I yawned, stuffing a random cup into my bin bag. Why the hell did we have to do this on the weekend?! I rubbed my hands together before blowing on them. Winter was starting to roll in and it was getting cold. I spun around looking for more litter and caught Mrs Nakahama eyeing me. I nodded at her awkwardly and she nodded back. She’d been wary of me ever since my first litter pick, but I guess now she didn’t have anything to complain about. Sure, I wasn’t talking to the other students, but I didn’t think that was enough reason to chew me out. I was still picking up the litter.
I picked up another piece of trash and threw it into the bin. I turned around the corner slightly behind the students at the front of the group. I paused, looking up at a brightly coloured mural of the Vanguard. It looked pretty cool. Icon stood in the centre, Saviour and Might to the left, and Express and Medbay to the right, with the large hulking figure of Pride standing over them. They hadn’t really managed to capture Saviour’s glow, and Might’s helmet seemed a bit off but it seemed good enough. It captured the heroic essence they seemed to exude.
“Cool right?” someone said behind me. I glanced behind to see an older student walking over to me. He was one of the heads of the litter pick group. I think his name was Ryan.
“Yeah, I guess” he said.
“Who’s your favourite?” he asked with a small smile.
“I know he’s everyone’s favourite but definitely Icon” I said.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. Mine’s Might. I guess I just like the idea of a regular guy fighting alongside giants” he said.
“Eh… I wouldn’t call him a normal guy. I’m pretty sure he’s got some kind of minor superstrength. And isn’t he like the smartest guy in the world?” I said.
“I mean yeah, but compared to the rest he’s basically a regular guy”
“I guess. I mean I’m not saying he isn’t cool, but he definitely wouldn’t be second on my favourites list” I replied.
“Who would then? Actually tell me your whole list, I wanna know where you put him” he said.
“Well Icon first. Pride second because he’s super cool, literally a half dragon. Uhh let’s see, MedBay’s pretty nice with the curing diseases and all. Then I’d put Saviour, then Might and Express” I said.
“Hmm, you put MedBay pretty high”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“Yeah well most people don’t because she’s not as good at fighting as the others, but she’s cured like a hundred different diseases” I said.
“Fair enough. She is underappreciated, but-”
“Hey Ryan! Help us move this bin!” a voice called out interrupting him. He turned and glanced back at a bunch of others standing in an alley further down.
“It was nice to talk to you Lucas” he said walking away, “You should try to talking to everyone! It’ll make this more fun.”
I felt a smile appear on my face and glanced back at the mural. I reached down with my garbage collection stick and picked up a piece of litter and dropped it into my bag. Maybe this wasn’t so bad.
-
I yawned as I headed to my room. I was finally finished with garbage and now I could relax in my room. Well, I had homework to worry about, but that wasn’t that big a deal. I slowed down as I passed the common room. I paused to glance through the window. It was movie night, with a bunch of people sitting in the corner by the large flat screen. I didn’t recognise the film they were watching. I paused for a second considering if I should join them or not. Nah, I had better things to do than watch half a film.
I started walking down the corridor again when my spider sense buzzed faintly. I felt my heart jump slightly and I leapt backwards, narrowly avoiding walking into someone as they turned the corner. I let out a sigh, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I was seriously on edge.
“Lucas?” a familiar voice said somewhat surprised. I looked up and saw Quinten and Keiko side by side. Keiko avoided my gaze, but Quinten stared at me, his eyebrows raised.
“Hey” I said.
“You cut your hair” he said. I nodded and we stood in awkward silence for a few seconds.
“Welp, I’ve got to go” I said, making an attempt to leave.
“Wait” Quinten said. He glanced at Keiko. “Keiko’s got something to say.”
I paused and glanced back to see the pained expression on her face. Oh right, the whole thing she said about my parents. I was mostly over that. I know she hadn’t known my parents weren’t alive. She hadn’t meant it the way I’d taken it. I’d just overreacted.
“You don’t have to apologise. I mean I was being a dick and you didn’t know. Later” I said walking off.
I made my way up the flight of stairs to my hallway and walked down to my room. The light was on and the door was slightly ajar.
“Hey Eric“ I said stepping inside. I paused, my face contorting with horror. I darted out the room slamming the door behind me. Eric and Rachael had been kissing each other. I guess I should’ve seen that coming. The door swung open and a red faced Rachael glared at me.
“W-why didn’t you knock?” she said, her voice filled with embarrassment.
“The door was open” I said, “Wait you’re not even supposed to be on this floor.”
“Don’t tell anyone about this, ok?” she said storming off.
“… sure” I muttered.
I stepped inside and closed the door softly behind me. Eric stood over his desk randomly shifting things around. The back of his neck was beet red.
“You don’t have to be embarrassed man” I said before flumping onto my bed.
“Don’t tell anyone, ok? I don’t want to get her in trouble” he said.
“No worries” I replied. I rolled over onto my back and looked at the ceiling. So much for homework, I could already feel myself drifting off. This is what I got for waking up at five in the morning.
“Hey man, I’m pretty tired. Could you get the light switch?” I said. Eric turned it off without a word.
“Thanks” I replied. As I felt my thoughts calm down as my mind slowly shut off, I thought back to my conversation with Amy in the morning. I felt the knot of guilt in my stomach tighten. I’d call her tomorrow. Just to talk.