Humming I made my way out of school and decided to look at what Maxis was doing. From what I could've gathered he had been training with his teammates, which meant that his entire team would be gathered on the playing field outside. Not having to go to class surely had it perks.

I wonder if I can annoy him a bit.

I often visited the team when I either skipped or actually had free time like today. I was on good terms with Mr Heathrow who was a gym teacher and the coach for the football team at the same time. Strolling around the building I quickly noticed a group of students running laps around the school, I instantly recognized Maxis amongst the leading part of the crowd, though others seemed to be doing better. As they passed by me I waved at Maxis and threw out my tongue to upset him a bit. Instantly I saw his eyes widen in surprise at my sight but before he was still running laps so he was not able to do anything more than give me a confused look at shout at me.

"Alexis? If the coach finds out that you're skipping again you're going to get burned!"

Nope, I have permission this time.

Smiling to myself I let the procession overtake me still heading towards the playing fields located at the back of our school. As I arrive the team members had already disappeared behind the next corner, then I notice their teacher and make a beeline for him. He was a tall bald man in his fifties, though his frame still looked like that of a superhero. He was seemingly in love with his coffee, which he already had a cup of in hand. Sitting on one of the benches he was studying some kind of paper which seemed to displease him for some reason. With a big smile I shout towards him and raise my hand in greeting.

"Hey Coach! How's it going? What did the team do to deserve to do laps?"

Turning around I could make out multiple emotions run through his face, the first being disdain then it changed to worry, just to quickly get stuck at confusion. Tilting his head he points at me.

"Oy Alexis, I told you already. Don't come here while you're skipping class, there is only that much ignorance I can feign when talking to the other staff. Just go back to your subject girl, really."

Oh come on coach, did the principal talk to you again?

I shake my head and smile as I take a seat next to him while throwing my bag on the ground in front of us.

"Nah, I actually have permission right now. I'm supposed to show two new exchange students around but they told me to bugger off and leave them alone. So I did just that and now I'm still officially free."

I could almost make out his thoughts as he sighs besides me.

"Girl, we both know that Dr. Lair would want you to return as soon as the matter is finished."

Still smiling I lean back to look at the green playing fields in front of me.

"Don't worry about it Mr Heathrow, all I told you was that I have permission from my teach to leave the classroom for an undefined time. But ignore that, what're you looking at?"

I point at the notes he was holding, from the side I could make out different numbers written down on it. The coach sighed once in resignation before answering my question. He seemed to have accepted my excuse, as long as my grades did not fall I wouldn't get punished too much.

"Whatever Alexis, if you really want to know, we've had some newcomers so I wanted to have them run a few laps then one of the seniors joined them out of fun and now they're all running. I actually wanted to have them learn a new line up but they're competitive as always and just keep running."

Yeah, I can imagine. Maxis or one of his friends probably started the whole thing.

I take out a water bottle from my backpack and not towards the side of the school.

"For how long have they been running? Maxis was with us during the break and he seemed quite sweaty."

While drinking I could make out a small twitch from one of Mr Heathrow's eyes and the sides of his mouth slightly go up.

"This is so typical, first he convinces everyone to do the laps only to run off to his friends to eat while the others are still struggling."

Oups, he didn't know?

Laughing nervously I make out the group running around the corner and heading directly at us. Next to me Mr Heathrow stands up with a groan and gestures at his students to stop. Most of them where quite out of breath, though some of the seniors looked like they only had strolled around a bit. Maxis on the other hand actually looked like he had struggled quite a bit but I knew that everything was an act. His hair was still exactly like it had been when he was with us during break and his breath was not going in short bursts. I tilt my head towards him and taunt him with my eyes.

Oh, you definitely sneaked out to talk to us again.

"Okay, all of you are done for now. Seniors, you know the drill, show the new ones how it goes."

Mr Heathrow's voice seemed filled with friendliness but as soon as he pointed at Maxis, I knew that he was a tad mad.

"And you Maxis, how about you explain what your lovely friend here told me?"

Maxis expression turned into surprise as he realized what had happened and looked at me accusingly. While the rest of the team started different training sessions on the playing fields Maxis gestured at me in anger, though I could make out a small smile under his serious expression.

"You traitor, why'd you tell him? Nobody would've noticed me disappearing for one second."

I couldn't suppress my own grin as I answer.

"Your own fault, how should I have known that you were trying to avoid having to run laps? Me and Zoe just thought you had a sanctioned break."

Before he can answer the coach extends one finger towards me and motions me to stop talking, not wanting to go against him I simply shrug and watch from the sideline.

"So, Maxis. What do I do with you? It seems like you snuck out to take a break after convincing everyone else to run laps. How about I have you redo everything? Yeah, that seems like a good idea."

My friends face distorted for a split second before he nodded in apology, Mr Heathrow couldn't make it out but behind Maxis' sincere mask there was a little boy laughing. While his mouth remained unmoving I could clearly see the amused sparks in his eyes. Then he waved at me before jogging away again.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"You've messed it up Alexis. Why are you skipping anyways? You ought to be punished as well but whatever, I'm off, thanks for the food anyways."

I sneered and leaned back on the bench with my water bottle, Mr Heathrow wouldn't seriously punish me, or at least he couldn't.

"Alexis, do me a favor and either go back to class or leave the grounds. You know I have to report you at some point, especially if your teachers start asking for you again."

Che, fine.

I knew that he was right, sighing I pick up my bag and start heading away from the training team. I throw one last glance towards the coach and shout a last farewell.

"Don't be too harsh on Maxis teach, you know how he is. Good bye"

He made a dismissing gesture but did not answer, though it was clear that he had understood me. Shaking my head I hum while walking along the side of the school towards the parking lot on the other side of the street. My old dented SUV still remained where I had left it and I gently touched the scratches on the driver's door. They had originated from an accident that I might have been the cause of.

So lucky I was able to keep my license.

Thinking to myself I throw my bag onto the passenger's seat and start the engine. While old pop songs came out of my radio I started heading onto the streets that lead further into town. I cracked a smile as one of Zoe's favorite ones was played.

She'd probably burst my eardrums again.

Chuckling I remembered how she had turned the volume to max and sung as loud as she could. While she was certainly skilled in most subjects there was still a reason why she had chosen to play an instrument instead of heading for choir. After roughly 15 minutes of driving I arrived at the Jamestown shopping mall, compressed on an area of a few hundred meters was everything a town needed. But I did not particularly care for any of the stores, I was out for food.

I wonder if Lilith is on shift today.

Humming I made my way through the crowd towards the food corner located at the center of the mall. Lilith was one of the waitresses of mine and Zoe's favorite restaurants in town, she was clearly distinguishable due to being the only black haired woman working there. Also she had been the reason why I was wearing my hair as a pony tail, before that it had always seemed like I was eating at the workplace of my older sister due to similarities. Then a voice called out to me.

"Hey Alexis, skipping school again? You should know better than that."

Then I felt a hand on my shoulder, turning around I faced the man behind me. He was roughly 20 years old with dyed blonde hair and a gentle face. He was one of the other waiters working at the restaurant and was quite popular with the other girls.

"Oh, hi Jared. Why does everyone think I'm skipping school nowadays? Am I really that bad?"

He raised one eyebrow before walking alongside me.

"You're the one that does that on a frequent basis, none of us have any idea how often you do it exactly. So I take it you are actually skipping again?"

I shake my head.

"I'm actually not, my teacher allowed me to leave early and now I'm here."

A smirk appears on his face and I can see that he's not convinced.

"You actually want me to believe that your teach let you leave, you of all people?"

Oh for fucks sake, have I really become that notorious?

Not voicing my thoughts I simply answered him as we finally reach the restaurant.

"I might have stretched the rules a bit but I definitely was allowed to leave the class for the day. It won't do much to send me back now, so how about you just let me eat here and we forget the whole affair?"

I take one of the outside seats. Still smirking I lean back and wave towards Lilith, who indeed had been on shift.

"Hey Lilith, can you get Jared off me? I'd love the usual but he seems to be thinking I should be in school right now."

Raising one eyebrow she headed towards me and motioned Jared to let her handle the matter. Her voice sounded gentle as always as she herself tried to be the voice of reason.

"Hey Alexis, It's not like I don't want to believe you but you have to admit yourself that it happened too much that we would find out after serving you that you where skipping school."

Sighing I tilt my head towards her.

"So you as well? Come on, I promise that I did not skip for real this time. Trust me I'm not, so please can I just eat some off your delicious food?"

The praise was genuine and my expression seemed to be honest enough for Lilith. Shaking her head she accepted what I had said and walked away to the kitchen to tell the cook to prepare my usual order.

Who would have thought that I could eat a simple burger that often but if it's this restaurant it is definitely possible.

As I waited for my food I mustered my surroundings again without really paying attention to anything in special. Then without a warning a song resounds from inside of my pocket, it was my phone and with the special song I had set to play when Zoe was the one calling.

Slightly surprised but also glad I looked at the screen and wondered why Zoe would call me during school. Shrugging I pick up the call and started talking in a joking tone.

"Hey Zoe, didn't think you'd call du-"

Before I could finish my sentence Zoe interrupted me with a scared sounding voice.

"Alexis, we've got a problem, the military is here for some reason and it's not a normal kind. They've send an esper division here and are checking for potential espers, do not come back to school for at least a few days. You got that? I'll manage somehow so don't worry."

"Wait Zoe what do you mean?!"

But it was already too late, Zoe had terminated the call. Devastated I lean back in the chair almost dropping my phone on the ground. Distressed I looked around the mall for potential men from the military but I found none. Not relaxing anyways I stand up and grab my things after putting the payment for my food under one of the sauce bottles. Without turning my head once I rush back to my parked car. My driving was definitely not safe for a girl of my age but I did not care, I needed to get home as fast as possible. 20 minutes of breakneck speed later I was in front of the small garage that separated our house with the identical to the left.

One of our neighbors, a man in past his 50ties mowing his lawn turned to greet me.

"Hey Alexis, home already? How's the family?"

But I ignore him and head inside instantly there I started walking around in circles.

Why are they here? We should have been completely hidden from them from far away. Why would the ever bother to check for espers in such a small town. It's impossible, absolutely impossible.

I needed to call Zoe again, without thinking about the potential consequences I pick up my home phone and dial the number of my best friend. Silently praying to myself.

Please don't get caught Zoe.

After ringing twice my worst fears turn into reality as a rough sounding man answers the phone.

"Who is this?"

It felt like my entire body froze over, barely able to stop my voice from stuttering I answer myself.

"Who are you? What have you done with Zoe?"

The voice that answered me was slightly confused but seemed to become a bit more gentle all of the sudden.

"I believe that you are talking about the blond girl behind me. We are in the middle of an investigation right now so I cannot allow you to talk to her for an extended period of time but I can imagine that you are worried so I will hand the phone to her for a minute."

The next person that talked on the phone was clearly my best friend and my legs collapsed under my body.

"Alexis? Why did you call me?"

She had a slightly angry undertone but for me it did not matter, I was simply relieved to hear her voice.

"Zoe, it could not have been us, we were hidden too well, we-"

Before I could say anything more Zoe cut me off.

"Hey, I know you're sick but you still shouldn't call me during school even if it's for something like the homework, don't worry about it, I'll get them for you."

What was she talking about? Confused I look at the phone before realizing my mistake, she was clearly talking like this because the man from the military was still listening in on what she was saying.

"Don't worry about me Alexis, I'll visit you as soon as this is over and bring you your homework, I need to stop now, sorry. I'll see you later."

With that the call was terminated but I still had not calmed down because I knew nothing of the situation. I was terrified, espers in hiding where never treated particularly well, at least not from what we had heard. We would be thrown into a military facility with barely any freedom, we would get education but would always be monitored. We absolutely did not want to have to live that way.

Sitting on the floor my body starts shuddering uncontrollably and it became hard to breath. Tears started leaking from the corner of my eyes as I completely collapsed on the ground and my vision grows dark.

"Mom?"

I knew it was a waste of time to call for my mother but the panic ridden me could not accept the realization of being alone. Laughing hysterically I start scratching my arm.

"Zoe?"

I can feel liquid coming out from underneath my fingernails as I try to move my leg but they won't budge.

"Please no."

Begging into the darkness I slip into my everlasting cycle of fear repeating the only words I remember.

"I'm sorry."