The glasses pushed up against his nose as he answered yet another problem in class.Everyone loved him; he always carried along a pocket of joy wherever he roamed.

His glasses steamed as he rushed to get his hand up, he had to answer this question, and he had to let us know he knew it.

In the corner of the room a couple of girls were chatting about High School Musical II.At the sound of it he immediately perked up and started singing: ‘We’re all in this together! Hehehe’.The girls looked at him with great smiling faces and they all joined in hands and started singing together. I looked towards them and I wanted to join so badly it hurt, but I had dignity.

It was near the end of class and so the teacher let us have a few minutes just to catch up with each other.I overheard a couple guys talking about a previous Halo 3 tournament, and apparently Gonzales overheard as well, because he almost instantly rushed over as quickly as his pudgy feet could carry him.He then proceeded to tell them about how he himself had won more than a few tournaments.He was a god of the digital world.At all times he carried a Ti-83 plus silver-plated state-of-the-art calculator, delightfully and originally decorated with his favorite cartoon mouse. At every opportunity he also pulled out his laptop (state-of-the-art, of course, and very expensive). With Gonzales in our midst we would never have to fret about an unsolved problem.

Yes, this was Gonzales. He had a way with the ladies, and was very rich; we all envied him. But beneath the cool exterior, there was a passion that burned with the intensity of a thousand suns, and the annoyingness of a Fourth-of-July sparkler (which he loved). No, what I refer to was the love he had for Emily. He’d loved her ever since 2nd Period, four years ago, and since then he spared no expense to show his affection. Every birthday and Valentines Day that passed, there was either a rose or an imported box of chocolates on her desk (very expensive). But despite his athleticism, his intelligence, his charm, and his money, she did not feel the same way. He never got a hint though and daily offered her gum and help with her studies, even though she was making a far better grade in the class than he anyway.

It was the last day of class, and the teacher wished to say a few things to us, before we left High School for good. She said to us ‘It’s been a pleasure knowing you all, and I wish you well in college! I won’t forget you.’ Gonzales, sensing the opportunity to make his voice-noises, stated ‘Heh heh yeah. I wouldn’t be surprised if you all forgot me in a year. Heh heh. No, I bet if I died tomorrow, and they said my name on the announcements, everyone would laugh. Heh heh’. Everybody laugh hardily. Then the bell rang, and we began to shuffle out of the room.

Up ahead Emily was walking towards the door and Gonzales rushed up. ‘Hey Emily!’ Emily turned around and smiled.‘Hey Emily would you like to go out sometime in the near future?’ Emily’s reply was a short and very polite, yet sincere, no. ‘Ok then see you later!’He cheerfully said with a exuberant smile upon his face.

Ever since we knew this unique character his smile never faded.We all remembered him for our own reasons.Whether it is good or bad, love or hate, disdain or joy, he will not be forgotten. Gonzales, Gonzales where art thou Gonzales?