The All-Star Academy Chapter Seven

Indie Park Promise

Drake was at the library, studying alone. For the last couple of days he's gotten used to the academy. He's meeting new friends, coping with his classes (even gym class!) and he knows the school from top to bottom. He was reading and writing his daily essay until his phone began to ring. He stumbled for it to keep it quiet. The librarian gave him evil eye. He waved back and checked his phone. It was a text message from Cole.

Cole: Meet me on the balcony. Sackboy and I have something to show you. :-)

Nate: Now? I'm at the library studying.

Cole: If u don't want to come, that's fine.

Drake stared at the librarian, sleeping.

Nate: Wait, I'll come.

Sackboy: :DDD

Drake carried his books and tiptoed out the library. He walked up the stairs (since the elevator doesn't go to the balcony) until he finally reached the balcony. Cole and Sackboy were playing chess, with Sackboy winning. Cole flipped the table out of rage when Sackboy flipped his king off with his knight. Checkmate, I suppose. The sky was covered with stars and the balcony gave away a beautiful view of the world outside the academy's walls.

"Nice view…" Drake said, unaware that he was walking towards the edge of the balcony, "WHAAAAAHHH!"

"Whoa!" Cole grabbed Drake by the collar.

Sackboy grabbed Drake by the leg. Drake caught his breath.

"What are you trying to do?" Cole asked, "Walk to your death?"

"No, it's just that the view is… amazing." Drake said.

"I know, that's why we brought you here," Cole said, smiling.

Sackboy tugged at Drake's hand. He pointed beyond the academy and what seemed to be a Ferris wheel. There were lights all over and around the wheel and roller coaster rides as tall as a skyscraper. The sign was red and clearly visible to read: "INDIE PARK!"

"'Indie Park?'", Drake said.

"Oh, Sackboy. You still wanna go to Indie Park don't you?" Cole said.

Since the first day arriving at the All-Star Academy, Sackboy was always eager to go to the amusement park. He always urged Cole to take him, but Cole usually said that he was too busy because of homework and projects. When he tried to talk Headmaster Polygon about Indie Park, Sackboy can remember every word he said about the issue: Sorry Sackboy, but you need to focus on your studies instead of that amusement park. You can "enjoy amusement" on your own time.

Cole explained this to Drake. Drake stared at Sackboy and felt really bad. Sackboy stared at Indie Park, and then he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his pockets. It was the Indie Park brochure. He opened it, revealing the highlights and attractions of the park. All-you-can-eat food court, Fun House of Horrors, carnival kiosks, and the most interesting part, the Ferris wheel—Sackboy touched the picture of the Ferris wheel. He stared at it with deep, affectionate eyes, almost as if he was crying. He then put his hand out towards the amusement park.

Drake was crying uncontrollably, "How could Polygon say that to an innocent face?! He deserves it after all!"

Cole sighed, "Polygon-Man, I guess. He does care about the school's rep. And Sackboy's an Honors Student. If the Headmaster saw one flaw, one slip-up on Sackboy's grades, heh, man would he freak the freak out."

When it came to Headmaster Polygon, pride and perfection was everything. EVERYTHING. He wanted turn the heroes and villains of PlayStation into sophisticated men and women, regardless of the background they come from. It even was the slogan that the school lived by: PlayStation—Pride, Perfection, and still the Best. Arrogant much…

Drake knelt to Sackboy's level, "Sackboy, do you really want to go to Indie Park?"

Sackboy nodded.

"Do you really, really want to go?"

He nodded this time smiling.

"Do you really, really, REALLY want to go?"

"OK, Nate," Cole interrupted, "I think we all know that Sackboy wants to go."

Drake glared at Cole, then looked back to Sackboy, smiling.

"Sackboy, I promise you, we will go to Indie Park and we'll have one hell of a time. It's just you me, and Cole."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a minute! I didn't have a say in this," Cole said.

"Didn't need to," Drake replied.

Cole was about to say something, but he saw Sackboy. He was overflowing with so much happiness that he had to hug Drake. From all the hugs Drake's received from Sackboy, this one was the most affectionate. He was squeezing him tighter than usual.

Sackboy put his pinky finger out. Drake tilted his head, "Eh?"

"It's a pinky promise," Cole said.

Drake smiled and put his pinky out and connected it with Sackboy's, "It's a pinky promise. You can count on that."

Sackboy jumped in the air with excitement. Drake and Cole laughed until the intercom rang.

"OK everyone, Bedtime! You have to get some good sleep if you want to enjoy tomorrow."

Sackboy hugged Cole and Drake good night then skipped down the stairs. Drake smiled to himself.

"Hey, you made a pinky promise," Cole said grabbing his stuff.

"Yeah, so what?" Drake replied.

"Break the pinky promise and Sackboy has the right to break your pinky."

"I can live with that."

"What about breaking all 206 bones in your body?"

Drake gulped. He didn't want that to happen.

"What about you Cole?" Drake asked, "Don't you wanna go?"

"Trust me, I do," Cole said, "but I don't want to get in trouble."

"Sometimes break the rules to make the rules."

Cole chuckled, "You're somthin' else, Nate."

They walked in their room, took off their uniforms and went to bed. Nate was dreaming about how the three of them were having so much fun in Indie Park then he remembered the promise. He made a promise—no pinky promise to Sackboy. He just hopes he doesn't blow it real badly.

Done with chapter 7 ٩(^ᴗ^)۶!

A promise had been made! Can Drake make Sackboy's day(◍•﹏•)?!