Unjust and Just War

Jessicah Gist

1000 Highschool

cliffjumper@gmail.com

999-999-0000

Junior Adventure Trip

The pair stood standing in the full parking lot, watching their fellow classmates load onto the bus. Today seemed to be overcast, but by the time Joel would get to the falls, it would most likely be bright and hot.

As Quinn expected, Joel was not overly thrilled about going on the trip, but Sierra and her believed it could help him get his energy out and also keep up appearances. How strange it was to think that one needed to pretend to be a Basic.

"Are you just going to watch everyone get on the bus or" - Quinn lef, standing just behind Joel's shoulder.

"I hate events." Joel grumbled back, but moved forward. "See you when I get back, don't have too much fun without me."

Joel shifted his backpack on his shoulder and boarded the last yellow bus. The backpack was weighed down with all the things Quinn thought he might need, which if were up to him, he would have just brought a towel and a few Twinkies.

As Joel looked down the row of seats there were only three that appeared to be open, one was by a teacher, another was an emo kid wearing black lipstick. Joel moved past both, sitting by his third option.

"Hi Lacey." Joel offered, looking into her green eyes.

"Hey yourself." she responded, and moved her bag onto her lap so that Joel could take a seat.

"Thanks." Was all Joel said and then looked forward. Why Quinn and Sierra made him come to this event was beyond him. He fit in fine.

Lacey did not seem to mind the silence, which was why Joel chose to sit by her. Her blond hair was curled and tucked back with a headband that hardly did its job. She wore cloths that were meant to get dirty. Unlike all the other girls Lacey had no problem wearing cutoff shorts and a simple shirt. Joel smirked looking at everyone on the bus. They were all so consumed with appearance.

Today was going to be a long day. Joel could feel it. The bus ride only took a half hour, but that did not stop people from annoying the bus drive.

After minding his business and helping a few people over the dam and crossing the rocks, Joel sat down at a place overlooking the cliff jumping spot. The places to jump where high for those who aren't Basics, but for him, it would be easy. Joel focused on his sandwich with the hopes that no one would bother him. He didn't need to be noticed.

"Hi Joel." Lacey offered, setting her towel down next to him and made herself comfortable.

"Hey yourself." Joel laughed. Their where about fifty in his class that came to the Junior Adventure Trip. Almost everyone was making their way to the trail that led up to a few places to jump. The day so far had had little problems and only Mr. Kiker and a few other teachers where stressed out about the fact that the school allowed students to cliff jump.

"You think you'll jump? I heard you like this sort of thing." Lacey asked.

"I don't think so. I don't really like crowds." Joel answered and dug through his backpack for his lunch. Quinn packed way too much. Did he really need sunscreen or a compass?

"I'll do it if you do." Lacey egged him on. "And we wont even have to draw attention to ourselves, There is more than one place to jump."

She took the sandwich from his hands set it down on the towel. Then she stood and held out her hands to pull him up.

"Alright, alright." Joel conceited and let her pull him up. This would be considered fitting in to Quinn and Sierra.

The well-worn trail was very steep. Joel looked back at the crowd waiting to jump at the lower level of the cliff. They were going to far up.

Joel called out to Lacey, who was still pushing to go higher. "No one should jump this high!" Joel shouted up.

"You can." Lacey countered without even looking back at Joel. Her answer made Joel freeze. This was exactly why he did not want to come on this trip!

"Of course I wouldn't jump this high! Its too high!" the worried emotion from her accusation hopefully sold the fact that he did not like heights and not the fact that he was worried she may find out about him. Joel could play her. He would make her sound crazy or sell her on the fact that she had been mistaken. He would rather go with the second choice. Making a nice girl like Lacey out to be crazy would be a lot of work and it would make him hate himself. "Is it?" Lacey questioned with an air of certainty.

"You think it is possible for someone to jump from 85ft and not get hurt? Seriously?" Joel was surprise at her persistence. She must know more than he thought or she would have started