Mind Jumping

Johan didn't even remember how he had drifted into the dream world. Jade and Johan had been talking about school and their experiences and watching TV at the same time. Jade had seemed eager to talk since she hadn't been able to talk to anyone for quite some time. She had clearly been lonely and confused. They'd finished the pizzas and thrown the empty boxes, crumbs and all on the floor.

Yet, Johan was aware he was asleep and dreaming.

This time, Johan was in the car, the front passenger seat, it was another familiar memory. His father was driving, and rambling advice like he usually did. Johan didn't get why his dad always lectured him, but he assumed it was because he wanted Johan to understand the world better than he had.

"You survived the monster," said his father. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks pop," said Johan. "But what is going to happen next? Who sent the card."

"I don't know, but we will face it together," said Johan's dad.

"Can you explain to me what happened with you and mom? Why isn't mom here?"

"I don't have all the answers Johan," said his dad, "I am trying to figure things out as well. But a guy broke into our house stabbed me after I screamed at him to get out and we argued, the man wasn't right in the head and claimed it was his house, was your brother, and he didn't know us. When I went to physically kick him out, you saw the end result of what happened …"

Johan sighed.

"So what are you going to do Johan?" asked his father.

"I'll go I guess."

"Good," smiled his father, "We Flints face controversy head on, make a mess, and either come out winners, or the other side damn well regrets messing with us."

The landscape suddenly warped and Johan found himself standing with his father in his high school hall surrounded by students that seemed to simply pass by him.

"What happened?," said Johan startled.

"Feel like we jumped minds," muttered his father.

"Jumping minds?," said Johan.

"We are in someone else's dream ... or memory," said his father. "Where do you think I go when I am not in your head?"

Moments, later Johan heard a familiar voice from behind him.

Turning around he saw Jade walking towards him.

"You are crazy Michelle," said Jade.

"So, I was talking to Billy the other day," Michelle said, "and he turned totally red, it was adorable. I think he has a crush on me totally. He seems so pure and innocent unlike that big creep Joe."

[Billy innocent?,] thought Johan with a silent laugh in his heart. The guy was the biggest perv in the school.

"What is so funny son," said Johan's dad.

Johan fought back his smirk and said, "Nothing"

High school wasn't something he could discuss with his father. They didn't have that type of relationship.

Johan turned to see Jade walking towards him with a tall brunette. The crush of every high school boy in the school, Michelle Prigimizer. The high school princess.

Jade had a black eye and couldn't see him.

"Seems like it is Jade's dream," said Johan's father. "You can tell by how you clearly hear her conversation and yet everyone else's voice is muffled out."

"I saw this boy in the principal's office," said Jade, "he was such a nerd. Said he'd find the students that punched me and teach them a lesson."

"You initiated!," laughed Michelle, "how did he get that idea?"

Jade laughed, "I told him that. He totally has a crush on me, you know boys. Maybe I'll let him carry my books and do my homework for me."

"If he only knew how dark of a heart you had," laughed Michelle, "Betsy punched you because you were making fun of Natasha!"

Jade laughed, "I asked around and apparently his name is Johan."

"Johan!," exclaimed Michelle, "That weirdo that is so full of himself. He is a big looser. Did you know he got kicked out of Buchiemnicka's class today for being late? He called her a failure at life for being an English teacher. He is all talk, and not even that cute. I think Buchiemnicka is right about him. He should learn to clam up, and not stir things up for the rest of us. Otherwise, that old freak will take it out on us. He is such a creep! Ewwww … him with you? Ugh. Totally, not a match."

Johan felt his heart sink. He was used to hearing people talk poorly about him, but he always pushed through it. But it was worse now that his father was there to hear it as well. Furthermore, he felt betrayed that Jade of all people was joining in, someone he had crushed on.

"I thought so," said Jade, "either way, I'd never consider him. I want a cute guy with muscles, abs, and a nice car. But, I'll let that creep carry my books for me. He he."

"You are so bad," said Michelle.

A heavy hand came down on Johan's shoulder.

"Son, don't pay heed to what the women say," said his father laugh, "Be the great man you are destined to be, and these women will kneel at your feet. Find a woman who with love you and you can love unconditionally. Flaws and all."

Johan sighed, his father was from a different generation, bold, arrogant, and strong willed.

"Plus, Jade is dead," said Johan's dad with another laugh, "you're the only man she can possibly fawn over now, she is bound to fall for you because she can't touch anyone else! So get another woman, and make her spend eternity knowing about what she couldn't have!"

Johan let out a laugh, ironically there was some truth to what Johan's dad said.

"I think Johan is out of your league," boomed a guys voice.

"Huh!?," said Johan, Jade, Michelle and Johan's dad exclaimed at the same time.

"Johan is cool," said another guy's voice, "and you are a bunch of snobs."

"Today I saw him stand up to Buchimenscka, the bully, and he even went to the principle to report her," boomed the voice. "He did it when no one else had the guts to do it. You call that kind of guy a creep and weirdo?"

"Do gays like you?," asked Johan's father inquisitively. "Do you know this boy?"

"Ahh, that's Joe," said Johan, "We never really talked. He isn't gay. Not really the most popular guy, kinda scary looking. They call him Joe the Beast."

The hall cleared up and a massive muscular 6 ft 5 teenager, was standing there, Joe Wrage.

"Ahh its Big Ol' Fugly," squealed Michelle, "lets run!"

"Kids are getting big these days," gasped Johan's father.

Michelle ran down the hall, and Jade froze in terror.

From behind Joe stepped out Billy, a good looking young man with black hair, fawned over by the girls, and known as the school perv by the guys.

"That wasn't cool," said Billy. "Michelle is an idiot, I thought better of her, don't listen to them Joe. Not that it is going to stop me from banging her."

"Those two boys are good kids," said Johan's dad, "Those are the types of friends you need."

Johan was shocked that people he didn't even know were standing up for him.

Billy turned again and looked at Jade with a murderous stare. Jade was still frozen on the spot in fear.

"Scram new girl," said Billy, "your empathetic and stuck up kind isn't welcome around here. Ignorant bastards."

Johan couldn't believe it, Billy the perv and Joe and beast were standing up for him.

Johan's dad sneered.

"Good friends," said Johan's dad. "As you get older, you'll realize looks are temporary, and good friends that accept you and defend you for what you are, even when you are not around, are worth more than gold. Plus, most people aren't what people say they are. Life humbles people out."

"You guys are assholes," said a voice from behind Johan. "Leave Michelle and Jade alone."

Johan turned around to see Dave.

"Jade and Michelle are clearly out of all your leagues," said Dave. "You're just trying to get in their pants. Common Jade, lets scram."

The scene faded away, and Johan found himself in his living room and his father was sitting on the sofa across from him.

"So son, your school life is more complicated than I'd expected," said Johan's father.

"Well," said Johan with a smile. "It is fine, it is just talk, and I am clearly going to make it further than all of them."

"That's my boy," said Johan's father. "We Flints fight, and if we run, we are strategizing to win!"

"That's right pops!," said Johan.

That's what he liked about his father, his father always had his back.

Now that he was in Johan's head, it was like he had a guardian angel watching over him.