1 The perfect guy

(MONDAY 20th September, 2019)

(Assembly hall)

"I want to pose a question to all the students and teachers in attendance, what is love?.....love is a feeling of passion between two people, a strong connection that makes someone feel like they have become a better version of themselves. an extended feeling of joy and happiness a feeling truly like no other, one of warmth that covers the heart, this definition is clear and so the real question becomes, when is a person truly in love? ".

"applause"

Headmaster "thank you for that beautiful speech Freeman, you may take your seat now"

John "wow man when the headmaster said you should write a speech about love I didn't think you'd do it so well. you're quiet the lover boy aren't you max"

Drake " Oh yeah man that speech almost moved me to tears"

" both laugh"

Maxwell " Oh spear me guys, that was just an article I found online, you know I wouldn't write such a corny speech ".

Well the truth is I could write something like that, something corny or sentimental with ease, but it wouldn't mean anything to me it wouldn't truly come from the heart. My name is Maxwell Freeman and I'm a senior in my second year of high-school (class 7) at Ocean view high. throughout my entire high-school life I have always been the perfect guy, effortlessly good at anything I tried weather it was academics or sports I'm always the number one student, even when it comes to looks I'm amongst the most handsome guys in the school, and I can even talk to girls easily. I am basically the kind of guy every girl hopes to have and every guy wishes he could be, I am without a doubt The perfect guy.

(After The assembly)

(In the halls of the school)

John " Man did you see those girls from class 5 "

Drake " Yeah bro!!!, they were looking so freaking hot"

John " And I'm pretty sure one of the hotties from class 6 were checking me out, I told you that special cream I used during the break would pay off, I am totally gonna get a babe this term just you watch"

Drake " yeah right man you know she was just looking at you because you were sitting right next to Maxwell"

John " HA!! no surprise there I guess, there's always someone checking him out, hey come on Max hook a brother up and teach us your ways"

Maxwell " Sorry to tell you this man but you're a lost cause and will probably die alone"

John " HEY!! I wont be single, I'll just marry Drake, because if I'm not getting babes neither is he"

" They all laugh together"

" Senior!!!...senior Maxwell"

Maxwell " Hm?"

Ella " Uhm, My name is uhh, My name is Ella, I'm in class 5 and I just want to, I just wanted to say that I really liked the speech you gave on the assembly this morning you looked really cool and..... and uhm senior I just wanted to tell you I've had a crush on you for a really long time and I really love you and,..... and I would really like it if you can be my boyfriend"

A girl just asked me out, I'm not particularly surprised, I can tell it took a lot of courage to come up and say what she just did to me, I can also tell she had practiced those lines over and over again yet she still stuttered, I could hear her friends whispers in her class nearby they were saying " Oh my God i can't believe she actually did it" "Who does she think she is asking senior Max out" " Yeah she's definitely gonna get rejected" laughing at her. I'm sure she can hear them too because she's shaking and about to start crying, the silence that filled the air after she asked me that question must be so daunting, and the pressure that keeps piling as she awaits my answer must be unbearable.

Ella " I'm so sorry to have waisted your time I will leave you...."

Maxwell " Hey Ella right?, you shouldn't cry when you wear glasses * takes off her glasses* besides you look pretty and it's no good for pretty girls to cry now is it * leans close to Ella and puts her glasses back on* I'd love to be your boyfriend"

Ella " uhhhm * blushing* wait what"

All Ella's classmates and Maxwell's friends "HUUUHHHH!!!!!!????"

Ella " Hold on senior are you sure, you don't need to date me just because you feel pity for me, I don't want that"

Maxwell " Pity? * chuckles* I'm not pitying you don't worry, I really do wanna be your boyfriend, I mean why not you seem like a really nice girl and you're very cute so how can I say no, now you should better head to class before the classes start, you don't wanna be late now do you...babe?

Ella " uhhhh tettettgg uhhhm bbb ba..... uhmm!!! excuse me I'll take my leave now "

John " Damn bro what was that all about"

Drake " Yeah man I didn't know you knew Ella, she's a real hottie but is very quiet and hardly speaks to guys"

John " So you had a crush on her or something, have you been keeping secrets"

Maxwell " Well I don't really know her like that, this was actually my first time meeting her"

John " What? really!?..... then why'd you say yes?"

Maxwell " Oh come on guys it's not like I am seeing anyone right now so why not, besides I'm Ocean high's number one guy only I can say what anyone's gonna do next but no one can guess what I'm gonna do"

*both laugh *, That's our Max"

When Ella confessed to me she said that she really loves me, Love...that word has no meaning to me anymore, that might make me seem like a cold hearted person but if anyone else was in my shoes they'd probably feel the same, "I love your shirt", I love your bag, I love that song, even with all the girls I've dated " I love you Max" " I love you Max" " I love you" all just a bunch of overused lines and phrases people used on each other to make themselves feel loved that's how people are the more they hear it from everyone the happier they feel and it may seem weird for someone like me to say this but the more I hear it the more the value and meaning of that word fades in my heart leaving a cold feeling behind, so why did I say yes to her despite knowing this? maybe its because despite how I may feel I believe that love isn't some feeling of passion that connects two people and though painful to admit most times it might not even be a mutual feeling between two people. These days love is no more than a con, this is an undeniable fact in all relationships and even most marriages, just two people trying to make each other happy despite their differences, yes it's all fake no matter how you look at it and that's the lesson I have learnt in this life, there is no fairytale bond or happy ending's in the real world.

(Later at the end of the school day)

(Outside the gates of the school)

Drake" Hey!!! Max!!!, wait up man"

Maxwell" Hey Drake what's up"

Drake" I just wanted to speak to you one on one about with that girl from class 5.....Ella"

Maxwell" What about her? is this about me treating her badly or not making her happy? because you shouldn't worry about that I promise I will treat her right.

Drake" No it's not that, look man I've known you for a very long time even longer than I've known John, and I know you just accepted that girl today so she wouldn't have to be embarrassed in front of all her friends, and it's really nice of you to do that for her man but what about you"

Maxwell" What about me?"

Drake" What about you're feelings man, look I know you man and I know you're a really nice person who can't watch others get hurt but you should also find someone for yourself someone who can make you happy and that'll look after you, someone that you really love and that will love you back"

Maxwell" * laughs* is that it? I told you John I'm not interested in all that sentimental crap, I mean I'm Maxwell Freeman. Thanks for worrying about me though, now it's getting late I better head home"

(Somewhere in the city near Maxwell's apartment)

(A girl is being surrounded by a group of thugs)

Thug 1" Hey pretty lady haven't seen you around these parts, are you new around here?"

Thug 2" Yeah because we can show you around if you want"

Thug 3" You know that's an awfully short dress your wearing"

They all laugh" hehehe"

Girl " Stay away from me you scumbags or I'll call the cops"

Thug 2" Aww she's trying to scare us off, and after we've been so nice, let's teach her not to be so rude to her elders boys"

Maxwell" So that's where you ran off to I've been looking all over babe, I was getting worried I thought something happened to you. I'm sorry gentlemen my girlfriend always gets lost she's not really good with directions I do hope she didn't cause you any problems"

Thug 1" Hey you bastard don't try to be a hero, how about you just leave so that you don't get your pretty face bashed in"

Maxwell" Sorry?"

Thug 3(whispers)" Hey boss I know this guy, he's that primate high-school champion Maxwell Freeman, there are rumors about this kid that he beats up anyone who gets in his way, I heard he once even took out a mountain lion with one blow, he's bad news man we probably shouldn't mess with him"

Girl" * picks up a stone and hurls it at thug 2's face"

Thug 1" Hey!!!you crazy bitch, Just because your boyfriend is hear you think you can act all high and mighty?! screw that high-school brat I don't care if he really has knocked out a mountain lion, I'll teach you brats not to mess with the Ludo gang. GET THEM!!"

(The thug grabs the girl by her hair and tries to hit her then out of no where Max suddenly throws a punch at the thug. With the first thug knocked out the two other thugs begin to rush Max in an attempt to bring him down, Max who isn't phased by the situation quickly takes off his blazer and rolls his sleeves up then immediately runs at the two thugs and beats them to the ground, as the fight comes to an end all the three thugs lie unconscious with only Maxwell and the girl left )

Maxwell" Hhhhhhh!!! what a bother, (walks over to the girl) hey are you alright, I hope they didn't hurt you or anything, my name is Ma....."

(Before Maxwell could finish introducing himself he was met with a tight slap across his face)

Hold on a second I'm not imaging thing's am I?, there's no way I just got slapped by the girl I just saved, yeah of course I'm just imaging it, that has to be the case

Maxwell" I'm sorry I just had the weirdest instant dream anyway as I was saying my name is Maxwell Freeman"

Girl " Oh no you weren't dreaming I did slap you, and it's nice to meet you Maxwell i have to get going anyway it's getting late"

Maxwell(SHOCK!!) " I'm sorry what!!, I just saved you from those guys back there and instead of thanking me all you do is slap me on the face? who does that"

Girl " Well what did you expect, you just came out of nowhere and said that I was your girlfriend, such a cheap guy, I'm sure you go around helping girls out just so you can show off and don't get me started on that self absorbed introduction * mimics Maxwell " my name is Maxwell* oh myy talk about cringy you were basically begging for a good smack * giggles * you should have seen your face when I slapped you, anyway I've got to go hero boy I've got school tomorrow and I don't want to wake up late"

Maxwell" How ungrateful I just saved your life you know and you don't even tell me you're name.... how rude"

Girl" you're right that wasn't very nice, Thank you very much for helping me out I appreciate it, and by the way my name is Zoey, ok now see you around hero boy * smiles and then runs away *"

Maxwell" Man what was that about what kind of girl just hits a guy, well anyway i better get going"

(The next day).

(Ocean High-school).

(The assembly ground).

John " Hey what's up Max, dude what's going on with your face"

Maxwell" Well I just fell on my way to school this morning no big deal"

Drake" Really, so it was the floor that left a handprint on your face?"

Maxwell" Uhm yeah it was a very peculiarly shaped floor, get off my back man its my face"

Drake " Whatever you say then dude, here comes the Headmaster"

Headmaster " Good morning students, today I have two pieces of information to pass on to you. Firstly as you all know the double promotion exams are coming up and I have here the list of students that qualified to write this exam, first is Maxwell Freeman of the 7th grade, John Hart from 7th grade, Peter Williams from the 7th grade and Lilla Anderson from the 7th grade. Those are all the students that have qualified for this years double promotion, I wish you all the best of luck"

The double promotion exams, as the name implies it's an exam written by four students that have the best grades in the 7th grade, the two students out of the four that passed the exam with the best grades are then moved to the final grade... the 8th grade, this also gives the students high status even amongst the 8th graders as honor students.

Drake " Waw congrats guys I can't believe you guys are gonna move passed me already, I mean I get that Max is moving up but you John that must be some error don't you think"

"both laugh"

Headmaster" And for the second announcement, there will be a new student transferring from abroad and she'll be in the eight grade so let me formally introduce Zoey Parker"

(Zoey walk onto the stage)

Zoey" Thank you all I will do my best to try and be a model student"

I've never been one to believe in bad luck but at that very moment I knew that faith was mocking me and God does have a sense of humor, the girl I met on my way back home yesterday and the same girl who slapped me after I saved her from some gang thugs was standing right in front of me as a transfer student, Man what a small world.

Both Zoey and Maxwell" you have got to be kidding me".

TO BE CONTINUED.