It’s been 2 days since Nao left school but he left a noticeable impact. Trevor, has been training for the rematch, bullies are a bit scared to approach us, and most importantly… 371Please respect copyright.PENANA7IdcX1QNmy
371Please respect copyright.PENANALtAxWYMqRG
Mat: “Man, Alyson has been out of it these days. Her test scores have taken a nose dive.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAu5QgQuTWcA
371Please respect copyright.PENANAQKrxyDUYEv
Anthony: “Nao is still helping us even while suspended.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA2DstueGKOV
371Please respect copyright.PENANAjgUUVhKDZD
Velo: “Yeah, he even infused a shield spell onto this ring I got from a cereal box.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA1Zwq79LNXG
371Please respect copyright.PENANAV2VAYaMCfH
Tallow: “But she’s still among the top 20 students in the school both athletically and academically.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA2kCuhviI7L
371Please respect copyright.PENANAmrATgOu7QS
Anthony: “It’s enough, soon someone is going to challenge her place as queen.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAoRcLD3YZ8A
371Please respect copyright.PENANAiqgPKmTPu6
Mat: “And when Nao comes back, he’ll take the position of King. After what you told us he was fighting evenly with him. I’m sure after a month of training, he’ll be way stronger.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAWZv88atWaf
371Please respect copyright.PENANAZEokiOccJx
Anthony: “…We’ll see.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA8FnTGzmULd
371Please respect copyright.PENANAxbro9UN39u
I still remember when we went to see Nao yesterday. The focus, the new power, and improved body…he’s even taller now…
371Please respect copyright.PENANAcUA3GUj5Og
371Please respect copyright.PENANAEoK0FQKemj
Anthony: “Hey guys, do you want to try exercising.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAWWTkonLNGY
371Please respect copyright.PENANAsYPJsKH7hA
Everyone: “No way.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAiF8nmlAyIA
371Please respect copyright.PENANAbGu4XnOrkQ
Mat: “Look at me, I’m not going to exercise.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAh42RroZ93k
371Please respect copyright.PENANAcuPavsLi3R
Tallow: “Building muscle won’t help me in my goals so…”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAlt9Z0Iso7L
371Please respect copyright.PENANAZRvbaoTWB5
Velo: “Besides, we won’t be as fast as Nao. Why even try?”
…371Please respect copyright.PENANAkdadznu8S6
They’re right, we don’t have Arc or a game system. Anything we try won’t change us as much.
…
…
Mat: “Hum, can I have my stun gun back?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAw53VYsRyoJ
371Please respect copyright.PENANAggbVIoVnnH
Anthony: “No.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA58KZ1CgxWP
371Please respect copyright.PENANAIQCU40djio
Mat: “Come on, I said I was sorry already. I was scared, it was an honest mistake!”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA7gDTTQUFOQ
371Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5OyLNCP8a
Anthony: “I don’t care. That mistake almost cost us our lives.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAXdFeKgSKDT
371Please respect copyright.PENANAIYg0zcPtyG
Mat: “…I’m sorry.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANATyWh6sKMYh
371Please respect copyright.PENANAF36eZOqGiT
Velo: “Don’t worry Mat, we can ask Nao for another one.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANACnQdfZU0SM
371Please respect copyright.PENANAkXxnzfAlv5
Mat: “I….guess. Yeah, I’ll think an even better spell than paralysis.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAX4cZHlPopC
371Please respect copyright.PENANAfvNWmWe5mb
When are you going to fend for yourselves…
371Please respect copyright.PENANAsp3dUVnOFJ
371Please respect copyright.PENANAz1qDiXyyrq
Anthony: “We can’t rely on Nao for everything.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAe81bhlpzB1
371Please respect copyright.PENANA1RbxYUWmjo
Mat: “Why not? He’s our friend and if I was cool like him I’d want someone to rely on me.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAbfR049ckL3
371Please respect copyright.PENANAVj6ooiqsRJ
Anthony: “I guess but what if…”
…
Mat: “If?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAaIMeCYAsDP
371Please respect copyright.PENANAg0sXa8oBRO
Anthony: “Never mind, let’s go back to class.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA7cD8GX2IWg
371Please respect copyright.PENANATTi9KqxrGG
I get our bags and leave the library while trying to stay hidden from bullies. They might be scared of Nao but they’re not scared of us. It only takes one person and-
371Please respect copyright.PENANAjVTNoIC284
371Please respect copyright.PENANAiSvd8eFd4S
Trevor: “Hey guys.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA0g1KYC9vJD
371Please respect copyright.PENANAZYkCgfFyf2
Everyone: “!!”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAeQXTIYNoNE
371Please respect copyright.PENANATaFtVdhyhM
Mat: “The k-king?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAx9TSNPc0m7
371Please respect copyright.PENANAmUmHQbPpiq
Everyone in the hallway stops and watches as Trevor walks up to us. Their intense gaze falls upon us like a wave and breaks our fragile cover.
371Please respect copyright.PENANAcroknXjze0
371Please respect copyright.PENANAFEd4FGV0j6
Trevor: “So, have you guys seen Nao recently? I couldn’t get an answer out of Alyson so how about you?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAuIf4Msabg5
371Please respect copyright.PENANAYyHctr33sM
Anthony: “He-”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA0NAmDyHYJf
371Please respect copyright.PENANAN00Jy967f5
Mat: “Wait, let me say it.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAncQxfr7i0t
371Please respect copyright.PENANAlHBxBLHdZ7
Mat steps in front of us and puffs up his chest. What the hell is he doing. This won’t make up for what he did. Talking to Trevor is terrifying but not that bad.
371Please respect copyright.PENANAxmFYDK1bkj
371Please respect copyright.PENANAWaJx63GhsQ
Mat: “Y-Yeah, we went to his house yesterday.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAdPh5ieattF
371Please respect copyright.PENANA2jJ0GXauCb
Trevor: “Great, I hope he’s getting ready for our next fight. I just can’t stop thinking about it. I still have the badge on my face to remember him”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA2eroc5LCEr
Creepy.
371Please respect copyright.PENANADTNiOKBIEt
Mat: “He is and when he does…he’ll….h-he’ll win.”
…
…
Trevor: “Haha, you know wouldn’t mind that. I’ve never lost a fight so it should be an interesting experience.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAUChHoppDnz
371Please respect copyright.PENANAnEb8g2JKTM
Trevor: “I’m happy to hear he’s preparing for me. That’s all I needed to know, you can go.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAUXQqiHu5Jp
371Please respect copyright.PENANAnAWcuJST1X
We collectively sighed and inched past Trevor. Everyone’s gaze still followed our every move but I don’t care. We just dodged a bull-
371Please respect copyright.PENANA0IlXd5GrWB
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Trevor: “And the other hand.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAGbQzWdx35a
371Please respect copyright.PENANANyAMPCYd26
We instantly stopped and felt the air cool sharply. We look around to Trevor with his head turned toward us.
371Please respect copyright.PENANAHMZGsBEqqS
371Please respect copyright.PENANAh7U0etuT4g
Trevor: “If Nao was that strong, maybe one of you can give me a warm-up? Do one of you…want to fight?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAVVVKVLqkts
371Please respect copyright.PENANA5NdYgCpjVJ
Instantly, we begin to shiver uncontrollably. I can see it in his eyes, we’re nothing but cattle and prey to him. He towers over our lives and casts a shadow over any possibility of escaping.
371Please respect copyright.PENANAGMOXWXzLoO
371Please respect copyright.PENANAP2D9JQcyt7
But what makes me shiver isn’t fear. No, it’s hatred for those around us. I quickly look around to see people running away, giggling, or watching us with some sick anticipation. Is this…entertainment to you fucking creatures!
371Please respect copyright.PENANArV28f9TgWy
371Please respect copyright.PENANAx4JMVITtxx
Trevor: “Come on don’t be scared, I’m sure you can take at least one hit. Even Nao can then-”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAxutLYlGh7A
371Please respect copyright.PENANAwJV5DVCX7S
Alyson: “That’s enough Trevor.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANATzTSJP8hR3
371Please respect copyright.PENANAI18wVTtBMS
For a moment those parasites look elsewhere, to the queen. They start mumbling like flies around shit. And we’re just in the middle of this clown show, waiting to get out.
371Please respect copyright.PENANAIfSFxjMI4s
371Please respect copyright.PENANAXHlz1zF0q6
Trevor: “Alyson, why are you here. Don’t tell me, did you reconsider my dating offer.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAx2yvVETXx1
371Please respect copyright.PENANAAhAvfp7JAS
Alyson: “Of course not. I just don’t want you to waste time on the bottom feeders. Nao is clearly a special case, they won’t pose a challenge to you.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANANNTQReRWVW
371Please respect copyright.PENANALfhJuAfIX5
Trevor: “Are you sure you just don’t your brother’s friends getting hurt.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAcfHZrpPhWT
371Please respect copyright.PENANAdBbyQ8fSiP
Alyson: “They’re on the black list so I don’t care but people are looking forward to your fight with Nao.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA60pXX4FBws
371Please respect copyright.PENANAK7QhNxDHSw
Are you fucking serious, this is not a TV show!
371Please respect copyright.PENANAajei63Bwq6
371Please respect copyright.PENANAbceZhlOU8y
Alyson: “I’m sure you want the best turnout so don’t spoil the audience with subpar entertainment.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAus5ZynHL3d
371Please respect copyright.PENANABfoy0lqz51
Trevor: “…Hahaha, I get it. Sure, I didn’t think they would be a good warm-up. I was just playing with them a bit.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAxmvSIzLurA
371Please respect copyright.PENANARVO1iMiqB2
Trevor: “Sorry for spoiling everyone before the promised day. See you guys then.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANADHXWVbfuGi
371Please respect copyright.PENANAApDxggl3KP
…Trevor ruffles our hair like an evil older brother and leaves. Everyone’s eyes return back to their phones and other digital noise. The queen leaves too after a while.
371Please respect copyright.PENANAx0Ytd3EYU4
371Please respect copyright.PENANA6SvCZlNOTk
As if nothing happened, we return to the background where we belong. The show must go on. We were just a commercial in their “exciting” lives.
371Please respect copyright.PENANA3Ch2Azloc0
371Please respect copyright.PENANAvLu9CnDHMv
Anthony: “Let’s go.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAVQmzD0uq8o
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They didn’t say anything more. Our position was clear as day, more so than ever before.
371Please respect copyright.PENANA833b1Zmzcw
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The school day ends without anything else happening. The only place left for us is Nao’s room. The only place where we can escape our fate.
371Please respect copyright.PENANAceEPddGlI1
371Please respect copyright.PENANAvnqoGbjJUG
I open the door to see an even taller and muscular Nao training his body. It’s got to the point where he’s starting to tower over us too. 2 inches from being just like the bullies…
371Please respect copyright.PENANAnDhlWcvVqv
371Please respect copyright.PENANAE0DM5eKMEC
Nao: “Hey guys, how’s it going.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAk85ImqDLio
371Please respect copyright.PENANA9TBmwfuDNn
Velo: “Wow Nao, y-you look good.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA67rU6ykUjo
371Please respect copyright.PENANAKbPBKg6RQS
Nao: “Hehe, thanks. Alyson thought so too.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAQk0Q1v5HY7
371Please respect copyright.PENANA03WK5aMIcG
Mat: “Really? Damn, lucky.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA7LDBaRR037
371Please respect copyright.PENANAHKPcJNKEQH
Anthony: “She actually told you that.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAxvIhm4DoqL
371Please respect copyright.PENANADLDEJZx1Uk
Nao: “Well no, she blushed when she saw me come out of the bathroom after a shower.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAvJA6ZfZxRJ
371Please respect copyright.PENANALRYZuCkzm4
Anthony: “You might have mistaken it. Remember, don’t catch feelings.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAgkAyPnMMSr
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Nao: “Y-Yeah, my mistake. Of course, he wouldn’t care.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANACHwFjZxq2L
371Please respect copyright.PENANAXJVMfoE2Mg
Anthony: “It’s fine, you can’t trust those snakes. Anyway, how comes your training? Think you can beat Trevor?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAup4SAaXfaB
371Please respect copyright.PENANAUBNgkAYEND
Nao: “I’m getting there. A month might be overkill though.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAnWQHX3ir4G
371Please respect copyright.PENANAdQaEyBqBPI
Mat: “Better that than losing. That guy even came up to us and asked about you.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA8wMYYpnLXl
371Please respect copyright.PENANAyVDPUKxD51
Nao: “Are you guys okay?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAt9qC3TFf9O
371Please respect copyright.PENANA6ABOb37DdY
Anthony: “Yeah, but I don’t know how long that will last. Now that the King has talked to us, the other bullies find the courage to mess with us.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANADtbQNp74J3
371Please respect copyright.PENANAx4LLUOtJza
Nao: “Damn it, I’m…sorry for getting suspended.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANApKjqCSgfap
371Please respect copyright.PENANAcDujRT5mcY
Anthony: “No, we’re sorry for not protecting ourselves better.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAYhnHaLZb4s
371Please respect copyright.PENANA0mNQOXJBKe
Mat: “…”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAuJf6K0T6yj
371Please respect copyright.PENANAKsR5TqWNsq
Anthony: “Besides, suspension is worth it if it means we can deal with those bullies like you did.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAMg9lBWVuNh
371Please respect copyright.PENANAuTwTSwvjvc
Nao: “…Yeah, I guess.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAJdFMoumFcE
371Please respect copyright.PENANAnaJX6cS78D
Anthony: “Once Alyson is dethroned and you beat the King we can finally go to the next stage.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAq7TKIFtMzt
371Please respect copyright.PENANAfcMgOqOwbD
Nao: “Next stage?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA19FSiswZrO
371Please respect copyright.PENANAHP0BV1eArp
Anthony: “Yeah, removing the bullies from school completely.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAjDjMteirQn
371Please respect copyright.PENANAGhWdJ47c0q
Nao: “…I don’t know, is it necessary anymore?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAnTruhi1MUX
371Please respect copyright.PENANANT4smpIx3I
Everyone: “What?!”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAkuGN0Ee5dV
371Please respect copyright.PENANAPZHYJpvRMx
Nao: “After what you’ve told me school seems to be going well. And Alyson…she’s been through enough. I know the king talked to you but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be bullied after…what I did.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAsFsDrohtbS
371Please respect copyright.PENANAWGC79No9QW
What…the hell? Don’t look ashamed of what you did!
371Please respect copyright.PENANAFpAGZRHANv
371Please respect copyright.PENANAE6sKYs7vxP
Nao: “Can’t we just let this go?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAd4dC579O4F
371Please respect copyright.PENANAWKYho3WS26
Mat: “…I mean-”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAGi36HXhmWi
371Please respect copyright.PENANAA6C3g8Hfvq
Anthony: “No!”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA3l9DjZEuIk
371Please respect copyright.PENANAOy49Nqx3cp
Everyone: “!”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAlwW9irMgpA
371Please respect copyright.PENANAAQkx9u1zhr
Anthony: “If that’s the cause then why are you getting stronger?!”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAuKDd841Ldg
371Please respect copyright.PENANAE0bjzG7p9i
Nao: “…Because I still have a score to settle with Trevor. He won’t leave me alone until I beat him. But after that, I’m done waging a war against all of the bullies. I’m…tired of fighting.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAteZI9bVfVW
371Please respect copyright.PENANAfMOSOdipwe
Is that how it is? As soon as he gets the power to stand among the stars, he forgets about us!
371Please respect copyright.PENANATn4RmHf7Y2
371Please respect copyright.PENANAhKGFQpqITg
Anthony: “I-I see. I guess asking you to do that after everything is too much.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAqO531Usvy8
371Please respect copyright.PENANA360lBJMriN
Nao: “Thanks for your understanding.”
…
…
Nao: “Don’t look worried guys, we won. There’s no need to wage a war against all bullies. Once Trevor goes down, you’ll see.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANArFeKWTDPfp
371Please respect copyright.PENANAXcwlQJyrqH
Mat: “I guess.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAysq4F4qx30
371Please respect copyright.PENANAvlPzMzgpEX
Tallow: “Trevor is hard enough, if we can get some peace then I’m fine with just going back to some sense of normal.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZH0JAfHas
371Please respect copyright.PENANA0h6R3VF56u
Velo: “I just don’t want to be bullied anymore.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAZZkc94oa2J
371Please respect copyright.PENANAWwLBC3giW6
Anthony: “And what about the Black List? We’re still on it.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAeprRcBnKZW
371Please respect copyright.PENANAGbQO2AyQP3
Nao: “I’ll talk to Alyson again.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANArQIfNbJBwr
371Please respect copyright.PENANAFRs7hGyF4j
Like she’ll listen to you. But I guess…now that you like that…
371Please respect copyright.PENANA29pvnftzEQ
371Please respect copyright.PENANAo4XbJpuljp
Nao: “I’m sure she’ll listen if her position is threatened.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAFS6X1Ks57m
371Please respect copyright.PENANAZxMweIQL9W
Anthony: “Wait, so you’ll help her regain her composure? After all the work you did to break her heart?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAz25XaY1Mu3
371Please respect copyright.PENANArRDbvvNFqg
Nao: “…Yeah, I….regret having to do that.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA3XiBn4Vjrz
371Please respect copyright.PENANAcROQHKQpSF
Did he seriously catch feelings for his own sister? I cup my head as everything starts to crumble.
371Please respect copyright.PENANAEnmDIyBEp2
371Please respect copyright.PENANArBd1KFtL1P
Nao: “So we’re good? I want to relax with everyone with some games.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANALFfCiYLry6
371Please respect copyright.PENANAYXhnMkG3pr
What will he do with his power afterward? Just use it to live the good life instead of using it for something important?
371Please respect copyright.PENANAxnSUkUKSyP
371Please respect copyright.PENANAUokgD3d4dJ
Mat: “Sure man, I want to see how good you are at Road Fighter.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAqv83qjZHPU
371Please respect copyright.PENANAKXHXwDb1S6
Anthony: “Wait a minute.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAo6yeyV0cy4
371Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ym65teMjI
Everyone: “?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANABX0mWvFHlr
371Please respect copyright.PENANA8h7nQk6ril
Anthony: “Can I have another magic item?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANASITaxyPRMe
371Please respect copyright.PENANAsTgex5mwPx
Mat: “Don’t you have enough?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANADWbwLNwDfQ
371Please respect copyright.PENANAvbnhLc1B9R
Anthony: “…”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAWg9mjqiq8Q
371Please respect copyright.PENANAJxpPUkqTKL
Mat: “Sorry. One more can’t hurt right, Nao?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA8uBBJOhc4C
371Please respect copyright.PENANA8dtqRWfU7p
Nao: “Of course, what do you want? Also, did you bring anything?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAEjdN0jEATB
371Please respect copyright.PENANA8FzvT8ZeOp
Anthony: “Yes, infuse invisibility into this coin.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA7zn9nBHUUD
371Please respect copyright.PENANAS3en9SEFWP
Nao: “…That will take all my points for the day but that’s fine.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANABLP1clgzQM
371Please respect copyright.PENANA69fePgJgKl
Nao takes
371Please respect copyright.PENANAt0WNxWS51a
371Please respect copyright.PENANAZF8lehTTeI
I’m not in the mood to play but Nao might take a while to finish. But to my surprise, 15 minutes later and we notice the flash of light.
371Please respect copyright.PENANA5We0NqL9Ih
371Please respect copyright.PENANAxgaB9O9Gfj
Mat: “You’re getting better man.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAKHeR2PDdbr
371Please respect copyright.PENANA7c89BBjUqC
Nao: “Yeah, the meditation really helps me better control mana and increases my focus. It’s even a bit less painful now. Here you go Anthony, one time use magic item.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAjHfXm2aOcX
371Please respect copyright.PENANAsBEebhnjMb
Anthony: “T-Thanks.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANABWZyYIqBy5
371Please respect copyright.PENANAOJQIsWjF7j
I guess he mastered this skill too. And for what?
371Please respect copyright.PENANAeFnBDvlxtF
371Please respect copyright.PENANABqOd62FUje
Mat: “Now that you’re done, come join us for the next game.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANArPgmgTEHiR
371Please respect copyright.PENANAholamroMvT
Nao: “Yeah!”
371Please respect copyright.PENANATnD45xwXp9
371Please respect copyright.PENANA0wfz8SVxqj
*Sigh*
371Please respect copyright.PENANAj4uXyq25GQ
371Please respect copyright.PENANAmGUcyymWkN
I join them too. Why not. We play for hours until it was time for us to go back home.
371Please respect copyright.PENANASs0EB4HBev
371Please respect copyright.PENANANkTqtfgYPh
Mat: “Make sure to view the meteor shower tonight and take pictures guys. I want some different angles to wow at tomorrow.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAnlycepPfRh
371Please respect copyright.PENANACwFgaGg9le
Nao: “Sure, I’m kind of excited to be sharing this with you guys.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA5WkbZk25sm
371Please respect copyright.PENANA5VuoIDka1D
Velo: “Same, I don’t usually bother.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANATpVqdJwPr8
371Please respect copyright.PENANAhyhPIQHwuB
Mat: “That’s why we need to do it this time.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAmejdcYE5CP
371Please respect copyright.PENANAc0f4wWaoiu
Tallow: “It is interesting that it’s happening now of all times.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAnaFosP15wM
371Please respect copyright.PENANAdcZHpxCobp
Mat: “Who cares. Maybe we’ll get lucky and get an early eclipse too.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA7RUwbmIw9B
371Please respect copyright.PENANAYrWOzw400N
Tallow: “That would actually be terrifying.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANA42XdQym2MB
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The rest of them laugh and talk all the way to the front door. I can’t help but follow the crowd and laugh along. I didn’t have to do that in a long time…
371Please respect copyright.PENANAXDgX40Z7sE
371Please respect copyright.PENANAd0lE9ltF9N
Nao: “Hey guys?”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAa4peLPjJTb
371Please respect copyright.PENANAt4BiNWicJ2
We look back at Nao standing at the threshold of the door. He looks down seemingly worried about us leaving maybe.
371Please respect copyright.PENANAMbIzavSa5Y
371Please respect copyright.PENANAozYHU1r8qb
Nao: “After I deal with Trevor there’s something I should tell you. It might shock you but I want to make sure we’ll still be friends afterward.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAQYwtBXmlnl
371Please respect copyright.PENANAG7HvALOfdI
Mat: “Of course, no matter what we’re there for you.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAdi87MjXRmo
371Please respect copyright.PENANAYqF9vxsrqW
Tallow: “I’m actually looking forward based on your last secret reveal.”
371Please respect copyright.PENANAKpSAGUWVfG
371Please respect copyright.PENANAaLt5lWk46B
Velo: “Me too.”
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Shouldn’t it depend on what the secret is…
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Anthony: “…Sure.”
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Nao: “Thanks, you’re the best. See you tomorrow.”
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We say our goodbyes and head to our separate homes. Of course, I am the first to leave the group. I live far away from my friends, in a place of Hillview I would never take my friends to.
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I look up to the darkening sky and sigh.
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So this is it…our one hope is gone. Nao is a fool, a kind naive fool.
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Nothing will change if we don’t beat those monsters into the ground! Maybe even killing one as an example. How else are we supposed to walk through school with our heads held up? It’s…not fair that Nao can do that…
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But that’s how it usually is. I look to the reflective surface of the light pole and can’t help but feel sick.
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Anthony: “Once again, I’m the dwarf of the group. With Nao gone and all grown up, I might become the official Napoleon tomorrow. Hahaha…”
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I look away and stifle the fear threatening to escape up my throat. I refuse to be scared of those bastards. I’ll keep my dignity at least.
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Anthony: “What the hell am I talking about…I lost that when those bullies made me….”
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I put it out of my head and suck up the tears. I run home and hope I’m not too late to receive even a bit of comfort.
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Anthony: “I’m home mom!”
…
…
Anthony: “Tch, whore. What was I expecting…”
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I fix myself some food and take the poorly made mess back to my room. I force myself to eat my dinner as time marches ahead without me.
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Eventually, the time comes for the meteor shower. I go to my window and watch them shoot across my vision. I quickly take a poor photo on my broken phone.
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I look down at the cracked version of the shower in the sky.
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Anthony: “Heh, stuff like this used to be magical before I met Nao.”
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I collapse on my mat on the floor and stare at the dirty ceiling. Then a strange memory pops into my head. The first time I saw a meteor show with my parents…and the last time I didn’t want to wish for anything.
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I get off my mat and go back to the window to see the falling stars. I cup my hands, close my eyes, and wish on one of the stars flying across the sky.
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Anthony: “…I wish for vengeance and…the power to take it. Power that…Nao doesn’t deserve anymore. I don’t want to be like this anymore.”371Please respect copyright.PENANAN7KD39icu1
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I open my eyes to see the stars still falling, ignorant of my wish.
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Anthony: “As per usual, I’m ignored. After all, I’m not one of you.”
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I reach out to the sky swirling with white fire. After 5 breaths I close my hand wishing to crush those flames that scar my skin every day. When I pull my hand back though…
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Anthony: “W-What?”
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Within my hands, a light shines through the cracks of my fingers. I open it to find something I always wished for.
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Anthony: “A-A star?”
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As I feel the energy within my hands I realize what it actually is.
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Anthony: “No…it’s change.”371Please respect copyright.PENANAqPiN4C9Fg2