"Mr. Kaidenovsky, do you know why I'm making you stay after class today?"

"Nyet."

An exasperated breath escaped Mr. Burkley's lips as he ran a hand over his smooth head. "It's about the paper you were supposed to write; giving a political commentary on the background of the Wall and what our leaders can do to improve it."

"Dah," he nodded, fidgeting in his plastic seat slightly, "I turned it in on time, I promise."

"That's not the problem," he frowned slightly, opening the drawer to his desk and taking out said paper, slapping it in front of the jaeger. Cherno didn't think the giant red F on it had to be so large.

The teacher leaned forward slightly. "This is nothing but scrambled thoughts and horrible writing. First, you start off by saying that the wall is "completely stupid and nothing but a wall of der'mo (which I'll have you know I looked up online and you are NOT allowed to put that word in your essay, mister.) then for three whole pages its nothing but grammatically incorrect tales about how the Cherno Alpha jaeger team is the best team to ever live and how "Papa" Kaidanovsky can bench press a bear, which I don't quite believe."

Cherno narrowed his eyes, "You think Papa cannot bench press bear?!"

"That's not the point! And for your closing page, there's nothing on it except for this PICTURE," he exclaimed, shoving the paper into Cherno's face.

A smile broke out on the Russian's face as he recognized the crayon scribbles. "Dah, comrade Gipsy helped me with it. That's Cherno Alpha fighting evil Otachi and Leatherback. Too epic to put into words, so we drew it for you," he beamed innocently.

Mr. Burkley adjusted his glasses, trying to calm down. "You don't seem to understand. Now I know English isn't your first language but there is no excuse for this! You are failing writing class. Hell, it's like you don't even know what we're talking about half the time! What school did you go to before this one?!"

Cherno's smile disappeared as he looked him in the eye. "Didn't go to school. This my first year."

"Vitaly Kaidanovsky, if you keep telling these lies and dodging my questions I will have you sent to the principal. Now get out of my class, there's nothing more I can do for you," the aging man scowled, pointing to the door.

"You can keep picture, drew it just for you," he stated proudly before grabbing his backpack and heading out.

His friends were waiting for him outside the door, three pairs of concerned eyes silently waiting for the teacher's verdict.

"He didn't like the paper, so I fail," he shrugged sadly.

Striker let out an angry groan while Gipsy put her hands on her hips. "Why not?! I thought for sure the picture would get you extra points!"

"Nyet," he replied, patting her on the back. "We tried, tovarich. Just hope Mama and Papa aren't mad."

"Well, you tried," Crimson defended. "Besides, Mr. Berkley is evil. I'm pretty sure he's a kaiju in disguise!"

"Who cares, it's just one paper," Striker scoffed, "we can talk about it later, right now we're supposed to meet up with Coyote and "Miss Cold-Hearted Warrior" for our open."

"Oh yeah," Gipsy tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Break is almost over and our open is about to start. Where is Coyote and Ronin, anyway?"

Just then, a wailing was heard reverberating down the hall. Crimson barely had time to dodge the teary-eyed football player that ran past him, dragging his sobbing self into the nearest bathroom.

A concerned expression flashed across Gipsy's face. "Uh…what was that about?"

"Speak of the devil, looks like Tacit Ronin turned down another one," Striker threw his head back and emitted a joyful laugh. "Did you guys see his face? Wanker got crushed! Hahaha!"

"The Fall Formal dance is next week, and so far seven guys have tried to ask her out," Crimson stated as he swung his head around to confront two familiar figures making their way towards them. "I think the human term for you is "Heart Breaker", Ronin."

"I can't be breaking their hearts," she replied as she pushed Coyote's wheelchair into the circle. "They still appear to be breathing."

"Ih-ih-it's a figure of speech," Coyote corrected her gently, clutching his books to his chest. His hair had regrown since his kidnapping; the nodes drilled into his head had been surgically removed though their scars could still be seen through his golden-brown locks. His skin was also less pale and his eyes were brighter, thanks to the best doctors in Anchorage. "Besides, m-m-maybe you should say yes to one of them, most of them seemed pretty nice and you should have some fun. You don't have to be st-st-stuck with me all the time."

"Protecting you is my choice," she replied, fingers playing with his hair. "Besides, who else is going to look after you?"

"Um…m-m-my friends?" He smiled shyly, motioning towards Gipsy, Cherno and Striker.

Ronin narrowed her eyes. "Like how they protected you last time? " Her sarcasm bit into the air, causing him to cringe. "I've seen how they fight. If they couldn't save you from me, then they can't save you from anything else. I bet they don't even know half the stuff those scientists did to you!"

"Uh, maybe we should let you guys have this conversation in private?" Crimson fidgeted awkwardly, unsure of what to do as he and the other jaegers looked on.

"Th-they don't need to know how bad it was! B-Besides, I thought we weren't gonna' talk about it in front of them," he whimpered, never liking conflict. "Im s-sorry, guys…"

"Don't apologize to them," Ronin snapped, putting her hands on her hips. "I don't even know why you wanted to meet up with them. We can go by ourselves. I can handle anything that might threaten you!"

"Roni', these are my friends! I want them to come with us," he pleaded. "I'm fine, really. I'm not as helpless as you think I am!"

Fire flashed across her eyes. "What, are you dismissing me?"

He tried to backpedal, "n-n-no, I just mean that you don't have to do everything alone! You're not the only one who cares about me-"

"You are dismissing me," she replied quietly. "You think these…these amateurs can save you from what's out there? Well fine. I will comply with your wishes, "she scowled. "Just don't find any trouble, because heaven knows no one will be able to help you." And with a flip of her hair, she stormed off.

The jaegers watched her leave, the mood suddenly killed.

"Wow, what's her problem?" Striker crossed his arms.

"She DOES know we've been with you longer than she has, right? " Crimson looked at Coyote.

"Y-yeah, please don't be mad at her. Roni's been going through a lot, and I don't think she's adjusting well," Coyote softly replied. "I m-m-mean, the OJRP resurrected her to do their dirty work, she was raised differently than we were. Over th-there is was dog eat dog, jaeger kill jaeger. Also, Romeo Blue and Nova Hyperion are on the other side of the globe so she has no friends here. Well…b-b-besides me…"

"That doesn't give her any excuse to be a jerk, "Gipsy huffed. "Seriously, she's just getting crankier and crankier."

"She doesn't trust us, she doesn't trust the Marshal," Crimson observed. "Maybe if we were the ones to make the first move, she'd open up a little more?"

"Coyote comrade, why did you want to meet us with us?"

Coyote dipped his head, "The marshal gave Roni's and I to go to the store and pick up some food for a special dinner. We never really go on adventures like that so I thought you guys would like to go too?"

Cherno frowned thoughtfully, looking back at Crimson. "Mama Papa give me allowance…maybe…maybe we get gift for mean girl. Don't know if that will work, am used to giving people punches instead of presents."

"No, no, that might work," Gipsy grabbed his arm. "I mean, if we show we're willing to be her friend, maybe she won't feel like she has to be weary of everything and everyone all the time."

"OR she'll smash the gift in our faces and hate us even more," Striker rolled his eyes. "Seriously, it's a stupid idea. If she wants to have an attitude, let her. No one cares. "

"Let's try the idea anyway," Crimson decided. "Come on, team. Let's go!"

With excited cheers, the jaegers headed down the hall, unaware that someone was watching them…

TOBECONTINUED