Disclaimer: Noblesse isn't mine.
Stand In
M-21 glanced at Regis in the rearview mirror. "You nervous?"
Regis watched the streetlights through the window as they illuminated him and faded away every few seconds. "A little."
"You'll be fine." He returned his eyes to the road and pulled into the school parking lot. "We're here. See anyone you know?"
"Shinwoo." Regis waited with one hand poised on the handle. Other children mingled outside the entrance with their families. Shinwoo was laughing as he roughhoused with a red haired man. That must be his father.
"If you want to sit in the car for a few minutes, we can wait here."
"No, I don't want to be late." Regis pushed open the door and slammed it closed. M-21's door echoed his. "What are you doing?"
"You didn't really think I'd let you go alone?" M-21 slipped a top hat over his hair and pulled on a set of white gloves. "I even dressed up."
"You're overdressed." Regis followed M-21 to his classroom where he would check in with his teacher. Other students already filled the area. Suyi was in the corner, chatting with Yuna and her mom. Ikhan hadn't showed up yet. "Your work uniform would have suited the occasion."
"I didn't dress up to fit the occasion." M-21 tapped his fingers to the brim of his hat. "I dressed up to match the person. Classy kid like you needs a classy chaperone."
"Chaperone?"
"This is where I drop you off." M-21 smirked and tipped his hat to the girls. "Look for me in the audience."
"Regis?" Yuna approached him as M-21 left. "Where are Rai and Seira?"
"They did not wish to come."
"I suppose I wouldn't want to come, either, if my mom wasn't here. Not that I mean-"
"It's fine."
"I'm sorry. Shinwoo talked you into this, right?"
"Everyone, line up." Pedro shouted above the chatter and scanned the clipboard in his hand.
"I have to go stand with the parents now." Yuna's mom kissed the top of her head and followed the few remaining parents from the room.
"That is your mother?" Regis asked, falling in line behind Yuna and Suyi.
"Yeah, she came to give me my award."
"Regis, where's Seira?" Pedro looked up from his clipboard. "The leading lady should be the first in line."
"She's not coming."
"Leading male." Pedro searched the room. No where. He stepped out into the hall. "Shinwoo, get in here!"
"I'm coming!" Shinwoo ran in, dragging Ikhan along behind him.
"Suyi, you're after Shinwoo. Yuna, you're after her. Then, the seven dwarfs. You can select your own order. Followed by Rai. Did he skip, too?"
Regis nodded.
"I guess I can't blame him." Pedro crossed the absentees off his list. "Is everyone in line? Alright, let's go."
"I'm surprised you came." Ikhan whispered as they moved down the hallway toward the auditorium. "I almost stayed home, but my uncle volunteered to come with me."
"Shinwoo begged me." Regis forced a reluctant smile. "I couldn't turn down his request."
"Well, you're brave."
"Everyone, quiet!" Pedro stopped outside the door. "When your role is called, walk across the stage and accept your award from your parent. Then, exit the stage with your parent and sit in the designated area in the audience. If your parent isn't here," Pedro avoided Regis' eyes, "someone from the staff will stand in for them. Shinwoo, you're up first."
"And now from the cast of the Snow White play," Frankenstein called from the podium, "Prince Charming."
"That's me!" Shinwoo strode out with his arms raised triumphantly. His father playfully tousled his hair and held the award above his head. Shinwoo easily leapt into the air and snatched it from his hand.
Regis nervously crept forward as the next characters were called. Suyi, as popular as ever, received a standing ovation from the audience. Yuna meekly hugged her mom and walked back to their seats, arm in arm.
"Regis, you're next."
"Yes, thank you." Regis stepped out onto the stage, keeping his eyes on the podium as Frankenstein announced his role, and tried not to think about how he was the only student without a parent to meet him. What teacher would be assigned the task? Pedro had remained in the hallway with the rest of the cast.
"Hey, brat." M-21 grinned, waving a rolled paper that was tied with a ribbon. "Aren't you even going to look at me?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm playing your father tonight." M-21 held out the award. "And as such, I would be honored to present you with this certificate. Congratulations."
Regis grasped his fingers around it and looked up at his comrade. "Thank you for standing in."
"Don't worry about it."
