Man of Stories

One day in small town called Yellowsberg there lived a boy called Tim Fraker, grandson of Tom Fraker. He was in the 10th grade and currently was “watching” this girl. Tim Fraker was no bigger than 5ft and 10 inches though his mother would tell you “He’ll grow to be much bigger soon”. He had nice brown hair and beautiful green eyes. However, though his looks may be decent his way with the ladies was less than that. Tim was leaning against a wall and slid down it and landed on the ground. He buried his face in his arms. He had a huge crush on the most beautiful girl in school, she was a cheerleader and not only that was super popular with everyone.

“Dude, are you hiding from that chick again?” said a voice next to Tim, he looked up and saw his best friend Danny. He was a bit of nerd like him and was super into a bunch of tech savvy stuff.

“Uhhh no, I’m just uhh sitting down behind this wall...totally natural for a guy at my age hehehe...” Tim said leaning against it trying to seem cool before he then slid down and fell on his face.

“Yea, real cool.” Danny said rolling his eyes as the bell then began to ring. Tim got up and looked down the hallway as he saw a girl with amber hair walking down the hall giving out slips to people.

“Oh shoot! It’s the hall monitor!” Danny said worried

“Lets jet.” Tim said as him and Danny ran off to their next class.

“HEY! YOU TWO! STOP RUNNING IN THE HALL!” the girl said as she ran after Tim and Danny, the two went down a hallway and then bolted into a random classroom. They looked through the door as the hall monitor looked around and then went back the way she came. Tim and Danny took a sigh of relief and the high fived before then hearing a loud cough behind them. They turned around to see they were in sex ed class where all of the students were watching a giant drug safety video. They then looked at the teacher who was staring at Tim and Danny less than amused.

The two eventually arrived back to their home room class where the teacher was waiting for them, and everyone was focused on their assignment.

“You two are late! Not only that, but the hall monitor here told me you two were lingering in the hall.” the teacher said as the two then looked at each other completely dumbfounded before then seeing the hall monitor girl sitting in the back of the class with a big smile on her face.

“No way.” Danny said as Tim looked completely taken aback.

“Also, by the way, the name is Rem, not hall monitor.” She then gave them two tickets before leaving the classroom. The two boys looked up at the teacher who was scowling with anger.

“Detention! Both of you!” the teacher shouted. After school Tim and Danny along with a few other kids spent the next hour and a half inside the detention center. Which is fancy talk for the art room. Tim was laying his head down on the table when the art teacher made eye contact with him. Tim looked away. However, the teacher who was reading a book eventually got up and motioned for Tim. Tim and the teacher stood outside for a few moments. Tim was ready to get a talking to, however as teacher looked at him and he began to pull the book he was reading from behind his back.

Tim read the cover.

“The Moon, written by...oh no...written by Tom Fraker.” Tim thought as he looked up to the man and saw his scowl turn into a wide smile.

“Guessing you want an autograph?” Tim said as the old teacher began to chuckle and laugh. Tim himself laughed nervously.

“Your grandfather is a icon my boy, his books are like fire to the soul. It’s like as if what he writes comes to LIFE. Hes a genuine article.” said the art teacher, however Tim wasn’t as joyful. Th worst part about having a famous family member is the fact that no one will care about the others. Just the one.

“You must tell me son, does any of his gift lye in you? I’m aware your father doesn’t want to continue your grandfather’s series. Thats a shame, they’re great books. I myself have found myself absolutely taken aback from his novel, the moon.” said the teacher. Tim wasn’t at all interested in what this old fart had to say, he also didn’t like being attached to the name “Fraker” all too much. However, it did have its perks. He then saw the back of the book where it spoke on the history of the moon. He looked at the teacher and saw him completely glued to the damn book.

“Hey, uhh if you don’t mind me asking. What’s in that book anyway?” Tim asked

“Oh, well it basically goes over some crazy stuff on the moon. Even adapts a lot of religious beliefs about the moon. Talking about how the moon has a soul or how it was here before earth was created, a lot of it sounds crazy however the way your grandfather worded everything makes me wish this stuff was fact. He talks about how the moon is viewed in terms of the rhythmic life of the cosmos and is believed to govern all vital change. OH! And here he talks about how souls ascend to the moon after death and also about how the moon can control fate and associated with the afterlife.

It’s some good stuff...hey look I know your old man wants nothing to do your grandfather’s writing or series of books. However, I’ve seen how you stare at the world Tim. I think you have his gift. Here I want you to take my copy of this book.” said the old teacher as he handed it to Tim.

“Oh I can-”

“Don’t say anything my boy, just take it. Now go on home, I do believe detention is over.” said the old teacher to which then Tim began to make his way out of school and towards the football field where he would see the cheerleaders and football players all practicing. He looked around for a moment before then seeing her, his crush Stephanie. Tim was about to walk out before he would be grabbed from behind and put in a hold by his friend Danny.

“Who left me behind?” Danny said

“I’m s-sorry! Jesus l-let me go!” Tim said as he was tapping out, but Danny didn’t budge a inch and even tightened his hold.

“Who left me behind?” Danny said snickering

“OK OK! I did, I’m sorry.” Tim said apologizing, Danny then shoved Tim away playfully chuckling while Tim straightened himself and fixed his clothes.

“Come on dude, Stephanie is down there man.” Tim said fixing his hair a bit.

“Who? the girl who doesn’t know you exist? Yea sure, you’re doing a great job from up here.” Danny said as he started chewing on some bubblegum.

“Want some?” he asked Tim.

“What flavor?” Tim asked

“Raspberry, but I also have mint and pineapple. Pick your poison, ya’know cause calories suck hehe.” Danny chuckled as Tim picked the pineapple gum and began chewing. He nodded his head in agreement to its fantastic flavor.

“So, what were you and Mr.Kurt talking about?” Danny asked

“Hm? Oh, uhh he was just talking about my family and the books.” Tim said rubbing the back of his head.

“Dude, you could be making crazy bank if you got into writing! Think of the motherload!? We could be like Scrouge McDuck in this bitch man!” Danny said, but Tim just looked away unsure.

“How come you ain’t want to do it? Don’t get me wrong I don’t know if I could stand having to walk past paparazzi on my way to your digs, but hey think about it and all the pizza we could order!” Danny said with a wide smile.

“Hehe, who knows, maybe I’ll pick it up later.” Tim said as he then took out the book the teacher gave him. He looked at all the bookmarks, the book had to have been at least six-hundred pages.

“Whats that? Woah thats one of your old man’s books. Whats it about?” Danny asked

“Just the moon and some other weird stuff, I’ll say one thing, my gramps really knows how to write ridiculously complex stuff. Like what does- ” The Moon possess ultimate liberty over the entire human race and beyond.” -supposed to mean? I swear that he writes some crazy stuff.” Tim said as he closed the book and put it back in his backpack.

“I don’t know man that sounds like some god-type shit right there. Can you imagine what you could do if you controlled everyone on earth? I could make them stack each other until they reach the sky. Living human pyramid!” Danny said as Tim shook his head in annoyance before walking away with Danny catching up with him. The two walked down the busy streets of Yellowsberg, there were many people out walking their dogs and walking with their families. Summer was almost gone, there were a few hot days, but autumn had still gotten in full swing regardless. The leaves made the trees look like a painting and the streets like giant painting smeared with rough brushes of black from the tires and marks from bikes and so on. Danny was texting someone on his phone while Tim continued to walk. Eventually the two would reach Danny's neighborhood to which the two stopped for a moment. They looked at each other and immediately called their parents and asked if Danny could sleepover for the weekend to which once, they got the ok they high fived and began running to Tim's place. However, once they got there, they saw Tim's grandfather sitting on the balcony.

"No fucking way." Danny said to which Tim the jogged up to the balcony with Danny not far behind. Tom was reading some strange book before closing it and then turning to Tim and Danny.

"Gramps, its good to see you. Does mom know you here?" Tim asked as he hugged Tom.

"Oh no, She would have skipped out on work if I let her know. I enjoy her having a working job and rather her not lose it. How's your dad? He still doing housing? Cause if so, I have a nasty leak in my kitchen sink." Tom said as Tim and Danny chuckled.

"Ah, Dad said he was busy with some stuff up at central, he won't be back tonight. Mom is going to be though." Tim said as Tom got up.

"Well then, lets surprise her inside where it's a little cooler." Tom said as him and the boys began to go inside. Tom then noticed Danny.

"Hey there Danny, its been so long since I've seen you. You still trying out for the tack team?" Tom asked

"Oh! Well actually I got benched this season thanks to me messing up my leg, but I'll be back in for the closing of the year. It's also nice to see you again Mr.Fraker." Danny said, Tom put a hand on Danny's shoulder as Tim locked the door behind them.

"Just Tom is ok my boy." Tom said as he started going towards the kitchen, setting down the strange book on the counter. Danny and Tim set their stuff down at the door.

"Dude, I didn't know you were gonna have your grandpops over otherwise I would have worn something more, ya'know old school." Danny said making weird gestures before Tim stopped him.

"What and embarrass me and yourself, no thanks. Besides I didn't know he was coming over." Tim said as Danny walked to the kitchen, Tim watched until he made eye contact with the strange book Tom was reading on the balcony. Tim tilted his head as he then took off his jacket and hung it up while grabbing the strange book. It was a weird brownish gray and had inscriptions on it, along with strange symbols on them. He then looked at the title and saw it looked like gibberish. Tim scoffed as he got ready to set it down before he then noticed the gibberish looking words began to morph into actual letters he could read. Tim's eyes went wide as he then read the cover.

"The Dark testament...ok I think I've had enough weird stuff for one day." He said as he tossed the book back on the counter and walked into the kitchen to join Tom and Danny.