I Just Want Peace - Chapter 8 One Sentence Story

Alex mumbled one word answers when Sheridan tried to include Alex into the conversation, but Sheridan failed each time since Alex immediately turned his head back to his book. The more Sheridan asked Alex questions, the stronger Alex’s urge to crawl into a hole to escape Sheridan questions needling him and read his book in peace.

After what seemed like an eternity of never ending questions, Mr. Smith finally waved his hand and quieted down the class.

“Everyone settle down. I’ll talk about the course outline now,” Mr. Smith then droned on and on about the course. Alex half pay attention as he hid his book in his lap and continue to read. Alex couldn’t help it, the story is at its climax and it would kill Alex if he doesn’t finish the book.

Sheridan glanced over Alex a few times and secretly read Alex’s book without Alex’s acknowledgement. Sheridan tries his best not to let Alex know about his sneaky actions and hide the book away from Sheridan’s prying eyes. After all, the book is at its climax, how can one stop reading?

“Now any questions?” Mr. Smith carefully examines everyone’s faces, looking for any signs of a hesitate hand raising. His eyes eventually landed on Sheridan and his suspicious action.

A girl 2 desk in front of Alex cautiously raised her hand. Leading Mr. Smith’s attention to her. Her hair a deep brown with blond highlights.

Everyone looked over, excluding Alex and Sheridan who are engrossed with the book’s climax, and saw the girl, thinking, ‘She is like a small, shy kitten.’

“Yes, Heaa-ther was it?” Mr. Smith attempted to guess the girl’s name.

“It’s Hailey, Mr. Smith,” the girl corrected.

“Oh, right, Hailey. Sorry, it’ll be a bit before I remember all you guys’ name. What’s your question?”

“For the last bit could we play a game?”

Mr. Smith glanced at the clock behind him, seeing there’s around 15 minutes left of class, then said, “Why not? What game do you have in mind?”

“Hmm, could we play one sentence story?” Hailey suggested.

“I never heard of that game. Could you explain it to the class and I?” Mr. Smith asked as he took a step and sat on the corner of his desk.

“Sure, it’s simple really. Someone starts with a sentence then the next person adds another sentence that connects with the last sentence. Basically we go around making a silly story where each person can say one sentence per turn that connects with the previous one.”

“That sounds simple, I’ll go first then, the person in front of me can go next. It was a nice summer day at school.”

“There was a student that was an elephant standing in the middle of a hall,” the boy said without batting an eye.

Class: . . . We’re at a weird start already. An elephant? At school?

Thus, the story continued on in this strange manner.

To sum up the the one sentence story, the reason that the elephant was at school was that the elephant wanted to learn how do math as it genuinely loved math. This got an approval from Mr. Smith as he is a math teacher. But unfortunately the pitiful elephant didn’t know how to write or even count to 10 properly.

‘Elephants don’t even have thumbs! How can they write?!’ the class retorted in their own mind.

The elephant was ridiculed by everyone (and the class) because it couldn’t even hold a pencil in either of its hand. However, with a paintbrush in its nose, the elephant could paint beautiful pictures of trees, flower, and many other breathtaking art.

Now it’s at the part where the elephant is participating in a national level painting contest named, High Level Fancy Art Contest, named by a random boy in the class the author doesn’t care about.

*Cough*

Presently, it is Alex’s turn to say a sentence. Since Alex is last, he has to say the ending. But if it isn’t a happy one the pitiful elephant will cry itself to sleep and Alex will be known as the one who killed the pitiful elephant’s dream killer in his class, soon not just in the class.

Alex had wanted to prepare a sentence before hand, but the story had so many twists and completely destroy Alex’s sentence each time, making him compose a new sentence. Now that it was Alex’s turn, he couldn’t help but draw a blank.

‘Ahhhhh,’ Alex mentally screamed to himself, but kept his face passive. ‘Shoot dogs, what to do? What to do? What to do?!’

Wiping his sweaty palms on his jean pants. Alex began to open his mouth, stretching out the moment as long as possible.

The clock ticked in the silent classroom, everyone watches Alex, waiting for the elephant’s happy ending.

“The elephant,” Alex started, then pausing to think. “Finished-”

RING!! The bell rung throughout the large school, signalling the end of class.

“Well,” Mr. Smith clapped his hands. “The elephant wasn’t able to take first place,” Mr. Smith said as he walked towards the door. “But that didn’t discourage the little elephant because it had a dream. With that dream and lots of hard work the elephant became one of the most famous artist in history.

“Always remember, no matter what life does to you, even if it breaks all your bones. Don’t just give up your ambition like it’s nothing. Your dreams are worth fighting for, even if you’re barely hanging on. Better do something you love than so something you hate, right?

“Well I kept you long enough,” Mr. Smith said, now standing by the portable door. “Have fun today. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

Eventually Mr. Smith opens the door and let the class leave. At once everyone rushes towards the door, running away from the man who made the fun, silly game into a life lesson. Alex stray to the back so he wouldn’t get caught in the traffic jam.

Mr. Smith stood by the door saying everyone’s name while waving goodbye, trying to memorize them all.

“See you tomorrow. . .” Mr. Smith paused the moment he saw Alex. His eyes lingering on Alex a bit too long for Alex’s comfort.

“Bye, Mr. Smith,” Alex said, breaking Mr. Smith’s trance.

“Ah, right. See you tomorrow, Alex.”

Alex nodded and left as quick as he could while not seeming rude.

There was a small crowd in front of Alex walking slowly as they chatted, blocking half of the path to the school. As Alex tried to rush pass the group, all of a sudden one of them playfully pushed a girl who accidentally bumped into Alex.

“Ah, so sorry,” said the girl who got pushed, her rich brown hair falling over her shoulders.

“It is fine,” Alex mumbled. Then he turned around and hurried away to his next class.

When he took a quick glance back, he saw Hailey apologizing to the girl for pushing her into him. The girl shook her head, saying she didn’t mind.

Alex’s next class was French which was located upstairs. Strolling through the first set of doors leading inside, Alex turned left and climbs the stairs. As he walked down the hall, Alex quickly found his French classroom on his left.

The first thing Alex noticed as he walks into the classroom is the large ‘WELCOME TO FRENCH’ with the French version below it.

Alex looks around the classroom and saw the desk were arranged in groups of 4.

Alex took a deep breath as he walks to an empty group of desk closest to him.

“Oh! You’re here too!” Someone excitingly exclaimed. Alex randomly looked over to the source of the voice and realizes it was Sheridan, and he was talking to him.

Alex: -_-|| ‘Why does he has to be here too? This too cruel!’ Alex cursed the school for placing them the same class again.

Sheridan slides into the desk in front of Alex. As Sheridan was about to open his mouth and speak, he quickly shuts his mouth and slaps his forehead.

“Crap,” Sheridan said. “I didn’t catch your name. What is it?”

“Alex,” replied Alex, frowning. Now that he thought about it, Mr. Smith forgot to asked Alex to introduce himself. Alex had Sheridan to thanked for that.

RING!!

“Everyone settled down! Class is starting!” The teacher yelled over the ruckus. “Call out here when I say your name. Correct me if I pronounce your name wrong.”

Alex became relief that he didn’t have to talk in front of the whole class like it in his homeroom.

“Ella. Ella. Ella?” The teacher repeated. “No Ella then,” she mumbled to herself.

“I’m here!” Shouted a girl who was covered in bruises and bandages. If you give her a bat stabbed with nails she match with her face always looking at people with disgust. She would’ve looked like a delinquent from an typical high school anime.

She shoved herself next to Alex as the teacher clicked her tongue in disapproval, loud enough the whole class heard her. The teacher then continued the attendance.

“How lucky, you’re here too, Alex,” Ella said as she looks around the class. “There’s no one else from our school here.”

‘Her name doesn’t match her look at all. She looks like she been in an intense fight, not like a beautiful woman like the name Ella means,’ Alex thought. ‘Wait, did she say ‘our school’?’

“Sorry, do I know you?” Alex whispered to avoid getting caught by the teacher.

“. . .” Ella stayed silent for an uncomfortably long time. Finally she said, “You’re kidding, right?”

Alex hesitated, trying to rack his brain but couldn’t find her face anywhere in there. Alex gently shook his head.

“Alex. . . We been in the same class for 9 years. 9 years!” Ella whispered yelled. Glancing over at the teacher, hoping she didn’t hear her. “I wasn’t in your class for grade 8 but I was in all your class before then!”

Alex eyed Ella, carefully analyzing her facial features, but still couldn’t recognize her. Ella saw the confusion in Alex’s eyes and shook her head in disbelief.

“All it takes is one year apart to forget our time together,” Ella mournfully complained, secretly giving Alex the stink eye.

“Full attendance, very nice,” the teacher commented. “Hello class, my name is Ms. Williams, you can call me Ms. Wills from short.” After a brief introductions, Ms. Wills handed out the course outline like all the other teachers Alex has. She then gabs about the course and veered off topic a few times to share boring stories of her past.

Alex would’ve secretly had his book in his lap and read, but Ella kept pestering him. Asking him questions about his past elementary school teachers. Each time saying she had that teacher too and kept reminding Alex they have been in the same class for 9 years, straight.

Alex: -_-|| ‘I seriously don’t remember.’

Ella: ‘Oh, ok.’ *silently sulks in a corner*

:.:.:.:.:

Alex collapsed onto the couch as soon as he gone home. Groaning as he lie first face into the couch’s leather-like seat. Alex’s mom sighed as she looked at the dead-like bookworm she calls son. Alice enjoyed his dead-like state and hopped onto Alex’s back the moment she saw Alex playing dead.

“Alice, leave your drama queen of a brother alone,” Alex’s mom said, knitting her brows at Alex’s behaviour she deems dumb.

“What’s a drama queen, Mommy?” Alice asked, lying down on top of her brother.

Alex’s mom glanced at Alex, then said, “A person who makes a big deal out of a small problem. Don’t be a drama queen, Alice, please. My hands are full enough with one, I can’t handle another one.”

Alice nodded and hopped off of Alex who fell in half-asleep. Alice sat at the table, and said to her brother, “Big brother, snacky time!”

“Mmm,” Alex acknowledged. Then he slowly rolled himself off the couch and started crawling towards the dinner table.

“Alex! Walk properly to the table!” Alex’s mom scolded.

“Alex is a drama queen, Alex is a drama queen, Alex is a drama queen,” Alice sang in a taunting way.

“Alice, that’s enough.”

“Hmph.”

Mai places two plates on the table, one in front of Alice and one in front of Alex. Then Mei sat down, slowly put her elbows on the table and rest her chin on her hands. A simple gesture, but Alice and Alex eyes were glued to their mom.

That was because this little actions of Mei has a meaning behind it, she only does this small action of hers when there’s something she wants to talk about something, something very serious. Emphasized on the ‘very’, and ‘serious’ in bold and CAPITAL.

“Alex, how was school?” Alex’s mom started the one-sided slaughter against her son.

Alex: (;)

“F-f-fine,” Alex stuttered.

“Hmm, that’s good,” Alex’s mom said. A dark, cold air seem to be emitted from that sweet smile of hers, sending chills down Alex’s spine.

“I actually have a gift for you.” Alex’s mom picked up a white box with a phone inside from her lap. She then placed it on the table and slides it to the middle of the table to Alex.

‘. . . This, is that all?’ Alex stared at his mom for a moment, waiting for the catch.

“Come on, take it Alex,” Alex’s mom beckoned. Alex cautiously stretches out his arm to accept the white box.

“Thanks Mom. . .” Alex tried to pull the phone from his mom’s hand, but she had a death grip on it. “Mom?”

“You know what a phone is use for? Before smartphone were a thing?”

“To call people and. . text?” Alex gulped.

“Yes, call F-R-I-E-N-D-S,” Alex’s mom deliberately stretched out the last word, emphasized on, each, letter.

The apple doesn’t fall from the tree, it’s easy to see where Alex’s acting skills came from. Who knows? Maybe Alice will be a talented actress, her inborn skills coming from her over-dramatic family.

“Now, Alice already has a playdate today, and it’s ONLY first day of school.” The aura emitted from Alex’s mom intensify, making the room’s temperature drop. Alex could see the faint outline of a demon smiling behind his mom, like a lion looking at its delicious prey.

Alex glared at Alice, giving a how-can-you-throw-me-under-the bus-!-Again-! look in his eyes. Alice averted her eyes and focus all her attention on her snack. Not even sparing a pity look for Alex.

“So, Alex, how was your first day of school?” Alex’s mom asked, again. Slowly saying each and every word. Alex had cold sweat running down the side of his face as he stared into the lion’s eyes. Bad idea, locking eyes with his mom, Alex froze in place as his mom sends silent threats via eyes contact.

“I-I-It. .” Alex’s mind whirled as he finds the perfect answer to appease his monstrous mom. Sheridan floats into Alex’s mind and he was suddenly reminded of his annoyingness.

‘We chat. . kinda. . . I answered his questions! Also since we are seatmates so either ways we will eventually become friends,’ Alex convinced himself, using Sheridan as an excuse he will soon regret later.

“. .was good. I meet a boy name Sheridan and I think we will be friends,” Alex bluffed to the best of his abilities. Alex prayed his hands were steady and his eyes wouldn’t betray him and tell his mom the truth.

“Sheridan, hm?” Mei said, breaking into a wide grin and giving a little giggle.

‘Does. . does she, know?’ Alex panicked.

“That’s good, that’s good. Oh! A friend! Alex don’t let him go! There’ll always be a bit feisty at first but once Sheridan is tired, all you have to give is one big pull to reel him in.”

Alex: -_-|| ‘Are you talking about a human being or a fish?’

“Okay, okay,” Mei squealed like a fan girl. “Oh, my son has a friend! It finally snowed in hell.”

Alex: . . . *speechless*

“Sorry, sorry, Alex,” Alex’s mom took a deep breath to calm herself. “You can take your phone now. Set it up quickly and get Sheridan’s number. Oh! You’ll be texting buddies and I’ll hear you laugh late at night, then I’ll scold at you for being loud at night and being up late on a school night. How exciting!”Mei jabbered on, speaking nonsense that neither Alex or Alice could understand. While she was jabbering, Mei shoved the white box into Alex’s hand and forced him to quickly set his phone.

After inserting in the sim card and registering the home number, and Alex’s mom number in Alex’s contacts app. Alex went upstairs to have some down time and read his book.

His mom ambling with him and pestering to remember to get Sheridan’s number. Alex kept repeating ‘Yes, yes, I will’ and finally shoo his mom off his back.

“Sheridan. . . sounds so familiar. Where have I heard it?” Mei mumbled to herself as she walk back downstairs.

When Alex shut his door, an question flung itself into his mind. ‘How am I going to get Sheridan’s number? Forget it, I will just read and figure it out later.’

Just like that, Alex spends the rest of the day like it was another day in summer vacation, reading in his room and only coming out to use the washroom or to eat. Alex took his time to immerse himself with the story and finish the book. Unfortunately, Sheridan wasn’t able finish reading the book’s climax and not knowing the title, Sheridan will spend sleepless nights wondering how the book ends.

During dinner, Alice kept glancing at Alex until he promised her she could download some apps and play on his phone. However, that was only one annoyance Alex took care of, the next one was on the same level of troublesome like Sheridan.

If Alex thought his mom was bad earlier today, she was ten times more worse at dinner time. Not only did she pestered him about getting Sheridan’s number. She gave ‘advice’ on how to catch a friend. Alex felt the ‘advice’ was oddly similar to tips on how to fish.

To top it off, Alex had another strange dream tonight, a dream similar to the one he had before he woke up in the hospital. An unfamiliar yet familiar longing in his heart, leaving him melancholy.