5 Bar Stool: Chapter 5

The memory and the feelings associated with it, hit me like a truck. I remembered when this all happened the first time around. How I left the cafeteria feeling victorious, how I thought we had an actual chance at changing the history of this school forever. I also remembered how it ended, how we suffered a terrible defeat, and how we were blamed for it.

Raul and I would sneak over to the tech-side caretaker's room and steal the key, by faking some kind of delivery and gain access to the room. We would then head over to the secret entrance, and let the others in. What we did not know in the past, was that the tech-side overheard our plans in the cafeteria and was prepared for us. As soon as Raul and I let the others in, tech-side would ambush and capture us. They would then make a fake announcement to the general-side, saying that we had captured the flag, but needed help getting back. The general-side would then all head over to the tech-side, leaving the flag unguarded. The tech-side would then sneak in and steal the flag, winning the war. When the war was over, we would be blamed for the loss.

This loss, and the blame for it, became the defining moment for us. Forgetting the past four years at the school, the loss would come to define us as traitors. Although none of this had any effect on any official records or grades, it destroyed our reputations at the school, and soured the memories of my high school experience.

I wondered what I should do. I had all of this knowledge, and had the power to change the outcome of the war. I could save all of our reputations and memories of high school. We would no longer be branded as traitors. However, that would be a major change to my past, and I had no idea the kind of effect it will have on my life in the present. Still, I considered whether the risk was worth it. I almost decided to do it, when I put my hands in my pocket, and I felt the homeward ring.

"That's right," I thought. "This isn't what I came here for. I came to change my future, not the memories of my past."

I decided to let things take its course. I would leave everything alone, and let history repeat itself. Still, in the back of my mind, there was this nagging feeling of wanting to have both. To save both my past and change my future.

I turned into the classroom just then, and decided to turn all my attention to my work; not giving the feeling a chance to grow any bigger.

---

With attention turned to work, the time flew by, and the next thing I knew it was 3:00 pm. The last class for the day was history, and it was just coming to a close. My teacher, Mr. Yin, called everyone to attention for one last time.

"Everyone, settle down for a second," Mr. Yin started.

He waited until everyone was seated before continuing.

"I know what day it is. I don't care too much for it, but I understand and respect tradition. One thing that I would like you to keep in mind, however, is to be safe. Don't let this get bigger than what it is; a friendly inter-school rivalry. Okay?"

"Yes, Mr. Yin," everyone said in unison.

"Okay, good," Mr. Yin said. "You are dismissed."

Everyone then got up and rushed out of the classroom, eager to get the war started. Throughout the day, somehow, rumours of our plan spread throughout the school, and people started believing that it would work. They all wanted a front-row seat to the history-changing victory over the tech-side. Unfortunately, I did not share their hope, and was in no rush to get the war started. If anything, I wished that the war was cancelled. This obviously was a pipe dream, and knowing this, I walked out of the classroom last, with a fallen look on my face. Upon walking out, I found Raul waiting for me by the doors.

"Hey, what's with the look? Are you okay?" Raul asked, as soon as he saw me.

"Yeah, I'm good. It's just that I'm tired is all," I replied.

"Well, you better hype up, because everyone seems to have heard about our plan," Raul said. I could hear the excitement in his voice. "I think we might actually have a chance at winning this. Don't you think?"

"Yeah!" I said, trying to fake as much excitement as I could.

"Alright, let's get to the lobby quickly. The others should be there by now," Raul said, as he walked ahead of me, just as eager as the rest of the school to get the war started.

"Sure," I said, and followed him to the lobby.

---

When we got to the lobby, Sean, Connor, and Jacob were already there waiting for us.

"What took you so long?" Jacob said. "It's 3:20 already, and you were the one who suggested to meet at 3:15."

"Sorry, sorry," Raul said, walking up to the group. "I just went to pick Nate up is all."

"Yeah, sorry for the hold up guys," I said, trying to sound as involved as possible.

"It's okay. I think we're all just anxious, you know?" Sean said.

"Yeah, I think everyone in the school heard about our plan, and is really counting on it to win," Connor said. "I'm not sure if I can deal with that kind of pressure."

I looked at Connor and saw that he was about to hurl. He was pale in the face and sweating profusely. I looked to Sean for information on what was wrong, but he just shook his head and shrugged.

"It's okay Connor," Raul said, grabbing Connor's shoulders. "Don't worry about the other stuff. Just focus on what we need to do."

"And what is that exactly?" Jacob asked. "I know that we are supposed to wait at the secret entrance, but what happens next?"

"Well, after Nate and I let you all in, we'll go and grab the flag together. I haven't really planned out exactly how we're going to that, but I think we can just wing it," Raul replied.

"Unbelievable," Jacob said, throwing his hands in the air. "This is just about the biggest chance general has ever had to win the war, and it's not even fully planned out."

"I think it's alright," I said. "You never know what's going to happen anyways."

"Thanks Nate!" Raul said. "You always have my back."

"Of course," I replied, feeling slightly guilty about hiding my knowledge of the outcome.

"Hey, I think we should going," Sean said, looking at his watch. "We've wasted enough time already."

"Yeah, of course. Here follow me," Raul said, starting to walk out the door. "I'll show you guys where the entrance is."

Everyone then followed after Raul. Jacob straight behind him, Sean and Connor behind Jacob, and me at the rear, trying to hide any signs that I may know something.

Raul lead us outside, and as we headed over to the tech-side building, we went underneath the connector hallways between the two buildings. The secret entrance that Raul had found, was directly underneath the connector hallway, and was therefore cast with a big shadow and hidden from general view.

"Wow, I didn't know that this was here," Sean said. "I can't believe I've never seen this before."

"Don't worry," Raul said. "I didn't know about it until recently, remember?"

Raul then turned to face me.

"Okay, Nate. I think it's time for us to go," Raul said.

"Yeah, let's get going," I replied.

Raul then turned to look at the rest of the group.

"Okay, I'll get going with Nate then. You guys stay here and wait for us to open the door. Maybe try to stay hidden?" Raul said.

"You got it," Jacob said. "We'll wait here."

Sean and Connor nodded in agreement.

"Okay, Nate. Let's go," Raul said, heading towards the regular back entrance to the tech-side building.

"How are we going to get inside?" I asked, after catching up to him.

"I was thinking we could use the back door," Raul said. "It's usually open. It's just that if the entire group came in at once, it would be way too noticeable. The secret entrance is just so that the group doesn't get noticed."

"Okay, then. Lead the way Raul," I said.

I then followed, as Raul led the way to the back doors of the tech-side building. Just like he said, the back doors were open, and he opened them with ease.

"Make sure to make no sound when closing them," Raul said, as he went through the door.

"Of course, yeah," I said, taking care to make sure that the doors closed with no sound.

As the door closed, the feeling came back to me. That feeling that I tried to keep down earlier with some success. The feeling that I could maybe have both. Use the knowledge that I now have to win the war.

"The caretaker's room is just down the hall to the left," Raul said. "If the tech-side building is laid out in the same way as the general-side that is."

"It is," I said, without thinking.

"How do you know that? You've never been here before, right?" Raul said, suspicion in his voice.

"Yeah, no. I don't know for sure, but I'm just assuming. The two buildings look identical from the outside, and are even connected to each other. I just assumed," I said, trying to backpedal and cover up my mistake.

"That's true. I guess I always just assumed that the tech-side building would be… well 'techier,'" Raul said, with a slight laugh.

I did not say anything in reply, but returned the smile. Raul then lead the way down the hall, and to the right was the caretaker's room. Raul turned around and put a finger up to his lips in an order to be silent, and I nodded my head to show that I understood. We both stuck to the wall and crouched down, Raul slowing creeping up to the door. When he was close enough to sneak a peek, Raul quickly did so.

"It's empty," he said in a whisper.

"I know," I thought. "I've been through this before. They key will also be on the table right in front of us."

"And I think the key is right on the table in front of us," Raul said, now having fully stepped into the room. "This is easier than I thought."

"Yup," I managed to croak out. "Let's just get going, okay?"

I then quickly turned to leave. The inner conflict that I was having was driving me sick. I just stepped out into the hallway, when Raul grabbed my hand and pulled me back in.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Are you okay? You look sick," Raul asked, genuinely concerned.

"It's nothing," I replied, trying to avoid his eyes.

"You're avoiding my eyes, which means that there is something wrong with you," Raul said. "Come on Nate, what's up?"

"Raul," I said, forcing myself to match his eyes. "We're right in the middle of tech-side territory."

"I know," Raul replied, the gears turning in his head. "We're deep in enemy lines, but you're not agitated of anxious. No you are, but for a different reason. You're strangely calm…"

Raul's eyes snapped to attention, as the gears all clicked in his head.

"You know something don't you?" Raul said.

"What?" I replied.

My brain went into overdrive, as I thought about what I should do. I cannot tell him the truth, but I also do not think that I can deflect this either. Also, I do not know how much damage has already been done to my present life. Then again, if the damage has already been done…

"Nate?" Raul said, grasping my arms and shaking me out of my thoughts. "You spaced out. Just tell me what you know."

"Raul," I said, deciding to tell him some of the truth. If the harm was done anyways, might as well go all the way. Besides, at the moment, I could not think of a way that winning the war would negatively impact my present.

"The truth is…" I started, but I stopped when I heard faint voices from outside of the room.

"They should have been out by now," a voice said.

"Did you leave the key on the table?" another voice said.

"Yeah, I made sure that they could see it," the first voice said.

"Raul," I said, tapping him on the shoulder. "It's the tech-side! Hide!"