Simulation

Chapter three - Not what you think

Clearly not ready for the school week, Sam and Jim arrived at the crowded front lawn of the busy school. The chatter of students filled the area that all the students were crammed into before school officially began.

Jim groaned as the two of them made their way through the crowds of students towards their two other friends. Sam looked over at Jim, watching as he dragged himself along. "Why do we have to be here? What is the point of school?"

"Jim." Sam began, a serious look on his face. "I have questioned the need of such a place for many years now and haven't come across the answer. We may never know." Jim groaned once more as they arrived at their destination.

Sat upon a bench was the two other friends of Jim and Sam. Gitti sat scrolling through her phone, as Susan talked to her about whatever popped into her head. Her hands moved rapidly as she told the story, Gitti nodding occasionally at the blonde haired girl's story.

"Oh! Sam, Jim, hey!" Susan yelled, waving at the two approaching. "Hey." Sam said, sitting down. Gitti looked up from her phone, smiling. "What's up?"

"The sky." Jim smirked. "My gosh Jim, you're just a comedian aren't you?" Sam said, lightly kicking Jim. Jim laughs, moving away from Sam's foot before it hits him. Susan laughed and ruffled Sam's hair. "You have such nice hair, Sam." Sam whacked Susan's hands away from his head as she laughed, going to ruffle it again. "Stop. Don't touch." Sam muttered.

The bell rang, signalling the beginning of the school day. Students began slowly trudging into the school, the four friends among them. Pushing through the crowds of students, the group final made their way to the classroom. Taking their places at the back of the room, Sam settled in his seat, looking out the window next to him. Looking out across the front lawn of the school, Sam sighed.

A lot was running through his mind, questions that needed answering. What was that dream really about and how come both him and Jim had it? Did others have the same dream? What does it all mean?

Sam's thoughts were than lead down a different path when he saw the man from earlier standing behind a tree. He leaned against it casually, looking down at his nails as he picked at them. What is he doing here?

Sam leaned closer to the window watching him closely, trying to figure out what he's doing. Sam was so focused on the man leaning against the tree that when a cat jumped on the window sill outside Sam jumped, almost tumbling out of his seat entirely. Jim put his hand on his shoulder to steady him, asking if he was okay. Sam nodded and sat back down. He looked back out the window to see the man laughing, most likely at Sam.

Normally he would find it insulting or embarrassing but for some reason Sam didn't this time. A small unconscious small made its way on Sam's face. He found his hand raising up to wave at the man outside. The man smiled, waving back. The more Sam interacted with the man, the more he found that he wasn't like how people describe at all. In fact, the man intrigued Sam. Who is he really and what is he trying to do? Why did people say such things about him?

Sam's thoughts were interrupted for a second time when the teacher walked in. Sam turned his attention to her as she said good morning, briefly explaining the things they will go over in today's class. He listened for a bit before finding himself looking out the window for the man, only to see he wasn't there. A frown made its way on his face, confusing Sam slightly. Why was he frowning? He didn't even really know the guy. Shaking his thoughts away, Sam turned his attention once again to the teacher at the front.

...

"Hey Sam." Jim whispered to Sam as they sat under the shade of a tree during lunch. "What's up." Sam muttered back, halfway through a bite of his sandwich. Jim looked around, checking to see if anyone was listening. "Should we tell the other two about the dream?"