Once again, the book is a thing, this is just a remake i did for class.

With no editing so I apologize in advance. I might come back and make it better. I made this a while ago so I don't know exactly how long it is, but enjoy!

Also, if it seems rushed, it was. But only because I am the queen of procrastination and we had like a month and a half to finish it.

-------

Bodies. Skinny, lifeless bodies are all I see when Mr. Ross, my social studies teacher, turns on the projector. It takes me by great surprise as the film rolls to a different clip whilst my teacher begins to talk about Hitler. AKA an extremely deranged man who somehow found his way into the German people's hearts. The film goes on to show many other very disturbing scenes all while we are gaining information and having discomfiting images seared into our brains. By the end, there are a very few number of us that are shocked or upset but, surprisingly, many are inquisitive toward some part of the unsettling film including myself, Amy Smith who is quite small but that doesn't mean I can't be curious. Why would it? Anyway, I ask whether or not all Germans were Nazis and why no one tried to stop them. There was no way the Nazis could have pulled off something like that. Overall, I got about 1.5 answers but I still wonder. After a few more questions, the bell rings and I leave. During lunch, I eventually find myself in the publications office with my best friend Laurie. She still seems to be shaken from the past period and it gets me wondering. If someone like Hitler were to rise to fame now, would anyone notice? Would anyone make any connections between the new ruler and the old one? I guess that's why we learn about it, to make sure it doesn't happen another time. But then again, the Germans didn't seem to notice so why would anyone else? Or they could have known. Either way something is bothering me but it isn't about the film. As Laurie and I conversate, I realize that I'm in need of a smoke break so I get out my cigs and a lighter. I mean, there's no better time so why not? I light it and initiate the relaxation process. As I begin to open a window to blow the smoke out of, I suddenly become conscious of the beautiful day here in Palo alto, California, especially from the view at this very Gordon High. But does that statement even really mean anything because when is it ever not? The sunlight seems to brighten up my golden locks that I call my hair.

The next day was draining. Well, only until I got to my newly improved social studies class. I don't notice it immediately but in big, bold words there is "Strength through discipline" is on the board. The bell rings and gradually, more and more people notice the odd phrase. As they did, a commotion erupted and Mr. Ross shushed the class. He then gave a definition of the phrase that included something about power and success. This lead to the usual unnecessary commentary from various students but, Mr. Ross seemed like he was desperate for someone to understand. He then began to put it into their perspective like comparing the definition to the football team or to ballet. I wasn't really interested in either but I began to understand because he had a point. You need discipline to have a successful team or to meet your goals in whatever it is that you want to be good at. Without it, how are you supposed to-- My thoughts were cut short when I was suddenly summoned to the front of the class. As I went, there were comments about me being a teacher's pet. I mean, they aren't wrong.

When I got there, I was to demonstrate good posture, as it had to do with discipline. Eventually, the class began to imitate and practice the position, including Robert Billings, who is typically asleep every moment of the day. Now, he was apparently doing better than me! I can feel my face slightly contorting in a mix of disappointment and anger so I try and calm down.

Afterward, we are given the task to get up and back in our seats when told to. Kind of like a game of musical chairs but there's no music or the elimination of chairs. Also, it's timed. It took 20 minutes and multiple tries to get a decent time. Next, we had to do the same thing, but starting outside the door. This took less than 10 minutes and our ending score was 16 seconds.

Following that, we were given a set of rules. Pencils and paper at all times, and before asking or answering a question, we have to stand at the side of our desks and say Mr. Ross. I know I should be weirded out by this but, oddly enough, I'm not. Not one bit. I actually like it and how it makes me feel like everyone is included. I'm convinced this change was for the best and it will give everyone a chance to be a part of something. Something truly amazing.

The rest of the class period was used to practice the rules by answering various questions among various people including myself. But, when the bell rang, nobody moved. That wasn't surprising seeing that the past 50 minutes were the most exhilarating time anyone has ever experienced. Mr. Ross dismissed us and we left calmly.

As I walk to my locker, I see that most of the class just huddled up and began talking about what happened so I decide to join. I just eventually get caught up in my own head, as usual. But, really, what happened was weird and difficult to explain but I know I enjoyed it. I can barely remember how it even started. Something about strength through discipline and how it had a number of factors. Either way, I can understand what it means because it's simple: have discipline and your life suddenly becomes less crowded with things like school and extracurricular activities and is more organized. It's actually a pretty interesting topic.

The following day, I was actually looking forward to social studies. Just days before, I was struggling to stay awake in a class with the most monotone speaking teacher ever while dreading the rest of the day. But now, I don't want the day to go by super fast just yet. Just wait until social studies and then the day can do whatever it wants.

I finally get to the class I've been longing for after rushing to get there and Mr. Ross is late, yet no one says a word. Everyone is in the position from yesterday, ready to begin day two of this weird little game.

When he decides to show up, Mr. Ross adds community under the strength through discipline and explained another definition. He then told us to repeat what was on the board. Some were hesitant at first but others, like me, immediately began the chant and had no shame whatsoever.

After that, he makes a circle, puts a wave in it and calls it our symbol. Then, he names the "game" the Wave and makes a salute for us to call our own. I begin to really feel the power when we are told to practice it. Once again, I can't explain this foreign feeling but it feels so powerful and I can't seem to get enough of it.

After that day, I couldn't stop thinking about the Wave and how it was this perfect idea. I, again, rushed to my class to find Mr. Ross putting up a poster of our symbol. He was dressed completely different than usual. Like a lot nicer.

When the bell rang, he began passing out cards. They were apparently membership cards for the Wave. Whoever had a red 'X' on the back was a monitor. Unfortunately, I wasn't chosen to be one, but when I saw that Robert was, that unreasonable anger from the other day came back and I just wanted him to choke. Okay, maybe that was a little extreme but seriously. It's not fair that he gets to be one and I don't. I was never really fond of him but now, any chance of that is long gone. As his smile grows, so does the amount of hate I have for him. I thought this was supposed to be a united action type of thing. Why are there monitors anyway? This gives that small majority power over everyone else and I think that's the complete opposite of anything having to do with fair. I can tell my anger is getting out of hand when I snap my pencil in half by accident. I have no idea where all this sudden anger is coming from but I know it's not healthy. So, I, once again, start to calm myself and focus on what's important: the Wave itself.

During my angry rant, Mr. Ross added action to our motto and I'm guessing yet another definition.

Out of nowhere, Robert decides to stand up and be a suck up so when he is done, I decide to do the same. I think everyone thought that I was standing up for him so he wouldn't have to be embarrassed because someone else got up after me. That's not at all what I meant but it's a plus since no one knows about my sudden and abrupt hatred for him. Why not make everybody think I like him? It's the perfect idea! I absolutely love it! All I need is a plan.

I spend all night trying to come up with more details for my scheme and finally I finish and almost forget to do my homework. I guess I'll do it in the morning.

Hours later I go to school and see Robert. I go up to him and talk. He's pretty hesitant at first but by the time we got to social studies, we talk like we've known each other for years. How, you ask? Why, the power of deception of course. I know exactly what to do and say and it's so evil but it's just so fun.

I do this for about two weeks and gradually add more to this plan. This means I lead him on. He has no clue what's coming to him. In those two weeks, when I'm not talking to Robert, I up my social activity with random people and even get my own "clique". It consists of about eight people not including Laurie because she "doesn't like what the Wave is doing to me". That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard in a while and makes for a good laugh. Also, the Wave has progressed greatly and its just now getting popular outside of the school. You know what that means? It means that Robert has also gotten progressively more annoying and I just can't take it. He needs to go. My plan continues and the final component is almost complete: Robert must die and tomorrow's the day.

I can't wait to get to school so I skip breakfast and sprint to school. The plan is to push him down the stairs but, if he survives, we'll add a little poison. Or just downright murder him with my favorite knife.

When I get there, I go to his locker and put in a note that says to meet me in the second floor stairwell. I walk away and later see him reading it. I didn't sign it so he doesn't know who it's from. I go up to him and we talk about the "mysterious" note. He doesn't suspect a thing. Ah, the feeling of successful deceit. What he doesn't know is that I won't be there. Or at least not immediately. My "clique" will though and they will be waiting for him. He won't see it coming until the last second.

It's 5th period and I've been told that he hasn't shown up yet. Are you serious? I make this huge plan for you and you don't even show up for the best part. What kind of friend are you? What kind of person are you? Now, I don't think I want him to have such a slow death. I just want him dead so I'll skip the intro and all the extra commentary. We are also on a schedule here. I only have about two minutes to do this and get back to class because I simply asked if I could go to the ladies'.

All of the sudden, I see him coming out of the restroom and trying to prep for whatever is coming. Oh, no matter how you prep now, there's no future for you. You shouldn't have crossed me. Now look what I have to do. I promise I don't want to but you know, I have to do what I have to do.

I review the plan one more time in my head and I realize that this plan is terrible. As in how am I supposed to make it look like I didn't do it? Oh no, this is all going to go wrong. He's on his way there and I have to stop it. Like immediately. I can't believe I didn't see the flaw in my plan when I first made it! He needs a better place to die, a better place to realize that what he's doing is a bad idea. Well, at least for his sake. I almost want to warn or just gloat to him but that would ruin everything.

I'm told that he is about twenty seconds away and I register the fact that I need to run so it's not too late. I told them to push him and if he doesn't die on impact, stab him. The poison would take too long.

Literally seconds before I get there, I'm told that the deed is done. I hear him writhing and I'm slightly hesitant at first. As I finally walk in, I immediately see him motionless on the ground at the bottom of the large staircase in a pool of blood and I immediately know he's already gone. He was not as smart as I thought he was. But, either way, I'm too late. At least he's finally out of my life.

I suddenly feel a rush of relief and a little excitement. It's all over. All the madness surrounding him. All his power turned into my hands. As I am consumed in my thoughts, I almost forget that this was a mistake. Before I inevitably get caught, there's one thing I need to do. I walk toward the lifeless thing in front of me and straddle it. I cradle his head in my hands and in one swift move, bring my hand across his face. Hard. Then I make him face me again and proceed to do this motion once more. Again and again and again. My hand begins to sting severely causing me to hesitate. But not enough to make me stop. Eventually, I am being pulled off of him. I don't thrash, kick, scream or cry. I just accept it. I stare at the floor moving beneath me while mentally chuckling. This whole situation is actually pretty amusing, if you think about it. I mean, I get mad at Robert and I just go on this crazy rampage where he ends up dead. It doesn't make a lot of sense, really. Who does that? Me, apparently. It doesn't matter though because I have no regrets. What I did may have been crazy but my actions were justified. In my head at least. Who cares if no one else understands? Robert's death was not a random act of terror or whatever, it had meaning. I meant for it to have meaning.

Suddenly, a crowd of people come from the staircase above. Someone must have seen or heard. Or maybe one of my own told. Just a bunch of backstabbers. They won't get away, they were a part of this mission too. If I go down, so do they. I run to the exit I came in from and lock it.

"You all are witnesses!" I scream at the crowd. "Take note of who is in here, even if you don't know them. Don't let them escape. Everyone on this level and quite possibly whoever told was a part of this invigorating operation. Don't be scared. It's all over now." I almost break from the last part. In time, I do and tears of joy erupt from my eyes. They're mixed with a bit of sadness because it is all over. It was rejuvenating and made me realize that I could do something different with my life. If I ever get out of prison, that is. I accepted this fate when I found out it was too late. All my other options would just lead to that anyway so why not just live with it?

The police are called and in the building within minutes. As they drag me away, I take one more final look at what I've done. I see kids of a range of ages in the early stages of trauma. My "clique" of fake people being separated, in shock, and realizing what they helped orchestrate and actually, what they've done. Then, I see the best part: the body on a stretcher. Oh Robert, you could have done great things. We could have been a team, maybe. I accidentally chuckle aloud. I'm too stuck in this to see the "what could have been" but rather the "what is". Robert's dead. That's all I'm worried about. It means my plans were successful and I won. Not him. I'm free. Maybe not physically but definitely mentally.

After that, I'm officially in questioning and court, gleefully pleading guilty. Turns out, I'm not even getting the worst of it because I technically didn't push Robert down the stairs. Although, I am being charged with an assortment of things relating to the topic and I did plan out the entire thing so maybe I am. But that's nowhere near the best part because I don't go to prison, I go to the psych ward which, I'm pretty sure, is in prison, maybe. But, I'm with crazy people, "just like me". That's what the police said when I asked how long I was supposed to serve in prison. Who knows? Maybe I'll make some friends. Then, I'll have Robert Billings and the Wave to thank. So, much obliged to the both of you. For everything.

----

I know I could've ended it better but I was out of ideas and I'm not the best writer, but thank you for reading!!

Also, I might write actual fan fiction one day so look out for that.