialized in Mrs. Grimshaw's hands. She plopped it on his head.

"For safety precautions" she advised. Josh rolled his eyes. He closed the door after him, and ran to his backyard, ditching the safety helmet behind a couple of rosebushes.

He climbed up the ladder and entered through a trap door. The treehouse smelt like autumn. It had been built by Josh and his dad three years ago.

Back when he still cared.

Josh shook all thoughts of his dad out if his mind. He didn't care anymore. There was no reason to mule over something you can't have.

Hunter and Zoey were propped ontop two swivel chairs. Waiting. Zoey was swiveling on the chair. Hunter's face was raised up abstractly, seeing nothing and everything. His chin was raised up in the air. Josh could bet he couldn't see you the wooden ceiling. A desk was in the room, filled with paper he'd doodled on. There was a PlayStation console, connected to a TV. There were other random things in it too.

Two pairs of eyes locked with his. Waiting. Anticipating.

"What's up, guys?" He asked, nervously.

"Where were you at lunch, Josh?"

He couldn't tell them about Brent. Or about Principal Rockwell. That was sure. They'd report it and it'd only backfire him.

Time for his expert maneuver.

"Would you believe me if I said I was at the library?"

"No." Zoe was not amused.

Josh walked to a desk. He yanked it open. In his hands was a video game. He raised it up, just in sight of his friends. "You wouldn't believe what's in this" he says.

"What?" Zoey snaps.

"The new version of The Outer Worlds!"

"No way!" Hunter, finally spoke.

"How come you have it. It's not supposed to come out till next week"

"I have my ways" he said, trying to smirk, but it came out looking like a lop sided smile. "Whoever looses gets to wear a complete princess outfit, tiara and all and walk down the street".

Zoey was already on the floor, legs folded together, awaiting them. "That's great. I'll give you my Cinderella outfit from last year's Halloween".

"And wear it to school".

"You're on". Hunter said.

"What're you waiting for? Come on!" Zoey motioned them over. Josh rolled his eyes. "Don't roll your skimpy little eyes at me!" She snapped.

Josh rolled them again.

➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿

It was in the dead of night. Three figures loomed about wearing head torches. A terrible rain was pouring down with fierce determination. In the distance, lights were flickering. Lightning flashed and thunder stroke, streaking the inky black of the night.

The rain increased several paces till the boys couldn't see four feet in front of them. Cold racked through their bodies, stealing their breath. One of them blew on his hands which had wrinkled from staying out too much in the rain, all to no avail. The winds slapped them hard in the face. It whistled and felt as if they had stepped into a tornado.

Meanwhile, the rain increased pace. The taller of the lot, checked round, satisfied there wasn't any witnesses, then ran to the HGwells middle school double doors. He fished the keys out of his pockets. The bunch of keys dangled in his hands, and he examining them, shivering and cowering under the rain with two minions beside him, he stuck the key inside the lock and twisted.

A key he'd nipped from the janitor.

The doors didn't budge. Brent frowned. He tried four more keys before the click sound was heard.

His minions pushed passed him, down the hall in to the halls.

"What di- did you say we're doing again?" Elliot asked, his teeth chattering. He could feel the gentle sloping of water running down the floor, making a silent 'drip drip' noise on the floor.

"We're gonna hack into the school's fire alarm system". He snapped. Already moving forward and making a trail of water behind him.

"Just how are we gonna do that?"

"I have a way". Brent dead panned.

He twisted and turned in the halls till he arrived at the redenvous.

"Water paint?"

"Check'

"Bubble bath"

"Check"

"Mr. Ergo's absurdly itchy powder?"

"Check"

Brent grinned devilishly.

👗👗👗👗👗👗👗👗

Hunter and Zoey knocked on the door of Josh's house. It turned out that he'd been the one to loose the bet. Josh skippered out, wearing an I'll fitting blouse. High heels and all. "Do we really have to do this?" He pleaded.

"No turning back now". Hunter shook his head. Zoey seemed amused. "Gee, what great friends I have". He half mumbled to himself.

"What was that?" Zoey asked, her fierce eyes crinkling around the edges. "Nothing".

The half mile to school was casual, except stares of curious parents and equally amused children burning holes in the back if his head. He tethered in the heels. Zoey was pressing her phone and laughing. Hunter had given a little distance between both of them.

The climax was when he pushed the huge double doors of HG Wells middle school open. It seemed like everyone had paused in their tracks, staring.

His feet felt like they were filled with lead. He painstakingly pushed one leg in front of the other. Everyone had resumed their previous business, pretending not to take notice of the white, overweight boy wearing a tiara and a blue Cinderella dress, while observing from the corner of their eyes. Hushed tones of 'Cinderella' traveled down the halls, rapidly. Some girls had whipped out their phones, taking pictures.

They'd probably turn him into a meme. Hunter and Zoe were not in eyesight. The jocks had a sneer on their faces.

Just when he thought his day couldn't get any worse, the fire alarm system blared upwards, suggesting urgency evacuation. Nervous girls were already panicking, reaching out to the handle of the doors.

The water showered down in them. Except it wasn't blue like most waters are. It was streaked, mixed with blinding colors of green and yellow, dark shades of red and brown and an unusual odor he couldn't place.

And bubbles?

What the heck was bubbles doing in the emergency fire alarm system? He face palmed.

Then the itching started. Josh groaned out loud. 'My day just got a lot worse".