Nick

All was quite and peaceful. Well as much as school could offer those two things. Of course that wasn't destined to last. Ash and Katherine would make sure I'd suffer today; the last day of the school week. I tried to enjoy the peace while it lasted, which didn't last very long. First lesson of the day was the beginning of their torture, laughter and little games.

"Hello I have come for Nicolas. He ran away from our show and we have only just tracked him down so we have come to collect him," the person asked when they burst through the door. There voice was croaky and deep but it sounded as if they were just putting the voice on.

"OK I don't care if this is some practical joke but I'm trying to teach a class here," the teacher said. Her voice was raised in tone.

"Oh, it is no joke madam. That young man doesn't belong here. He's unfit to live in normal society that's why he must return back under our care and the public should only encounter him in the show," the intruding person replied and I knew it was Ash. Only him and Katherine would carry out such a idiotic prank.

He walked down the classroom towards where I was sitting and reached out to grab me.

"Don't touch me," I ordered as I jumped from my seat and stepped back. " I'm not going anywhere with you Ash. Plus if this is supposed to be a prank, you're just making a fool of yourself, " I told him.

"Who is this Ash fellow you speak of? I am Mr Damiar the the founder of the freak show. Do you not remember me?" He lied

"You do know freak shows don't exist anymore right?"

"Some do exist. They just aren't popular anymore and work in secrecy," he said.

"Yeah, of course they do. Also if your not Ash, proof it. Take off that mask," I ordered him.

"I'm afraid I can't do that," he said just as I predicted he would. Clearly it was Ash. I knew I had caught him out. "And why exactly?" I questioned him.

He hesitated for awhile. A obvious sign that someone was lying. " Erm... Well. Well you see I was caught in a fire and got badly burnt. I hate people seeing my face." As he spoke he stumbled over his words. Another sign he was lying.

I was getting quite annoyed now that he wasn't going to give up so easily, even when I had caught on to his and his girlfriend's little joke. I looked away from him and caught a quick glance of the teacher. She too looked very annoyed and she shook her head before walking towards us. Her foot steps pounced against the floor. "Look I don't care if your Ashford or some man named Mr Damiar. You are interrupting my class so I'm asking you politely to leave. This conversation can be continued outside my class. Also if you do happen to be Ash, you should be in class," she said firmly pointing at him.

"OK Madam very well. Is Nicolas free to go then?" He asked and I shook my head letting out a sigh. This is getting ridiculous, I thought.

"No. He needs to stay in class. Wait till after," she told him.

"Very well then," he said in defeat. 'Mr Damiar' then walked out of the room and I could finally return to my seat.

"You really think that's Ash?" Jess asked me once I had returned to my seat.

"Who else could it be?" I replied.

"True. How did he come up with the story all by him self though?" She wondered and I didn't blame her questioning it. Ash wasn't exactly that bright and certainly wasn't smart enough to come up with a well thought out plan like that. His pranks and jokes consisted of dropping liquids on me or hitting me. On the other hand his girlfriend Katherine could come up better plans.

"He didn't. Katherine helped him. This morning she told me some creepy guy was looking for me," I answered.

"Ah, well that make sense," she said.

We then carried on with our work.




After class had finished I had to use the toilet. I just hoped Ash or one of his friends didn't come in because I had enough of him for one day, but of course God wasn't going to grant my wishes. I sighed as Ash and his delinquent friends entered the toilet room. When he caught a glimpse of me his face changed. There came a huge evil grin on his face. Once they had walked in a significant amount he finally spoke. "I heard some guy came to take you out of class? Who was he?"

Really he was going to carry on his and Catherine's lame and idiotic joke? Did he really think I had no idea that he was the guy?

"You," I replied bluntly as I finished washing my hands.

"Me? What makes you think it was me?" He tried to act surprised at the fact I knew it was him. Ash may be stupid and a bully but he was really good at acting. He'd do well as an actor, if only he could sort out his attitude.

"Well there wouldn't really be a guy from a freak show looking for me, would there?" I replied.

"What makes you so certain?" God he really was an idiot.

"Well there's four reasons. Number 1 I'm weird not a freak. Number 2 feak shows don't exist anymore. Number 3 no one's called Damair. Number 4 I'm not an idiot," I answered counting the points on my fingers. There was no reply from him. Instead he just looked at me. Finally he knew he was defeated. I was so glad that this joke was finally going to come to an end.

"Nicolas why won't you return to the freak show? All of us other freaks are missing you," his friends said from behind him and then laughed. I just shook my head.

"Fine. You're too smart for us but truthfully how come you haven't gotten your ticket yet?"

Great, it's not 100% over yet. Of course it wouldn't be. Knowing Ash he'd drag it out as long as possible.

"Don't you know the show exhibits don't require a ticket?" I asked playing along with his joke.

"So then you admit that you belong in a freak show?" Clearly he couldn't tell that I was being sarcastic.

"What? No I never said that. I said that...." I started but he cut me off with laughter.

"Hahaha, wait till everyone hears this. I caught you out," he sniggered.

What an idiot Nick. Why did you go and say that? It was obvious that he'd twist your words. He always did just so he can make your life worse. I thought.

"You really didn't."

"Admit it. I out smarted you for once," he ordered. Really? Maybe, he wasn't twisting my words. Maybe, he actually believed that I admit it.

"You out smarted me." I spoke and then shook my head.

"Yeah. You can't be so smug more can you?" He gushed with a huge smile on his face.
"I was being sarcastic," I told him. "Anyway, I must be going so see you later. Can't wait to see what else you have in store for me."

I rushed for the door and left, hoping I wouldn't be late to my next class. Let's see if I can get one lesson of peace. Surely it wasn't too much to ask. I thought as the door close behind me and I walked down the corridor. Even if I didn't get a peaceful lesson at least I would be able to see Vicky and talk to her. That was something I could look forward today at least.

Slowly, I pushed open the classroom door. It looked as if class had already started, but only by a minute so I wasn't really late. With a huge sigh I felt my shoulders relax my encounter with Ash and his friends was beginning to fade from my mind. Then I stepped inside. Just forget what happened. Don't let it get to you. Just be happy that you get to spend time with the beautiful Vicky. Your wonderful girlfriend, I told myself. Suddenly, a smile found it's way to my face as I saw Vicky sat at the back of the classroom. With a spring in my step I made my way there. Then I sat down next to her and looked at her, "hello, Princess."

"Hi, Nicki," she said returning the smile. She looked so perfect when she smiled. Well she always looked perfect to me but something about her smiling made my heart flutter. I looked into her eyes. They sparkled with love and happiness.

The teacher then spoke. I had hardly heard him, but luckily I had. I turned away from her and looked to the front of the class.