Behind The Lies by Mark Beckner (the chimp paradox .txt) 📗

Brad is not a bad student, but he doesn’t put much effort into his studies. With unimpressed teachers, Brad can usually do enough to get a C grade, and sometimes even a B. There are a few teachers who fall for Brad’s charisma and fame (and potential fame) and generally give him a pass just for showing up to class. They provide him with enough A’s and B’s to keep his average in the B range, plenty high enough to get into most colleges offering him a scholarship.

Brad doesn’t think much about his future, other than he plans to someday be a pro football player. Most of his attention is spent on having fun and dating girls. He never has a girlfriend for long, as the challenge of getting the date is what excites him. That, and of course “scoring” with each girl he dates. One of his goals is to score with every cheerleader, a total of 12, not counting the three male cheerleaders of course. He has managed to date seven of them, but the other five don’t seem interested and have thus far turned down his efforts to date them. He is in his senior year, so he knows his time is running out, but still believes he can charm a few more of them before next spring.

Wednesday, November 4th

How Brad comes to be acquainted with a 16-year-old Junior named Aaron Livingston starts on this Wednesday. It is a strange relationship, as Aaron is the polar opposite of Brad. Aaron is about 5’8 and 145 lbs., with short, curly, light brown hair and wire-rim glasses. He is not a bad-looking kid, but does fit the look of what some would call nerdy. He is not interested at all in sports and has only attended two football games his entire time in high school. Nor is Aaron outgoing or brash about anything. He is shy, quiet, and very studious. He is especially insecure and shy with the girls. He lives with his mother, Megan Livingston, in a modest home and has no siblings. His father died from a heart attack when Aaron was 4 years old, and this had a profound impact on Aaron. His mother believes this is partially why Aaron tends to lack confidence in social situations.

Aaron is intelligent and cares about his grades, mostly earning A’s. He does not have a lot of friends, but those he does have are like him, with like interests in technology, video games, and chess. Some of Aaron’s favorite video games are Chess, League of Legends, and Darkest Dungeon, although he will play just about anything. Aaron also plays board Chess with some of his friends. He does not participate in school activities with the exception of one. He is a member of the school’s Chess Club. The club meets once a week and allows Aaron to play other chess players that test his skill level. He is getting rather good at it. He now wins about 70% of his matches.

“Hey Aaron, what’s up?”

Who’s that? Aaron wonders. He turns around from his seat at one of the cafeteria tables in the corner and sees Brad McGivens walking toward him. What does he want? Two of Aaron’s chess-playing friends at the table wonder the same thing.

“Uh, not much,” Aaron says softly.

“Good, because I’ve got a hot opportunity for you,” says Brad. “You see that girl over there?” as he points in the direction of Wendy Spire, sitting with a couple of friends at another table half-way across the room. “I’ll bet she would be someone who would like to date you.”

“But, I don’t even know her,” Aaron says.

“No, but you will if you let me help you.”

Aaron is certainly not a lady’s man, and he has never had a girlfriend, but it doesn’t mean he hasn’t fantasized about one. And if he is being honest, Wendy has attracted his attention in a couple of his classes. However, other than a quick “hi” or “hello,” he has never spoken to her. He likes the fact that she seems to be kind to everyone, is studious like him, and appears to be on the shy side like he is. At least they have some things in common. But Aaron is too shy and insecure to ever start up a conversation with her, let alone ask her out on a date.

“How could you help me?” asks Aaron.

“Well, you’ve seen me talking to Wendy from time to time, right? She’s a friend of mine and I think you would be the perfect type of guy for her. And I could help you set up a date, maybe even score with her.”

Aaron is confused now. “Score? What are you talking about?”

“Never mind, just let me help you get to know her.”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“What, are you gay or something?’

“No, I’m not gay!” Aaron says in a louder voice.

“Well then, give it some thought big boy,” says Brad as he walks away.

“What the heck was that about?” asks Timmy Goodman, one of Aaron’s friends sitting at the table. The other friend at the table, Harold Best, simply sits with a puzzled look on his face.

“I don’t know,” Aaron responds.

Brad of course has not talked to Wendy about Aaron. Brad is angry that Wendy Spire has once again spurned his attentions. Wendy is different from any girl he has ever dated. Wendy is only 16 and a Junior. She is not a partier, does not particularly like sports (although she did attend some of the football games for the social side of it), and is much more interested in her studies than Brad. Wendy is also shy and reserved. She knows boys who are casual friends, but has not dated anyone. She also plays violin in the high school orchestra and has worked her way to second chair. Wendy is hoping to one day take over as first chair. Wendy only has a few close friends, her best one being Katy Anderson. Wendy and Katy share