"I'm leaving, Dad!"
he called out as he opened the door and stepped outside, greeted by the warm breeze and the steady morning sunlight.
I sure wish I finished my homework at home… hethought. I'll just finish it in the library.
He started walking, passing the same sights he'd been seeing for the past four months.
Nothing really changed on this route. After all, he could name every detail on this road with his eyes closed.
---
"Could you believe he sold that play?"
Ack.
The sudden chatter nearby startled him.
He was sure he never saw anyone else take this path at this time of the morning. He was always too early to leave, so the streets were usually empty.
He stole a glance at the group.
They looked like students — a group of four wearing uniforms from some prestigious school he had familiarity with.
"B‑but you couldn't have expected the last one to camp in the bush!" one with shoulder‑length black hair replied.
"You really think the damage dealer would stay in plain sight? Are you stupid?" another answered back. He was a head taller than the other three.
"Uh, well…"
"Cut him some slack. You dived and died before his morph was finished. Shouldn't we be blaming you instead?"
"Screw you."
They bantered back and forth.
It felt like watching kids argue over a game they'd lost sleep on.
He kept walking while listening to them talk, planning to just pass by–
until one of them suddenly stepped closer and struck up a conversation.
"Yo. What class you from?"
It was the one who defended the long‑haired guy. His hair was black with blond streaks, like it had been dyed. He wore his blazer by tying the sleeves around his neck, the rest hanging behind his back.
From the way he talked and carried himself, he seemed like the leader.
"Oh. It's you," he said. "Wanna come along with us?"
"Yeah, sure," he replied.
---
"…and that's how you deal with a Rennard," he said.
He knew a few things about the game they were talking about, so he joined in to pass the time.
"Didn't know you were all that, dude."
His advice was good enough that the group didn't even know some of those tricks were possible.
Before they realized it, they were already at school.
They entered the building and headed toward the stairs when his stomach suddenly churned and his head began to hurt.
"Oh, I'll go to the restroom first. You all head up," he said.
"Alright. Nice talk."
---
Inside the bathroom, he stood in front of the sink and turned on the faucet, splashing some water onto his face.
He looked up at the mirror.
An average boy stared back — dark brown hair, blue eyes, the same face he saw every day.
Don't be there.
He slowly pulled up his left sleeve.
Right where he expected it, a dark reddish bruise marked his skin.
Damn it.
It's the third time this month.
He dried his face, pulled his sleeve back down, and left the bathroom.