Changing Faces

“The New Kid at School”

“Hello. My name is Emo Tastic.”

That was how he introduced himself to the class. Most people were laughing but I was staring at his dark hair, black jeans, and an “As I Lay Dying” t-shirt. Why wasn’t I laughing? Because the new kid looked so serious as he said it.

Mr. Hemmings frowned, telling the class to quiet down. He turned to his new student and pointed to the empty seat near me.

“Take a seat, Mr. Argon,” he said.

“Mr. Argon” smiled and made his way towards the seat. He turned a row early and sat a seat forward – right next to me.

“The next seat back, Mr. Argon,” Mr. Hemmings barked.

“You said to ‘take a seat’, Teach – You didn’t say which one,” he said saucily, making my classmates laugh,

“Mr. Argon sit where I told you to.”

“You didn’t tell me to sit anywhere,” the new kid pointed out. “Besides, what’s the harm? Is this seat already taken?”

Mr. Hemmings refused to answer and simply continued standing, tapping his foot.

The new kid turned to me. “Does anyone sit here?”

“Not until now,” I replied, trying to come off as calm and collected.

He flashed a brilliant smile and looked back at Mr. Hemmings. “I’ll take this one, please.”

“Mr. Argon,” Mr. Hemmings began.

“Its okay,” I interrupted. “He can sit next to me. I can help him catch up.”

“Exactly!” the new kid exclaimed. “That’s it exactly! I need help to catch up in your magnificent class.”

Mr. Hemmings didn’t seem convinced, but I tried to help again. “Its fine with me, Mr. Hemmings. He won’t be a bother.”

Sighing angrily, Mr. Hemmings grudgingly agreed and the class clapped wildly, never before having seen a student take on Mr. Hemmings and win. The new kid settled into his seat, giving me a smile as he began to look through his backpack. He pulled out a piece of paper and a pencil, scribbling something down before folding it and passing it to me.

His first day and he was passing notes already. Me. Hemmings was not going to like this guy. With this thought, I read his note and started to get to know him.

(This is the note)

New Kid: Who says I wont be a bother?

Me: I do. And I better be right.

Oh yeah? Says who?

Are you asking me for my name?

Are you going to tell me?

Maybe. Tell me yours first.

I already did. Weren’t you listening?

That’s not your name.

I don’t like my name.

Why not?

It’s really plain. Tell me yours

Fine, but you have to tell me your real name. I’m not going to call you ‘Emo’.

Okay.

My name is Lukas.

Yours beats mine! See, if I tell people I’m emo, then they’ll expect me to have some awesome and dark name like yours, not my plain one.

I don’t think my name is ‘dark’…

It is! Like the lord Lucifer, you know?

My mom cried when someone said that to her…

Oh. Well, I won’t say that to her.

You said you’d tell me your name.

Jammmmhhhheeeeessssssssss.

What? You wrote it too small! What’s it say? Its so long!

James. Its sooooooooooo boring!

It’s a nice name. I’ve always liked James.

Yours is way better.

James Argon.

Lukas…what’s your last name?

Guess.

Probably something awesome like “Jezebel” or something.

Jezebel isn’t a last name! And I’m not affiliated with the devil! My name is Lukas!

Well? What’s your last name?

King.

ARE YOU FUCKING FOR REAL? YOUR NAME IS LUKAS KING?!

Shut up!

LUKAS KING! KING LUCIFER! YOU’RE THE KING OF THE UNDERWORLD!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! THE DEVIL!

Shut up!! Dammit. I shouldn’t have told you.

I would’ve found out somehow.

Whatever.

Hey! Lets chat!

What?

Dude, I’m so, liek, BRN and I think that girl up front is t3h sex!

What the hell?!

Brb, I have to get sum lead. KK, bak!!!111

What the hell are you doing?

R u in t3h mood? I’m horny! U need to relax sum, betch!

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING??!!!

Lawl. I’m totally j/k! ZOMG! Look that chick sh3’s fucking HAWT!

WHAT? WHO?

Hahaha. I’m just messing around. Haven’t you ever seen those stupid bimbos typing like that?

No. God! What the hell was that!

Me being stupid.

Obviously.

Wanna hang out at lunch? I want to make some friends.

Sure. I don’t have anything else .”

At that point, Mr. Hemmings came and took the note. He read it over quickly, scoffed, and stared at me accusingly.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Hemmings,” I said.

He nodded curtly. “Don’t do it again.”

“King Lucifer my ass!” I heard James mutter as Mr. Hemmings walked away.

“Be quiet, asshole!”

“Ooh, the king shows his true face!”

“You’re never going to leave me alone about my name, huh?”

“Nope. Not ever.”

“I had gotten teased about my name before, but James was going really far. For some reason, though, I wasn’t entirely mad at him. What people said before pissed me off but I was actually laughing at James’ jokes. He was trying to be my friend, not a bully.

“James?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re a fucking noob,” I whispered.

“YOU DO KNOW HOW TO CHAT!!” he screamed.

Everyone turned to stare and I burst out laughing. James, who had stood up in his eagerness, blushed and sat down. Mr. Hemmings clenched his fists.

James was going to be a strange friend…