To Be a Fool

    He walked towards the back of the classroom. His fingers gently stroked the top of his desk. He pulled out the rough plastic chair and sat down, wincing at the feel of being shocked by the small metal studs.

    He heard the chatters of his fellow classmates shoving their way into the open room.

    "What did you do on your weekend?"

    "Did you see what she was wearing?"

    "I hooked up with my girlfriend all week! It was great!"

    "He was really good."

    He sat there and looked down at his work as he listened to the nonsense around him.

    "Hey!"

    He turned around. He recognized that voice.

    "Good morning Shark."

    His friend pulled up a chair and sat next to him. Shark wasn't his real name of course; it was Gary, but everyone called him Shark because he was the schools mascot.

    "How was your weekend?" asked Shark.

    He shrugged. "Alright. But I think my sister went out of her way to embarrass me again."

    Shark gave a chortle, slapping his hand on his lap. "Dude, your sister's always trying to make a fool of you, huh?"

    "Yeah, it's kinda funny because she-"

    The bell rang. He heard the students cover complaining about the irritating high pitch screech that followed after the original sound of the bell tower-like noise.

    Loud thumps vibrated down into the classroom. A tall old stick man entered the class holding his briefcase and his brown trench coat. "Good morning class," he greeted.

    "Good morning Mr. Howard," the class chanted.

    Mr. Howard was known as a libertine-free thinker. He would strangle his students with his ideas on society.

    "Now, it's time to continue with the project on difficulties in life."

    Mumbles of detest arose; however, Mr. Howard turned his attention to his attendance list, ignoring his students complain like bratty elementary children.

    "Edmund!" he called out.

    He rose his head. He heard Shark say something, but pretend not to hear him.

    "Care to present your project?" asked the teacher.

    "Yes, sir." He got up, collecting the sheets of paper on his desk and placed them neatly in his hands. He failed to see Shark's disapproving face when he walked down the aisle, carefully stepping over objects that were in his path.

    "Do you have an audio, video, or something?" asked Mr. Howard.

    Edmund shook his head. He held up his written work and gave it to the teacher. Mr. Howard finally understood what his student was going to do.

    "Alright Edmund," he sighed, "you may begin."

    Edmund thanked Mr. Howard, bowing to him slightly before turning his body around to face his classmates. He cleared his throat and had his hands beside him.

    "My name is Edmund. And I'm the only blind child in my family."