Chapter 2: Surrounded by Fools

Nick Bolt is an ordinary boy just like you and me. He has piercing blue eyes, which never seemed to find peace in their sockets. This was also the case with his dark black hair which seemed to grow faster after every unfortunate trip to the barber. He was not too popular or social, and had picked up the nickname 'brain boy' at school. Not just because of his exceptional grades, but also because of his ability to turn unpleasant situations in his favor.
Allow me to illustrate with an example.

Bully: Well look who's here! You got somethin' to say, Brainboy? Coz my fist is lookin' angry.

Nick: Why hello there, Bob!

Bully: Bob?

Nick: Did you say something Rob?

Bully: Rob?

Nick: Would you mind speaking a bit louder Tom?

Bully: I don't no see any Bob, Rob, Tom or Jim here Brainboy, but I'm in a bad mood right now and you seem to be the cause. So stop messin' with me.

Nick:  (innocently) But I never mentioned Jim.

Bully: You playin' smart with me Brainboy? I'll beat ya' black and blue!

Nick: Oh! I'm utterly terrified my friend! Whatever shall I do now?!

Bully's a-bit-more-sensible Friend: Shut up Nick. You're like the start of a bad joke. 

Nick: Doesn't that make you the punch line?

By now the large crowd that had gathered to watch is laughing and a few are calling out for more. The poor bully's tiny brain catches up and realizes that it is the butt of all the jokes. You could almost see the steam coming out of his ears as his brain overheated trying to process all this information. But then again, he's helpless in front of the crowd. I almost feel sorry for the effete fellow. Almost.

Thus Nick always manages to get away unscathed. It is always his most proud moment of the day. 

But behind this is a small foible. Nick believes himself to be a bit more intelligent than all others. He easily loses focus at important times and is attracted Often, while unsuccessfully trying to explain his complex ideology to others, he comes across the same phrase.

I am surrounded by fools.

***

For the past few days Nick's 'laugh-ability' had been running drastically low. Either his jokes weren't funny anymore, or he wasn't making funny jokes, or both. Whatever the cause, he was still on the decline.

Today he had been scolded by his teacher for not paying enough attention in class. The truth, very much contradicting the teacher's claim, was that he had been closely following the progress of an ant crawling on his friend's sleeve. Even his talent to wriggle out of this fix had abandoned him.

As he sat at the window, mulling over the day's events, he heard his mom call out.

'Nick'

'Yes mom'

'Get down here.'

'I'm on my way', he muttered while flying down the stairs. Literally. Mom didn't like to be delayed.

Had he known what news waited for him, I'm sure he wouldn't have moved an inch.

When he reached he found his parents seated on the sofa, quietly talking. 

'Have a seat Nick', said his father in a very unfatherlike way. 

As he sat, his mother spoke up. 'Do you like your school?'

Nick shifted uncomfortably. 'What do you mean?'

'Are you happy with your schooling?'

'More or less'

'I want a yes or no.'

Nick thought about it. The next word he spoke could have several implications. His brain said that he should stay, but his heart said that it was terribly unhappy.

He had to listen to one of them, doesn't he?

So he said 'No'

His mother sighed, 'I've found an excellent place for you to go'

'Is it a boarding school?'

'Unfortunately yes', his father replied.

Nick's brain groaned internally, but his heart rejoiced at the freedom granted.

'What is it called?', he asked.

'BreakNeck Heights'

'When do I leave?'

'In two weeks.'

'You'll love it there', his father said in a consoling tone.

I seriously doubt it. was his one and only thought