The Hero of Thursday

Daniel Mercer has spent days building a plan he is certain is perfect, and the cafeteria's indifference to him is part of it. Then he whispers to Ethan Cole.

Attention

On Monday, Daniel Mercer arrived at school with a plan so carefully constructed that he could already imagine people calling it perfect.

He sat alone at the end of the cafeteria, turning an unopened carton of milk between his hands. Around him, hundreds of conversations blended into one shapeless roar. Chairs scraped against the floor. Someone laughed too loudly near the vending machines. A basketball player threw a grape across the room.

No one paid attention to Daniel.

That was one of the plan’s greatest strengths.

Across the cafeteria, Ethan Cole sat with three boys from the junior varsity team. He smiled when they smiled and looked down when they ignored him. To everyone else, Ethan and Daniel were practically strangers.

That was another strength.

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Quick answers about The Hero of Thursday

What is The Hero of Thursday about?

Daniel Mercer has spent days building a plan he is certain is perfect, and the cafeteria's indifference to him is part of it. Then he whispers to Ethan Cole.

Is The Hero of Thursday free to read?

Yes. Every story on RapidTale is free to read in the browser, with no sign-up and nothing to install.

How long does it take to read?

This story runs 1 chapter — most readers finish in one sitting, and you can stop and return to any chapter using the contents list.

Who wrote it?

Nimra Khan — original fiction published on RapidTale.