Discovery

It was a humid day in Mr. Meyer’s 7^th hour history class, the air conditioning system had recently gotten fixed. It was the middle of April, nice and breezy weather outside for Spring. The skies were clear and the air was relaxing, not suffocating like Spring air could be like.

                “Now for homework, I would like you to read the chapter about the Declaration of Indepence and write a paper on it for next week.” As the teacher finished announcing the scheduled assignement, the bell had rung and everyone began to file out the door, on their ways home.

                Daniel Banks was a smart student, at the top of his class, some would even go as far as to label him a nerd. People heard that all the kid ever did outside of school was study, study, study. What about fun? Hanging out with friends? Even one round of laser tag? Nope. No one ever saw him do any of it, more or less, would his parents allow it. They were proud of their son’s success and taught him that fun wasn’t anything important, school was. Joel Markins was almost opposite of Daniel. He had fun nearly all the time, then bothered with school stuff afterwards. He was also smart, just a little under the level of Daniel, but he felt it was best to be adventurous whenever the opportunity would be presented. He had no problem with leaving homework or school projects until the last minute. He simply wanted to live his life with plenty of laughs, adventures and no regrets.

 

                On this day, Joel had noticed a Ferris wheel that could be seen from some miles away. He gently judged Daniel and grinned. “Looks like the county fair is in town.”

                “How do you know?” Daniel asked. Joel then motioned to the Ferris wheel off in the distance.

                “Do you want to go?” Joel asked. Daniel had never seen the fair or any type of set of attractions up close, but he was already focused on the paper that Mr. Meyer’s had just assigned.

                “I don’t think so, Joel. I should really get started on that paper. I have better things to do than to be around all of that anyway.”

                “Aw, c’mon buddy!” Joel nudged him again, only slightly harder this time. “We could just walk past and look at it. Besides, that dumb paper isn’t due until next week, you’ll have plenty of time.” He suggested. Daniel didn’t say anything then. Before he knew it, Joel grabbed his wrist and began his way towards the fairground.

 

                Within about fifteen minutes, they were in front of the entrance gate. A large metal gate with a sign that read: “Shownew’s Fairest Ground.”

                “Doesn’t this look cool?” Joel asked with complete enthusiasm as he stood in front of the gate. Daniel could only shrug his shoulders. “Jeez, Daniel, don’t you have any fun?” He said as he began to pull on the gate, seeing if it would budge, but it wouldn’t.

                “My parents taught me that school always comes first. They want me to get into a good college, so I must have top grades.” Daniel replied, but this being said only put Joel in a frustrated mood.

                “We are only freshmen in high school and you’re already worrying about college!? Are you kidding me?” Joel said in a sharp tone. “Do you know understand what other kids say about you?” Daniel’s face flushed at this response and began to feel suddenly overheated.

                “I don’t care what other kids might say. School is just important to me and I am sorry for anyone who cannot seem to understand or catch on to that.” Daniel could feel himself begin to sweat, anxiety was kicking in, along with his level of frustration.

                “Listen, man.” Joel marched over to him, nearly in his face now. Putting a hand firmly on his shoulder. “Fun and laughter are the main factors of life. No one would say they are ever considered bad things, even for you. Perhaps you need an adventure!

                “And what type of adventure would that be exactly?” Daniel shrunk away from Joel’s grasp, afraid of the answer as soon as his question bothered approaching and was released from his lips. He noticed Joel look back at the metal gate, then return his gaze back to his friend and simply grin. Daniel did not want to know what Joel was thinking at this moment.

                “Hey,” Joel piped up. “Let’s come back tonight!” He proudly suggested. Daniel’s stomach dropped and began to flip over on itself. He knew he didn’t want to know Joel’s idea, but felt bad since he saw Joel’s eyes gleaming. He knew Joel was fully planning to follow through with this suggestion, no matter what. And it was all thanks to Daniel himself. Daniel suddenly felt ashamed.

                “But what about our history essay?” He had the urge to ask, he couldn’t help it. Joel’s eyes narrowed in frustration, draining every ounce of joy in his face in less than a minute.

                “Is that really all you think about? Like I said before, we have a whole week to get it done.”

                “I know,” Daniel muttered, “But, I would at least want to get a head-start on it tonight. Do you know how much research I have to do in order to figure out an outline?”

                “I don’t care about whatever you have to do or get done for the stupid paper!” Joel sighed deep in frustration. “I’m not starting mine until the last minute anyway, it’s really the last thing on my mind. I don’t want you thinking about or talking about it anymore.” Joel was stern with his tone as he announced this appropriate rule.

                “But…if we come back, won’t it be closed?” Daniel asked in suspicion, a bit worried.

                Well, yeah. But this place is closed all the time since they got that new ringleader. There must be some way to get in, right?” Joel began to regain his excitement and taste for adventure.

                “What about our parents?” Daniel bothered to ask, but this response only made Joel chuckle and make his inner excitement double.

                “Are you kidding? That’s the easy part. Just tell them that you have to come over and help me out with our history essay. Then you come over to my place and we’ll head back here. Roam around for a couple hours or so, then sneak back home before school the next morning. See? It’s the perfect plan!” By this time, Joel clearly couldn’t seem to contain his excitement anymore. Yet, he could see worry in Daniel’s eyes. “Is something wrong?”

                Daniel couldn’t bring himself to look his friend in the eye, but just shuffled his feet into the dusty ground, kicking up clouds. He was stuck on what to say because either way, he knew Joel would find a way to bring him back, to make this particular adventure happen for him.

                “C’mon, man!” Joel wrapped an arm around him and gave him a quick noogie on the head. “It’ll be great! I’ll parents will never know.” And with that, they headed home.