Loading: Life Chapter 4

“I’m so glad you two could come,” Mr. Kirkland said as Hero and Reut walked into the classroom. Hero knew his teacher was still angry with the fight, even though the man’s eyes were glued to his laptop.

He kept his sarcasm to himself as he and Reut hopped up the stairs to their seats. Making sure there were no surprises in his swivel chair from a certain duo before, he plopped down. Reut did the same.

“Now how about we review a little,” Mr. Kirkland clapped his hands, prompting the projector to come to life and the windows to darken, closing out any light. “Who can tell me what this is?” he asked, pointing to the picture on the screen.

“A building.” Hero rested his head in his upright palm.

“Good, Mr. Leander,” the teacher tapped his index finger on his chin. “But not the answer I’m looking for. Anyone else?”

A girl in front slowly raised her hand.

“Yes, Ms. Golnar.”

“Um . . . It’s Modem Industries. R-right?”

“Correct.”

The girl’s shoulders shrugged down. Hero rolled his eyes.

“And,” Mr. Kirkland continued, walking around his little podium, “What is Modem Industries?”

Another student spoke up. “They’re the creators of the generator. And they help watch over the core.”

“Yes. But, please, raise your hand next time, Sharp.”

“Teacher,” Gari raised his hand. “This is all elementary material. Why are we going over it now?”

“Good point, Mr. Rhodes. But when we as people forget the most basic constructs of our world, we tend to break down our own advancements in equality, trade progress for morality, and fight in school to show dominance in a society that is based on social comradery.”

The poison seeped from the teacher’s last words, forcing Gari to shrink down in his seat. Hero snorted, noticing Reut laughing silently beside him, the guy’s hoodie ruffling a little.

“Of course, why would I as your sophomore teacher think that any of you would want to befriend and support each other? It’s not like this particular group will be stuck for the next three years together before graduating and more than likely going to one of the three universities this great city has to offer.”

Hero whispered to Reut, “it’s not like we actually care enough to listen to a teacher complain. We don’t get paid.”

Mr. Kirkland shot a deadly glare right at Hero. The boy’s muscles tensed involuntarily.

“He has good ears.” Reut snorted, hiding his face in his hood again.

“Modem Industries and all its aspects will be your midterm project for Historical Sciences this year.”

A collective groan rang through the class, though Mr. Kirkland ignored it, rambling on.

“This will count for 30% of your grade.”

Another groan.

“And you will be paired with a partner–“

A few students perked up.

“–of my choosing.”

A louder groan sounded as the students’ hopes were shot down.

“I’m surprised,” Hero whispered to Reut. “Usually, Ms. I’m-far-above-you-all starts getting onto us for whining so much.”

“I don’t think I see her,” Reut whispered back, eyes scanning the room.

“Think she’s skipping?”

“Probably helping a faculty member.”

“That teacher’s pet makes us look like monkeys.”

“No. You do that yourself.”

Hero shoved Reut.

“No need to lie, right?” Reut grinned.

Hero was about to shoot an insult back but perked up as Kirk listed off names.

“I hope he doesn’t put me with Gari or Samson.” Hero mumbled.

“He’s a sadistic teacher,” Reut opened a book he had hidden under the table. “But even he wouldn’t do that.”

But as the teacher went down the list, the ungrouped students dwindling to a very few, Hero started gnawing on his bottom lip.

“Mr. Kellner and Mr. Taylan.”

Reut’s eyes shot up from his page and glared down at Samson.

“He is sadistic, isn’t he?” Hero snickered. Reut hit his arm with a shielded elbow. Hero grabbed the spot, teeth gritting.

“Whoops.” Reut returned to his book. “My arm slipped.”

“Liar.”

The pairing continued, and Hero began pleading with the universe itself that Gari and he would not be the next team.

“Mr. Rhodes and–”

Gari and . . .

“Ms. Golnar.”

Hero sighed his thanks.

But then, who would be his partner–

“Mr. Leander and Ms. Fields.”

“What?!” Hero shouted, glaring down at Mr. Kirkland.

The class erupted.

“You can’t be serious?!” One student shouted.

“She’s the top student! Why put her with that loser?!” Another yelled.

Gari shot up in his desk, “Mr. Kirkland! She already has enough on her plate!”

“And?” Mr. Kirkland’s sadistic grin – Hero swore he saw fangs protrude from between those lips – never faltered.

“Don’t make her carry his weight too!”

“Mr. Rhodes, class, may I remind you that as your teacher I cannot discriminate against or for anyone in here. In fact, I am supposed to encourage you all to do your best as a team. Not throw you down or coddle you based on previous work or attitude.”

“But you know he’s a sluggish thug! He’s just going to slack off!”

Hero rose up, gearing his fists for another fight, until Mr. Kirkland slammed his palms on the podium, releasing his healing orb in a bomb-type attack. The flash of energy burst into everyone, calming them down. Gari and Hero slowly sat down.

“If Ms. Fields is as perfect as you make her out to be, then she’ll be able to work with Mr. Leander, no problem. But I wouldn’t worry about her situation. Most of you have slipping grades due to focusing too much time on the cultural festival last week. Many of you have been spending valuable study time each on watching the SA Fighter Finals.” A few boys lowered their gazes. “I suggest bringing those low scores up with this project. If not, it’s remedial classes. Understand?”

A few nods here and there. Hero did not move, still recovering from the burst. He hated when Kirk messed with his feelings. That stupid orb attack.

“Now,” Mr. Kirkland clapped, sending the projector away and brightening the windows. “Let us get on with–”

The door slid open as flowing cotton candy hair and slim legs bounced in with a stack of papers, the sunlight catching on her peach-colored lips and rosy cheeks.

“I apologize for taking so long, Mr. Kirkland,” bells rang as her sing-song voice lit up, blasting away the last of the gloom that was lingering over the class. “I was fixing the copier before printing off the project instructions.”

“Thank you, Ms. Fields.”

Some of the boys swooned as she leaned slightly down to sit the papers on the first-row table. Hero stuck out his tongue and pretended to gag, receiving another small chuckle from Reut.

“Would you like me to hand them out?”

“Of course.”

She turned, her ruby eyes scanning the classroom.

“Is everyone alright?”

“Just a little shocked from the partners they received.” Mr. Kirkland said.

“Oh!” Her voice sprang up. She smiled at her classmates. “Don’t worry about being with a partner you might not like. I know we will all do our best on this project!”

Awe’s and oo’s sounded throughout the class. Reut nudged Hero in his side again, receiving a growl.

“What?” the boy asked. “Don’t like your partner?”

“I hate you, you know that.”

“Can’t really do that, since I’m your only friend.”

Hero slumped down, head hitting the table with a hard thud.

Ms. Fields turned to Mr. Kirkland once more. “And who is my partner?”

“Mr. Leander.”

“W-what?”

“Hero. Hero Leander.”

The class went dead silent. Hero looked up, seeing nearly every student’s head shooting back and forth between him and the teacher’s pet down below. Her eyes met his, but he didn’t receive a frown, snarl, sneer, or any disgusted expression he thought he might.

Her smile was sweet as she bounced up the steps to his side.

She extended her hand. “I hope we have a good time working together, Hero.”

“S-sure, Fields.” Hero grabbed her hand, knowing he would get chewed out by Kirk later if he didn’t.

“Please, call me Annie Mei. Everyone does.”

/

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(c) E.N. Chaffin. 2017. All rights reserved.