The Unusual Deceptions in the Heart of Manhattan

By Gage Garcia

St. James High School is considered to be the best high school in the world, where only the best students are allowed in. However, that wasn't the case for Andrew Long, a student who by some miracle, was able to be enrolled as the last student of his class, despite not having the necessary qualifications. This makes Andrew the most hated person in the school. Even before the school year begins, Andrew feels something wrong with the school, and throughout the school year and certain events only increases his suspicions. With the help of the friends he made along the way, Andrew aims to find out the secrets that St. James and their principal, Dr. Roger Wells, are hiding and the other secrets, obstacle, and things that New York provides for him in this coming to age with a thriller twist.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gage Garcia
• Release date: Nov 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005070267

Gage Garcia

I am Gage Garcia, an inspiring independent author living in Arizona.

Book preview

The Unusual Deceptions

in the Heart of Manhattan

Gage Garcia

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2020 by Gage Garcia

All rights reserved.

Chapter 1

Secrets and rumors occur within every school at some degree. At St. James High School, a highly respected private Catholic school with a population of only 357 students in the heart of midtown Manhattan, is no expectation. However, these sorts of antics mostly come from snobby girls with nothing else to talk about, not with the higher ups and staff of the school. This prestigious school is known for finding success in almost every major category, a regular school would dream of having success in one. Students with high GPAs, sport dynasties, filled with state championships as the St. James Knights, and thriving in the arts and music with their band, drama, and choir. The main brain of mission utopian school is principal Dr. Roger Wells, a stereotypical stuck up posh Oxford university alumni. With such a small student population, everybody is pretty cool with each other to the point where separate school cliques are not really revenant compared to other schools. However, legends of the school believe that there is one group that seems to get swept under the rug and are the outcasts of the entire school.

Being a new kid is not easy, despite having tons of experience to move schools constantly. My name is Andrew Long, an incoming freshman Irish Korean American who just moved from Austin, Texas. My dad is a navy sailor (which explains the constant travel and the conveyor belt of schools I went to) and while he was overseas, he met my mom, a waitress in South Korea, and brought her over to the states and had me and my kid sister, Jennifer. To my surprise my dad was the one who applied to St. James without my permission. It would be a great opportunity for you boy, my dad said to me in a confident tone.

A great opportunity for me to be embarrassed, I quickly replied, How I am going to get into a school that looks for high middle school GPAs without any records of my grades.

As my dad was starting to ramble on about how great the school is, my mother silently motions me towards her into the kitchen. My mother said with her broken English that was charming and dreadful to hear at the same time, Adeul, you should at least try, what’s the worst that could really happen.

I looked down and back up at her seeing her puppy dog like eyes sucked me in. I let out a gigantic sigh, Fine, I’m on board, I said sorrowfully. I overheard my dad let out a huge cheer as he was eavesdropping on his own family. As I went to my room to sleep, I overheard my younger sister’s loud music surrounding the approximately. After noticing a small tennis ball, I chucked it at my sister’s head in my way of telling her to turn her music. She did after giving me the one finger salute, we giggled as we said good night to each other. In mid-July, during a heat fight between me and my sister came about as we mashed buttons on our controllers playing the latest 2-D fighter. After I lost for the fourth time in a row, my sister taunted me as I started to silently rage, however my rage turned into surprise as my parents both rushed through the door with the biggest grins on their faces. You’re in you got accepted Andrew! my dad said to me. As my sister hugged me showing me her approval, I could not believe it. How did I get in? I thought in my head. I kept on thinking and wondering how and why I got in to this great school. Two weeks before the school year begins, my dad accompanies me to my meeting with the school board. Both my dad and I did not know what to expect, we tried to look it up on the internet and found no pictures and whatever my dad asked people around, they just didn’t respond. It was like they did not want to spoil the surprise. As we were getting closer, my dad got more confused.

Are we even going the right way? he asked.

I shrugged my arms like I had a clue. "As we were at walking distance to the school, we were confused at what we were looking at.

Son, were we given the wrong address, because that is no high school, my dad said bewildered. We saw the sign of the school saying, ST. JAMES HIGH SCHOOL. We could not believe our eyes, the school looked better than most community colleges that I remember seeing throughout my lifetime. You better not mess this up Andrew, my dad said, very aggressively.

Thanks, like added pressure will help me, I said.

As we pulled into the school, and walked towards the admission office, there was a sense of nervousness that consumed me. As time passed on, waiting for my meeting, I was thinking to myself how I do not deserve or belong here. Feeling like a polar bear in the desert. I was called up by the secretary for my meeting. My first expectation was to see Principal Wells, however to my surprise, it was a drop-dead gorgeous Latina woman. From her name tag, I noticed her name was Dr. Jazmine Sanchez, the Assistant Principal of St. James, who I assume was Dr. Wells’ right hand man or woman in this case, Andrew, how are you, she says in an extremely excited voice with a heavy accent.

Fine, Ms.… I mean Dr. Sanchez I said nervously. The meeting was a series of questions that Dr. Sanchez continued to ask me, the genetic things like Why do I want to go to St. James? What are my ambitions in the future? With every response, I felt more nervous and it did not help with my father looking more disappointed and confused with every bad response I gave, whenever I looked back at him. Despite my answers not being the best, Dr. Sanchez said I did well with an overly happy voice and that she cannot wait for me again throughout the school. I walked away alongside my father. It seems like my meeting went well enough to where I didn’t completely embarrass myself, but not enough to where I deserve the praise, I received from Dr. Sanchez, which I thought was fake. As my father and I were in the car, the first thing my dad says is It seems like they really like you and want you to attend.

Yeah I said trying to sound happy, A bit too much, I said in my head. As my summer is coming to an end and my first year of high school is coming up, there are many things that I am wondering about this school. How can a school be so perfect? How did I get accepted? And why doesn’t anybody feel the same uncertainty as I do, especially my dad, surely after seeing me bomb the interview and know that I am not St. James material? August 5th, the day of freshman orientation, aka the day the school tries to completely sell the school to the students even though we were already enrolled. Firstly, the complete freshman class was asked to be in the cafeteria to be paired up into groups. Once we were in groups, right off the bat, the staff completely overwhelmed me and possible crushes, friends, bullies, or others that are with me, with school facts like we did not know that the internet exists. For me it became honestly a complete waste of time, and to my dismay I noticed that everyone else my group was eating this stuff up. Next, is the complete school tour as my group was guided through the school buildings consisting of classrooms, labs, computers, the whole shebang. The tour was one part informative and one-part bragging and showing off how much they have. Throughout the tour I got used to the huge buildings and advanced sources that the school processes and I got bored of it after a while. It started to show on my face and how I was annoyingly sighing at every other building I entered. I started to realize that the people in my group began to give me stink faces and talk about me behind my back which will not get me popularity points or a good chance of being homecoming king senior year. I assumed that I was starting to seem ungrateful which, I could understand. To be honest, the school can rival a small university based on presentation and design. In all, the tour was not the worst and the tour guides were chill and relaxed, but still, it felt like a bit of a waste of time. After the tour, this was when my group split off into smaller groups to meet our counselors. The first thing I noticed about my counselor is the name, Mrs. Park I said. I felt more confident going to meet my counselor who I assumed as Korean herself. That assumption ended the moment I saw a blonde woman in the counselor’s desk calling my name. I walked towards my counselor’s office with a blank face on my face.

My husband’s Korean, she rapidly replied, as I make a stupid over exaggerated Oh face in front of her. As I try to snap back to reality, Mrs. Park looked over her computer with a face of uncertainty. It seems like I have no records of your grades, she says.

I replied, Yea my family travels a lot due to my father’s military duties. She continued to look into my records. Historically my grades have been fairly average, which led to my confusion of my acceptance to St. James, especially since they were a school who only accepts the brightest. My meeting with Mrs. Park concluded with her giving my school schedule for the semester, which I scanned over really quick. The finale of the orientation was a big group gathering. From the beginning of the whole orientation, I could tell who already knew each other and already had the rapport with each other. Huge school groups were already formed leaving me alone. Being biracial did not do any favors for me as I was too white for the Asian group and too Asian for the white group, there was even a biracial group I was looked down upon. I mean I knew they were black and white biracial, but still, yea. I tried to join certain tables, however, most of them rejected me. As I left certain tables, I noticed some of them talking behind my back. One of the things that I heard them say is, That’s guy is the reason why Jeff isn’t enrolled here. As I was walking away, I thought to myself, Why would that be my fault? All hope seemed to be lost until I noticed someone with blonde hair motioning me to walk towards him. I started to nervously walk towards him without knowing the ramifications that could pop out of nowhere, until out of the blue, I noticed one by one, masked people armed with bats were walking in my direction. Noticing this, I started to sway in a different direction and without a second thought I saw the I know person pointing at me and seeing the batsmen beginning to chase after me. I pivot the other way, moving my arms and legs the fastest I could. Junking and invading those in my way. After a short while I began to feel fatigued. I try motivating myself through ways of hip-hop music and gangster movies, where the main characters are running from the police or a different gang. I started to move upstairs in one of the classroom buildings still with the batsmen on my trail. Just as I was slowly down and being caught, I got pulled to a bathroom by a freaky strong white guy. Freaking out naturally, I tried to scream but my mouth was covered by a hand of my protector. I heard a shhhing and after a while he started to speak. In a strong thick voice, all I hear is, What was all about. All I thought about was my thirst after my run and heading towards the drinking fountains. However, my drink had to wait as I was whiplash towards the wall. Hey, answer me you dick he asks as quietly as he can without sacrificing his threat. I… don’t……. know I said trying to catch my breath. Bull crap, he says, what’s your name? I started to say my first name, but before I could begin to say my last name, LONG the guy said with shock. I nodded as he let go of my shirt. I went out to get my long last drink of water, after I was done, I asked How did you know my name?

You’re Andrew Long, public enemy number one.

Chapter 2

Public enemy what…. why? I asked.

There’s rumors about you, people in this school were wondering why their best friends, brothers, sisters, cousins, girlfriends or boyfriends did not get enrolled into the school, it was because of you. I pointed towards myself mounting me as he nodded up and down rapidly. Before I could say any more, my phone vibrated and saw it was a text from my mom telling me she’s ready to pick me up. I started to head off, thanking my protector along the way. What’s your name anyways? I asked before I completely head off. Troy… Troy Michaels…. but we are NOT friends okay, don’t even think about saying anything to me tomorrow or any time soon, he said to me. I walked away, not knowing if I was safe, I started to put in my training in stealth games to the test. Avoiding all eye contact and people in general, I managed to make it pass the rest of the students all the way until I saw my mother waiting for me to take me home. How was its honey? she asked kindly.

Good, I said, lying through my teeth. During the ride I started to reflect on what Troy told me and how it related to what happened during the orientation. The moment I arrived home, I went straight to my room to nap. However, that nap was longer than intended. Dang it, I missed dinner, I said, kicking my feet up in the air while lying in bed. I went towards the kitchen seeing if there were leftovers. To my delight, there were some in the microwave, as I punched in the numbers for the time, I was surprised by the voice of something is wrong with you. I jumped and the first thing I saw was Jennifer. What?? I spoke loudly without my parents waking up. I know something’s wrong Andrew my sister stated. There is nothing wrong so stop asking I snapped back, losing my sight due to rage. Jennifer took steps back and looked at me with a scared face. I am sorry, I said softly. I know, and I know something is wrong, Jennifer said.

Please tell me. I looked around fast grabbed my food from the microwave and before I went back, Go back to sleep, I said to her. I thought about my sister and I didn’t want her to know and worry about me. It’s too early for that. As I return to my room, I reflect on today, thinking harder on how I got into this school and why I got attacked and knowing who organized it. The morning began with happy smiles among the Long family that were either genuine or forced. (I’ll have you figure out which ones were genuine and which ones were forced). I was not looking forward to my first day, especially knowing that I am a wanted man. It’s like going to a saloon knowing you have a bounty on your head. As I was dropped off by my mom, I got my eyes open on possible attacks. The only thing I got were blank looks, which is promising. I looked down my first class, Algebra 1-2, building B-234. I reached my class, and I took a big sigh as I tried to enter the room. But before I entered the class, I noticed a giant line in front of the class. Apparently, we got assigned seats for this class, so I was anxiously waiting for the teacher (who’s name’s Ms. Diaz) to give me my seat as the line continued to get shorter and shorter. When it was my turn, my teacher showed me where my table seat is at for the whole semester. As I was walking towards my seat, I noticed someone, it was Troy. As I was walking to my seat, I noticed Troy mouthing some sort of curse word out of his mouth out of frustration. As I sat down and looked around my table mates with Troy were each giving me death stares as my other classmates were talking amongst each other either on the topic or about my presence. This cemented my status as the most hated person in St. James. Throughout the class, I try to get the attention from my table mates and maybe gain companions to no prevail. The moment the bell rang, Troy darted out of class, while I was left pondering what I could say to him. The next two classes, French and physical science, come and go, nothing really noteworthy, just the same old deal with people wanting nothing to do with me. My next period is lunch, while my third period rejoice, I dreaded the thought of mindlessly looking somewhere to eat knowing nobody probably wants to be your friend and avoid possible attacks from anybody. While in the cafeteria, I grabbed my chicken sandwich, carrots and carton of milk and went towards the lunch tables trying to find a table without anybody sitting at. I found a lone table amongst the filled seats of the other tables and sat down with my face planted on the table. I looked up and saw a Hispanic guy with a soccer jersey sitting at the table with me, I was startled and was about to leave the table until I heard him say, Hey, I know I am not kicking you off. I went back toward my seat, confused with what’s going to happen next. I saw you were alone and thought I could sit next to you he said.

What’s your name? At that moment I knew that this short friendship was about to end. I gradually slid my school I.D. across the desk to avoid a scene. The dude picked it up and his dementor changed from calm to shocked. You Andrew Long, he thankfully mounted, instead of actually speaking. I just planted my head back to my table. Suddenly, the guy asked Hey…, do you have any friends in this school? I shook my head with my head still not up from the table. Well my name's Tony Martinez, so there you go, you have a friend now. I stood up my head and with a strange look, thinking to myself, why does this guy still want to be my friend despite knowing full well who I am. The shock grew as more people started to come over waving towards Tony. Hey Tony they said. What I saw coming towards me and Tony were a group of identical twin brothers wearing similar clothes, a girl trying to look emo/goth without breaking dress code with pitched black hair, and a husky black guy with glasses. Who’s that says one of the twin brothers. Ohhh this is ummm…. Tony says while on his phone (I assume texting his friends who I was). Instantaneous, all of his friends look at their phones and look back at us. ARE YOU SERIOUS the one of the twins screamed. Tony, why? the other twin asked, while putting his hand on his face.

Cool the emo girl says in a nonchalant voice while smirking at me. I saw the husky guy looking at Tony with a mix of confusion and disbelief while shaking his head. Okay…., since they know your name, let me introduce you to my friends Tony says anxiously, Those two are Smiths, Austin in the red polo and Hunter in the blue flannel, future star defensive lineman Raheem Jackson, and finally choir girl starlet with a gothic feel, Phoebe Hart. I waved back to see mixed reactions, Austin, and Hunter both acting like they didn't even notice me, Raheem gave me a quick nod before putting his focus back towards Tony and Phoebe waving back in a flirty way. See now you got even more friends. Tony says enthusiastically. No, no, no, no, no, no Hunter said rapidly like a Tommy Gun. Wait, why didn’t we get cool introductions? said Austin. First, yes, yes, yes, yes, and secondly, you both are not that special…. yet Tony says. Heck, I am not that special myself. While the twins looked at Tony with disgust. I began finishing my food, for the next couple of minutes the group talked about classes while I reminded quiet, while throwing in yes and no answers. Once the bell rang signaling that lunch is over, I was planning to head to my class on my own; however, I was caught unguarded when Hunter, and Raheem were following me. So…. what class do you have next? I asked politely. We got English next, Hunter replied.

Mrs. Doyle I immediately replied. Once I saw their annoyed looks on their faces, I could tell that they have the same class as I do. I tried to find conversion starters for the both of them. Hey Raheem, how’s playing football? I am actually pretty decent myself and played a bit throughout middle school."

It’s alright, just a lot of expectations for me, Raheem said.

Oh, why the high expectations, I asked right away.

Family tradition, my brother, dad, uncle, were all football stars at St. James, so I have to be one myself.

I could connect to Raheem, I felt that way with my dad and his expectations for me to follow his path and join the military, so I decided to talk about that. I understand how you feel, I will have that feeling with my dad and his expectation of me joining the military after graduation, like he did.

Wait… what branch was your dad? Hunter asked.

Navy I said. Hunter started to geeked out harder than a nerd at a comic book convention. Hunter said, My dad was a part of the Army.

It is my goal to become a U.S. Army Ranger.

That’s really nice! I said. For the rest of the walk, Hunter and I were talking about military stuff with Raheem still with us. It was during this walk I started to realize how big of a deal Raheem is