The F Factor Read Online Free PDF Page B

could he pull it all together when there was a camera rolling? How did he get so
lucky
to get the new elective?
    At the same time, Javier wondered what it might be like to be part of a “school first”—to be one of the first guys to work the new equipment and get on school TV. Of course, that could also make him the first guy to mess up in front of the whole school too.
What did Mr. Seneca tell Kenny? Everyone in the school watching, just waiting for you to mess up, make just one little mistake so they can tease you about it all day long
. Javier’s head filled up and replayed various mess-ups in weird daydreams.
    â€œAnd what’s your opinion, Mr. Ávila?”
    Javier gripped the sides of the table. Mr. Seneca stood directly in front of him. Javier realized he had no idea what the teacher had been saying for the past few minutes.
    Javier stared at Mr. Seneca as an imaginary drum roll sounded. Slowly, he said, “I’m not sure, Sir. It’s one of those things with no easy answer.”
    Mr. Seneca stared down Javier, who tried not to flinch. He knew the teacher was trying to decide if Javier spoke honestly or was trying to save his butt because he wasn’t paying attention. He grunted at Javier. As Mr. Seneca moved his crutches and walked away, Javier felt like he had just escaped a firing squad.
    â€œWhat about the rest of you? Do you think nations are destined to repeat the same mistakes without a serious study of history?”
    As a few guys raised their hands and made comments, Javier regretted his earlier response. He would have enjoyed answering that question. As a rule, he liked history classes. From then on, he made a better effort to pay attention.
    Mr. Seneca spoke at length about his world travels as the son of military officers. After college, he had enlisted in the Marines and had served in Japan, Africa, and the Middle East.
    He made the class laugh with a couple of stories about American stereotypes in foreign countries, when like a sudden cloud covering the sun, his facial expression darkened. His mouth turned down slightly. “Some of you are probably thinking I am on crutches because of a military accident, right?” A few guys nodded, but Mr. Seneca shook his head. “I’m on crutches because I made a stupid mistake, boys. I got distracted and crashed my truck about three years ago.” His crutches tapped the floor in a quick series of
thuds
. “Can’t blame this mistake on somebody else, and when the buck stops right inside your back pocket, you learn pretty fast that life means nothing unless you pay attention.”
    Javier resisted the urge to move in his chair. He didn’t want others to see the discomfort he felt hearing the teacher’s tragic story.
    Mr. Seneca drew a breath before he continued. “Want to know the most important lesson I learned? Some of the best things happen when circumstances are at their worst. Spending all those months in a rehab hospital, I learned how to repair computers and went online to getmy master’s degree in history. I also learned to play basketball in a wheelchair. What new things have you learned the past three years, huh?”
    He looked over the entire room. “After what I’ve been through, I won’t take excuses from you, especially since every one of you has two moving legs and a working brain. You try something in this class, and I’ll know it. I may not be able to run after you, but I can assign enough history research that will keep you in the library seven nights a week.”
    Mr. Seneca stood right beside the chair. With a hint of exhaustion crossing his features, he gave a grunt and maneuvered his body and his crutches to sit down. Javier felt like somebody should jump up and help, but Mr. Seneca knew exactly how to balance himself and use his arms to sink into the chair. He leaned the crutches on the TV cart behind him.
    No one said a word.
    Javier just watched