Chapter 10
(Sophia's POV)
The building was larger than it looked on the outside, the four walls were tall, made to incorporate larger monsters and I couldn't help but chuckle as the large doors were actually five doors in one. Five different sizes that opened for different monsters and clicked back together after with a loud click and a bang, making my mouth turn slightly at the thought of a tentacle or finger getting caught in it. The inside was also impressive, chairs on different levels and sizes with a larger staircase running up the middle to the second floor. This building was clearly thought out to fit all monsters as even on the outside a large tube was built to send orders out to monsters that couldn't come inside the building. Images printed right into the paints looked back at me, the grey looked aged and delicate but in reality they'd only been added a little while ago, the scarers of each house were on different corners of the building yet even now that didn't stop monsters from sitting in different places, new monsters sitting with hopeful thoughts, others glanced at the males, small blushes on their features before they were hidden by their giggles and their hands. I walk in, rubbing my feet off the mat by the door and wander in, noting the pressure and temperature changes from outside. This place was warmer then colder, then warmer again, the inside temperatures changed by the foods being made. My eyes turned to the left, watching a meat grinder slow to a stop, the loud whirring quieted down as I gently place my purse on the counter, looking up at the larger monster in slight fear. His apron was well used, stained with greases, sauces from burgers and some gold liquid I'd rather not think about and instead focus on the large sign in front of me. The sign, like the rest of the place was split into three levels and I look up, not able to read the top of it before noticing a red button. Push me, looked back at me and after I did the sign moves, its motors whirring to life and watch as the sign descended towards me, the large print becoming easier to read. I find the sign and the chef at the front of the desk when I look up, jumping slightly at his intimidating face and smile back when I'm flashed a surprisingly soft grin.
"Well hello there, welcome to the growl." a kind voice says
"Hi." I answer back quietly
"You must be a freshman right, I don't remember seeing your face before."
I blush
"Yes, this is my first year."
"Well, my names Carl." he says extending his hand "And like I do with all my new customers all your meals will be half off for the first month."
I shake his larger hand and turn my hand, seeing a gold card in my palm, I chuckle.
"Sophia, Sophia Jones." I send him a smile and look back up at the sign, my eyes scanning over all the names.
I receive another chuckle.
"Here I'll make this easier. What do you like to eat, or better yet is this just for you or are you sharing?"
"I was hoping to share but I'm not sure what they'd like to be honest." I sigh, looking at my phone in contemplation. Should I call them?
"Well, what did you guys get for lunch, do you remember?"
In the end I got three dishes mixed into one. A beautiful dish that Carl made, captivating me the entire time. The way he cooked was amazing, the fire seemed to dance in the air and the smell was mouth-watering. Even a well versed cook like myself I could feel my knees buckling as he slid the container my way.
"Oooh, that's wonderful." I sigh, smelling the mouth-watering creation again "How much?"
"Thirty five dollars." he says, ringing it up. I open my wallet, pulling out the cash when his hand stops me, his finger on a picture I usually kept hidden "You know Jeffery Tentacles?"
"Yes?" I answer hesitantly.
He pauses, looking me over slowly and I can't help the painful look that crosses my features as the light clicks in his mind.
"Jones, Sophia Jones, don't you mean Sullivan? You're James daughter aren't you." my silence all but answers the question for him "That's where I know you from, the scaring galas. But didn't you have two more years of high school?"
"Yeah..." I trail off, rubbing my neck awkwardly and look around "I... might have skipped a few grades?"
"Huh... how do you like that?" he chuckles, rubbing his chin before smiling again at his new thought "Jeffery and I are old friends, maybe I should give him a call. For an octopus he is a slippery bastard, i can never catch him when he's free.""
I snort once, rolling my eyes.
"Well you should call now, you know how busy he is." I receive another chuckle and pay him the money "Thank you, again and please don't tell anyone my secret, I'm trying to get a life without my father reputation getting in the way."
"No problem," he smirks, flicking his nose with a smile "Your secret's safe with me. Enjoy your food."
(Chris's POV)
"Oh calm down Chris! We've got six hours Chris! Of course we've got everything Chris" I growl, mocking my frat brothers in high pitched girly voices as I threw my car into park.
If anyone had heard me I would have been mortified. Thankfully no one was with in ear shot and I was too angry to give a damn. We were half an hour away from throwing the second largest party of Frat Row and here I was running out to the closest convenient store to get some last minute stuff that someone "forgot to get" God I wanted to strangle someone!
"God, I feel like a fire breathing chicken with my head cut off."
I move, walking up the small hill and pull at my collar. The Omega Howl jacket seemed unusually tight.
(Sophia's POV)
I turn, carefully balancing all the food and drinks in both arms as I go out, my back to the door. I'd checked. The road had been clear, there was no one out there so when I turned around, running face first into another monster the noise I made was extremely embarrassing. Though I had little time to dwell on that as I found myself being shoved against the door from the force of the hit and the drink in my hands falling forwards and spilling all over the other half of my untimely collision. If the food had been packaged with any less care it would have spilled everywhere.
"Seriously!" The angry male yells, pulling at his now soaked letter-man jacket.
In the brief second I had to look at him I knew who he was. His blue and purple letter-man jacket, the large embroidered OH. His purple hair pulled up on top of his head by a yellow head band which I really wondered why he bothered in the first place as all the little baby hairs had fallen over his eyes, masking them from my view. His pointed nose and large teeth now half closed in a growl and found my eyes traveling down to his three toes. (A.N. Chris is the leader of Omega Howl, the purple rhinoceros type monster you see in the movie in his brief talk with Sully. John is a OC I made up, also in OH.)
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." I state, trying to get us but I couldn't help the cringe when pain runs down my back.
I guess my noise was louder than I thought as I found myself caught in the arms of another male, the store owner as he moves through the other door. Carl was leaning down beside me in concern.
"Oh and the drinks is gone too!" he growls, looking at the now broken bottles of what ever he had been holding, the liquid spilling out my by feet.
I cringe as Carl helps me to my feet, clearly annoyed at the male and worried about me.
"Christopher!" he snaps "Can you get your head out of your ass for three seconds and realize that you just hurt someone! I think your anger for spilled food can wait!"
Christopher stops, taking in my grip on Carl's hand and sighs, his face still angry but at least the yelling had gone down. I could tell he was angry and instantly knew that this little outburst was for more than the spilled drinks. It went deeper than that, still judging from Carl's angry face I knew I had to tone down the conversation.
"It's alright." I say calmly, trying to find some even ground "I did spill stuff all over him." I state to Carl "I will gladly pay for the dry cleaning and what ever it was that got broken."
As if to confirm my earlier suspicions he glares at me, snapping once again.
"I can't go because I have to get to a party!" Chris growls, taking off the jacket and shaking it off. Drops of pop spraying on the ground. A party, so that was it.
"Well you could get it washed another day." I state, my tone starting to boarder on irritated
"Yeah, like I'd ever except help from an ROR groupie…"
"Excuse me?!" I snap back, pain and my need to tone down the situation all but forgotten as I stand to face him. I didn't like confrontations but that didn't mean I'd let him talk to me like that "What the hell makes you think I'm a ROR groupie?"
"I know your face. You're Javier's girl. It's all over FearBook." He snaps back, bending down to look at the mess at his feet. Nothing was salvageable "Wow, you know, their good. I know ROR are crafty but this is beyond good. Sending the bitch to do your dirty work."
I snort, looking at him in disbelief
"That's mighty high talk for a captain that can't do better than second place." I snap back, scooping up my food and glare at him.
Chris goes to lunge at me, blocked by Carl who was ready to intervene if needed. Thankfully he doesn't have to as another member of Omega Howl appears, grasping onto the purple males arms.
"Okay Captain. Take a breath!" he snaps, spinning him to look at him "Dude, it a fucking party. Relax."
"Get off of me John!" Chris growls, struggling against the other.
"Not until you calm the fuck down!" John growls back.
"I am calm!"
"Bullshit you are!" john snaps back "Since when do you ever talk this way to anyone?! Let alone a woman!" I watch as Chris's anger breaks slightly, like he's coming back from his senses "And not only that but now your making Carl break up your fights?!"
"But she-."
"Said she was sorry!" Carl interrupts "And even offered to pay for dry cleaning. What more do you want from her Chris?!" Setting all the points out in the open seems to do the trick as Chris's face calms down, his breathing slowly evens out as he thinks over everyone's words. Taking this as a good thing John's hands fall to his side but still tense to move if required once again.
"Chris, just let it go." John sighs, the air still tense as this sudden anger doesn't seem to leave.
"Or what?" Chris states, his pride flaring up again. John didn't seem like the guy that enjoyed confrontation either, as he was most likely good friends with the male in front of him but still he held his ground, holding his voice in a slow even tone.
"Or I'm declaring you unstable to lead Omega Howl and shutting down the party while we vote for a new head of house."
Chris glares at the ground, obviously fighting with his inner emotions and after a few moments swings his shoulder, tossing the wet jacket over his shoulder as he stomps back towards frat row. Causing both Carl and I to flinch as we're slightly sprayed with liquid. John sighs, clearly thankfully that a fight wasn't happening and turns looking at both of us.
"I'm so sorry about that. He really is a good monster, it's just the party has him all stressed out." He sighs, turning to look at me "I'm certain Chris will find you in a day or two and apologize profoundly."
John slaps a thankful hand on Carl's arm and turns, smiling at me one last time before following after Chris.
(Sophia's POV)
I sighed, shaking out my shoulders as I tried to release my anger. God, what the hell was his problem. It was an accident and I offered to pay to the mess. I chalked it up to Frat Boys and let it slide, turning to the dorm and the happiness that would await me. I leaned my head down, taking in a slow breathe of the heavenly smell and enter the dorm, watching the walls to see if I'd have any company and when I find none turn, looking out behind me and see the door shut, cutting me off from the outside world and I smile. Successfully shaking off the last of my anger as I board the elevator and head to the third floor.
Listen to the Bing of the machine and the small jolt of the box, sliding my feet out to stay on my feet and walk out a little slower as the doors slide open. I turn, taking in the messy halls, a few scraps of paper still on the floors and a few footprints but the noise had lessened dramatically and I walk, glancing at the numbers as I go until I found the one I was looking for.
'Mike&Randell 329' was printed across the door in large letters. The blue stick on letters for each door and protected by a clear plastic wrap to prevent any shenanigans and spills from ruining the signs. I stop, taking a moment to balance the food and drinks on my hand and knock, quickly grabbing the food once more as the door flies open.
"Sophia!" Randell says, glee in his voice for the briefest of moments before it sours slightly, a pout on his face as he recalls this afternoon's events and the last time I'd brought food. Clearly the reptile wasn't a fan of being force fed.
"Randell!" I say back just as enthusiastically before lifting up the box and cups "I brought a peace offering?"
Randell's eyes open a bit more as he takes in the size of the box and slinks forwards, taking a slow breathe through his nose before he lifts the lid, the full smell now leaking into the room. Even Mike, how's head was buried in a book stops, sitting up and turning to take in the smell.
"It that from the Growl?" Mike whispers, sliding off the chair as he too wanders towards the smell, I chuckle as they both looked like small puppies nosing their way to food.
"I also brought a movie." I add, turning to my side to show the bag on my arm, Randell takes the two drinks with his top arms, flashing me an odd look at the number which I brush off with a 'don't ask' eye roll and uses the others to take the bag, looking through the contents to find the small DVD case "Now I wasn't sure if you two have a DVD player but I can borrow the one from the common room if you don't."
"Whoa!" Randell shouts, almost dropping the drinks "You got the new sci-fi movie?!" he turns spinning the case around "Humans walk among us!"
"Isn't that the one about what would happen if a child ever got through one of the doors," Mike snorts "What kind of idiot would do something like that?"
"Where did you get this?!" Randell asks, clearly ignoring Mike as the smile never leaving his face "This isn't even out of theaters yet!"
"Well I know a few people in the movie business..." I shrug.
That person happened to be the star of the movie... but still.
"Oh, I have a DVD player." Randell says, leaning over the bed to grab his bag "My parents gave it to me as a graduation present. Apparently I study too much." he snorts, pulling out the unopened box and placing it on the bed.
The loud screams of a ten armed female echoes around the room, Mike rolls his eyes, leaning back to eat more of his food. Randell was lying about an inch from the screen, prompting me to yet AGAIN grab his ankle, pulling the engrossed monster a few feet back so he wouldn't damage his eyes. As soon as my hand lets go he starts subconsciously moving forwards, the food in his hands and on the bed as he tries to eat and watch at the same time. Loosing half the food off his fork before it ever got to his mouth. The music quiets down as the main character and his on screen love interest hide, ready to share a passionate moment before the fight when the screams of a drunk monster as he streaks around the quad with something on his head. I couldn't quiet catch it before he runs into a tree and falls to the ground. The howls of laughter that follow had the movie stopping.
"And Que the idiots..." Mike sighs, pausing the movie to slide off the bed.
I set my tray on the edge of the table, the small wooden contraption full to the brim with food. I come up behind him, chuckling slightly as I take in the sights. The flashing colors of Frat Row and the music that came with it. I push open the window looking across the yard.
"You know, when you're not stuck in the middle of it, Frat Row is pretty beautiful." I sigh, looking at the way the lights bounced off the large variety of houses.
"Yeah," Mike snorts "Pretty annoying..." before he wanders back to the bed.
Each house was like the group of monsters inside of it. Each one different on the outside but the same on the inside. The more popular the house the larger it was. The ROR was rich in both money and history so it was the largest. The breath taking house sat right at the top, like some smug king looking down on its subjects. God, even their house pissed me off...
I shake off the weird feelings connected with that house and its members, the fact that my brother was no one of them. Most likely shitfaced as he partied with his Frat brothers and smirk once more, pushing up my happiness and lift my hands. Using both to shut the window in one swift movement and look at the boys, my hands sliding the curtains closed in another move and grab the remote. I lay down, purposely squishing both of the smaller males and giggle when I press play.
The movie had finished a few minutes ago and I smile, looking over to see both Mike and Randell passed out on the bed. Mike holding his one eyed bear for some parts of this "totally not scary" movie, his green arms wrapped tightly around its body like someone would come in and steal it. Randell was by his feet, his body curled around Mikes for warmth, like a mother dragon curled around her egg. Mike was using Randell's stomach as a stand in pillow and Randell's head was on the one Mike had been using the night before. I smile once more, pulling out my phone to take a picture before standing, pulling a blanket off the chair and draping it over them. This one must have been Randell's as there were many arm holes and fight back a snort as Mike loops his hands through one set and Randell does the same. I slide the food into the fridge and take one last look, checking for anything that would spoil or was potential dangerous and after flicking off the lights and the TV I turn, sliding the door shut with the spare key Mike gave me aka Randell's Key as he was always with Mike anyway.
I stretch in the hallway, trying to fight off the sleep digging its way into my mind. Wincing as my shoulder pops, the joints still sore from crying in the dirt. The party was starting to wind down. No one had left, well maybe a few, not quite as drunk as their friends, trying to get in a little sleep before orientations would start tomorrow. Granted each class started at a different time but it was the thought that counted. A thing I was trying to do as a voice echoed behind me.
"Hey Baby, where are you going?"
I roll my eyes, turning to face an octopus like monster, his bright red skin almost glowed in the dark. Rolling my eyes yet again as he trying to act cool, leaning against the wall but misses and stumbles forwards, crashing into me. I step back, holding both of us as I push him back up right.
"Oh, sorry sexy." He chuckles, sending a nauseating alcohol filled breath in my face "I guess your beauty caught me off guard, did it hurt when you fell from heaven?"
"Oh my god," I groan shoving him off and to the ground "Frist of all I never came from heaven but your breath is bad enough to send me there. Second, speaking of being off guard. I will get the guards, campus security to be exact and have you removed from the premises if you don't get out of my face and go to bed. You are way over the recommend level of alcohol intake and you are a danger to yourself and others. Do you think you can manage yourself or do you require my assistance? What Room are you in and where is your roommate, I'd be happy to stay with you until he arrives."
"Wa?" he blanks, looking at me oddly "Ar' you already drunk?"
"Oh my god." I groan, clearly I'd have to take it slow for this one "Get out of ma' face and go to bed man or I'll call campus security. Yo' drunk off your ass man an' you' going to get into trouble."
If mother were here she would have smacked me. I wanted to smack myself, the way I practically spit his words back to him, elongating and butchering the English language. Thankfully it seems to be the trick as he pauses, taking in my words before smiling.
"Oh I'm not that drunk babe." He chuckles, swinging his tentacle down and nearly hitting me in the face "I just had… had, a few, drinks."
"It ain't happening man." I state once more, wanting to slam my head against a wall a thousand times "So get your ass to your room or I'll put you on your ass."
He takes a step forwards, going to grab me and I react, taking a step back and throwing my arm up, my palm connected with his chin and as he stumbles back I hit him in the stomach, causing the monster to stumble forwards as I drop down, swinging my leg to take out his legs. He lands on his back with a groan before looking up at me.
"Go to your room or next time I'll put you down for good."
I let out a frustrated growl, flicking my hands to the sides as I head up the stairs to the dorms. I choose the stairs, hoping to avoid any other drunken encounters, I'd had enough drama for today and smile when I find them empty. The only sound was my feet hitting each step, the sound both calming and nerve wracking as the stairs usually held a few students, lost in each other's worlds and mouths, sending me a guilty smile as I walk past them, my eyes on the stairs and continue to my room.
I hit the top floor, literally, rubbing my nose gently as I look at the metal blocking my path. Pulling open the door I make it to my room without any more accidents or surprises and fall onto my bed, the stress of the day finally taking its toll.
A stray tear rolls down my face as my eyes catch the photo of Master Cho and myself, it was taken during my first year. I was so little back then and master Cho, well he was master Cho. The monster that could knock you on your ass without looking... granted he still could at his old age but not without breaking a small sweat.
"These old bones aren't what they used to be!" he'd always shout as his muscles were "as good as they'd always been."
A statement that was half true as even at his age his body was in good condition. I'd look at him, shaking my head with a smile as he falls back on the mat, laughing at some untold joke. Somewhere in the commotion I'd found myself lying beside him, one hand holding my head and the other tracing the old mat as I thought of my own fond memories.
I found myself rolling onto my back as those memories brought up my second problem of the day. What was I going to do with the dojo? It wasn't something I could carelessly throw away and yet it's not like I could run it either. Even someone like me, who's used to pushing themselves to the limit, to always have something somewhere on the go I wasn't sure I could do:
Study-buddies, my classes, help out at the church and the orphanage. Participate in at least two school advents and go to a five games, talk with mother and father on a daily basis, look after Randell, Mike, keep my idiot brother out of trouble while also 'preparing for my future' by keeping my ninety GPA in every class.
On top of that I promised to help Mike with his studying when Randell couldn't...
Adding training a new set of students made me want to bury my head in the sand and never come back up. but even here, as I all but suffocated myself my mother's voice ran through my mind, stating that a groaning about it wouldn't solve my problems so I sit up with a sigh, content on drowning my problems with a shower. Maybe the hot water would help me decide?
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