"Have faith in the process. Adapt to your conditions. And most of all, remember to evolve! That's what the E stands for! Evolution!" Were the final words Darnell heard before being shaken awake.

He heard a familiar voice before fully coming to. He looked up and realized he'd fallen asleep in class again. Luckily, his Government teacher couldn't care less as long as he finished his work first. The one who'd disturbed his sleep was his classmate, Phoebe. They were seated in a small triangle of desks in the back of the class. The first thing Darnell's eyes registered was the bronze skin of his own arms, which his head had rested in. As he raised his head higher, he made out Phoebe, who was across and to his right. Phoebe's rosy-pale complexion, curvy body and curly brown hair were too distinctive to not recognize. Across and to the left of Darnell was Hector, tan and chubby with a rough head of brown hair.

"Ok, ok, we have a question," Phoebe said as she pulled her hand away from Darnell’s shoulder. He raised his eyebrows at her to signify she had his attention. She leaned in smiling, "ok which is better against a zombie… a sword?" She made a nasty look at Hector, then her face lit up, "or, a bomb?"

Darnell couldn't believe he was shaken awake for this. "Are you serious?" he responded. The two stared at him intently. Darnell rolled his eyes, "A sword, I guess?"

Immediately after, Phoebe recoiled in shock and Hector followed with the obligatory "Told-you-so, 'Ha!'"

"But a bomb is an instant kill!" said Phoebe.

"You could also instant kill yourself," Darnell retorted.

"Well, what if it was a group of zombies? A sword would be useless."

"What if there's two groups of zombies? A bomb is useless."

Hector reeled back in his chair, laughing. Phoebe crossed her arms in frustration, "Well fine, what would you use in an Apocalypse then?"

"Any single weapon?" Darnell asked. Phoebe nodded. He thought for a moment, then answered, "A pistol."

The pair shared a skeptical reaction to his response. Now Hector chimed in, "But you'd run out of ammo in no time," he exchanged a look with Phoebe, "zombies would-"

"It's not for the zombies," Darnell interrupted. Silence for a moment. The other two were clearly bewildered so he continued, “Zombies are simple to deal with, they’re practically just animals. The real threat is other people. Backstabbers, cannibals, cultists, you name it. A gun would settle things like that real easy.”

“Oh,” Phoebe muttered.

“I guess that makes sense,” said Hector, disturb written across his face.

Silence befell the group for a moment until Phoebe returned to her cheerful self with, “Okay, what if the apocalypse started right now and we had to escape this class?”

Darnell looked in the general direction of the nearest school exits, judging which was closer. He answered, “The front entrance is closer, but the exit at the end of this hall would be safer. So Imma go with the back exit.”

“Well if you’re going there, I’m going too,” Hector laughed, “you like the best person to be stuck in an apocalypse with.”

“Aw I’m blushing,” Darnell retorted sarcastically.

“You think I’m joking, but everyone else here is…” he lowered his voice to a whisper, “not exactly the brightest.”

Phoebe nodded her head with a “mhm.”

“Like bro, it’s obvious you work out, and you’re smart! You make everything look so easy, I wonder if you're even human.”

“Okay, okay I get it,” Darnell laughed, “For sure when the apocalypse starts, I’ll be looking for you.”

Just as Darnell finished speaking, the bell rang. And like it was routine, everyone immediately shot out of their seats, bags in hand stuffing whatever was on their desk inside. As Darnell organized his papers and made sure he hadn’t forgotten anything, Phoebe asked, “So Darnell, what are you doing after school today?”

“I’m hanging out with my friends at Chess’s, just grabbing a bite to eat,” he replied.

“What about after?”

“Going to another friend’s house.”

“Oh.” She sounded disappointed.

“Why?”

“No reason, enjoy yourself,” she said as she turned around and walked out of the classroom.

Darnell shrugged it off, threw on his backpack and proceeded to walk out of the class as well.

* * *

Just like any other day, school passed by fairly quickly without anything of significance occurring. Darnell left his final class ready to round up his friends to go to Chess’s. Among the group were some of Darnell’s closest friends that he’d gotten to know since moving to Callaston, Texas. He opened up his phone, which had been buzzing near the end of the class, to check the group chat. Sure enough, Illyana was checking to make sure everyone was still onboard. Ryan, Makayla, and Alicia had already agreed. Darnell replied the standard “Ye,” and was shortly followed by Teemo. With Teemo being the last, everyone affirmed they were ready.

The friends agreed to walk to Chess’s since it was only ten minutes away from the school. So Darnell decided to just meet them along the way as he walked to the school’s back exit. The nearest person to him was Teemo. Teemo’s last class was digital audio, in the same hallway as Darnell’s forensics class. Darnell waded against the flow of the crowd of students that filled the hallway, making his way to Teemo’s classroom. When he reached the doorway, he recognized his friend by his dark chocolate skin, broad shoulders and low cut hair. His muscles were fairly visible even through his shirt, but they weren’t as defined as Darnell’s. Darnell always forgot that Teemo was slightly shorter than him, but was quickly reminded once Teemo came closer.

The two did the standard “What’s up” and dabbed each other up before proceeding to meet Ryan. “Ms. Frazier, fix your grade yet?” Darnell started.

“Dawg, I’m over that,” Teemo replied, “this been going on for two weeks now, I know she don’t want me to have it.”

“That's messed up, man,” Darnell said, before being cut off to walk around a slow walker, then finished, “it’s like no matter what we do, these bums always find a way to hold us back.”

“Like I said, I’m over it. Once we graduate none of this stuff is gonna matter anymore.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“True. Man, it’s crazy we’re already seniors,” Darnell reminisced. He felt a bit of nostalgia looking at the white tile floors and bleak, gray brick walls.

“I’m not gonna miss it, I can’t wait ‘til I can focus full-time on my music.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t just dropped out to do it, you make more money than most of these teachers already.” Darnell started to laugh, “Shoot, maybe that’s why they hatin’ on you.”

Teemo laughed, “You know what, I think you're onto something!”

“They lower your grade by 5 points then go back to pinchin’ pennies-” he could barely finish the sentence before bursting into laughter along with Teemo.

The two continued chatting until they reached the gymnasium where Ryan was waiting for them. Ryan was standing outside the door on his phone. His dirty blonde hair shot up in spikes like a hedgehog. He had skin more fair than gambling on a coin flip. Ryan noticed Darnell and Teemo approaching from the peripheral of his hazelnut eyes. His face lit up as he waved to his two friends. Darnell and Teemo gestured their chins up as a greeting. The three rounded up and began walking back the direction Darnell and Teemo had come.

Before anyone could say anything, Darnell’s phone started ringing. He picked it up and it was Alicia. He answered with an “Ayo,” and Alicia told him she was at the cafeteria with Makayla and Illyana already. Darnell responded with a “bet” and informed her that he was with Teemo and Ryan and they were on their way. He hung up the phone and spoke to Teemo and Ryan, “Alicia said that all three of them are already at the cafe.”

“Oh ok bet,” said Teemo.

“That’s a first, that they’re all actually ready already,” went Ryan.

“I’m sayin’, I almost didn't believe it,” Darnell said, shaking his head in awe.

The other two chuckled as Darnell continued, “but watch we get there and suddenly,” he mimicked a feminine voice, “'oh I have to take care of this!'”

“On god…” Teemo rolled his eyes and shot his head down.

“Let’s just pray and hope not,” Darnell said.

Sure enough, when the boys had reached the cafeteria, they only saw Alicia and Makayla sitting down together. The two were seated on two different tables, sitting outwards to face each other. The three boys reached the aisle between the tables. Teemo made a show of looking around the cafeteria with his arms flailing about. “Where is she?” Teemo asked.

The first to speak up was Makayla, without even tearing her eyes from her phone, she said, "She had to go take care of something with Choir." Her voice was as assertive as ever. She spoke so confidently it would make anyone else feel ashamed for asking. It didn't help that she was sitting in just the right spot so that the sunlight from outside made her olive skin glow. The three boys weren't intimidated by her though. "Did she say how long she'd be?" Darnell asked.

Makayla broke away from her phone to stare Darnell directly in his eyes. Her wavy, chestnut brown hair swayed ever so slightly, as if it woke up to glare at Darnell as well. Her bright amber eyes challenged the impenetrable obsidian of Darnell’s.

For a few seconds it was a standstill. Teemo looked back and forth between them, trying to make out what exactly was happening. Suddenly, Makayla turned away exclaiming, "Nope!"

"Bruh what," Teemo recoiled.

Darnell's eyebrows narrowed, "Girl, Imma-" he cut himself off and closed in on her.

Makayla barely noticed Darnell zooming towards her and cried out, “Wait, no no no-” but by then it was too late. She let out a yelp as Darnell unleashed a barrage of pokes and tickles into her side. She tried to retreat, but was blocked by a railing behind her. “Just keep tryin’ me,” Darnell joked as Makayla uncontrollably laughed.

“Ok- ok, I’m sorry,” she yielded. Darnell eased up but remained close.

Makayla caught her breath and finally said, “She said her teacher wanted to rehearse a song before the weekend, so she’s gonna be like five minutes.”

She put up five fingers to Darnell, but Darnell didn’t buy it. “If it was only five minutes, you would’ve just said that,” he said, creeping back down towards her.

“Ok! She said it’d be about 10 to 15.”

“10 to 15 minutes?” Darnell shouted, he looked back at Ryan and Teemo, “can we even stay in the cafe that long?”

Ryan shrugged his shoulders.

“10 to 15 minutes isn’t that long…” Makayla said.

“Yeah but last time her teacher kept her for ‘10 to 15 minutes’ we ended up waiting half an hour.”

Alicia now finally spoke, “You want to try to go get her?”

Darnell turned toward the dirty blonde accomplice who also tried to keep quiet about the situation. Darnell glanced at her greenish-brown eyes. They were lit up as she anticipated his response. He thought for a moment, then answered, “I’m fine with waiting 10 or so minutes but if she’s not here by then, then yes.”

“Okie!” she responded cheerfully.

“Guess we’re waiting,” Ryan said as him and Teemo sat down.

“I actually have to go to the restroom anyway,” Darnell stated, “I was gonna wait ‘til we got to Chess’s but… here we are.”

“Aight then,” Teemo said, pulling out his phone.

Darnell reached the bathroom and did his business without disturbance. He used his foot to flush the toilet then made his way to the sink. He got a good look at his curly black hair, admiring the fade around his head as he washed his hands. He pulled his pick out of his backpack just to even out a few corners that had been manipulated during the day. He liked his high-top fashioned short, but solid. Once he was satisfied, he put his pick back in his backpack. He fixed up his shirt a bit, he enjoyed wearing button-downs open, revealing an undershirt with a complimenting color. Today it was a gray and black plaid button-down with a black undershirt underneath. The shirt had loose threads and tears. It was the only shirt he had like this and it was his favorite. To match it, he wore smoky gray jogging pants. Darnell’s motto was comfort over style. This was his favorite outfit, and he of course had to wear it on a Friday.

Darnell, Teemo, Ryan, Makayla, and Alicia, sat together in the cafeteria awaiting Illyana’s arrival. Suddenly an alarm on Darnell’s phone went off. He lifted his screen up for everyone to see. “You see that?” Darnell said, “that means we could’ve been at Chess’s already.”

“You set a timer for ten minutes?” Ryan asked.

“I sure darn diddly did,” Darnell answered, imitating a southern accent, “I’ll be darned if my here patience is tested much longer~.” He motioned to Alicia, “Alicia, darlin’ it looks like parts’a my posse are bein’ held hostage.”

Alicia shot up out of her seat like a rocket. She mimicked Darnell when she spoke, “Whaddya say we rough ‘em up a bit partna?”

“If I di’nt know betta I’d call ya a witch fer readin’ my mind!”

The other three stared at them in awe.

“Well what are we waitin’ for?” Alicia went, “Our dearly beloved ain’t gettin’ any younger!”

Teemo’s face plummeted into the palm of his hand.

Darnell and Alicia skipped off from the cafeteria back towards the main hall of the school. The other three watched them until they were out of sight. Ryan looked back at Makayla and Teemo and asked, “How do they do that?” Teemo could only shrug his shoulders.

Darnell and Alicia reached the Choir room inside the Theatre & Arts building. They peered inside until they found Illyana, distinguishable by her porcelain skin and golden hair. She stood in the very middle of the Choir group. The teacher stood in front, orchestrating. They wasted no time, Darnell and Alicia barged in the door, stomping.

Everyone in the room immediately turned to witness the two aggressors approach their instructor. Darnell shot a finger directly at her and shouted, “You are so disrespectful!”

Alicia echoed, “So disrespectful!”

The teacher shot right back at them, “Excuse me?”

Darnell and Alicia were now face-to-face with her, and they didn’t falter. Darnell continued, “No! You will not be excused!” He pointed his finger at Illyana, “That poor girl there has been working endlessly, day-in and day-out and this is how you repay her?”

“Unbelievable!” Alicia followed.

The teacher, even more confused than before, could only respond, “Wh-what are you talking about?”

“That-” Darnell feigned a sniffle, “is a hero to our community!”

The teacher’s eyes narrowed as she glanced back and forth between Illyana and Darnell. “I’m sorry but-” she attempted to say, but Darnell interrupted.

He doubled down, exclaiming, “She has not only cleaned up our streets, volunteered to feed those in need- Yes! Volunteering!” Darnell clapped, “now she tryna take care of the children at the daycare today, but you don’t seem to care!”

“Have you no heart!” Alicia called out, grasping the air.

“She already has to balance so much of her life without…” Darnell looked the teacher up and down like he was repulsed, “other. Selfish. People interfering!”

“You make me sick!” Alicia spat, then turned to Darnell, “Darnell! The children wait anxiously for her arrival!” Alicia cried out. Now she threw herself at the teacher and clutched her clothes.

“I don’t-” the teacher jumped back, still trying to grasp the concept of this attack.

Darnell started making his way towards Illyana, “So believe when I say, yes! You are being disrespectful!”

Darnell grabbed Illyana and gently tugged her along. Her eyes were like sapphires as they gleamed when Darnell took her hand. She happily moved along with him.

The teacher picked up on their trick now, “Hey no-”

Darnell didn’t give the teacher an inch, he immediately glared at her and yelled, “Do you not care about the children?”

Alicia tugged on the teacher harder, “Do you not care about your community!”

Darnell and Illyana sped up and he continued, “Next time you wanna have a rehearsal, ask yourself, is it more important than starving children?”

The moment Darnell and Illyana were a few paces from the door, Alicia smiled and said, “Your community thanks you!” released the teacher and ran off. The teacher stood in the middle of the room frozen. She looked at the rest of the class as if they’d have an answer. A kid in the back whispered, “I should start volunteering.”