Part 4

It was now official; Norton Gibbs was a missing person of interest. The news stations were here in front of his house and everywhere they could be at the high school. Most of those students that even slightly knew Norton had been interviewed either by the police detectives or the news anchor personnel.

If it was even possible the hallways were busier and nosier than ever. James and I stood in front of our homeroom looking at what seemed like thousands of people. What in the world had happened to our quiet and calm community? Neither of us could believe the mess that was taking place here at Wood Berry High School. Nothing, I mean absolutely nothing, ever happen in this small town of ours. We were over flowing as the news story went out to almost every station within a hundred miles. What could be hotter than a story about a highly intellectual senior who had written a play about the homeless? Now he had become homeless of sorts. What a sight this had become.

“Man, do you believe this crap? What a wreck this place has become." James said as we watched another group of reporters standing outside of our room.

"It's all the rage, right? Everything is hot news today, besides Norton is the hottest thing since hot sauce." I added as I watched the uppity group of cheerleaders bounce into the classroom. “Gees, ya think they were the news item today. Holy moly, I'm gonna puke!" Turning, I stepped inside the classroom and took my seat. If things got any worse I might just toss my breakfast right on the floor.

The bell rang as homeroom began, just another day in the life of a senior that nobody had cared about until last night. Chatter filled the room as each student there had an opinion about what might have happen to Norton. Clearing his throat Mr. Johnson waited on us to settle down. “All right ladies and gents, let's get this over with." he began speaking in his very baritone voice. He was a tall man about thirty five or so, nice looking guy with dark wavy hair.

I always thought that he might have been a head banger at one point in his life or at least a dude that was mostly popular with the chicks. He had a great personality and was very well liked by all of his students. James turned and looked at me, rolling his eyes as though to say, give me a break.

“Okay, okay, I know that many of you are very concerned about the events of the past night. Now we all know that Norton Gibbs had gone AWOL on us. Nobody knows anything for sure right now and if you have any information about Norton that could be helpful,"

“Yeah, he's a real maniac. We're gonna be lost without him." someone shouted from the back row.

“Helpful information guys, not a bunch of crap. Got it.” Mr. Johnson shook his head in disgust, "Listen, you may not care about what has happen to Norton, but his parents are sick with worry. Be careful about what you say regarding him. He is a fellow classmate of yours and you should give a damn about this. Got it?'" he was quite upset about the hooting and lack of concern. “Do I make myself clear, everybody?" he tone showed his level of irritation at all of us.

This certainly was going to be a very strange day at Wood Berry High School, and for many of us things were about to get even crazier than they already were. High school is always a strange time in a young adult’s life, but sometimes strange can become stranger than normal. That's when it really gets weird and separates the good from the bad.

Ugly just showed up and it was a face that nobody could have expected.