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<11/16/2012 - 10:30 | Cage High School (Biology), Austell, GA, USA>

So long as I had Lumina with me in school, there was hardly ever a dull moment to spare. If ever we got bored, we would make the day interesting in our own way, whether it involved me sneaking out of class just to talk to Lumina, or getting overly involved in a science experiment. Of course, nothing about biology interested me that much, even though it was not Lumina's personal specialty.

"No fancy lab coats and goggles today?"

"Nah, just more homework. I'd have it done already, but I slow down on projects that bore me."

"I thought you loved science."

"I love physics, not biology."

"Physics? Any particular reason?"

Doesn't Lumina know why already? There are lots of science concepts to start from, physics, biology, Earth science, chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy; the list could go on forever. "Because it's the most relatable topic for all science. They look at the bigger picture of everything along with the small details to express how the universe is likely to function. On top of that, I have you teaching me all these cool facts about outer space, which I'm sure to excel in once I do make it into physics class."

"True, but that concept is probably not a big part of this class."

"Must you remind me? Anyway, it's fine enough for now. I still have at least one person I'm sitting next to that I don't hate completely." To ensure Lumina had the context of what I was talking about, I let my head tilt to my right, revealing Zero writing things down on her homework while priming her cellphone for something. I didn't care what she was up to, just seeing her sitting right next to me again after so long felt relaxing. Plus, ever since Lumina and I hooked up, I've had no difficulty at all talking to Zero without being impeded by her natural pretty charm. Going by looks alone, Zero is a total knock out, yet I don't care, because I'm in love with somebody else. Of course, there were still a few other barriers that made speaking to her difficult.

"But you and her never talk to each other anymore." Lumina wasn't really wrong about the assumption. Zero and I get along with each other and even have a general mutual understanding of each other. However, it's still rare at all if we exchange more than a general greeting, even after racking my brain to think of something to say.

"It's not on purpose. She and I don't have a lot of classes together. When we do, we still struggle to say anything interesting to each other, because we are both very shy people, at least towards each other." I feel like I may have butchered the explanation to Lumina, but I still understood the main issue. Of all the people out of the entire school, I feel closest to Zero, like I'm somehow most similar to her. So, when I try to get behind the goal of turning her into one of my best friends, the pressure not to say anything too awkward or stupid floods the gates of my mind, causing me to clam up. It's a most similar situation to how a guy gets too nervous to talk to a girl, but in this instance, I simply don't want to risk losing her as a potential friend. I have no interest in dating her, and Zero herself doesn't make me nervous. I just wish I knew what to say sometimes.

"If you say so Reed. I thought she was part of Banarus's group."

"Interestingly, Zero does hang out a lot with Banarus, but not as much as she used to. Plus, she doesn't seem to click half as much with the others in her group. Maybe it's just my imagination, but I get the sense that Zero is coming to her senses about how Banarus, Ashly, and Maddison really are. Either way, I don't dislike Zero's personality, and she's also intelligent enough for me to want to hang out with her."

"At least one problem is solved, sort of."

I know Lumina wants me to make friends, but she doesn't have to babysit every last detail in the process. I can still take care of myself to some degree.

Before I decided to give it any more thought, my own smartphone started to buzz on vibrate in my right pocket, which certainly startled me a bit, since my phone never gets alerts or calls from anybody. It's a symptom of not having any close friends, I simply don't expect anyone to buzz my phone. "Who would be texting me now of all times? Let me look." First I had to confirm our teacher was looking the other way before pulling out my own phone. When I checked on the screen for the text body and sender ID, I quickly became puzzled, letting it show. "Huh."

"What is it?"

"I don't know what this message means. Plus, I don't even recognize the phone number... What is this?" The message body seemed like some kind of advertisement or some kind of program, but why would I get such a text like this in class? Who sent it?

"Hm, let me see..." Without a care in the world, Zero leaned over to my side, cupping the back of my phone in her hand to read the phone number plastered onto my screen. Her decision took me by surprise, but I didn't stop her fast enough.

"Can't even mind her own business?"

"Actually, it's my fault for talking out loud again." I realized it while Lumina tried to analyze everything, that my words had somehow slipped from being telepathic to physical, quiet as I was.

"Oh, I know that one. It's Maddison's number."

"Eh, it is?! Are you sure?" I noticed too late that I revealed my shocked expression to Zero, not knowing whether this would bother her or not. But of course I was surprised! Why would Maddison of all people text me out of the blue? And what is it with this promotion about gold stars?

"Yeah, I remembered what her number is."

"Guess they are both buddies after all."

"Do you ever get tired of being right?" I wasn't thrilled to hear that Zero and Maddison were still in close contact. The reason I didn't recognize the number was because, all that time ago, I erased Maddison from my contact list. I should explain that part to Zero though. "I must have deleted her contact and forgotten about it."

"Yeah. It's just another stupid message about her advertisement for gold stars, part of some program." Zero sounded mildly annoyed to have to bring it up in the first place, which sent me mixed signals about how well the two of them got along.

According to Zero, the message is stupid. She doesn't have that happy face on right now either, quiet as Zero is. I have seen Zero hang out with Banarus a lot, but she and Maddison have not been seen together since late middle school. "Hm. I don't think they are buddies Lumina. That kind of reaction from her seems mildly hostile, not that I mind." "Gold stars? The hell is that even for?"

"I don't even care."

As nice as that is to hear, it doesn't solve my problem. "Well I don't want people like that advertising stupid stickers to my phone." I knew I should have blocked her number instead.

An expression lifted in Zero as she slid her eyes back onto me, grinning with a naughty idea. "Yeah, well, you should just tell Maddison to shove her stupid stars up her ass."

"Wow!" Lumina chimed in. "Zero isn't the pure princess I thought she was."

"Ha! Is that a bad thing?" I resisted the urge to chuckle though, since piecing together a new revelation was more exciting. With her bold request, I was sure Maddison and Zero didn't get along. No, it must be worse than that. Those two must have had their own personal falling out that I never heard about. Of course, knowing Maddison, the feeling for me is mutually understood... "I don't see the harm in that plan." I picked up my phone, already texting in the exact message that Zero hinted I should use, and I made certain it was coming only from my voice. All things done, Maddison should shove those stars up her ass.

Before I could even finish the message, Zero's eyes lit up with glee as she started laughing at my choice. "Wait! Seriously? You're going to text her that?!" Her smile was impossible to dissolve, which told me that Zero wanted me to send this kind of message to Maddison. She simply wasn't expecting me to do so, citing the suggestion as a joke.

Joking or not, I am that crazy, because I don't give two rats one way or the other what will come of it. Might as well make school more interesting. "Only in those exact words. Let's face it. I don't care enough about Maddison to want her contact in my phone. But, I also want nothing to do with her stupid stars. Ergo, she should go shove them up her ass."

Zero chuckled some more, still in disbelief I would actually be brave enough to send such a message. "If you actually text that to her..."

I smiled back at Zero while hitting the center button on my phone. "It's already done." Then, I gently set my phone down right in front of her face, just to prove that I would go as far as I felt necessary.

"Yes! That was awesome Reed!" At the risk of attracting unwanted attention, Zero was too excited by what I had just done, no doubt dying to see the look on Maddison's face when she reads that text, if ever she responds to it.

"So then," Lumina concluded, "she despises Maddison? I wonder what happened between the two of them."

"At least we're on the same page about this. Zero isn't the only person Maddison has betrayed."

Still in a minor laughing fit, Zero perked up, putting all of her attention onto me. "I can't believe you just sent her that! You know what, you and I are going to be friends for this class."

"Wow. That didn't take long."

As happy as I was to hear her say that, I knew I had to act cool about the moment. "Sounds good to me. It's obvious enough that you dislike Maddison as much as I do."

"What did she even to do you, if I might ask?"

I wish I could just tell Zero the whole truth right here, but I'm not ready for that right now. "It's a long story. Suffice it to say, she doesn't seem to care about anybody's feelings, no matter what is happening around her. I know that the situation with her family is a little screwed, but I don't even think she cares about her own self. Either way, it will be interesting to see if I get a response from that text."

"If you do, I have to see it!" I've never seen Zero this excited in a long time. Is it really that shocking that I would be so blunt with another person for fun? Life is too short to dance around bushes all the time. I'd rather be direct about everything where possible.

"Congrats Reed. A new friend at last."

Is it really that simple, so soon? "It's just one, but I guess I can work with this." "I wonder what parts of life we missed out on sometimes. What happened to you during the summer? What I mean is, how have things been?"

Even though I still struggled to muster together a few sentences for Zero, I did my best from here on. Even if it would take time, I saw the potential for something better than the way things have been before. I want Zero to be a good friend of mine, a person I can trust to tell anything to without fear of being shamed for it. Maybe one day, I'll be ready to tell her everything about the Altiri, but that day isn't today.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

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<11/16/2012 - 14:42 | Cage High School (Stadium), Austell, GA, USA>

My mood earlier would have dwindled to nothing if I had known where I would be ahead of time. There is one aspect of high school I hate more than anything in the world! I'd rather take tests all day long speaking to nobody than to be out here right now. Though I sat in the far rear of the metal bleachers overlooking the football field, nothing I did managed to muffle out some of the noise around me. The cheerleaders were cheering, the band was playing out on the field, and every idiot in a ten foot radius of me was shouting at the top of their lungs. Their cheerful attitude to volume only made my veins hang out more in silent rage.

Many recognize this school event to be a peprally. I refer to this as, the most convoluted, dumbest idea in all history. Why do I say that?

Between the crappy banter, the advertisements, and the decorations of the football field, it's painfully obvious that the only relevance a peprally has in our lives is sports. I don't have any problem with people who do enjoy sports, but then why am I being forced to be dragged into this when it's not my thing? "Seriously! I don't even care about football, whether it be linked to a professional state team or this school. Why did I have to get dragged into this?"

"You can complain after it's over Reed. I know it sucks, but you literally dragged me into the same hell you are in."

"That's because all of this would be unbearable without you, Lumina."

"Whoo-hoo!"

"Go team! More spirit!" The guy beside me and his buddy stood up once more, shouting at the literal top of their lungs, which pierced my own ear drums.

After face planting my head into my hands before holding my ears closed for protection, my blood continued to simmer hotter. Everybody around us started clapping in synch to the band music, coercing everybody to do the same with some kind of magic I could not fathom. "Bunch of fucking morons! How can anyone get excited about a ball going through a goal post?"

"You have to use your eyes Reed. The sport isn't being played. It's merely being celebrated."

I knew this much already, but the anger festering inside me was only rising to critical levels. How dare I be forced out here onto the stadium with everybody else! How dare my time be wasted away like this! "It's a complete waste of my time in every sense of the word!"

"It's only for half an hour. You'll be fine for that amount of time, right? I mean, this isn't going to cause UAD, right?" Lumina needed my assurance to put such a fear away, but I gave her no such assurance.

"If I do get UAD right here, it might be fun trouncing on these idiots." I suddenly started laughing like a lunatic, ensuring I sounded as evil and sadistic as possible. "I mean, that would be the only way left to let out some frustration. Hahaha!"

"... Okay, I can see why you needed me here."

"Oh, looks like they're bringing out the cheerleaders too. Not that I care. Why even bother going through all of this? It's so pointless and boring!"

"Ah, shut up!"

"Number one target for having his face rearranged! Stupid heathen! I'll show him what a real rumble is!"

"I'll keep you company if you just relax Reed... They are using cheerleaders. My guess is, the cheerleaders are supposed to be hot, and their performance attracts the male students? Do I have that right?"

I wasn't sure if Lumina was really curious about this aspect, or if she was desperately trying to curb my rage away from the forefront of my focus. Despite knowing it wasn't going to be enough, I did manage to hold onto my own sanity for the time being, just to ensure I could reply to Lumina. "If that did turn out to be the only purpose behind them, I would rather just go home and navigate to Cheerleadersandbottomlessadventures.com."

"Really?"

"Why not? I am a guy. I can do that much." I had no trouble bringing up the idea of such topics with Lumina after long enough. My declaration was only meant as a joke, but I was dead serious if ever the choice presented itself to me. There really isn't a point to any of this!

"Now that you mention it, I do wonder what site you go to these days, and what all of it looks like."

"Not this again." It isn't the first time Lumina has recently requested I expose her to all the smut available on the internet. As a guy, it's my job to make sure she doesn't see all the crazy photos out there, mainly because she doesn't need to know what wild aspects of it turn me on. I mean, me, watching porn while Lumina just hangs back and watches like it's some kind of movie? It's the weirdest thing I can think of, but she doesn't seem to see it that way. "What? Are you interested in joining the fap party?"

"I'm just curious about what kind of stuff you look at online."

Why is it suddenly up to me to teach an alien about the principles of the pornscape and why we all fall for it? I'm not going to be doing that while she's connected to me. "Whatever... When will this crapfest end?!" I shouted to the top of my voice, giving these heathens a taste of their own medicine. The guy closest to me didn't like it one bit.

"Ah, go shove your head in a toilet!"

"I'll break his face too!"

"Okay! Okay. Let's just take this from the top. Is there some other way for you to just leave?"

"I wish there were, but they have all the exits here guarded as strictly as Fort Knox! It would take some creativity to leave the school. I know for a fact that my dad wouldn't mind picking me up if I duck out of this bullshit early. He doesn't like peprallies either." When I spoke about the possibility, it became all I wanted to pursue.

Lumina on the other hand was simply going over all my options. "So, what if you instead move seats and sit with the people you know? Maybe you can hang out with Zero?"

"Zero and the others are down on the field! That's what they're doing here; they're part of the marching band. But even if they weren't, they can rot in the stadium for all I care, if they really care about this peprally that much."

Before I could be warned about it, the announcer, who had his lips firmly attached to the largest megaphone in the stadium area started shouting. "Are you ready to support your team?" Following his very question, the entire crowd started screaming wildly in cheers.

I unfortunately was forced to cover my ears from the uptick in noise. I know I have sensitive hearing, but this was absolutely ridiculous! At this rate, I'll go deaf, or develop a headache from the noise level alone! The custodians can't do this to me! They can't force me into a situation that medically screws my entire life up! It's just plain wrong!

"I can't hear you!" screamed the blaring blow horn of the peprally control center. Of course, the crowd fell into the pattern of chanting and cheering the motto again, altogether in disgusting harmony with the last announcement.

"Somebody better tell him to shut the fuck up! If he can't hear at this volume, he needs to be sent to the nearest nursing home for rehabilitation."

"I still can't hear you!" Following the annoying chant, the patter still had the entire crowd under full spell and control, with the noise level getting louder than it ever did before. My only issue was, it wasn't necessary at all!

"That is it! Fuck this! I'm out!" With enough residual force to disintegrate my backpack, I airlifted myself right off the seats of the bleachers, and started marching down the steps, my arms and fists tight enough to turn air into diamonds!

Lumina seemed a bit shocked by my sudden reaction, but in knowing what might come next, she simply sat herself down and concentrated more on my senses. "This I have to watch." I detected the hint of enjoyment from her, but all of my focus and hatred was directed at the school staff instead, for allowing this madness to continue dragging me down.

Before long, I was approaching one of the idiots in charge of defending the back gate leading away from the stadium and back to the front of the school. With his stance, it wasn't hard to imagine him in full riot gear, though the tall male was nothing more than another custodian, and I knew as much. The moment I got near the guy, he stood firmly in my way, nodding his head and pointing back behind me as if I were a real prisoner.

"Sir? You can't leave until the peprally is done." This is the mentality that most of the custodians have, which is actually the reason I'm so angry about everything right now. Why is it a requirement that everybody attend the peprally? Who wrote God on their badges and crammed it so far up their ass?

"And I have to use the bathroom, so you better let me aside."

"Ah, the old fashion bathroom technique strikes again. It's the one excuse no guard can say no to."

"You are going to have to hold it until the end." The guard at the gate wasn't taking my excuse for an answer, putting shame to Lumina's estimations.

But it is I who will not take no for an answer! I've stuck up for as many of the stupid rules as long as I possibly could, trying to live a school life under their chains within reason. Now things have gone too far. "If I don't get to use the bathroom right now, I'll pull my pants down and piss on everybody in the bleachers!"

The guard winced at my promise, while Lumina caved to the ridiculousness of my burned patience, falling to the floor in a strong, loud, laughing fit. I had to ignore her presence to focus on the situation at hand, because I really wasn't kidding about my promise to this guy. If I stay here any longer, my only options are to take out my anger on the heathens promoting this trash, or to let myself fall into UAD. I'd rather stay true to my word and urinate on everybody I don't get along with.

Of course, the guard remained silent for too long, sealing the fate of everybody here today. "Fine then. After I'm dragged into the office, I'll be sure to explain that I wasn't allowed to use the restroom. I'm not peeing my own pants you know." I only turned around halfway before the man suddenly spoke up.

"Fine! But you have to be back in five minutes! You'll be in serious trouble if you skip out of this."

I kept my mouth mute, marching in anger past the guy who finally stepped aside. I could care less if I would be punished for this later. Anything was better than this torture. I didn't look back at the guy, certain he was watching and gauging me for any hint of deception. Before long, I made it back into the school, where all the halls were so quiet without the students here to fill them up.

"At last! Yes! I am free of that crap!" I had no intention to use the bathroom of course. Stage one was getting out of that hell. It's easier for me to avoid a particular area of the school than it is to escape one heavily monitored area. With the silence surrounding me, most of my anger dripped away.

Lumina, who had been laughing hysterically all the way until I was back inside the school spoke to my plan at last. "That was so awesome. You still have to leave the school though."

"Already on it..." I've done this once or twice, depending on the context. I've ducked out of class countless times, but leaving school altogether was more difficult, especially at the final hour of the day when most would try to. Of course, I observe my surroundings and notice every little pattern when I care enough. I glanced around the next corner leading to the entrance hallway, noticing another guard standing right outside the front door. "There's another guard at the front entrance... But nobody is guarding the side door." As I expected, security for the perimeter of the school was stretched thin since they were more interested in allocating their forces to guard the exits of the peprally, including the well-known path leading directly between the stadium and the parking lot. Getting inside of the school and leaving to the side exit for the parking lot has a totally different patrol path, one where the patrols can't be active due to the reallocation. I'm not about to learn anything useful for the rest of the day anyway, so there is zero purpose of me staying here. If they would have simply made Peprally optional, I would have played nice and stayed in the library or something. But no; if anyone does catch me leaving, I'll give them the double middle finger solute!

However, when I made it back outside, the whole area of my own navigation path was totally clear of all pests. It would be a longer walk from here to the parking lot, but even from this distance, I could see that black car waiting for me, my means of escape. As far as I'm concerned, I'm home free! "So there you have it. If any of these clowns counts this as an absence point, or has a problem with me leaving their stupid ass shitty event, I'll just give them a piece of my mind, yours and mine both!"

"I don't like seeing you this upset Reed. But I have to admit, I kind of like this side of you a little. You got out of that mess easily, and that bit about peeing on the heathens was funny."

"Well those morons aren't funny to me. How dare they waste my time like that!" It's the number one sin of my life. Wasting time, even just minutes of it is an inexcusable offense, punishable by any extreme measures. I get just as upset at myself if I do it somehow.

"Face it. You're a rebel, Reed. Ducking classes to spend more time with me, lying to chaperones to stay away from stupid events..."

"What? You want to scold me too?"

"Of course not!" Lumina shook her hands as if to wave them in front of my face, nervously believing I got the wrong idea, which I nearly did. "I just... I think it's kind of sexy is all."

"Well I..." I stopped in my own footing, only halfway down the parking lot. What Lumina said to me didn't register as quickly as it should, but I still heard what she was saying. "Oh." Like an idiot, I started to blush like a tomato. She didn't say it was strange or cool, she said it was sexy. But why? Because I break school rules from time to time? She couldn't be the type who loves bad boys. If so, then she stole my thing! I'm the one who can't resist a girl in a hot leather biker jacket cursing down the road on a motorcycle; such passion, such storming energy and independence!

"Does that really shock you?"

"Lumina? Be honest with me... Is it weird or bad if I think I might enjoy it more if you pretend to be loud, crazy, annoying, and a little bit meaner?" What am I even saying? This is what I get for exploring the female domination tag on that one website.

"I don't have to pretend Reed. I can be as nice or as naughty as I want. Maybe I should learn to just play it by ear, the way you do it sometimes."

The point is, something like this will happen again, I'm sure of it. I've been ducking out of classes and events either to avoid UAD or to spend more time with Lumina where needed. So long as I maintain a passing grade, the methods of my learning shouldn't matter. I've never done any of that explicitly to please Lumina though... Come to think of it, what kinds of things is she really into? She must have certain feelings about those forbidden topics too, right? What am I even saying?! By the time I noticed how absurd and embarrassing my own thoughts were, I shook my head in a nervous blush, trying to refresh my current task of escaping the school. "Let's just put a pin in this for now."

"When you and I get a chance, we should experiment more together... And I know you know what I mean by that."

Why must she push these things? Doesn't Lumina realize normal couples don't watch porn together...? Or do they? Whatever. If I decide I'm ready for that kind of experiment, it will have to be on my terms. "Yeah... We'll see."