The Next Page

The rowdy classroom got even noisier as the students caused as much chaos as they could, despite the fact that recess time was over. If one wasn’t pranking another, he was the subject of the prank. And once pranked, the victim sought speedy and instant revenge. Papers were flying here and there, everyone was in a state of agitation.

Except Lincoln. He sat reclined against his chair, head drooping backwards over the top of it, mouth wide open and eyes closed. He was asleep. As someone had said, Lincoln can sleep through a nuclear disaster, and he wouldn’t wake until it was over.

Of course, some mischievous elements had chosen to place two papers, folded into narrow cylinders, into the youngster’s mouth, and they had lit the papers.

Suddenly, the class became silent. Those who were leaping up and down instantly took their seats. Those screaming became as silent as stones. Everyone quickly adjusted in almost superhuman time, to a semblance of an orderly, law-abiding citizen. Some even did it at superhuman speed, using their super powers to quickly get to their seats.

Everyone, except Lincoln, who remained the way he was. Did I mention that Lincoln went to a school which sought to train youngsters to use their superhuman abilities to uphold peace and the good of the society? No? Well now you know.

All the noise in the class had died down because none other than the principal had stepped in. Principal Bells was one of the greatest empaths in existence. He was a master at controlling the feelings and emotions of others, and he used his powers to enforce law and order in his school. Today, he didn’t need to use his empathic powers. His reputation was enough to accord him the silence he desired.

Lincoln snored.

Principal Bells turned to look at the sleeping boy, a disgusted look on his face. “Can someone wake that clown up?” he said irritably. “And Mack, what have I told you about using your powers in class?”

Mack, known for his unrestrained use of fire, quickly denied being responsible for the smoldering papers in Lincoln’s mouth. “I didn’t light those papers, sir. Honest. If I did, Lincoln wouldn’t have a head by now.”

Principal Bells shrugged. “Someone wake him up anyway, and put out that nonsense in his mouth.” A glob of water, about as big as Lincoln’s head, sailed almost immediately from the back of the class and descended on the sleeping boy’s face, jolting him awake in a fit of coughing and spluttering.

He turned to glare at the culprit; there was only one manipulator of water in his class. But out of the corner of his eye, he saw Principal Bells. Staring at him. And the look wasn’t friendly. His name must have been called for attendance, and he didn’t answer. Maybe that was why Bells was angry.

“Present, sir!” he yelled, raising his hand over-enthusiastically. The class erupted into laughter.

To be continued...

Thanks for coming!

That little boy,

@pearlumie