This past week has brought Green Acre High three new exchange students. They are identical triplets who have reportedly never been apart from each other. Their names are Jessica who is blind, Jennifer who is deaf, and Justine who is mute. Now obviously these are not their defining qualities but since Justine is incapable of speech and Jennifer is self conscious about her voice this is really all we know about them. Jessica tends to do the talking for all three of them. The three girls are tall, blonde and tend to dress very well always in matching outfits. These new young ladies have quickly used their good looks to climb to the top of the popularity ladder. Justine was recently named captain of the debate team which is incredible since she's only been a member for three days. It is even more incredible when you realize she can not speak. She does however have a record of one win zero losses in debates.
Our debate team was going up against our rival school Sun Breeze High School. (Just a quick reminder here don't forget about your mandatory daily hour of rage against Sun Breeze High School) Sun Breeze sent out their best debater, a boy named Michael something or other it doesn't matter now, and we proudly sent out Justine. Michael was first to have the floor and he fought valiantly. He gestured violently and shouted and swore and slammed his fists on the podium. You know, debate stuff. In the middle of his routine he glanced over at Justine who was looking directly at him. He seemed unable to avert his gaze, nor was he able to continue his rant. So they stood their for a few moments transfixed with each other. Then, slowly, ever so slowly, Justine opened her mouth. Her jaw hung in an almost cartoonish position. Michael was still unable to look away. Eventually, a sound left Justine's throat. It was not a voice, that is to be certain. At least not the voice of a sixteen year old girl like Justine. It was more of a rattle. Like the death rattle of some small animal in the grasp of a much larger beast. A last plea for mercy. Was she mocking Michael? Saying that, 'I am the predator and you are my prey'? So much was said without any words spoken.
Anyway, while everyone in the crowd was watching Justine, something had begun to happen to Michael. He had stopped moving for one thing. While he was hypnotized by Justine's gaze he was immobile for the most part but he was at least breathing. Now, that too appeared to have stopped. Justine closed her mouth and confidently walked off stage to her sisters who were sitting nearby in the crowd. Michael's hair began to fall off of his head in large clumps as if it was never attached. Once this was noticed, his coach ran up to check on him. He attempted to put a hand on his shoulder but it went right through like attempting to lean on a sandcastle. Michael's body appeared to collapse into tiny grain size bits right in front of everyone. Even his blood was not wet but dry and grainy. After a few seconds of silence, Justine got an uproarious standing ovation from the home town crowd for her amazing debate performance. And Justine I do not know if you read the school paper but if you do let me just say good show!
