September 6, 20XX

Something crazy happened last night.

Before I get to that, allow me some mental space to pretext. Grab some stevia-sweetened boba because you're in for a WILD RIDE.

In this mostly-empty classroom that serves as the club room, there sits in the middle a round table with chairs at each compass point. I sit on the east side, if we're facing the whiteboard near the door, with a clear view of the window that lets in fresh air, fresh sunlight, and fresh vibes. In short, to my right is (if he doesn't decide to just up and leave as he does sometimes) Mr. Kafka, and to his right or my right's right is Claire, and to her right or my right's right's right is an empty seat which SHOULD hold the bosom of his high and mighty Mark Rodgers. To the right of the ghost is me.

I should've drawn a picture but it's too late, I've already spent too much effort. I could've also completed my compass analogy, but anyway you get the point—there are chairs on each respective angle of the table and one seat is vacant.

Now rewind back. Back some more... and some more... okay, wait, that's too far. No, stop, the dinosaurs should be extinct THE DINOSAURS SHOULD BE EXTINCT!

I'm having way too much fun with this.

Last night. Approximately 8 p.m. I was walking down the street, checking it out with some homies because I am obviously very popular on the streets (it's my story so I can tell it how I want). This, this, a little bit more of this and a lot of that happened (too lazy to go into detail) and lo and behold I come across Mark. Passing by the local grocery, I instantaneously spot his remarkable scowl. I didn't think it was possible, but it's about 50% more scowly than yesterday at the club.

What happened next will BLOW YOUR MIND (blow your mind blow your mind blow your mind). Mark was passing by a group of suspicious looking people. Whether he bumped into them on accident or they ran into him on purpose–I don't know exactly what happened. Regardless, both sides got real scary real quick. The groupies insulted his hair. They insulted his shoes. They insulted his backpack. They insulted his dinner rolls—his dinner rolls! I was watching from afar and thought to myself "oh no they didn't". Not the rolls, bro, not the rolls.

Things escalated bad. Mark didn't seem fazed. He didn't retaliate, either. He stood there, fixed, like a menacing statue. I was getting concerned.

I didn't really want to get involved, but things were looking nastier by the minute. Regretfully, I walked carefully in a weird semi-circle towards them, edging closer and closer. I tried calling out something, but my voice was drowned by the madness that ensued.

One of the groupies threw a punch.

I ran.

My body moved before I realized it.

I thought to myself, "crap, Mark, get OUTTA there!"

My mind caught up with me.

I was worried.

Like really worried.

Like worried someone was going to DIE if I don't do something.

But, fortunately, my concern was needless.

Because in a flash, Mark beat them up. It was a four-on-one. You'd THINK he would be at a disadvantage, but nah. He grappled those fools and rolled—ROLLED—on them. Later I learned that apparantly he's a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

My first time seeing a professional martial artist at work, I went from running to freezing to cheering. I was like "Mark! Twist their sorry faces!" I was surprised they didn't DIE.

I am embarrassed to admit this but not ashamed. His last words were especially timeless. "Stay out of my way, you imbeciles," he said. Brief and cool. Straight to the point. It was so poignant, I'm surprised they didn't DIE from humiliation. Then, he clicked his tongue and angrily went back inside the store.

I was hella stoked, mainly because he said those same words to ME before (or something like it). I felt a strange elatement similar to the feeling of indulging in a previously-forgotten acquaintance's sudden popularity as if you were somehow the hidden core reason for their mad success. "I knew it all along! I always believed you could do it!" Or something delusional like that.

Minutes later, security showed up. Mark didn't seem to be in any real trouble, so I dipped after that. Plus, I didn't want to get caught up in the crowd and end up getting interrogated for eyewitness reports. That sounded like a lot of important work I didn't want to deal with. There were many others present, so it should've been fine.

This brings us back to now. Today, Mark didn't show up to humanatomy class or the club. As you guessed, he was absent. Meanwhile, news spread like wildfire and he's now the talk of the school. Not the ideal way to start the school year, I imagine. He already had a shaky reputation, I quickly learned, but now he's entered infamy status. Hearing people talk about it is one thing, but being part of the actual scene is another. Forgive my excitement, but this is the most action I've seen since the deadly chair incident in the mini-fencing club (it's like mini-golf, but fencing). This is why foldable, plastic chairs are no good. Not to the environment, nor to overall life satisfaction.

That's the end of the story. Well, did that blow your mind? That was a WILD RIDE, wasn't it? If you're disappointed, too bad. No refunds.

Mr. Kafka and Claire don't bring up the situation besides appropriate passing remarks. They carry on, nice and fun. I keep it cool.

As for other things that happened... oh yeah the test. I took a test today, a real one... I'm sure I did fine. I had plenty of time to prepare (and squander).

Oh, and I met up with some peeps from the old social chemistry club. They seem to be doing well.

It's all nothing real notable, anyway, so I'll leave it at that. I have the weekend to enjoy and I'm looking forward to it. The tiresome school week is coming to an end, at last. Freedom awaits, my comrades.

Journaling time's up. Time to go home and chill.

I hope he's alright.