“What the hell? This is retarded!” Calvin screamed.

“Yes, they could have been, but most weren’t. We’ll put down the word ‘challenged.’”

Amy Sterling watched all of this and looked at Calvin then back at Conrad Johnson.

“I think that they were very brave,” Amy said.

“Good Amy. Don’t forget to raise your hand,” Conrad said rubbing his hands together and then writing down the word ‘brave’.

 “Hey asshole! You bald fuck! You couldn’t shit your way out of a paper bag!” Calvin bellowed jumping up and down as hard as he could. His desk jumped as Calvin’s lap struck the bottom each time. His face was beet-red and he had tears in his eyes.

“They did act badly toward one another,” Conrad said looking directly at Calvin and winking. “Let’s put that down instead.”

Calvin stared at Conrad in total shock, then grabbed his head. He was purple with rage now. Conrad merely smiled and nodded.

“I think that they were also a little crazy,” Cory Stanton said without raising his hand.

“I’m sorry Cory. I didn’t hear-“Conrad began.

“I don’t give a fuck about this shit! It’s gay!” Calvin shouted. He got out of his desk then, and began running around the room hollering at the top of his lungs. Spittle came out of his mouth.

Johnny Siplin stood up as Calvin went by for the second time. “Mr. Johnson. I don’t think that Calvin should be running-“

“Now Johnny,” Conrad said in a stern voice. “He’s just trying to alleviate some tension. Let’s get on with the lesson.”

“Look you dumb son of a bitch! I hate you! You need to die!” Calvin kicked his desk and knocked it over.

“But we love you,” Conrad said and watched the desk tumble at his feet.

Tears were steaming down Calvin’s face.

            Conrad Johnson looked at Calvin. “I’m sure that some of Columbus’ crew felt like that

 “But—”

            “Ahhhhhhh!” Calvin screamed. He stood up and advanced forward. “I’m going to kill you you bas—” before anymore words could slip out of his mouth, everyone heard a small rumbling sound coming from Calvin.

            Conrad noticed Calvin’s eyes. They were smoking, literally. Sweat poured down the young boy’s face and his hair was standing on end. Blue sparks danced in the boy’s hair.

            Calvin grabbed his head with fingers shooting small flames. Conrad thought that they looked like pretty-blue candle flames. He rocked back and forth on his heels and licked his lips.

            Suddenly, Calvin Hill burst into flames and fell to the floor in a heap of ash. His clothes and tennis shoes were unscathed.

“My,” said Conrad, “I guess Calvin lost his cool. Tommy please get a broom and dustpan. We need to clean up this mess.”

Birds began to twitter outside and to Conrad Johnson everything felt clean and new.                                                                    The End