Chapter One.

~Ace~

The answer is two? No, one.

Ace sat in his room trying to solve math problems. He's usually good at math, and would usually score high, but today just wasn't his day. They had to take 3 tests today because his teacher, Kurasame felt like it. He groaned.

After attempting another problem, he gave up. He went over to his bed. It was Friday, but Ace decided to do homework. He ignored Jack's pleas about going to the coffee shop and went straight to his room.

He was about to fall asleep until...

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Ace tried to ignore the knocks, until he heard a loud voice.

''Hey yo! It's Friday! Get your lazy butt out of bed and come with us, you hear!?"

It was Nine. Ace ignored him and rolled over. But after a while, he got out of bed. If Nine were to continue knocking, he would break my door. He sighed and opened the door. He was greeted by an angry Nine and a waving Jack.

''Heeeeeeey pal!'' Jack waved. He stepped into Ace's room and sat down on his bed. ''Want to come with us to the coffee shop?''

''Didn't you ask me already?" Ace asked, annoyed.

''Yeah, but, pleeeeeeease?'' Jack begged. ''All of us are going! Come on, pleeeeeease?''

''Yeah man.'' Nine said. ''We're all hanging out. I mean.'' He walked over to Ace and pulled on his shirt. ''It's Friday. Hang out with us!'' He let go. ''Unless, you don't like us.''

Well, some of you maybe. Ace thought, but he ignored those thoughts. It's true, they are classmates and they should hang out. Nine was right for once. Sighing, Ace nodded his head. ''Sure, fine.''

Jack grinned. ''Yaay! You're going to have so much fun!''

Fun? I hope you're not thinking about splashing coffee on me. He shook his head and smiled. ''Let's go?''

''Yay! Acey's coming!'' Cinque shoved Nine aside and clung on to Ace. ''You're going to have fun!'' She looked at Jack. ''You reserved a table, right Jacky?''

Jack nodded. ''Yep!'' He smiled at Ace. ''Let's go.''

The coffee shop was crowded. Ace had to gently shove people aside to follow Jack.

It took a while to get to the back of the room, but once they did, Ace was greeted by a smiling Class Zero.

''Hey, there he is!'' Eight smiled.

''And you were actually going to ditch us.'' Seven laughed. ''That's so low of you.''

Ace scoffed and sat next to Deuce. ''Oh, hello Ace. How are you?''

''I'm fine.'' He answered. ''I was in the middle of doing homework but...'' He looked at Jack. He just shrugged.

''Come on, dude, lighten up!'' Cater said. ''It's Friday! Enjoy!''

Ace nodded. ''Yeah, yeah.''

''Then after!'' Jack announced. ''We're going to my room to hang out!''

''Your room?'' Sice asked. ''I thought your room was dirty!''

''It is...'' Jack said. ''So, um, before we play video games, would you guys, uh, help me clean it?''

''You're hopeless.'' Queen answered. She shook her head and sipped her coffee.

''This coffee is good.'' Eight chimed in. ''Is this the only coffee shop in Akademia?''

''Yeah.'' King answered. ''The next one is in McTighe.''

''Really?'' Trey asked. ''Have you been there?''

''Ooo! Oooo!'' Cinque excitedly jumped up and down. ''Pick me!" She stopped jumping and smiled. ''They sell really great coffee! You should try it, Trey!''

He smiled. ''I should, huh?"

''Hey, there he is.'' Ace looked up and saw Machina and Rem.

''Hello everyone!'' Rem smiled and sat next to Queen.

Machina stood next to Ace and slapped him on the back. ''You idiot. There's a lot of more important stuff than homework, you know!''

Ace sighed. ''Be quite, Machina.''

''So!'' Jack said. ''Are we still going to my place afterwords?''

Sice shrugged. ''I guess. But I'm not helping you clean.''

Deuce nodded. ''Yeah...sorry Jack.''

''That's okay!'' He jumped onto King's back. ''This guy can help me!''

King sighed. ''No, leave me alone.''

Ace laughed. ''I'll help. It's the least I can do.''

Big mistake. Ace thought as he entered Jack's room. Ace, along with Cater and Eight stood in the doorway of Jack's messy room. It was a big mess. Clothes and old snacks laid everywhere. Papers were scattered everywhere.

Cater's eye twitched. ''You mean...we have to clean all of this?''

''Yep!'' Jack said. ''Let's get down to business!''

''Easy for you to say.'' Eight said. ''You're planning to leave us, huh?'' He pointed to Jack's pocket. ''I see snacks in there!''

''Oh no!'' Cater said, grabbing Jack and pushing him inside. ''Mister, you're going to stay here and help!''

''Fine, fine!'' Jack yelled. ''Please, Cater, calm down!''

Ace stood there. I rather be at home, studying. He sighed and picked up the broom.

''What a day!'' Ace shouted as he jumped onto bed. He closed his eyes, remembering the horrible memories that took place.

While cleaning up Jack's room, Ace found a rat under his bed.

''What is that!?'' Cater shrieked.

''Oh.'' Jack pulled out of his fridge and looked at the rat. ''That's Tom. He must have died while I was at school.''

''Why do you have one!?'' Ace asked.

''I kinda...'' Jack sratched his head. ''Stole one from the Science lab? Hehe...''

''But they searched all the rooms that day.'' Eight said. ''How did they miss yours?''

''I hid Tom in my backpack.'' Jack admitted. ''But, I forgot to feed him after a week, and I guess he just died.''

''You guess?'' Cater asked. ''Get him out of here!''

Jack sighed and walked over to Tom. ''Anyone want to help me build him a proper burial?''

''Just get him out of here!'' Cater shouted.

Ace rolled over to his side. ''Never again.'' He sighed and fell asleep.