[X] Go to school. People are expecting you and Lucille to show up to classes since you two are still students after all. Hell, the incidents that the other members went to check out might be related to this whole supernatural business! Maybe you'll find out something more? So what if you had a life-and-death fight with moving clay statue last night?
Lucille's house a bit further from school than your own place but you can still get to homeroom before the bell rings by walking. So your walk to school is still pretty much the same with one key difference.
"So I was wondering what's your take on this whole star and shadow thing that we've gotten ourselves into?" Lucille is walking by your side and the two of you have been talking about things such as your powers, what happened last night, and the dream that the both of you had that explained a bit about what was going on. "I mean, if you think about it, it seems pretty incredulous and crazy but considering what happened last night, I think we should take it seriously. That's just my two cents on the whole deal, you?"
To be honest, you were rather ambivalent about the whole thing. On one hand, you were nearly killed by a golem last night because you woke up one morning with the power to control paper thus indicating the end of your normal school life if more of these golems or shadows as the voice had called them were going to be showing up. On the other hand, Lucille's had her hopes and dreams validated thanks to this so that's a plus. She was happy and that was worth it in your books. You tell Lucille as much, causing her to blush and try and hide an embarrassed smile.
"Thanks James. I appreciate that you went out of your way to show me your powers and that you are part of the club and my friend. I don't think I've been happier than this in my entire life!" Lucille giggles happily upon remembering all of last night but a small frown appears on her face as her eyes briefly focus on the bandage on your face. "I hope that things won't end up like last night with us scrambling around trying to stay alive and everything."
True, you don't want to get hurt but you accept that there is a high possibility that you'll be attacked in the future and that wounds are most likely unavoidable. All you can do is prepare and make sure that any cuts or injuries you aren't lethal.
Lucille makes a strained smile when she hears that before sighing and smiling for real. She's about to say something when a pair of hands claps over your eyes without warning.
"GUESS WHO!" And here's the human Energizer Bunny right on time.
"W-What on – who are you!?" You hear Lucille ask in confusion.
"QUESTIONS LATER! GUESSING NOW!" Madelyn practically shouts. You groan and give the same answer as always. "DING DING! And we have a winner!" Like always, your childhood friend releases you from her grasp and you greet her good morning with a tired smile.
Lucille looks at the two of you before giving her greetings as well. "Um, good morning."
"And good morning to the both of you as well! Fine weather we're having. Now before I give Jame's his prize today, let's have a bonus round!" Wait what? Before you can ask Madelyn to elaborate, she suddenly points at Lucille and glares at her suspiciously. "Why are you walking to school with none other than the infamous delusionist of class 2-D, Lucille Barber?"
You swear that you saw a tumbleweed roll pass as you and Lucille stare at Madelyn in confusion and disbelief before Lucille narrows her eyes and glares back at Madelyn. "Hey! You make it sound like that's a bad thing! And who are you anyway!?"
You groan as Madelyn freezes in disbelief as the sight of someone not knowing who she was before grinning mischievously. Flipping her blonde pigtails behind her, Madelyn proceeds to introduce herself. "Very well then, Lucille Barber! Allow me to enlighten you. I am none other than Madelyn Kirby head cheerleader of North Rizen High! I'm a blossoming sweet sixteen in the prime of her youth! I like relaxing at the beach and I enjoy partying all night long at the dance club when the sun goes down. I dislike smoking and my mum's particular lifestyle. And drugs, drugs are bad, don't do them. My dreams for the future include becoming a nurse and to one day break someone's knees. I am also a childhood friend of James Miller here and it is very nice to make your acquaintance, Lucille. Now your turn!"
"Huh? What? I, um, okay!" Lucille pumps her fist, caught up in Madelyn's flow. You're just waiting on the sidelines for the two of them to finish. "I am Lucille of the distinguished Barber Family and I am the president of the Occult Research Club of which our mutual friend James Miller is a member. I shall be turning sixteen on All Hallow's Eve. I like all things pertaining to the supernatural, paranormal and the occult as well as being with my friend James. I dislike those who puts down the supernatural saying that such things can't possibly exist, for it is obvious that such people have very little magic in their lives. My dreams for the future….has come true already so I guess have a large family? Oh, and I think I'll like to go see the world when I finish school. It is also very nice to meet you, Madelyn."
For several long moments, the two blonde girls, one with pigtails that go down to her waist and one with short curly hair that goes to her shoulders, stare at each other with narrow eyes. Then with a nod, they both smile and lighten up before grasping each other's hand. "This is just grand! Why didn't we meet sooner?! I'm so sorry about what I said earlier, I was being melodramatic, you know how it is."
"I know exactly what you mean! Sometimes people just don't get what you're saying and misinterpret it. Though I do admit that being called a delusionist is one of my pet peeves so I would ask you not to call me that ever again."
"You can count it, Lucy! I can call you that, right?"
"Only if I can call you Maddy."
"Of course, you can! All my friends call me Maddy!"
"Oh, you two. Are we going to school or not?" You ask, interrupting their banter. They take a moment to realise that they still have to go to school and quickly compose themselves.
"Right, sorry about that James. So as I was asking, how come you two were walking to school together?" Madelyn asks again, normally this time.
"Oh, that? Well, James stayed over at my place last night since he – ," You facepalm as Lucille claps her hand over her mouth when she realises what she just said but the damage was already done.
"HUUUUH!? You mean the two of you were together last night?! I thought James was at Zane's! Wait, don't tell me you two were stepping the stairway to adulthood! Oh my god! That means, James' cheating on his internet girlfriend!"
"Wait, he has an internet girlfriend?"
"LIKE HELL I DO!" You shout. You weren't letting any misunderstanding occur over your love-life or lack of it. "I got injured while helping Lucille with club activities last night due to being hit by some asshole on a bike. Her place was closest so she took me there to get patched up. It was late so I stayed the night. Nothing R-Rated happened so don't let your imagination run wild, Madelyn! Also, I do not, I repeat, do not have an internet girlfriend!"
The two girls stare at you as you finish your tirade. Madelyn looks disappointed that you aren't in a relationship with anyone while Lucille lets out a sigh of relief.
"Come on, let's get to school."
After that, you continue walking to school with Lucille and Madelyn chatting happily behind you. Girls, you'll never understand them.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Today's classes are much more normal due to most of the absent students from yesterday returning. Turns out there was some kind of bug going around and you were lucky enough not to get it. You can't help but wonder though if that was really the case with everyone. With the Yorizen Star Storm having started several days ago, is it possible that there are several "Gifted" in your class?
In any case, your classes come and goes, and there is a not small amount of relief when the bell for lunch goes off. As the classroom empties itself, Zane catches up to you and swings his arm over your shoulder.
"So what's this I've been hearing about you having an internet girlfriend and cheating on said internet GF with none other than the ever delusional – ," You quickly cut off your best male friend with a withering glare. You ain't having that kind of crap, not after last night.
"Finish that sentence I will stab you with a pointy object." You threaten darkly. You swear to god that if you ever find out who's been spreading these rumours, you will fucking stab them with their textbook literally.
"Hey, chill man. I'm just messing with ya. I know that you don't have a GF. Though people have been saying that you seem a lot closer to the Barber girl than normal. Plus from what I understand, Maddy and Lucille have finally met each other."
You grunt in annoyance and continue your way to the cafeteria. Since you stayed overnight at Lucille's place, you didn't have a homemade lunch so you were stuck with school lunches.
"Feh, be that way. Any hoo, have you heard about the fire over at the corner of the shopping district?"
No, you haven't heard about it since Lucille doesn't get the newspaper and you didn't have time to watch TV.
"I hear that a couple of our students were caught in it. I hear they manage to get out safely though so that's a plus. Well enough about that, have you been on WoW lately?"
You and Zane fall back to small talk as you wait for lunch to be served. Zane gets served before you and mentions that he promised to talk with someone during lunch so he couldn't join you.
Today's school lunch? A side of beef casserole, some pasta, steam vegetables, and bread. Plus a can of coke from your own pockets. Carrying the tray of food, you look around for a free spot. You don't see Lucille anyway in the cafeteria nor do you see Madelyn. Your club members aren't in sight either. Looks like you're sitting with people that you may or may not know.
In the end, you find sharing a table with:
[ ] A tall female senior in a Japanese school uniform and long black hair, a senpai if you will, who is the very picture of a Japanese Yamato Nadeshiko. If you recall correctly, she's the new student who transferred recently after moving from Japan to the US. She noticed your plight and offered you the free seat at their table. You ignore the glares from her following of "kohais" and admirers.
[ ] A bespectacled nerd with gelled back hair, shades, and a lab coat – at least you think he's a nerd. For some reason, he's by himself at the table but as far as you can tell, there's nothing off about him besides his fashion choices that say keep away. He merely grunts and focuses on his game when you ask if you could sit at the table.
[ ] A handsome guy who's obviously a member of one of North Rizen's sports clubs. You can tell by the balls that are under the table as well his choice to wear his sports uniform. He's writing something down in a notebook while mechanically eating his own lunch. There's a couple of guys and girls around him, obviously sucking up to him but as far as can tell, they might as well be air to him. Surprisingly, when you asked if you could have the free seat, he said yes.
[ ] A girl with a strange vibe who looks like she belongs in middle school like Angelique with curly brown hair and a girl with short black hair who's fussing over the other girl. There are other people at the table but the free seat is next to the two girls. When you come over, you notice that the first girl is drawing robots in an artbook while the other girl is looking strangely disturbed by the sight.
