A LONG DAY

It was Monday afternoon and the final bell of the day had just rung signaling the end of school for the day. Ethan was heading to Mr. Andrews's class to do his time of detention. Kirk was walking him to his makeshift jail before heading home. Kirk was a good friend. He was the only person Ethan considered a friend in school. He had heard kirk refer to him as his best friend several times and even though he had never said it out loud for kirk to hear, he also felt the same.

Kirk's parents were a little on the rich side. His mother owned a small boutique and his dad operated a small fitting shop it was safe to say kirk was better off than Ethan in terms of finances. Ethan had been over to kirk's many times when they first met but nowadays he was far too busy to go over.

As Ethan thought of his busy life, his thought unconsciously shifted to his mother and how happy she had seemed these past two days. It seemed like she enjoyed Dred's absence more than she did his presence just like her son.

On Saturday, after watching that sad news, Ethan had then flipped channels till he found a channel that was showing some pretty good movies. His mother had later come to join him in the living room and together they had watched movies until late in the night when they had gotten hungry. They had then shared the leftovers from Ethan's earlier cooking before making their way to their respective rooms to sleep.

Sunday had followed a similar pattern. Dred had still not returned. not like they were complaining. On Sunday Mrs.Brunson had cooked them some rice and stew. They had eaten their fill and conversed for a long time.

Ethan had then gone to his room to do his homework and had stayed in his room till evening when he had gone to eat and then made his way back to his room. he had fallen asleep at some point, woken up the next day, and made his way to school. And now that school was out, he was making his way to serve his time.

"Hey, Ethan...you here bro?" Kirk asked.

"Yh, sorry. I spaced out a bit there" Ethan answered.

"I don't blame you. I would be the same if I were on my way to serve a 1-month detention with Mr. Andrews. That guy is scary". Kirk said.

"Anyway, I was saying I got me something that I know you'll be happy to see for my 17th birthday. I know u forgot it was my birthday last Saturday but it's fine. Anyway, guess what I got as a present?"

Ethan had completely forgotten about kirk's birthday. He felt bad for not wishing him or getting anything for his day. He gave himself a quick reminder to get kirk something later on.

"Let's see. You got a new skateboard since your old one's busted" Ethan took a guess.

"Pft..." Kirk shook his head, frustrated. " How many times do I have to tell you I'm done skateboarding. My parents wouldn't even allow me if I wanted to. That thing almost killed me."

"I'm sorry, you know I'm very forgetful at times. So what did you get?" Ethan asked now very interested in what his friend got for his birthday. "

I got me that new game man; 'Mecha War Rebooted', you should totally come over one of these days so we play" kirk said.

Ethan smiled as he heard this, he was glad kirk got something nice for his birthday. He didn't know if he'll get the time to go over and play that game though but he still replied "sure. That will be nice".

They were now Infront of Mr. Andrews's class. Kirk waved Ethan goodbye as he turned the corner to his right to the school's entrance. His house wasn't too far from the school so he was bound to get home in no time. Ethan on the other hand knocked on the class door. "Enter" Mr.Andrews' voice came from inside.

Ethan opened the door and walked in. Mr.Andrews was sitting behind his desk going over some paperwork in the far corner. He lifted his head as Ethan walked in and smiled when he saw who it was.

"Good day Mr.Brunson. you're right on time. Mr. Twist should be here in about a minute. You're free to sit and wait for him". He announced as he turned back to his papers.

Ethan was confused. Mr.Twist? There was only one person he knew who went by that name and that was the janitor. Why would he wait for the janitor?. Maybe he was wrong. He'll ask Mr. Andrews just to be certain they were all thinking of the same person.

"Err..sir. by Mr.Twist, you don't by any chance mean the janitor, do you?" Ethan asked. "The very same person Mr.Brunson. he should be here ver..."

Knock, Knock, Knock!!! "Aaah, that must be him if I'm not mistaken. Come in!" Mr. Andrews answered to which the door to the class opened and in walked Mr.Twist.

Mr.Twist the school janitor was an old man who always had on blue overalls and a blue cap. He was always smiling no matter what. But it wasn't the wise peaceful smile some old people spotted. No, his smile was the mad kinda smile you saw on the faces of old people who have gone mental. Mr.Twist the janitor was avoided by all despite his weak appearance.

There were all sorta rumors going around school about Mr.Twist. some said he had escaped from an asylum and had changed his name hence the weird fictional name 'Twist'.

Others said he was like this because he had lost everything in the war and had gone a little loco from the shock since. All In all, Ethan wasn't pleased about having to wait for him.

He hoped he was wrong with what he was thinking and that Mr.Andrews wasn't about to force him to do anything he didn't want to do.

Mr. Twist bowed to Mr.Andrews and started talking." I'm here like you requested sir. Is that my new assistant?" Mr.Twist asked Mr.Andrews whiles pointing to Ethan.

"Yes, that's your new helper for the week. Make good use of him, he'll be out of your hands by next week." Mr. Andrews answered the old janitor.

It was safe to say Ethan was shocked. His jaw was hanging open as he tried to make sense of what he had just heard. "Wh...why? Why don't you let me do lines or something? This is too much" Ethan protested.

"Lines?, What good is that? you'll do some real work whiles you're in my care. Now go with Mr.Twist. time's ticking. waste any more time and you'll be here longer than the required 1hour." Mr.Andrews dismissed him and turned to his work.

Mr.Twist smiled brightly at him showing Ethan all his teeth as Ethan walked behind him. Ethan quickly looked away as he saw the janitor's broken yellowish teeth. Ethan made a mental note to always brush his teeth twice daily as he saw the state of those teeth.

The moment they were outside Mr.Andrews' door the old janitor suddenly turned to Ethan making Ethan jump back. If Ethan hadn't reacted in time he would have kissed the Old man full on the lips.

"Hey! A little warning next time!" Ethan shouted as he thanked his stars for avoiding that one.

The old man only smiled wider as he said, "say youngster, do you know those creatures called tele-tubies? Are u aware that they were real a long time ago and that all humankind descended from them?" The old janitor asked Ethan with a big smile. The latter could only hang his head in frustration as he sighed deeply. Today was gonna be a long day.