Chapter 24: Everyone Wears Masks

"You know that always made me wonder about schooling. Why are there people that go out of their way just to make your life miserable? I mean like don't they have anything else better to do?" I added to my statement as I proceeded to continue eating my meal.

"Well, it's not really complicated actually..." He answered me, getting a drink to clear his throat. "You see... it's often that... they have a self-image issue."

"Huh?" I asked him to elaborate on his statement.

"When a person feels the need to express their desires in an aggressive or violent way. It makes them feel like they are the ones in control over the situation. Sometimes humans need the feeling of control in their lives however those that are in need of too much control are often insecure about themselves." He explained to me.

He adjusted his posture, pointing in the direction to my back, I turned around to see that he was pointing to a group of girls, talking in the distance. They were all fashionable and they all had similar mannerisms with one another. The way they walk and the way they talk are like carbon copies with one another.

"Uh? Why are do you want me to take a look at those girls over there?" I asked him as to what his motives were.

"You see how those girls all talk with one another. All of them are insecure about their popularity and such. They are so desperate to fit in and get along with the students in their class that they decide to change how they act or how they dress to achieve that. Whoever challenges that will get retaliated on." He elaborated, bringing 3 pieces of fries in front of me.

"Uh? Why are you bringing 3 fries in front of me?" I asked him. "Can I have them?"

"NO THESE ARE MINE. Also, these are used as a metaphor. Imagine that these 3 fries were all together." He shows me the fries with equal size and length. "They all look so similar so they don't bother judging one another since judging themselves would just be judging yourself."

He takes one of the fries and dips them on a pile of salt that's in his tray. "Now this fry is different. This one is covered in salt while the other 2 is plain. Considering that they are all the same. You think that the two would be alright with the other one having salt right?"

"Uh-huh... I mean it's just salt... it's not like that would affect the other two's lives." I answered his question straightforwardly.

"Well, that is somewhat correct if the two other fries weren't insecure about themselves but in this case they are. They hate that the other fry is covered in salt and they aren't. So they attack the one that's different since they are different from the norm. That's why those group of girls have similar fashion and mannerisms with one another. If one were to stray from the stereotype, they would be crucified with cruel words and horrible treatment until they return back to their forced state." He explained the cold heart fact of the matter.

"Oh... so that's why... I never really understood it like that... honestly, you have more advanced social skills than me Lawrence so it's really great you know more about this!" I praised him, giving him a pat in his shoulder.

"No need for such praise. I am just experienced that all. You see I had to determine and assist knights with investigations and such in the kingdom. So I had a knack for observing the personalities of certain people and how they can appear as a threat. Everyone wears a mask. Nobody is truly real." He informs me.

"Well based on the people, we've met so far? Is there anyone that you see as a possible threat?" I inquired about his abilities. That is a very useful ability to have though.

He ate the remaining fries in his tray, grabbing a glass of water, and washing it down to clear his mind. "As of now. Currently, we have only interacted with two people. Well for you, three people since you talked with the girl in the hoodie." He paused for a moment to get a more detailed answer to me.

"My deductions so far is that there are no threats so far. Although there are potential threats that will and might happen. It's too early to guess though." He informs.

There's a potential threat between those 3? Who exactly? Who can he be actually talking about?

"Who are you talking about actually? Who is the one that's a threat?" I inquired him for the answers, he just turned away pointing to my meal which was almost finished.

"I really don't want to go into details on who I think is the threat. It might warp your understanding of that person. So I would only make decisions when they do something, considering that it's too early to draw conclusions. I'm just saying that one of them has a personality that I would call a threat to us as of now."

"Alright then..." I responded timidly. Hm... I guess i should ignore it for now since it's just a hunch as he said it. I should probably continue eating so we can finally get out of this cafeteria. I said to myself, finishing my meal. As soon as I took a bite of the last spoonful of rice. I realized that I was finished with my meal.

"Don't forget to eat this yogurt. It has some strawberries in it so be sure to eat that." He pointed out, handing me the yogurt.

"Fine... fine!" I said as I took the yogurt and proceeded to eat it. It actually smells kind of gross.. I never really liked the smell of milk.

I started to gag from the smell of the yogurt.

"Stop complaining. It's just yogurt geez." He muttered, giving me attitude.

"You literally ate nothing but fries for lunch Lawrence. You should be eating something healthy for a change." I retorted, giving him a cheeky smirk.

"Sure, sure, probably for dinner. Anyways I'll go ahead and tell you what we need to do for this day! So you better be prepared. This is going to be a long day ahead! Quite a lot to do in the to-do list actually.." He informs me, grabbing a notebook.