Juji -- Teen Investigator

Chapter 9 - "Thursday Lunch"

    When the bell rang to start my lunch hour, I was quickly making my way to the cafeteria. I had a lot on my mind but didn’t see any of the students or teachers that I was trying to avoid. Walking up the hall, I noticed one of the boys I had identified. He was not on his way in or out of the cafeteria but standing by his locker and reading from his phone.

    Another boy I recognized approached him, and they began whispering. My first thought was to pull out my phone and document their conversation. But with the crowds gathering, there was obviously no place to hide. Any recording or confrontation could only create greater suspicion.

    As I stood motionless considering my options, I felt I was attracting more attention. I finally got the simple idea to sit down and pretend to read from my phone.

    I could barely hear voices from my position but searched my way to the ‘record’ option. I then stretched my arm out pushing the phone behind the trash can with the recording microphone facing the group of boys.

    “Hey! Any sign of the ‘Baron’?” said one boy as he walked up to the group. “I wanna get my money back!”

    ‘Baron” was a new discovery. Could that be a nickname of the driver? I knew the name was often referred to as a dealer of illegal drugs, as they would commonly be referred to as a “d**g Baron”.

    The conversation continued but individual words were too silent to make out from my location. I maintained the stretched-out phone still in one position, and I sat motionless. I closed my eyes to give a sense of resting and was sure to keep the phone out of sight.

    “Juji! I’ve been looking for you!” yelled Brooke as she suddenly ran up the hall.

    “Oh hi,” I responded politely as I pulled the phone back.

    “What are you doing? Are you talking to someone on your phone? Or maybe playing computer games?”

    “I’m just doing some work,” I replied as I adjusted the settings and stopped recording. The group of boys looked over at us seeming confused, then turned and walked away continuing their conversation.

    “Work? What kind of work are you doing, that’s not studying? Is it telemarketing? Are you selling something?” Brooke then leaned over and tried to read from my phone.

    “No. It’s private. I can’t reveal details until my investigation is complete.”

    Brooke then looked around the hallway at the walls, “Is it an investigation of a bad paint job? There are lots of spots around walls that need to be touched up. I always see ink marks on the wall next to our lockers. Can you report that?”

    “There are many places in this building that could use a good clean up,” I replied. “That is true, but that doesn’t justify an investigation.”

    “I’ve got great news for the weekend!” stated Brooke with excitement. “We can hang out with Sean and Tommy at the Friday Football game so we get to know them better... before the big date to the Fall Formal!”

    “Brooke, I’m too young for dating. It’s just something I’m not ready for.” I put my phone back into my pocket and watched more boys heading through doors on their way out to the parking lot. I wanted to just follow them to their cars, or to the older boy, possibly nicknamed ‘Baron’, it might document clues. And any new evidence I witness might tip the scales.

    “Come on,” Brooke continued. “Let’s grab some lunch. The cafeteria’s got a special deal on burgers and fries every Thursday.”

    “I don’t have money to spend on old hamburgers and frozen french fries...”

    “I’m paying. I’ll buy you a burger and fries. No cost. We’ve got a lot of planning to do.”

    I reluctantly followed Brooke through the big doors and up to the line in the loud and crowded cafeteria.

    “No thank you,” I said politely again as I looked around. “I’ve just got work to do.” I then made my way over to my personal seat at the side table.

    Brooke yelled out. “Where are you going? I’ll buy you the burger! Come on!”

    “No,” I answered again and had to raise my voice to compete with the loud noise. “I just can’t eat the unsanitary food from this cafeteria.”

    The loud dining area suddenly got quiet as everyone seemed to hear. Abigail suddenly poked her head out of the kitchen door and looked around. She then glared at me with hatred, “You trashing my food -- again?”

    “No, I was just pointing out that hamburgers do not contain the fresh produce that I prefer...”

    Without hesitation, Abigail interrupted, “No one but you cares about the freshness and produce on my hamburgers!”

    “I’m sorry Miss Abigail, but I just prefer certain ingredients on my sandwich. I have brought my own fresh salad for lunch. Thank you.”

    The usual domestic cafeteria sounds resumed as Miss Abigail stormed back into the kitchen. She tried to slam the swinging door, and I politely walked to my table.

    I immediately pulled out my supplies and phone and laid them down on the table. My lunch box contained the usual fresh fruit salad and a small cut turkey sandwich in a tiny sandwich bag.

    Before I began eating, I unlocked my phone using a thumbprint and immediately opened the recording of the boys. With one computer earpiece, I struggled to make out words. The shaky recorded video showed three of the boys just whispering quietly.

    “He said we can buy the goods,” mumbled one voice.

    “I can get it for less than ten dollars,” said another.

    “Baron won’t take it without straight cash,” said a third.

    This was further documentation of the nickname ‘Baron’. I now had a recording of the boys talking about purchasing goods from someone referred to as ‘Baron’.

    While deep in concentration listening to the broken conversation and considering options, Brooke walked up to the table and sat down.

    “Okay. I didn’t get you the burger, but I got a pre-cut peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It’s got a thick spread of the crunchy peanuts and extra jelly.”

    “No thank you,” I replied politely.

    “You don’t have to pay me back. It’s a gift.”

    “Thank you. But I have plenty of lunch right here.”

    “Fine,” Brooke said as she pulled out food from the bag. “It’s just extra for me. What are you listening to?”

    “Oh, it’s just a recording I made.”

    “A recording? Like music?”

    “No.”

    “Is it for school? Like some teachers’ boring lectures?” Brooke laughed. “Or some gossip?”

    “It’s just a personal assignment I’m working on.” I then quietly opened my salad bowl container and unscrewed the lid from my water bottle.

    Brooke took a bite of her burger and mumbled, “I thought the history test this morning was going to be hard, but it was easy. Didn’t you think so?”

    “Yes. It was not complicated.”

    “The fourteenth century seemed like a forgettable decade in class, but I learned a lot.”

    I stopped eating and looked up surprised. “It was the fifteenth century and it was not a decade.”

    “Oh yeah, I always get that mixed up.” Brooke then dipped her fries into ketchup and continued, “Freddy and Haley were there almost till the bell rang. Haley finished first, then waited for Freddy. You could tell she was holding up her answers and wanted Freddy to cheat.”

    “I think Miss Erika was monitoring all students.”

    Brooke continued talking fast and chewing with no manners, but I listened curiously. “I don’t know. Coach Kenny was of course talking to Miss Erika -- as usual. He knocked on the door, and I was the only one still taking the test. I always like to go over each answer until the bell rings.”

    “I hope Freddy passes,” I replied. “It is very important to him and the school.”

    Brooke took another bite from her sandwich and continued, “Yeah. His whole future is depending on that test. And Coach Kenny’s future. And the future for the school... It’s all riding on one test.”

    I was finishing up my salad and returning the bowl to my lunch box when Brooke jumped up and waved. “Sean! Tommy! Over here!”

    When I looked around, Tommy the eighteen-year-old senior was reluctantly walking up followed by Sean, the sixteen-year-old junior student I had the adventure with before school.

    Tommy looked confident and proud as he approached. “Hey, Brooke! I got everything under control. I can drive my Dad’s four-runner and just fold down two seats in the back.”

    “That won’t be necessary,” replied Brooke. “Our transportation for the dance is all reserved. It’s a professional driving service I found on-line.”

    “Oh, so they’re picking us up now?” Tommy seemed annoyed that this decision was made without his input.

    “Yes. You must be ready in a suit and tie by six o’clock on Saturday. The driver and I will be arriving at your house first, and will then be heading straight over to Sean’s place.” Brooke suddenly stopped and turned to me. “Juji? Have you met Sean?”

    “Yes,” I replied. “We met this morning.”

    “This morning?” asked Brooke in surprise.

    “Me and Juji were just checking out an old convertible in the teacher's parking lot, and this tough guy came walking up,” answered Sean. “The guy was out for blood.”

    “Juji, you can’t just spy,” remarked Brooke.

    “It was simple documentation.”

    Sean became defensive, “It wasn’t really spying. We were just checking out details of the classic car.”

    “I’ve seen that car,” said Tommy with a laugh. “The driver is a real tough guy.”

    “You have to be careful with stuff like that,” said Brooke. “The driver is none of your business.”

    I looked around before responding, “I was just verifying the model and year of the car.”

    “So did you find out anything?” asked Tommy.

    “I don’t like to reveal details of an investigation still in progress,” I replied.

    Brooke looked annoyed and tried to change the subject, “Tommy, have you met Juji?”

    “Kind of. She got in my class after she got bumped up to the sixth grade. Remember that?”

    I didn’t respond but continued staring down at my lunch.

    “And I was in Juji’s class before she moved up,” said Sean with a laugh. “I always got the back seat on the last row, where nobody could see me. And Juji was always in the first seat of the front row!”

    “See?” replied Brooke. “You guys are like opposites, and it’s opposites that attract, right? Isn’t that a chemistry theory? Or is it just a horoscope thing?”

    “Opposites attract refers to the two poles of a magnet...” I replied before Brooke cut me off.

    “Anyway, let’s start making plans for our big Fall Formal date. I figure we can first meet at the Friday Football game to go over plans. I’ll buy popcorn and hotdogs.”

    “What’s it cost to go to a football game?” asked Tommy.

    “It’s just a few dollars with student ID’s,” replied Brooke. “I can pay for all that and food from the concession stand. We can just talk while the game is going on.”

    “But I still wanna see the game,” said Sean.

    “I don’t care about Pixley football,” replied Tommy.

    Sean looked around and asked, “Will Freddy even be playing?”

    “No one knows,” answered Brooke as she looked around for the football team’s usual table. “Tomorrow’s game is riding on that history test.”

    Sean looked back around at the table and mumbled, “I heard it could be his whole future if he doesn’t get the right grade in History.”

    “I know what that’s like,” said Tommy with a laugh. “But I hear he’s got it all taken care of. With the help of Coach Kenny and Miss Erika, he can ace any test. I think they got a plan.”

    Brooke then spoke up, “No one is cheating on any test. Grades are based strictly on the amount of work that is put in. I don’t like cheaters any more than unfounded accusations of cheating.”

    I was impressed with Brooke’s logic. The boys also nodded their heads in agreement. I continued eating with my head down before Brooke continued, “Now. Back to the dance. I want each of you to bring a special flower that can attach to our dresses. It’s called a corsage.”

    “I can just get flowers off some bushes we have in my backyard,” said Sean politely. “They’re really pretty, and they just go to waste.”

    “That sounds cheap. Get me one too,” said Tommy.

    “Never mind. I’ll buy the corsages for me and Juji.” Brooke was annoyed but continued, “You boys are also required to wear a dark suit with a nice tie. Do you have that?”

    “I know I’ve got a suit that I wear every couple of years. I wore it to my Great Grandma’s funeral a couple of years ago,” replied Tommy with pride. “I hope it still fits.”

    Sean then commented nervously, “I never learned how to tie a tie actually, but my mom can help.”

    “When the special car arrives to pick you up, you must be dressed and ready to go. He will then stop by my house, and then we will all three head over to Juji’s.”

    As Brooke was laying out plans, I did not respond.

    When I noticed the same teen boys I had recorded, gathering at the back of the cafeteria, I stood up. More people were leaning over the table and arguing.

    Brooke turned to me and appeared confused, “Juji! What are you doing? Will seven o’clock be okay?”

    I heard Brooke's question but wasn’t interested in the conversation. There were a lot more important things on my mind. I immediately pulled out my phone and began walking around the table. “Where are you going?” asked Brooke. “Juji, we need to lock down our plans!”

    “I’ve got some things I need to check. I won’t be attending the dance, but you guys have a nice day.”

    “Juji! Wait!” said Brooke as she got up to follow me. I heard her turn back to the boys. “She’s going to the dance. She’ll be there.”

    Brooke motioned for Sean and Tommy to stay put and followed closely behind me. “You're going to blow our chances. I got Tommy and Sean both starting to plan for the big night, and Sean will even be taking dance lessons. It’s a dance class online that he’s doing!”

    As I moved closer to the group of boys, I noticed two new faces. One was a senior who was always skipping classes and a weekly attendee of Saturday school. The other boy looked like a freshman who was my age. He seemed nervous as he reached into his wallet and began pulling out cash.

    Even if I couldn’t hear the specifics of the conversation, I wanted to document all faces of students in the group. I sat down on an empty chair directly across from the boys and pulled out my phone. When I got it set up at the perfect angle, I first began snapping close up photos of each boy’s face.

    “Juji wait!” yelled Brooke as she ran up. She immediately sat down blocking my camera angle and was talking over all conversation.

    “I got the boy’s addresses, and I have a map for the driver,” she said. “The meeting at the game Friday is just to break the ice. You can ride your bike to the Modena field and just head to the top left corner of the home side of the stadium.”

    “Brooke, you don’t understand...” I replied with confusion.

    “RING!!!” When the bell rang, all the students jumped up and began heading to class.

    “I’m too young to date,” I said again. “And I don’t attend sporting events without being accompanied by an adult.” Before I even got the words out, Brooke was already running ahead down the hall. “Brooke?”

    When I looked around for the suspicious boys gathered around the table, they too were already dispersed. I then shut down my phone and made my way to the next class.

    If I was to attend the Friday Football game and the Fall Formal, I would only be going as a friend and not as a formal date. It was something to consider, and I believed I was old enough to make that decision.