Chapter 1- The Prequel

The hallways were filled with excited idle chatter as students began to go to their classes before the morning bell would start their school day. Crazy how it's so early in the morning and people were already this active.

After the first year of high school, I quickly realized I wasn't a morning person. I was just standing at my locker when I felt a tap on my shoulder and heard a familiar voice say something. I turned around and let out an unintelligible,

"Huh?"

Maybe I should start drinking coffee to help me wake up, so I don't stupid like I did there. I needed to stay focused, especially in front of this girl Alexis. She was the stereotypical popular girl who I called "friend".

I needed her because I learned that popular kids were good for one thing and that's the company they provide. You see, before I even started high school, my parents stressed that I needed to be a grade- A student, so I can get into a good college.

I agreed because I felt that going to college was a great way to jumpstart my career. Of course, I had no way of knowing that high school was a weird place and didn't like smart kids.

Months after school began, we had to take tests and the school announced the top scorers. I made top five and that apparently didn't sit right with everyone else. Students would intentionally not sit next to me or move when I attempted to sit to a table.

Was it jealousy that made others shun people who do better academically?

At first, I could ignore the ignorance of others, but then the problems arose when I needed partners for projects. Along came Alexis, who approached me saying that she would be partner if only I did her work for her.

She also said that depending on how good we did in this project her, or her friends would be my partner for future projects. I knew it was a terrible deal, but I had no choice but to agree.

"I've been talking to you for five minutes now, I was asking if you have my homework from last night.?"

I sighed and put in my fakest smile I could.

"Oh of course I did. All you have to do is copy the answers from this page onto your homework page, sign your name and turn it in."

"Thanks Glen, I knew it was a good idea working with you. It's a shame you can't copy my handwriting, so I don't even have to do this much."

In these situations, the only choice is to turn a blind eye to the obvious. I'm pretty sure Alexis and her friends were the reason no one associated with me so she can get someone to do her work. At this point, I didn't care much about it, I only had a couple of months left of this school year, and then I'm done.