My favorite character Henry appears again. His childhood self is so cute.  :kya: 

For this chapter you really need to read carefully since I'm going to use something briefly mentioned here for a later chapter.

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An eleven year old boy smiled returning to his desk after finishing what he needed to do. Seeing him approaching, the kids in his class quickly came over making his originally solitary desk the most lively place in the class. 

The kids gathered excitedly around him, barraging him with questions like “Where were you?”, “What’cha doing now?”, “Do you know where the teacher went?”, “Want to play with us?”, and many other questions. 

Revealing a perfect smile Lucas replies “I was in the bathroom. James was with me. He can tell you”. “Yeah” the innocent child named James replied. “I was with him the entire time”. 

Standing in a corner away from the crowd a child scoffs “So you can’t go to the bathroom without going together? What are you, girls?”. 

“Stop being mean Henry” a girl said. “Yeah, you’re just jealous that Lucas is popular; that’s all” another boy interjected as the whole class soon began joining in to add their own sentiments after him. 

To the class’ combined attack, Henry only displayed a bored expression, leaving a line. “It’s pitiful that you don’t know you’re being tricked” he exclaimed, before leaving the crowd. 

Lucas froze before thinking ‘It’s fine I know my preparations are perfect. It’ll be fine’ he thought regaining his smiling face. 

His classmates turned to him providing encouraging lines like “Henry’s only a jerk; don’t mind him”, “We’re on your side”, and “We believe you; Lucas, you wouldn’t lie”. 

Showing a touched expression, Lucas said “Thanks, you guys really are the best!” before thinking, ‘fools, you are so easily deceived; how truly fitting of a class of idiots.’ The class soon regained it’s rowdy atmosphere as the room filled with chatter and jokes. That is, until the teacher came in. 

With a solemn face, the teacher stood in front of the class and demanded “Everyone get back to their seats! I have been informed that our  funds for the trip to the Falmonia Zoo have mysteriously vanished. A teacher that was walking through the hallways at that time claimed he saw a child running around the corner of the hallway and the teacher’s office door left open. 

That child was the only person in the hall and the only class in this corridor is yours. If you confess immediately, you will not be punished. Otherwise, we will  search through your bags for the $170 worth of funds.”

The class  soon transformed into a panic zone as everyone was talking and asking each other who could have done it. 

When the teacher saw that no one was going to admit to the crime, she said “I guess I have no choice but to look through everyone’s bags and desks”. Striding around, the teacher quickly investigated everyone’s desks and backpacks before finally removing a yellow envelope from Henry’s bag. 

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

With a stern voice, she said “Henry Adams, why do you have this envelope in your possession. Answer me. Now did you steal it!?!” The taciturn boy finally showed a panicked expression “I-I didn’t do it! I wouldn’t do it. Please believe me.” The teacher only gave a disappointed expression before saying “I’ll be reporting this to the principal and calling your parents. I’m really disappointed in you, Henry.”

With tears in his eyes, the boy looked at his feet and whimpered “But I really didn’t do it. Why won’t anyone believe me?” 

Sitting nearby, Lucas felt a pang of guilt in his heart. Standing up, he said “Teacher, I don’t think Henry did it. After all, many people were in the rooms around the hall. James and I were even in the bathroom ourselves. The teacher could have seeing things. Besides, Henry wouldn’t do something like that. He must have been framed.” 

Hearing their class idol speaking out, the rest of the class joined in saying things like “Yeah, Lucas is right!”, “We should look for more clues!”, “I believe Henry is innocent!”, “Teacher, please don’t punish Henry”. After standing still for a long time, the teacher finally sighed.  “I will discuss this with the principal. Since the money’s been returned, Henry won’t be punished.” the class burst into cheers.

 “Settle down everyone” the teacher said. “Work quietly until I come back otherwise you’ll all be punished.” Then he exited the room. Slowly, Henry rose from his seat and walked toward Lucas. “I must thank you for helping me; so thanks, Lucas. Thanks for helping me after all. I’ll definitely repay you for this debt.”

Returning home, Lucas took out his keys and opened the door. Like always, there’s no one home. After climbing up the stairs, Lucas entered his room and fell back on his bed. He thought about the effort he put into his plan. 

He had called James knowing he’s too naive to doubt anyone successfully creating an alibi for his plan. Then, after locking the bathroom stall, he slipped under the stalls to a stall two stalls away. Checking that James wasn’t paying attention, Lucas quickly ran out of the stall and stole the money, dashing back into the classroom after closing the office door. 

After placing the money into Henry’s bag without being noticed, Lucas dashed back to the office and opened the door, purposefully waiting near the corner. When he saw a teacher, he quickly ran past the corner. 

After waiting for the teacher to enter the office, Lucas ran back into the restroom, sneaked into a stall, and slipped back into his original position forging a perfect alibi. Then, all he had to do was open the door and return with James to the classroom. 

All this effort to finally beat his rival, but a moment of softness caused him to instead help his rival. “Pathetic” he told himself. “Next time I need to be … better” he said as he slowly drifted into sleep.

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This chapter may have been hard to understand so you really need to read about Lucas' actions carefully. 

Well ... enjoy.  :bye: