Untitled
by Blue243@aol.com
Chapter 1
When I signed up for the yearbook club, I thought that that meant my picture would be in it a lot. Well, of course I was wrong. My name is Ricardo Lewis. No middle name for me. But I don't seem to mind it. I am 15 years old, in the high school, at Westpoint, NJ. My best friend? Nobody. But just like hearing the disappointment of having no middle name, I don't mind. Confused? Well, I am disappointed. A little by the middle name, but mostly because I have no best friend. Hey, I'm a math whiz. I take school very seriously. Of course nobody would want to be my best friend. My school is full with druggies, and more druggies. Yes, I am proud to be drug free. I see what cigarettes do to you, and it isn't a pretty sight at all. Hey, I'll tell you what. I'll trust you with one secret. I am in love with a girl at my school. No, she doesn't know it. But she is perfect. Smart, sassy, and beautiful. But that girl has eyes for another. This guy Drake Laurie. He's 16, but in my grade. The girl? Kari Richardson. Homecoming Queen in the making, Fashion Lover, A perfect ballerina and gymnast, and the best of it all? She's a straight A student. Like me, I guess you can say. One Monday morning in history class, I was doodling up my notebook with 'I love Kari,' 'Kari Lewis', 'Kari Richardson Lewis', 'KR + RL = love', etc. Hey, Nobody, not even a straight A student, can pay attention to Mr. Penton's History class. Of course, Miguel Rodrego, the biggest tattletale, saw my doodles. And I remember his words and my reactions clearly.
"So, Ricky Lewis. I knew you had to like somebody. Until this day, I was clueless of whom, but now I know. Kari Richardson. Boy, I can't wait until I tell Drake. Don't you know, Ricardo? Kari is taken!"
"No!" I begged him. "If you tell a soul, I will tell Mark Tyco to fight ya."
I knew Mark well then , because he was currently the boyfriend of my sister, Daphne.
"Mark Tyco can't beat up a flea. But I won't tell Drake. Just because I'm a kind soul."
I didn't dare remind Miguel that Mark beat him up only yesterday. I chuckled a bit when I thought about it then. Then I remember thinking. Kari will never notice me. She will never think of me. Why do I have a crush on her when I know she will never be my girlfriend?
Chapter 2
I smiled, as I volunteered to work on the yearbook. As I raised my hand, I noticed that some others that I knew also volunteered, like Drake Laurie, and Kari Richardson. I smiled as I thought how romantic it was for them to sign up together. Oh, how I wished I was with someone. Let me introduce myself first. I'm Dena Maria Katzman. 16 years old, and a junior at Westpoint High. My brother, Daniel Richard Katzman is also 16, and a junior. See, I'm a twin. And it's fun. Lots of fun. I also have some other brothers and sisters. I have two other sisters, named Lorette Katzman, who is thirteen, and Raina Alisa Katzman, who is eighteen. My oldest sibling is my brother James Michael Katzman is 20, and my youngest sibling is my brother, Nathan Thomas Katzman, who is ten. I know what you're thinking. All of those children is an awful lot. But I love them all. And every single one of them, excluding me, either has a girlfriend or a crush. Even little Nathan. And I've met his little girlfriend. Her name is Jane Lolita. What a cute couple they make! But enough about them. Let me finish up my yearbook story. Well, as I saw Kari and Drake, I also saw someone frown. In a sad, depressing way. I didn't know this guy, but I knew that he signed up for yearbook. I turned to my friend, Shelly.
"Who is that guy?" I asked.
"Which one?"
"The one that has light brown hair and glasses. And a frown."
"Oh, That's Ricardo Lewis. But we all call him Ricky."
"That's funny. I've never heard of him before!"
"Oh, Dena. Everyone's heard of Ricky Lewis. He's a straight A geek who tries to be funny. But I have to admit. His looks are wasted on such a stupid person."
"I don't think he's so bad..." I said. "But he raised his hand for yearbook. I guess I'll meet him. But if he's that bad...Maybe I should quit. I mean, Kari and Drake are going to be together, I'll have nobody to talk to."
"Go for it, Dena. It sounds like yearbook club is gonna be a total drag."
Just then, Daniel showed up.
"Hey, Dena. I saw you raised your hand for yearbook."
"Yeah, But I'm thinking of quitting."
"Why? You know mom never likes it when we quit. She made me go to dreadful Wednesday piano classes for four years."
"Nobody is going to be there. Kari and Drake are going to spend all of their time together."
"Well, Ricky Lewis signed up too. You know Ricky, right?"
"No. And I don't want to. Shelly said he's a total straight A creep."
"Look, if it's that bad, I'll join yearbook with you."
"That's okay, Danny. I know you don't want to spend after school with your sister."
"If you say so...Look. Joni is calling me. Gotta Go."
Joni was Danny's girlfriend. As I waved Danny's goodbye, I took another look at Ricardo Lewis. Sad puppy dog eyes. I felt bad for him already. Maybe yearbook was for me anyway.
Chapter 3
The yearbook club. I was in it. Not that I really wanted to be, but since my girlfriend wanted to be in it, I considered it. And I was in the yearbook club. Anything that Kari Richardson was in was great. I'm the lucky one who gets to be her boyfriend. And boy was I happy when she said she'd go to the movies with me that first time. Oh, the memories. As priceless as an original painting, yet more cherished than a child's first toy.
As I brushed my slick hair back, I thought about Kari Richardson. My name is Drake Laurie. I was named after my dad. But I'd hate to be Drake Laurie Junior, as much as he'd hate being Drake Laurie Senior. So he's known as Big Drake. Of course I call him dad, and my mom calls him hon. My sister Amelia calls him a liar (She ran away from home when she was fourteen, and she currently lives with my aunt, now that she's 18) My sister Beth doesn't call him anything. You see, Beth is dead. Died when I was only nine. Why? Drugs. My sister Crystelle calls him "That Guy". Crystelle drinks to annoy my dad. Sometimes, she doesn't come home, when she goes out. She, like Amelia, stays with my aunt every once in awhile. So why do I have three sisters, one missing, one dead and one scared? My dad used to drink. My dad used to yell a lot. But nowadays we know how to calm him down. But when people ask me how many sisters I have, I just say one. Crystelle. Amelia can't be my sister, since we don't know each other anymore. Because of my dad, I only have one sister. Back to Kari. I spend a lot of time with her, mostly to get away from home. What a beauty she is. I met her one day in the mall, with two friends, Dena Katzman and Missy Valentino. Dena is really nice. Missy is the best. Best friend, I mean. That means I see Missy lots of times. Since Kari likes Missy, I need to like Missy. Missy comes from a broken up family like mine. And not many families are like mine. She had a sister, the age of Beth, named Dana Michelle. In fact, she was Beth's best friend. The two always hung out together. Both were into drugs. When Beth died, I heard from Kari that Dana Michelle started drinking and smoking even more. And, like that, she died. Missy also has an abusive parent, but it's her mom. When we both found out we had alike problems, we had several appointments with the counselor. Many times we were called out of class. We were put into a group who had similar problems. Many people think that I don't have problems, since I am very popular. But even the popular need someone to talk to..... Even the popular need someone to talk to.
Chapter 4
Oh, I'm so happy to be me. Kari Richardson. Kari Louisa Richardson. And how everyone loves me. My boyfriend, Drake Laurie, especially. Oh, how I remember when Drake asked me out to the movies. As our hands brushed when we reached for popcorn, when we kissed goodnight. People thought I liked nobody before Drake asked me out. I sort of did. There's this boy that sat next to me in history class. Got great grades. Was a little handsome. But not as handsome as Drake.
Sure, being the most popular girl sure has its rewards. My picture all over the yearbook, People staring at me with lovely eyes, and having somewhere to go on Friday nights. But, I feel bad for the less fortunate. Like my pal Dena. She is single, single, single! And my friend Missy? I thought she liked Devon Bungalow, but she denies it. (But she can't hide that blushing!)
If I sound like a total snob, I'm not. I just love life. Especially if I am the star of life. There is so much for me to do...Shop with Dena, Ballet classes, Gymnastics classes, Drake, Missy, yearbook,.......Oh yes. Yearbook. Drake and I just signed up for it. Just imagine if we get chosen for the school's best couple! I was part of best couple last year. Me and Drake...Drake and me....Of course, in junior high Devon Bungalow and I were best couple. And Missy and I were best friends....and.....Stop me if I become a blabber mouth. All the girls want to be like me. I wear a dress, they go searching for the dress, and seven of them wear it the next day.
You probably just realized I said I went out with Devon Bungalow. And Missy likes Devon Bungalow. Well yes. I used to like Devon all through Junior High. And we went out in eighth grade. And broke up two months later. Then, I liked that weird kid, and finally, Drake. Devon and I are great friends now. But I personally think that Dena and Devon would be great together. Don't you think?
Chapter 5
I looked around Mr. Poole's room (Mr. Poole helps put the yearbook together) and saw a new face. A pretty girl, with light, reddish brown hair, and a braces filled smile. Then, I saw Kari, (my love) and Drake. Hand-In-Hand. Then, I saw Mr. Poole, with his dog, Buster, the yorkshire terrier. Unlike some schools, pets are allowed, as well as gum, candy, and backpacks. Here in Westpoint, nobody, not a single kid, would bring in a gun or a weapon. It's sort of like elementary school. If you brought in a weapon, you would number one, be the most horrible kid around, and two, end up being a murderer when he/she grows up. Same here. But there are druggies. Don't ask.
Back on the subject. Yearbook. As Mr. Poole started to talk, I started to konk out, in a dreamy sleep. (Good thing I don't snore.) I was only resting, when I heard Mr. Poole shout out.
"Mr. Lewis, I'm not that boring, am I?"
As he said that, I nodded no, and looked at the other girl. I saw she was frowning at me. Great. One little action and I make another enemy.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Poole. I just had a rough day at school."
"I'll pity you, Ricky, but don't do that again. I know how hard school can be on a little teen. But thanks to you, Ricardo, we lost three minutes in which we could have been discussing the layout of the yearbook."
"I'm sorry," I said again, but Mr. Poole was in heavy conversation about pictures, or something like that. I looked back at the girl, but she was looking at Mr. Poole.
"We will have collages of pictures of each grade. Then, we'll have their pictures, bigger and better than last year. Of course, Our graduating class will have their pictures in color, like every year, but that's how we're going to do your pictures when you graduate, also."
"Why are only us working on the yearbook, and not the graduating class?" said the girl.
"Well, Dena, just like your mother or father, or guardian said that you couldn't bake your own birthday cake, the seniors can't help with their yearbook. Of course back in junior high they could, but this new system is, I believe, better."
Dena. The girls name was Dena. What a nice name that Is. Wait, Ricky, why are you even thinking of her, when you love Kari? Because, I answered. Kari and me...It's not going to happen. Mr. Poole continued talking.
"We're going to interview teachers. This way, everyone will get to know the teachers a little bit more. I've already written out information about me. Kari, you will interview the principal, vice principals, and guidance counselors. Drake, you will cover all of the science and history teachers, along with the lunch ladies.Dena, you will get the language teachers, including the english teachers, and all special area teachers, and Ricky, you will get the rest of them. Since you dosed off in my class, you won't get detention, but extra work.
Great. My luck.
Chapter 6
When Mr. Poole told me I had to interview the language teachers and special area teachers, I sighed with hate. I had to interview Mr. Brooks. Mr. Brooks was an English teacher. He was really mean, and I heard that he sent my friend Shelly to the principal when she sneezed in class. Who else was on my list? Miss Simmons, the Spanish teacher, Mrs. Ranchrada, the Spanish teacher, Mr. Jaquet, the French teacher, Ms. Salut, the French teacher, Mr. Sands, the Latin teacher, and Miss Mimi, the sign language instructor. I also had to interview three other English teachers, Mr. Mark, Mrs. Harroway, and Ms. Towski. Special area meant Miss Bangles (sewing and cooking,) Mr. Petti (Wood and Metal Shop) Ms. Loretta and Miss Rock, (Chorus) Mr. Vanderlog (Art) and finally, Mrs. Calandrello (Band and other music). Not so bad. It was Mr. Brooks who I was really worried about. He used to tell my class about how he got stuck in some vines in an African jungle. Or some jungle. The lesson of that story was to watch where you're going. But it was sort of useless when the point took fifteen minutes to get to. He used to call me Deanna, or YOU. (He occasionally forgot my name.) I didn't bother to correct him. Secretly, Kari and I call him Mr. Vines (After the Vine tangling in the jungle story.) Well, might as well get over it. As I knocked on Mr. Vines door, I heard a loud scream. From Mr. Vines himself.
"Oh, hello, missy. Why are you here when school is over? You are supposed to be working on your homework. At home. Go away."
Mr. Brooks tries to be funny often, but never reaches even gigglish funny. Poor man.
"Hello, Mr. Brooks. I'm Dena Katzman, remember? I need to interview you for the yearbook club."
"Oh, yes, hello, Deanna. I am Mr. Brooks. I am not in yearbook club. I don't need to interview you. But you need to interview me? Shoot."
"Okay....Yes. Tell me about your favorite class."
"Fifth period. That's the class with Michael Lee. Aww, Michael Lee. What a great student."
Mr. Brooks favored Michael, because he was the only one to crack a smile at his horrible jokes.
"Yes. Okay. What is your favorite color, and why."
"Jungle green. All I could see in Africa. Jungle green and brown trees. Vines everywhere. I got tangled in those vines once. I couldn'r get out. I needed to Watch where I was going...I needed..."
"I know, I know," I said. "You needed to watch where you were going, because a big lion, or tiger, or whatever was behind you, and you could have died, and so on and so on..."
"It was a bird, Deanna. A big, bird. Still doing research on the fellow. Could be the secret ingredient to that Hubub medication."
"Yes. Next. Who do you love the most?"
"My wife, Leslie and daughter, Carol. My wife is no longer with us. In Africa, she got a harmful bite on her head. The harmful reptile circled her arm, but bit her head. The medicine is still unknown to man kind."
"I'm sorry, sir."
"Back to the subjects. My favorite music? Beethoven. My favorite musical instrument? The cello. My favorite teacher? Miss Bangles. My favorite afterschool activity? Chorus. My favorite hobby? Being an inventor. My favorite broadway play? A Chorus Line. anything else?"
"Yes. What did you mean by being an inventor."
"Nothing for a little girl's concern."
"Okay...And what do you mean by Miss Bangles being your favorite teacher?" Miss Bangles was a pretty, single, pretty single, Cooking and Sewing teacher.
"Um...." he couldn't cover it up. His love for one Melinda Bangles. He stuttered, and continued again. "I like to cook food. And I like to watch my daughter, Nayla, sew. Especially when she knits."
"I'll put that in your interview," I said. "I better be going now, Mr. Vi....Mr. Brooks."
As I skidded down the hall, Mr. Brooks put his head in his hand and sighed.
Chapter 7
It was Dena who I felt bad for. She had to interview scary Mr. Brooks. I liked interviewing, and I did it all in three days. As I saw Dena, she cried out loud.
"He was so scary! And he kept on talking about this Hubub medication."
"Hubub?" That was an expression my sister, Crystelle, used a lot.
As I saw Kari down the hall, she sparkled as usual. We gave each other a quick kiss and hug, and she told me what Missy said.
"Missy said that crazy old Mr. Brooks is trying to invent a medication."
"How did she know?" Dena asked.
"She overheard you interviewing him. Missy has the ability to understand conversation!"
I thought Kari was being a little mean.
"Kari, remember. It is Mr. Brooks we're talking about. You know, Crazy ol' Mr. Vines?"
"I am a straight A student, Drake," she answered coldly. I wondered what was down with her.
"Kari, what's wrong?" I answered, scared of her reply.
"Nothing, Drake," she said. I knew that meant trouble.
The next day, Kari did the same thing.
"Drake, can you get out of my way?" "Drake, what's your problem?" "Duh, Drake. Even Homer Simpson would have known that answer." "Drake, cut it out." "Drake, I'm sitting by Shanon Milkovich today. No hard feelings." "Drake, I am popular. I have friends." Something was wrong, and I couldn't take it anymore. Kari wasn't herself. In fact, she didn't spend much time with Missy, Dena, or me. She was always with this new girl, Shanon Milkovich.
The next day, Dena looked around for Kari. We always ate lunch together. Me, Kari, Dena, Missy, Shelly, Nikos Jackson, and now, Ricky Lewis. When she saw Kari sitting with too-much-glamour girl Shanon Milkovich, she sighed, and went up to her.
"Kari, aren't you going to sit with us?"
"Why would I sit with you?"
"Because you always have."
"I'm not sitting at the loser table again."
"I've had it with you, Kari Richardson! You think you are so popular, when you are only as popular as us!" She pointed at our table.
"How dare you!" Kari screamed as she slapped Dena in the face.
Nikos and I came to Dena's rescue. How dare Kari did that. Especially to her friend who did nothing wrong. Of course, Dena did say Ricky Lewis was just as popular as Kari, but that didn't deserve a slap in the face.
"Kari!" I cried. "How could you?"
Kari held her nose up in the air, and walked away with Shanon.
The next day was different. She hugged me often, and talked to me more frequently. Still, I had to do what was right.
"Kari," I said.
"Yes, Drake?"
"Why were you like that yesterday?"
"Mr. Miller gave me detention."
"That's no reason to hit your friend."
"Dena was being a jerk. Imagine me being as popular as Ricardo Lewis! That's a riot! And plus, Dena is out of the picture. Same for Missy. Shanon and I are real best friends. And you are my boyfriend. What a better picture that makes."
"Kari, we have to get along for the yearbook club."
"Oh, Drake. I know. It's not you that I'm mad at."
"Kari, I have to break up with you."
"What?!" she cried out in alert. "No, No, No, No! You see, Drake?"
"I see," I said. "Unlike some people, I know how to understand people and conversations."
Chapter 8
When my hand swung out to slap Dena in the face, I heard two things. Both Nikos and Drake saying "Kari, no!" and Shanon and her friend Patty Q. saying "Yay, Kari! Go for it, Kari!" But I can't believe I did what I did. But you have to admit. Dena was wrong.
Our yearbook club gang was falling apart. Dena and Drake were sticking together, with Ricky, since nobody wanted to deal with me. Ricky, the moron, was working on this mystery case containing Mr. Brooks, (With Dena and Drake helping him a bit) and me. Poor, poor me. Ever since I started hanging with Shanon and Patty Q, My grades in Spanish and English dropped from an A to a C. Mrs. Ranchrada said she was surprised in me. And I was, too. Ms. Towsky said that If I kept on dropping my grades, She will phone my parents!
Then, the awful surprise. Drake dumping me. I wonder why. But for me, that is all over. I am now with Devon Bungalow. I really don't like Devon, but Shanon said that I had to be with somebody. I guess she's right. But I miss Drake. And I miss Missy and Dena as my friends. But they are nowhere near as popular as Shanon and Patty Q.
"Don't worry about them.." Shanon said one day. "They're probably K B Toy Stores best customers. And that Dena looks like she hasn't ever tried a whip of mascara."
"But what about Drake?" I said.
"Don't worry about Drake. Drake Laurie likes to Dance. You like Gymnastics. Drake likes Mysteries. You don't. But Devon Bungalow...He's more up your alley. I hear Devon likes fashion, and wants a fashion queen as a girlfriend. Let Drake be with Dena."
"Let what?" I stammered
"Let Drake be with Dena. I hear they're a couple now."
"Drake Laurie and Dena Katzman? A couple? Be serious!"
"Shanon is serious!" Patty Q piped in. "I hear that Drake was in love with Dena all along. I heard that Ricardo Lewis paid Drake fifty dollars to break up with you. But you see, I hear that Drake didn't take the money. I think that he wanted to go out with Dena all along."
"Dena over me? Oh Patty Q., Patty Q., Patty Q., Patty Q. That is a lie."
I loved saying Patty Q. It was such a nice name. The Q stands for something in Spanish. And it isn't her middle name, so she can't say just 'Patty'. I believe that her middle name is Quitalia, but I dare not ask.
Shanon replied with Patty Q.'s answer "Seriously, Kari. You're missing the latest gossip. The truth is Drake has a serious, major crush on Dena Katzman, and before you know it they will be the school's hottest couple!"
Chapter 9
Did you hear the news? Kari broke up with Drake. I'm so happy! Well, the mystery is getting underway. Kari probably has no idea what it's about, so I'll tell you. We're wondering if Mr. Brooks killed his wife. And If he is a famous scientist. I know it sounds funny, but it's the dead truth. I just need to get the right time to interview him...
As I knocked on his classroom door, I hear a scream, like Dena said she heard. Pretty soon, Mr. Brian Brooks appeared.
"Ah, hello, Ricardo. What brings you down to my wing?"
"Dena's interview got all messed up, and we have to do another one for you, Mr. Brooks, Sir," I lied.
"Call me Brian, young lad."
"Y..Yes. Number one, Dena remembered your time in that jungle, or whatever. I hope you don't mind me asking, Mister...I mean Brian, but how did your wife die?"
"Yes. My wife, Carol Brooks. We, meaning me, Carol, and my daughter, Leslie went through that jungle. My wife got a bad bite on her arm. That reptile circled her head at first, but bit her arm. That medication is still unknown."
"Yes....I said. Next, I hope you don't mind me asking, but how did you try to treat her wound?"
"This is all a little too personal for the yearbook, Ricardo, but for you...anything. See, I went looking for the medication, or things I could use to heal it. When I went looking, and got trapped in vines. Vines that seemed stronger than Hulk Hogan, himself. But I got through. Almost got hurt by a bird, though. A bad bird. I thought that at first, the bird may be what's needed for the medication. I didn't tell Deanna this, Ricardo, but it's important. I grabbed the bird's beak, strangled the bird, and cooked the bird meat for dinner that night. The bird's beak was very fragile. I put her arm in it, as a cast. It was very gruesome, but for my wife, anything. I would have even sucked out the poison. That probably would have saved her life."
"Do you regret it?"
"No. Carol was suffering. Snake bit her, she lost a lot of blood. I can't talk about it anymore, Ricardo. Thank you for this interview."
"You're welcome, Brian," I said.
"Ricardo, you NEVER call a teacher by his or her first name! I'm going to have to give you a detention."
"But Mr. Brooks, you told me to call you.."
"No But Mr. Brooks, mister. See you after school."
"Umm...Mr. Brooks? It's after school now."
"That's right. To the detention office you go!"
I told you Mr. Brooks was mean. A nasty, mean man. But there was something about detention I was happy for.
"Kari!" I called to her. "Kari Richardson. You're here for slapping Dena Katzman, aren't you."
"Don't mention it, okay, Lewis? Why are you here, anyway?"
"I just got in trouble with Mr. Brooks, for calling him by his first name, when he asked me to."
"What a nut case. Don't talk to me, okay? I'm really upset. Drake dumped me for Dena."
"They're going out?" I asked. "I just saw Dena last period, and she didn't say anything of such."
"Really?" Kari said. "That's Great! Drake must not have said anything yet. Maybe he's having second thoughts! Oh, Ricky, I could kiss you!"
Boy, I wish she had.
"Kari," I said. "Can I tell you something? And you wouldn't turn down on me?"
"Sure, Lewis!" she said. "What's on your mind?"
"Kari... " I said, nervous now. "I...I...I really...I really..I like you. A lot. Will you go out with me?"
Kari looked shocked, like she just saw a spirit, or something. She thought in her head, a lot. Then, she looked at me. I turned my head down. It wasn't so. It just wasn't so.
"Let me think about it, Ricky," she said. "Let me think about it."
Chapter 10
After I felt the pang of Kari's slap, I looked at Drake. He looked mad. Very mad. Hopefully at Kari. Wait...Why did I even care? Then, I faced Nikos. He looked like he wanted to come to my rescue. Oh, Nikos. What a nice guy. Then, After I felt the pain, I looked at Shanon and Patty Q. They had smiles on their faces. The jerks.
Then, I looked hurtful at Kari, the girl I thought was my friend. She looked hurtful, and sorry for a millisecond, and then, she turned her nose up, like a typical snob, and walked away from us all, and gained friendship, best friendship, with Shanon and Patty Q. Then I remember Drake, Nikos, and Shelly running up to me, seeing if I was okay. Those were the friends I cherished.
Later on, Drake and I walked to classes together. I thought of him as a best buddy. When he called to check up on me, and keep me company, I thought of him as something more. A boyfriend, maybe. Mostly now, just a crush. Later on, he broke up with Kari. Was it because of me? I didn't care as much, anymore. I was working on the case of Mr. Brian Brooks. We got Ricky to get another interview with Mr. Brooks to compare notes. Later that day, Ricky was thrown in detention. When he came out, I heard that he asked Kari out.
What a busy week. But we got some real news on Mr. Brooks, if that is his real name. For one, we compared notes, and found out that when I interviewed him, his wife was named Leslie, and his daughter was named Carol. But when Ricky interviewed him. His wife was Carol, and his daughter was named Leslie. Of course, that could have been a simple slip of the tongue, as they call it, but when he told Ricky that the snake bit his wife's arm, and he told me the head, something sure was fishy. Drake said he's going for more research. Maybe he'll ask me to research with him. How romantic.
Anyway, Ricky, who is the leader of this mystery, said that he probably killed his wife, since he even said he didn't grieve much for her, or regret saving her. But then he said he loved her. Well, we did know something for a fact. Mr. Brooks was a psycho. Seriously. But he had to be that way for a reason. One thing was for sure. We yearbook members were going to do something about the case of Mr. Brooks. Maybe Kari won't, but Drake, Ricky, and I will.
Suddenly, I felt like a real detective, and that night, I dreamed about Drake and I solving this mystery together. Of course, I knew it was false. Ricky was helping out of most of us. In the morning, I got ready for school and got a phone call.
"Hello, Is Dena there?" a voice said.
"This is she," I said like my mom taught me when I was five.
"Hello, Dena, this is Ricky. Can you come to school early? I think I might have some results. Drake and I are definitely going. I asked Kari to come, but she probably won't."
"Oh, Ricky," I said. "Did she turn you down?"
"No," he said. "Well, maybe. I don't know yet. But I have some shocking news for you guys. Can you come in ten minutes?"
"I'll do even better. I'll come in five," I said, giggling. "Do you know if he's a murderer yet?"
"This is some pretty darn good news!" he said.
"I can't wait, Ricky," I said, acting uninterested on purpose.
"I hope you're kidding me, Dena. This news is real important. Come soon."
"Yeah, I'm only kidding," I said. "See you there, Ricky!"
As I walked on the school grounds seven minutes later, Ricky was there, with Kari. Both were smiling.
"This is some good news, Dena," Kari said, taking a chance, talking to me.
"Ricky, let me see!" I said, taking a news clipping. In front was a picture of Mr. Brooks. " 'Mr. Rondo Allen was in court today, pleading innocent of the murder of his wife, Fiona Allen. His three daughters, Bianca, Allegra, and Lorenza say he's guilty of the crime. Continued on page 4, INNOCENT?' "
"Oh my god!" I cried, staring at the article one more time. It was Mr. Brooks, or Mr. Allen. Mr. Rondo Allen. What odd names for his family and himself! But I did like the name Allegra. Then, I flipped to page 4. There were more pictures, of himself, his wife, and daughters. I looked at Allegra, and noticed she did resemble Fiona Allen. As I looked around, I saw Drake come up to us.
"Missing up on the news, Dena?" he asked me.
"Nope. You gotta check this out, Drake. It looks like Mr. Brian Brooks isn't Mr. Brian Brooks anyway."
"My god! Rondo Allen? Dena, where did you get this?"
"Ricky got it," I said, looking at Ricky. "Ricky, is there more?"
"I only looked at this," I said. "It looks like Mr. Brooks reformed himself by getting both a moustache, and a scar. But for the rest, it looks exactly like him."
Mr. Brooks must still be a suspect. But is he a murderer, too?
Chapter 11
As the yearbook crew, including Kari, looked at the article, I asked a question, but I asked if Dena and I could discuss something first.
"What is it, Drake?" she asked with twinkling eyes.
"Will you go out with me, be my girlfriend?" I asked, with a loving smile.
She smiled too. "But then, Kari would hate me even more," she said, ducking down, still with a grin.
"I don't care about Kari!" I cried. "I care about you. Can't you see that?"
"Don't be getting mad at me, Drake," she said. "I mean, nothing like this has ever happened to me before. Not ever. Don't blame me for getting a little nervous."
"I'm not," I said, looking upset. "But...I like you, Dena."
"Aww, nobody's ever said that before!" she said, grinning, looking at me like a little kid.
"There's a first time for everything," I said. "But answer my question. Will you go out with me?" I felt like I had puppy dog eyes.
"Yes," she said. "I will go out with you. I will go out with you, I will go out with you."
She said those last words silently to herself. "Have you every met Danny?" she said to me, still with that radiant grin.
"Your brother? Yes, I have. He's a lot like you. Nice, sweet, and caring."
I saw a look in Dena's eyes that I haven't seen before. I was in love. But something quickly snapped me out of my cozy little dream world, and that was the school bell. I saw that Ricky and Kari already left us.
"Dena, we're going to be late!" I called to her, but she was dazed. Dena was a dreamer. I lead her into the school, and suddenly, she woke up from the daze, and called to me. "I'll see you at lunch, Drake!" What a happy moment.
At lunch, Kari still didn't join us. Maybe she had to break it off with Shanon and everybody. To my surprise, she moved from the old table, right next to Ricky and Missy.
"Sorry I was so mean to you guys," she said, grinning at Missy. Then, she glared at Dena and me. Obviously, she heard the news. But her glare turned back into a smile. "Still Friends?" she spoke out. Dena gave her usual smile and said, "Always and Forever."
After school, we had a yearbook meeting. The yearbook was almost all ready to be printed up. We just had to perfect the interview with Mr. Brooks.
"I heard some rumors going around that Mr. Brooks was a bank robber, a jewel thief, a nudist, and a famous ice skater, and I believe those rumors came from Mr. Brook's interviewer, Dena Katzman. Dena, did you spread those rumors?"
"No sir, Mr. Poole." Dena said. "But I believe I should tell you. Mr. Brooks isn't really a teacher."
I heard Ricky and Kari moan. Now Dena had to tell the truth.
"See, Mr. Poole. We interviewed Mr. Brooks two times. I did once, and Ricky did. We got two different stories. So, Ricky did some research, and we found out that Mr. Brooks...Mr. Brooks is really a...a murderer."
"What a bunch a rumors!" Mr. Poole said, using improper English. But we let him continue.
"Mr. Brooks? A murderer? What a riot!"
"But Mr. Poole!" Ricky said, sticking up for me. "We have proof!" And with that, he showed him the proof. Mr. Poole skimmed it.
"This is all a bunch of rubbish!" he said. "What newspaper did this come from? Weekly World News? The Star? Let me show Mr. Brooks, and we can get this settled once and for all."
Dena squeezed my hand. As we walked down to the other wing, where Mr. Brooks was, we all looked at each other. This could be the final truth.
"Hello, Brian!" Mr. Poole said to Brian Brooks. Brian waved.
"We need to get something settled," he said. "These kids here, you may recognize them."
"Yes," Mr. Brooks interrupted. "Deanna, Ricardo, Kerri, and Drake."
"Well, No." Mr. Poole said. "This is Dena, Ricky, Kari, and Drake."
"Very Well."
"Yes. And anyway, back on the subject, Ricky has an article, he'd like to get cleared up on."
"Yes," Ricky said. "This. This Mr. Rondo Allen. And it looks a lot like you, Mr. Brooks. Please explain. Is that you, or isn't that you?"
Mr. Brooks looked at the article for a long period of time. Rereading it, and rereading it, and rereading it.
"Yes, it is," Mr. Brooks said, in a low, timid voice. He was choking up, and about to cry.
"I guess you kids are smarter than I thought. And thanks to you, I don't have a job. Three dead daughters, one dead wife, and no job. Yes, I DID kill my wife."
Mr. Poole was shocked. "Mr. Brooks, stop kidding us."
"I'm NOT kidding!" Mr. Brooks yelled at us. "You snooping kids have nothing better to do, do you. You have to go around and ruin one's life!"
"Why," I heard Dena say.
"What do you mean 'Why'? Why did I kill my wife? She was dying. Even though she didn't want to say it or even think it, she was dying. I made the whole thing up to get my daughters to believe me. And another reason I killed her was that she hated me. She hated me as much as my daughters did. Only one really liked me, and that was Allegra. Allegra Allen. I felt ashamed to be the other's father. After I killed my wife, and my daughters, all three of them, said I was guilty of the murder, I was sent to court. They were taunting me. Allegra didn't but I know she thought I was a murderer. I was so upset that one night I went to their own houses and killed them. All three. Allegra only because she reminded me so much of my wife, Fiona. The next day, when all three were found dead, they knew I was guilty of all three murders. I was sent to jail, and there, I only escaped. Then, I reformed myself into a new man, Brian Brooks. Hoping to forget my past, I took up teaching. I did have a teaching degree. But those haunting memories still haunt me! And I am still wanted by the police. And you horrible children have found me. I guess this high school does have intelligence. Go take up being detectives or something. You sure do a good job of it."
"I'm sorry to say," Mr. Poole said "But Brian...or Rondo, we'll have to turn you into the police.
Chapter 12
When we said goodbye to Mr. Brooks in the police station, Dena started to cry. I didn't blame her.
"What's wrong?" Ricky said to us. "A guilty man is where he belongs."
"But we ruined his life!" Dena said. "I know that they are going to send him to the electric chair. After four murders, I wouldn't blame them. But to think that I helped put him there."
"I'm sad, too," I said. "Now, everyone will be wondering about Mr. Brooks. If we didn't stick our noses in this case, he would still be here."
"But Kari and Dena," Drake said. "He killed four people. His family. He could have endangered our lives. He is where he belongs."
"I guess you're right," I sniffled. Then, I turned to Dena. "Dena," I said. "You finish this story. I hate putting the close to things."
Chapter 13
And so I, Dena Katzman, am finishing up this story. But unlike Kari would have done, I'm ending this story in a happy note. Drake and I are still together. And Kari and Ricky are a couple. Kari didn't want to mention it, but she had a small crush on Ricky back in the day. So it was us. Two couples. Four friends. And that's how it was when our dance came up. I wonder how long Drake and I will be together. And Kari and Ricky. And I wonder how long we'll be friends. Hopefully forever. I mean, I'm friends with Shelly, and Missy, and Nikos, and everyone, and of course, Kari is still friendly with Shanon and Patty Q. But I think there's a web of friendship, and us four are closest in that web. At least, that's what I hope. And of course, the yearbook came out. Who's the best couple? It was a tie between us four. And for best friends? The same. Mr. Brooks never had an interview. He never had a picture. But I know that nobody would ever forget him. Ricky told me that he ended up having no friends, to four best friends. I didn't know a school club could do that at first. Looking back at the beginning of the school year, I was different. But I like my new self a little better. I am still a Tigger-loving shopping freak, but I have some real friends. And I hope that forever and ever, I will keep those friends. Maybe we will drift apart. You never know. That, my friend, is called the game of life.
