Class 09J03 - Black, Jessica [Girls Night]

“One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.”

-Saint Joan of Arc, Patron Saint of Soldiers and Captives

Girls Night

It’s amazing how unfair the world is. Some people are capable of flying around without a care or running at supersonic speeds while others couldn’t even walk. Some people can lift freight trains over their heads and others have to struggle just to push their own body off the ground. Some people are able to fill their day with purpose and excitement, and others, like me, have to spend their days being lectured about the most boring topics known to man.

“So in total, there are eight mundane blood type combinations out of the three antigen types.” Ms Turner finished the most basic layout of the subject. She called on someone who must have had their hand up, “Question, yes.”

“Yeah, my blood is registered as M O B negative, and I’ve also seen a lot of other letters in blood types.” It was the large boy who sat on the next row two seats behind me.

“Yes Mr Largge,” Ms Turner answered, “As I said there are eight mundane types, but there are many more odd types. The M stands for Mutant, and the O is not an oh. It’s a zero. It is an unfortunate effect of our mutant demitype that our blood is more complex. These complications are listed out as numbers. Mine for example is M8AB negative. The highest mutant type so far. Does anyone want to guess how blood transfusions work among these types?”

The class was silent as they thought. Guess they didn’t know. They probably were thinking that the numbers could give to the numbers either higher or lower, and it was the boy in the front corner who gave that very guess. “Would it make either you or Semy the universal donor for mutants?”

“A very intelligent guess Mr Star, but completely wrong.” Ms Turner praised him before calling on another student, “Mr York, would you like to take a guess?”

“It wouldn’t be a guess ma’am. I am very much aware of the relationship between the mutant blood types as I am lucky enough to have the M2 type paired with my AB positive.” I didn’t recognize the voice, but it sounded like he knew everything and enjoyed it, “This makes me the universal recipient among mutants, a hint to everyone else. Also to my fortune, Semy’s type zero is the universal donor.”

This didn’t help them at all. The class was confused., and everyone seemed to be stumped. Even Mary, who herself was a mutant, didn’t know. Ms Turner allowed the class to wonder a bit more before deciding to call on one more student, “You there, desk number three. I don’t see any notes on your desk. Can I assume you already know the answer?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I said as flatly as I could, “I do know the answer.”

Ms Turner didn’t say anything. She stood there until prompting, “Can you provide your answer to the class? If so, then please do.”

I sighed, “First, the numbers are listed in the order they were discovered. With only the first three being listed in order of valid transfusions. The rest are seemingly random. Like how type eight can take from type five and freely swap between type six, but neither can be given to type five. There’s no known explanation for this.”

“Well then. I’m impressed,” Ms Turner checked the roster, “Jessica Black. Studying medicine, are we?”

“I’m not. No clue about you.” I kept my eyes locked on the wall as the class fell silent.

“Alright then. Let’s move on.” Ms Turner broke the silence and continued the class. More boring stuff doled out as if it wasn’t common knowledge. Then again, it wasn’t that common for these people. People not like me. Unfortunately, I was stuck here until two.

The bell rang and Ms Turner was replaced by Mr Mirmen. The contrast between all the teachers was salient. Ms Turner’s plain clothes blouses were the most dull next to Mr Mirmen’s trench coat that always seemed just opened enough to barely show the firearms underneath. Mr Hall dressed like a corporation CEO and taught math like one too. Of course, they all paled in comparison to Galacto who wore only black sweats and a yellow scarf. A minimalist design that made him recognizable across the world.

Sweet mercy, I was bored. So bored I started thinking of my own outfit. The black on black on black layers I wore. I twisted the ring on my left ring finger. The silver and emeralds of my jewelry broke the all-black pattern, but I wasn’t going to drop them. They did match my eyes. I wondered if the school provided different colors of the uniform. The actual khaki uniform was optional, so why not have multiple shades?

“Ms Black. What do you think?” Mr Mirmen called, breaking my thoughts.

“About what?” I asked, keeping my eye on the wall.

“About the poem.” Mr Mirmen slammed a book closed. “The one we’ve been talking about.”

“I think it’s pointless. Ironic since the poem itself is about pointlessness.” I answered.

“How do you figure?”

“Each time Robert Frost describes one of the paths he turns and describes the other in a similar way. The ending is a delusional declaration of meaning in his choice.” I explained the text of The Road Not Taken. I knew what he was covering. Even if I was trying to not listen

Mr Mirmen sniffed and stayed silent for a moment, “Well. That’s quite the advanced reading. I’m impressed. She’s right, you know. If we return to the second verse-”

I returned to my thoughts. Which were disappointing when I remembered I was thinking about fashion. I wore this outfit because I didn’t care how others looked at me anymore, and yet I was starting to wonder how to care even less. I was so bored I was caring about not caring. The irony was almost funny, and I hated it.

Soon lunch came. I didn’t go. Instead, I slipped out into the field yard and sat in the same shadow I had been sitting in all week. Blocking out the pangs from my stomach. One of the few useful talents I developed. I still needed to eat, but I could always do that later. Other students would also come down into the field yard, but everyone here had the understanding that we all wanted to be alone. Even if we had to do it together.

Eventually, the hour ended. We all made our ways without word to our classes to finally end the day. Mr Galacto made his announcements and wished us all well before we were freed. I immediately started to the front door. Hopefully, I could enjoy some time alone before my boarding mates ruined the rest of my day. Of course, some things are just not meant to be.

“Wait! Jessica! Jessica Black.” I heard the short blonde girl who sat behind me call out. I looked to see her weaving through the halls. She was wearing the school uniform with the skirt bottom. On it, dangling off the left pocket, was the silver crucifix she had worn every day. She breathed heavily as she stopped and asked, “Where are you going?”

“Why do you care?” I was not happy being denied what limited time I had.

“Because I wanted to see if you wanted to go to class together?”

“I’m not enrolled in any extra classes.”

“That’s fine. You don’t have to actually enroll to go to them.” She grinned at me, “You just won’t get credit.”

“So why would I go to a class without credit?” I snarked.

“Well, the teachers can make exceptions.” She stumbled over her words. “If you impress them enough. They can grant full credit.”

“I see,” I said before turning and walking on. “Well, I’m leaving.”

“Wait! Don’t you want to-”

“No. I don’t.”

“But it’s super fun and-”

“I said no.”

“But I know you’ll like it”

“How?” I laughed and turned to her. “What can possibly make you think I would like spending more time in a classroom?”

“Because of what you said in class.” She stepped in front of me, “About the Road Not Taken. Mr Mirmen said himself that your reading was impressive.”

“So what? Why does that matter?”

“Because the class I want to take you to is Interpretation Of Greater Text. You would love it.”

“Why? Because I can see delusions inside of delusions? The Road Not Taken. There’s no such thing as a road not taken. A road not taken is just a clearing.” I was nearly out of patience.

She didn’t respond. Her face drooped before she gathered her will with a deep breath. She put a hand forward to me, “I’m sorry. Let’s start over. My name is-”

“I know what your name is.” I cut her off. “I’ve heard it every day in class. Remember?”

“Oh yeah. You know I think it’s funny how we have the same name. Jessica Black and Jessica Blanc.” Jessica Blanc tried to laugh. She pronounced her name with the French accent of its origins.

“Jessica is a common name.” I pointed out to her.

“Yeah, but then our last names. It’s quite the coincidence.”

“They happen. I’m leaving now.” I stepped around her and started again.

“Wait!” She cried out. I stopped again but didn’t turn. She took the opportunity, “I’m sorry if I’m bothering you, but I just… I just thought we could be friends.”

I sighed deeply. I was so done. I didn’t want to be friends with her or anyone. I wanted to be alone. I wasn’t like her and the others. I wasn’t gifted. I was cursed. She wouldn’t understand, but I could tell she also wouldn’t give up. So I gave up and turned to her, “Fine.”

“Yippee!” She leaped with joy drawing the eyes of the few other students passing by. She grabbed my hand and pulled, “I knew you would come. This way.”

I didn’t put up any resistance to her meager pull as we returned the way we came and ended just one door down from our own homeroom. Class 09I was posted on the door we entered in. There stood Mr Mirmen. He looked to the open door and saw us.

“Ms Blanc, you’re late. Just because this is an extra class does not mean you can just shrug it off.” Mr Mirmen lectured her.

“Yes sir. I apologize. I just had to grab my friend.” Jessica Blanc stepped in and started down one of the rows with me in tow.

“I see, Ms Black. I thought you didn’t have any extra classes.”

“I don’t,” I said back as I took a seat next to Jessica Blanc.

“Mm, yes. Well, we were finishing a reading from Phillis Wheatley. Does anyone have any notes?” Mr Mirmen scanned the class, “Anyone?”

The class didn’t seem to have much to say. They looked over the poem they assumingly just read. One student raised a hand and offered, “Slavery is wrong?”

“Yes. That’s a good reading.” Mr Mirmen gave flat praise, “Slavery, in the vast majority of situations, is bad. Especially when paired with the inhuman treatment that chattel slavery brought. Many writings through time have addressed this, but nearly all of those writings were mundane humans talking about the enslavement of the mundane. What is one way to interpret this fact? You do not have to give your own opinion on the matter. In fact, a viewpoint you disagree with would be better. Anyone?”

The class was quiet again as they thought it over in their head. They looked over the writing and whispered their thoughts to one another. Finally, a student ventured a guess, “It is because there were only mundane slaves?”

“How do you figure that?” Mirmen prompted them to continue.

“Well, how could you write about something that doesn’t exist? Non-fiction writing I mean.”

“You’re saying demihumans were never enslaved?”

“Yeah. I guess. I mean, how could someone enslave us? We would just break free.”

“That is a nice train of thought Mr Tartar, but it’s wrong. Not only have demihumans been enslaved throughout history, but many of us have been considered incredibly valuable. And while it is true many of us could easily break free of the physical restraints, there are more things that kept people from breaking free. Family is a popular one. Can anyone provide another reading?”

“Umm… They didn’t believe demihumans deserve freedom?” Came another student’s voice.

Mr Mirmen snapped his finger, “That’s what I was looking for. Can you expand on that Mr Laskaris?”

“Oh, umm… they thought that… because we were different we weren’t entitled to rights.”

“That’s a rather baseline reading. Differences were used to justify many an atrocity, but with only a slight changing of ‘different’ to ‘superior’ we can begin looking at a great number of past readings made by demihumans. To put simply, many in the last two centuries have stated openly that mundanes are naturally inclined to the belief that anyone not mundane should be lowered in social standing. This caused a lot of animosity between the two groups to cycle through time. However, this is also an incomplete reading. Just like Mr Tartar‘s reading. It comes from a misunderstanding of the facts of history. Can anyone provide another reading? Ms Black, I’m sure you can impress me.”

I had been sitting quietly listening. The subject was still dull, but it was interesting to hear other’s thought. Of course, I already knew many interpretations and how they often formed. “Another way to read the text isn’t that they believed demihumans were lesser or greater, or even different, but rather they didn’t think of them at all. The term ‘demihuman’ is attributed to Benjamin Franklin and didn’t appear in law until the eighteen hundreds, well after Franklin’s death even though he advocated for demihuman rights in his last years of life. Therefore, it’s more likely that when the many writers of the past call for the freedom of their people that it was assumed that demihumans within that people are included in that call. In fact, many of the texts used by groups such as the Brotherhood of Mutants to rally support were used in many court cases such as Hamilton v. Georgia.”

Simon Mirmen gave a clap, “Well done. Incredible. What Jessica has pointed out is something you should always keep in mind when making a reading of any kind. That ultimately your reading of the text will be incomplete simply because the writing of the text is itself incomplete. No one person can have knowledge of everything at all time and all knowledge is shaped by the time it is known in. Robert said demihuman slavery didn’t exist, and in one way is correct. Demihumans were not enslaved, because demihumans did not exist back then. Only regular humans with superhuman abilities. To put it concisely, understanding is not enough, one must understand the understanding, and in turn, understand that.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“That was concisely?” A student mumbled.

“Know this. You will never be done studying the world. Education has no end. Only breaks. Now, let’s move to another example of this Lack of Distinction from an ancient text of Greece.”

The class continued on. Mr Mirmen read a poem or essay and then asked for the class to make their own interpretation. He rarely called on me, which I appreciated because I didn’t raise my hand, but when he did I always gave my best description of the text and its origins. This went on for the two hours assigned to the class. Near the end of the class was when it mattered. Mr Mirmen read a poem from a medieval poet and asked the class for their reading calling on one of them. “Yes, Ms Anderson, how do you read this?”

“Um, actually.” Anderson said, “I wanted to ask, what year was that poem written in.”

Mr Mirmen closed the book in his hand and sighed, “And with that, I deem this lesson a success. You all pass. The purpose of this lesson has been completed.”

“And what was that?” Robert Tartar asked.

“What do you think it was?” Mirmen countered.

“I don’t know. All she did was ask a question.”

“Exactly. Simply giving your thoughts is a noble goal, but only by asking questions and seeking the answers to those questions are we capable of learning. Now I do apologize, but this is where we must end for the day.” Mr Mirmen said just before the bell rang, “I’m very proud of all of you, and I’m expecting much more from you all. Ms Black, a word?”

I was just about to leave when Mr Mirmen called me over. Jessica Blanc had just stepped out and was waiting just out of the door. I looked at him with a cautious expression

“I just want to talk.” Mr Mirmen said.

“About?” I asked.

“About your studies.”

“You have my records.”

“Yes, I do have the writings of your files, but I believe we covered the flaws of simply reading the text. Will you please have a conversation with me? Ms Blanc may join us if you like.”

“We’ll be late for our next class,” I stated.

“I don’t have another class today.” Jessica Blanc stated in turn. I slowly turned my gaze to the blonde. “Sorry.”

“It won’t be long. I have another class soon after all.” Mr Mirmen said.

We stepped back and closed the door behind us taking seats in the front as Mr Mirmen gestured to us. I started, “What do want to know?”

“First, how well have you enjoyed your previous studies?”

“Why do you care?”

“Ms Black, I am the teacher here. I’m the one who gives questions to questions. So please answer mine.”

I sighed, “Well enough.”

“And you Ms Blanc? You may participate.”

“Oh I enjoyed my time in school.” she answered without hesitation, “I went to Le College Saint Joan in France before coming here.”

“You’re from France?” I raised an eyebrow.

“I am. I was actually born in Louisiana though, but my family moved when I was only three.”

“And you Ms Black? Where are you from?” Mr Mirmen asked

I crossed my arms, “The Union.”

“Which state?”

“Does it matter?”

“Again, I’m the teacher here.”

I sighed, “New York.”

“Wow!” Jessica Blanc exclaimed, “I heard New York City is one of the biggest cities in The United States. Don’t they also have schools for demihumans?”

“Doesn’t France?” I asked sharply.

“Oh, they do,” she said quietly.

“Well, luckily we were able to have both of you here at West Progress High.” Mr Mirmen said. “What were your demitypes? If I may ask.”

“You may not,” I said firmly.

“Umm… I’m a divine prophet. I have visions of the future.” Blanc answered.

“Interesting.” Mr Mirmen nodded his head, “The power of foresight is a heavy burden to bear. It takes great strength to see what is beyond the now.”

“Thank you.” Jessica Blanc said as if she was being complimented.

“Of course, it takes equal strength to see what is beyond the here. Won’t you agree Ms Black?”

I didn’t say anything, and luckily I wasn’t pressed to as the door opened again and an older student called, “Sup Mr M!”

“Good Afternoon, Please take a seat and wait for class to begin.” He stood off the desk his coat shifting just enough to show a glint of metal underneath. “Well I thank you two. I’ll be seeing you two around.”

He gestured his permission for our departure. We stood and headed out. The halls were filled will movement, but significantly less than the earlier hours. We made our way to the front of the school and exited through the front gate. The mood between us seemed sour. Which was fine by me as I marched on with Blanc following right after. Neither of us said anything about this. After all, we both knew we were heading to the same place. Choosing not to wait for a bus we marched across the outer limits of the city arriving at Elizabeth’s Home for Demi Children. Our home. We continued in silence as we arrived at room 313. Our room. Opening it I saw the room was already occupied by two other girls. Our boarding mates.

“Are you two just getting back?” Melissa Odinson asked looking under a comic book as she laid on her bed on the lower right bunk. “Did you walk home?”

“We did.” Jessica Blanc answered as I climbed into my bed on the upper left bunk.

“Well, that explains how we got back first.” Jennifer Knight said from one of the four tiny desks in the room. “Me and Melissa took the bus.”

“I thought you didn’t have extra classes,” Melissa said. I could only guess she was addressing me. Of course, I couldn’t see her, and I doubt she saw me from her vantage point.

“I brought her to my Interpretation of Greater Text class.” Jessica Blanc sat on her bed under mine. “We had fun.”

“Jessica had fun? That’s hilarious.” Melissa laughed.

“We did! Tell them.” Jessica Blanc stood up trying to prompt me, but I had my back to her.

“See. She doesn’t believe in fun.” Melissa said returning to her comic.

“Melissa, you shouldn’t be so mean,” Jennifer said from the desk. “Jessica is in the same boat as all of us. We’re just trying to make it.”

“Speak for yourself. I’ve already made it.” Melissa leaped from her bed and stood in the center of the room talking as if she wasn’t the shortest by a whole head. “I made it the day I was born. Everything else is just gravy.”

“I’m just saying, Jessica is going through a lot,” Jennifer said

“Jessica doesn’t need you to defend her. She’s a big girl like the rest of us.” Melissa shot back.

“Yeah, I- wait…” Jessica Blanc tried to step in.

“I’m not defending her. I’m just trying to explain that bullying her isn’t helping.” Jennifer continued past her.

“Bullying? You think anyone considers me a bully? I’m just being honest.” Melissa said back. Both of the girls seem to have forgotten about me and Blanc.

“Honesty can still be mean when you’re just being a bully,” Jennifer said.

“I’m sorry. Time out. Are you talking about me or her?” Blanc asked them.

“I was talking about you,” Melissa said.

“I thought all of that was at Jessica Black,” Jennifer said.

“Not all of it. The part of her being no fun was at her.” Melissa said.

Jennifer sighed, “We need nicknames.”

“How about just calling them by their last name?” Melissa suggested.

“I don’t really like that,” Jennifer said looking at the back of her hand. Her skin darkened by African blood, “But that’s just me.”

“Yeah, I don’t really like that either.” Blanc agreed.

I laughed, “I guess honesty doesn’t carry cleverness very well.”

Melissa scowled at that, “I know. We’ll call you Jessica, and we’ll call her Bitch!”

Melissa threw the comic at the top bunk overshooting it making it slam on the wall and fall between the bed to the floor.

“I know I know!” Jessica Blanc said with an edge of panic, “I’ll just go by Jesse. Jessica and Jesse. Easy peasy. See.”

Melissa just tsked, “Whatever.”

She threw herself back into bed and rolled to face the wall. Jesse sat on her own bed again and sighed. She then looked to Jennifer. “What are you studying?”

“Trigonometry. I have a class tomorrow.” Jennifer answered lifting the textbook.

“Oh. That’s cool.”

“It’s boring.” Melissa disagreed. “I mean it’s literally just studying triangles.”

“And how they relate to the world,” Jennifer added.

“Whatever!” Melissa rolled over and jumped out of bed, “I rather just experience the world. In fact, let’s do that.”

“What?” Jesse tilted her head.

“Let’s go somewhere. Do something.” Melissa stepped over to their shared closet and pulled the smallest khaki coat. “I assume we all have some pocket money. Enough for a few rounds at the arcade. Let’s go!”

“But what about-” Jesse tried to object but was cut off.

“But nothing. There’s plenty of sun left in the sky. Let’s use it.” Melissa cried out pumping a fist to the roof.

“Maybe a break would be nice,” Jennifer said.

“Yes!” Melissa exclaimed her victory before turning to Jesse, “You in? You don’t even have an excuse.”

“Well, okay.” Jesse agreed sheepishly.

“Alright then. Come on Jessica. Let’s go.”

“What?” I laughed from my bed.

“We’re going to the arcade. Now come on.”

“And you’re inviting me?”

“Sure, if you want to put it like that. Now come on.”

“I thought you didn’t like me.”

“I don’t, but I’m not a bitch like you. I’m actually nice.”

I laughed at that, “If you say so. I’m not going.”

Melissa scowled and climbed the left bunk, “Come on. We’re classmates and roommates. It won’t kill you to actually spend time with us.”

“I’m not going,” I stated without mirth. “Leave me alone.”

“No. You either come with us or else.” Melissa threatened

“Or else what?”

Melissa stared at me with malice, “Or I’ll tell everyone that your favorite color is pink.”

“My favorite color is pink.” I said honestly, “It goes well with black.”

“And that you like ballet and dressing like a doll.”

“Go ahead. Like anyone would care.”

“And you’re boy crazy and write about them in that diary of yours.”

“What?” I stiffened clutching The Black Book.

“The book you carry around with all your secrets.”

I leaped over to Melissa with The Black Book in hand, “This is not a diary you fool. This is a tome of unimaginable knowledge. This book is the only reason why I’m here. Why I’m even a demihuman.”

“Did I hit a nerve?” Melissa smirked, “Well then you better come on.”

She hopped down leaving me to climb over the railing.

“Jessica, you don’t have to,” Jesse said.

“It’s fine. I rather not have to deal with her annoying ass.” I said.

“Whatever. Let’s go.” Melissa said exiting the room.

We made our way through the city. Crossing the line between the outer and inner city limits. Buildings grew into towers and the streets widened. The arcade was a multi-floor section of a building just on the outskirts of the inner city. The word ARCADE was lit in neon letters over its door. It didn’t need anything else. The inside was filled with sound as dozens of children, teenagers, and even a few adults played on different machines. We went up to the counter for game passes and learned our school IDs were valid for that.

“Alright girls. What’s our first target?” Melissa stood before the glory of the room.

“You’re the leader here,” I commented.

Melissa shot me a side-eyed look, “Damn right I am, and we’re taking Maze Master first.”

She marched into the cluster of game cabinets, all sporting art with their names on them.

“So, what are we doing exactly?” Jennifer asked as Melissa popped bills into the token machine.

“We’re playing for the high score. I want every box to have our names at the top.” Melissa handed out tokens. “First Maze Master, then Legend Lord, and then we’ll take on the Battle Brawl scores.”

“And after that?” Jesse asked.

“If there’s time, then another title shall fall. Simple.” Melissa explained.

A booming laugh came from just behind a cabinet. The source turned the corner revealing his massive frame and leather attire. “You’re going to be here until the end of time if you’re trying to beat me.”

“And who the fuck are you?” Melissa faced the boy as if she was the one who was twice the other’s size.

“That’s Adrian Priest,” Jennifer answered in a whisper.

“Who?” Melissa asked

“That asshole bully from our class,” I added. “He thinks he’s some hot shot.”

“Damn straight.” Adrian agreed as he swaggered up to us, “And you’re delusional if you think you can get the high score on any of the Battle Brawlers. You going to have beat me and my brother, and that ain’t happening.”

“Oh please. I’m amazed you can even figure out which button does what.” Melissa mocked, “Do you even know how to spell your own name?”

“I know how to spell Little Bitch.” Adrian stepped forward and somehow failed to loom over Melissa

“So that’s your full name? Little Adrian Bitch?” Melissa asked with a tone of mock serenity.

“Watch it.” Adrian balled a fist, “You’re starting to annoy me.”

“Or would it be Adrian Little Bitch Priest?”

“You’re just begging me to kill you, aren’t you?” Adrian cracked his knuckles with the sound of bones breaking.

“Or would that be your mama’s name?”

“Oh, that’s it!” Adrian swiped Melissa up by her coat, “I’m going to teach you- OW!”

Adrian did not finish his threat as Melissa had just as quickly bitten his hand with all her might causing him to let go of his grasp. Melissa stumbled but kept her footing as she raised her own fists.

“Bring it!” She cried like she had a chance, and ‘bring it’ he was ready to do. Adrian shook off the pain and took a single step forward before being interrupted again by a bright beam of light that circled them coming off the ceiling.

“No Violence In The Arcade.” An intercom boomed over the whole floor.

Adrian tsked as he stepped back, “This ain’t over girlie.”

“Bet on it!” Melissa agreed as she threw up a rude gesture.

“Do you have to pick a fight with everyone bigger than you?” I asked

“Yes.” Melissa said flat out before turning to the rest of us, “Alright, let’s do this.”

We each took a Maze Master cabinet and started pushing buttons. Both Jennifer and Jesse need instructions on how to play which Melissa provided. I managed fine without help, and Melissa herself seemed to have been a master of the game.

Soon we moved on to Legend Lord 2 and then to Battle Brawl. To Melissa’s dismay, each of the cabinets featuring the dynamic fighting scene had the same two names at the top of them. ‘Ambrose Priest’ with ‘Adrian Priest’ in second. Melissa huffed, “Asshole.”

They tried their best, but none of them could manage to get into the top ten. They eventually all gave up, but I managed to get ninth. Knocking some mook named Carl Star off.

“I’m hungry,” Melissa whined as we stepped into the setting sun. “Who knows a good place to eat? Cheap as possible.”

“I think the school does a dinner program.” Jennifer offered.

“Ew. No. I’m not going back to school unless I have to.” Melissa shot down the idea. “I’ve heard they have a Union Deluxe here. Let’s go there.”

“But that’s like five miles north past the river,” Jennifer noted.

“So you know the way?” Melissa said, “You can take the lead.”

“But it’s already so late.”

“Good thing the buses run all night then.” Melissa started marching northward.

“But, but…” Jennifer tried to think of something to break Melissa’s iron will, but nothing came to mind.

“Forget it.” I patted Jennifer’s back, “She decides things before thinking. You can’t reason with that. All we can do is keep her out of trouble.”

“I guess.” Jennifer sighed and joined us.

We made our way through the city’s edge. The streets were illuminated by the strange stone that made the base of every building saving the need for street lamps. We walked north until we got to the West City Bridge. The buildings gave way at the bridge showing the open sky and all the stars it held.

“Wow! I’ve never seen the stars so clearly.” Jesse said in awe.

“Me neither.” Jennifer said, “Not without my power at least. They’re amazing.”

“They’re stars.” Melissa said dismissively. “A bunch of lights that don’t do anything.”

“Expect provide the means for global navigation and timekeeping.” I noted, “To which the majority of civilization would be impossible without.”

“So you’re saying the stars are the reason why we have to school every day and look at that ugly bastard Adrian?” Melissa asked, “In that case, fuck’em.”

We all laughed at that. Jennifer spoke up, “What about the boys? Some of them are really cute.”

“Oh! Someone has a crush.” Melissa smirked, “Tell! Tell! Tell!”

“No, it’s not like that.” Jennifer’s skin started glowing under Melissa’s demands, “I just think some of the boys are cute.”

“Like who?” Jesse joined in.

“Well, that boy who sits in front of me?”

“Jerry?” I laughed, “That jerk? You like him?”

“No!” Jennifer said a bit too defensively, “Just that he’s cute.”

“So who do you like?” I said officially joining in on the teasing.”

“It’s not like that!” Jennifer hid her face in glowing hands.

I was about to tease another suggestion when I was cut off by the roar of a motorcycle that passed us. Not on the road, but on the walkway. The gale force threw us off balance into a pile.

“Well, well.” A voice said behind us, “What do we have here?”

“A few little girlies lost in the city.” A voice in front of us said.

We got to our feet. I looked behind us. A group of hooligans were blocking the way back. In front of us was only one guy, but he used his bike to block the path. Melissa yelled out, “Who are you?”

“Your better.” The voice stepped forward. A girl with neon blue hair that seemed to hang wildly behind her. She and the rest of the group were wearing uniforms that were the same as my friends, except a dark shade of red instead of khaki. “And I say, you have some nerve just waltzing into our turf.”

“Turf?” I said looking her in the eye, “You expect us to believe you’re a gang or something?”

“Or something.” She stepped forward, “See, here’s the score. You’re from West High. We’re from North High. You don’t come into the north without permission. Understand?”

“Not a word!” Melissa said before giving a rude gesture, “Understand this?”

The leader scowled, “You must be pretty powerful if you think you can back-talk me.”

Melissa crossed her arms, “You must be pretty weak if you think back talk is tough.”

“You’re going to regret that.” The leader stepped forward, her wild hair starting to glow. Behind the other hooligans stepped up cracking knuckles and wielding bats.

“I already regret looking at your ugly mug.” Melissa took a step forward but was stopped by Jennifer.

“Wait wait wait!” Jennifer tried to calm the situation, “This is a misunderstanding. We’re freshmen. We didn’t know there was turf or anything like that.”

“Well, you’re gonna learn today fresh meat.” The biker behind us was walking towards us. His bulk overshadowed us all together, “No one talks to my bunny like that.”

“Do you call her bunny causes she fucks like one,” Melissa said back.

“No!” Bunny yelled, “I’m called Bunny cause I bounce like one.”

She hopped twenty feet in the air before speeding into the ground in front of us. A shock wave pushed us all back. I heard Jesse scream. I looked up to see she was grabbed by the biker.

“Beg for forgiven and I might be merciful.” Bunny flipped her hair.

“Fuck you.” Melissa shouted back, “I’m not scared of you.”

“But we are.” Jennifer said grabbing Melissa to hold her back, “Please, just say you’re sorry.”

“Oh, that’s not good enough.” Biker said as he grabbed Melissa hoisting her up, “She said beg. I suggest you get to it. Before I lose my patience and just throw you off-”

Melissa spat in his eye. He yelled in anger and tossed Jesse out of his other hand. Luckily I was in the way to catch her. Unluckily, the force of the throw was not mundane. He didn’t seem to gauge his incredible strength because as my body stopped Jesse from ramming into the metal sidebar, her body slammed into mine with enough force to bend the metal sending us both over into the river below.

The river below was liquid darkness denying me all my senses. I couldn’t see or hear. I lost my direction and couldn’t tell from up from down. I was in a complete void until the river covered me in coldness. It drank away my body’s warmth for itself. I didn’t have long. Jesse was somewhere in the void with me. I could have sensed her if I wanted to. I only had to apply the knowledge given to me. I tried to feel around. She had to be close to me. We fell so close together. She had to be within arm’s reach. I remember we were in a river. We were moving. She was moving. I used the knowledge and opened my senses. She was too far away. Two arm lengths, we could have grabbed each other if we tried, but she was unconscious. The blow from hitting me was enough to knock her out. She couldn’t fight against the current that was pulling us both deeper. I thought what to do. I couldn’t fight for both of us. If I could the river was still stealing her warmth like it stole mine. The others knew we fell. Maybe someone would come, but could they get to us in time? As I drifted deeper into the water I sensed Jesse already slipping away. I thought of the options I had. In the end, I had two. One was to flail around and hope someone came to save us before it was too late. That didn’t seem likely, so I chose option two.

I reached for The Black Book.