Charlie slipped into his World History Class and found a seat at the back, setting his backpack on the floor and slipping a new pencil out of the front pouch.
Good thing we have a few extras.
I can't believe I broke my other one in geometry.
His heart started pounding rapidly.
Ok, let's forget about geometry.
He was actually excited about this one. As long as he could focus on the history of China or Rome or something, not the history of the dark-haired, olive-skinned girl. Or an olive-skinned, dark-haired guy mowing the lawn outside. Or a certain blue-eyed girl with chestnut hair. Or the blonde boy in the Raiders shirt and letterman's jacket. Or the cocky boy wearing the No Fear t-shirt who should be rushing in any second.
Fortunately, there was a lot to keep his mind off of all of that, for the most part. He loved trying to figure out how things got to be the way they are now. The stories of the different nations and empires, kings and common people, fascinated him. It had always amazed and terrified him how a single battle or betrayal or act of courage could change the course of a nation. But... that served as a reminder that he tried to avoid as much as a warning.
Charlie slipped into his usual spot towards the back. Just as the bell finished ringing, Cade and Dylan raced in, each of them laughing as they jumped and slapped the top of the door frame on the way in. Cade, in one of his many usual "No Fear" t-shirts, threw himself in his seat. Dylan, in his letterman jacket, brushed by the bulletin board, picked something off, pocketed it, then sat down in a seat next to Cade, grinning mischievously. Cade just shook his head, but grinned back. Charlie scowled. He knew they had been waiting just outside the door before the bell rang. And now he had to worry about what the heck Dylan was up to.
Mr. Duncan started handing the tests, Scantrons, and blue books out to the people at the head of the rows. Charlie liked Mr. Duncan. He was the wrestling coach, but he didn't play favorites, and he actually cared about history as much as wrestling.
Cade grinned as he looked over at Dylan. "You know what I think about history, Dyl? Hakuna matata. We should put our behinds in our past."
A few kids snickered.
Dylan rolled his eyes but grinned. "Dude, you're such a dork."
"Gentlemen, please!" Mr. Duncan scolded.
Charlie scowled. But he had to admit— it was kind of funny. And there was a lot of his past that he would be happy to put behind him.
Charlie started looking through the test, relieved that he could finally take one he was prepared for. As his eyes scanned the questions, one caught his eye.
"Question 46. Was Brutus a hero or a villain?"
Charlie stared at his paper.
Crap.
He moved on, filling out facts and dates, generals and capitals. But that one question still haunted him.
Hero or villain?
Caesar was a tyrant. He had to be eliminated.
Charlie filled in some information on the Crusades.
Were they justified?
Depends on who you ask, I guess...
Brutus betrayed him.
Charlie glanced at Dylan.
Safe so far.
Caesar had it coming.
Constantinople fell on May 29, 1453, after a 53-day siege.
53 days under siege. That must have been hell.
He died a slow and painful death at the hands of his friends in a very public place.
Gutenberg invented the printing press around 1440-1450. This invention would eventually change the world.
Oh, the wonderful and terrible power of words.
Mr. Duncan stood up to help a student.
Charlie saw Dylan quickly sneak up to Mr. Duncan's chair, then return. Charlie sighed. Here he went again. Charlie quietly walked over to the desk and picked up the tack from the chair.
Charlie could see Cade watching him. Dylan let out a gasp of mock horror. "Charlie! What are you doing?"
Charlie glared at him as Mr. Duncan walked over to Charlie and held out his hand. Charlie hated how he felt guilty as he placed the tack in his palm. Mr. Duncan frowned. "Mr. Thompson, please see me after class." Then he looked over at Dylan. "You too, Mr. Lewis." Dylan groaned. Cade slugged Dylan's shoulder and chuckled. Charlie could just hear him whisper, "busted!"
Charlie glared at Cade and Dylan as he sat down. Stupid Dylan. Stupid Cade. They both had it out for him since that cross-country meet. But Cade was the worst. Of course, Cade was the one Charlie told on, but still. That meet was months ago! He seriously needed to get a life and leave him alone already.
Charlie looked at question 46 again. "Was Brutus a hero or a villain?"
Charlie wrote down the best answer he could come up with. "Both."
That question settled, Charlie continued through his test, then moaned again.
"Was Cortez a liberator or a destroyer?"
He laid his head on his desk until the bell rang.