Things seemed to be getting back to normal. It's been two weeks since Cronus last seen Mituna in school. There were moments when he wanted to talk to him. He would see him sitting alone in the library, but always ended up watching him from behind the shelves like a creeper. The last thing he wanted was for that to become a habit, so after a while of adjusting himself he let it go. If it wasn't for his friends he would've been a huge mess. They constantly kept him busy, not to mention school. The sudden realization that exams were around the corner gave him a small push of motivation. When he was a freshman, his future really didn't matter to him. If he ended up graduating with flying colors or getting himself kicked out; none of that mattered. Surrounding himself with sex, drugs and rock and roll was all that a teenager had in mind. But now, being in his last year, all those responsibilities became so close and real. He was never a grade A student, but at least he wanted to try. To prove to himself that he can accomplish this one thing.
Sitting in his room and lazily yanking on a string or two on his guitar, his eyes roamed over his physics textbook memorizing the formulas and definitions. He heard a knock on his door and turned his head to see Kankri leaning against the frame with a little smile.
Kankri was always a nerd, where Cronus was always the opposite. So whenever he saw the greaser studying, it made him extremely happy to see he was trying.
Cronus noticed how Kankri was eying his guitar and raised an eyebrow.
- What's up?
- It's just been a while since I heard you play.
Cronus nodded his head and looked down at the glossy instrument. He remembered the day he got it as a graduation present from his dad. They used to be on good terms when he was still in middle school, but the older he got the more he started to understand why his dad would go on long business trips to later on bring home lot's of presents. It was only to buy his trust. Nothing more, nothing less. But no matter what, he would always be thankful for his guitar. Music was always his passion and whenever he used to feel sad, he'd pull it out of it's leather case and ran his fingers against the metal strings. The feeling of the nylon against his skin was absolute bliss.
- True. - he mumbled to himself. - I just forgot it was there.
Kankri frowned to himself, as a disturbing thought came to his mind. Cronus would always play his guitar in times of great desolation. The days when he played in front of large crowds of people were the days he was lost in himself and the music kept his troubled mind at bay. It gave him a sense of safety and meaning.
Kankri folded his arms and sat down on the floor next to Cronus.
- Would you ever consider putting your band back together? - he said gesturing the pictures on the wall in front of them.
Cronus sighed as a surge of memories came rushing back.
- I don't know. Everyone is busy with school and work. It don't think it will ever happen. Not to mention we sort of went our separate ways.
- You'll never now unless you try.
Of course there would be no harm; he still remembers all of the songs. But so many things have changed. Kurloz became a full time junkie, Rufioh is keeping his distance from everyone and the last time he saw Horuss at all was in freshman year. But that's another story.
- Are you serious about the band?! - exclaimed Meenah.
Cronus frowned and removed the phone from his ear to avoid the loud squeals coming from the girl on the other line.
- It's just a thought and it would be cool if everyone agreed, but there's just too much crap in the drain, you know?
- Excuses, excuses. Just because you guys stopped doesn't mean there's no chance to start again. You just have to talk to everyone. I'm positive Kurloz would be on board.
Cronus groaned and fell onto his bed with his back against the sheets and his eyes towards the green stars on the ceiling, that he once put up with Eridan just for fun.
- Of course he would. He'd be happy to jump off a bridge, because he's constantly high. I can't even remember the last time that guy was sober. Sometimes I just wonder, how does Meulin deal with that everyday.
- You're complaining. Kurloz was just as eager as you were. He'll have no problem, sober or not.
- Ok. Then there's Rufioh and Horuss, who went awol on all of us.
- Damn, you're right about that. But that doesn't mean you should give up! You guys were awesome, everybody loved you. And you looked sexy wearing leather pants on stage.
Cronus chuckled at the flattering comment.
- Now, now Meenah. I thought you were a lesbian now.
The girl giggled evilly, making Cronus roll his eyes.
- I'm still hot for Serket, no doubt about it. That was a compliment, you dork.
Cronus smiled to himself. He was glad that Meenah was finally happy, without feeling like she had to fake it in front of everyone. Thanks to Aranea, her smiles became genuine and her laughs a pleasant sound to hear.
- How's your love life, anyway? I haven't seen you stalking any girls lately.
Oh, no. This was not a topic he wanted to discuss. His brain started screaming ,,code red" and hisblood went cold. He wanted to tell someone, but no. It needs to be a secret. His secret. He wants to push that ship away as far as possible. Just enough to forget it was there.
- That's because I'm secretly a ninja.
- Christ, Ampora. You're so lame. Don't worry, some chick will one day fall in love with that ugly mug of yours and I'll be there to throw the rice at your weeding.
No, why are they still talking about this.
- Wow, I gotta go now. Eridan spilled a can of paint in the hallway and it takes forever to clean that shit out of the carpet. See you at school!
And without waiting for an answer, he hung up. Meenah could talk and talk especially about the things she's experiencing. And love is on the top of her list. Cronus closed his eyes to take a few deep breaths, but it wasn't working. He growled and tossed a pillow on the ground. He hated getting emotional. It was something he despised. As a child he was the biggest crybaby the world had ever seen. His father would say that it was something he took after his mother, which was his way of insulting him. Just when he was beginning to feel even worse, he grabbed his headphones and mp4 and engulfed himself in the soothing sounds.
The next day, he got to school a bit earlier to catch up to Kurloz before the bell. Standing by the entrance, the couple pulled into the parking lot and he waved at them to get their attention. Kurloz as usual smiled widely and lazily waved back. Meulin excitedly ran up to Cronus to give him a bear hug.
- Hey, you! What are you doing standing here for?
- I need to talk to your boyfriend.
Meulin's cheery facial expression went dark and she looked from side to side to see if anyone was around.
- If it's about the new product, then we can discuss it after school.
Cronus jumped back shaking his head and waving his hands.
- Jesus, no! It has nothing to do with that!
Just as quickly, she went back to normal smiling happily.
- Ok, no problem. Then I'll leave you guys to it.
As she walked into the school, Cronus couldn't help but remind himself that Meulin was just as twisted as her boyfriend, only better at pretending she was ordinary. Kurloz walked up to him slouched and looking dazed.
- What's keeping you up, my man? - he asked after they exchanged fist bumps.
- Listen, I have this question. I've been thinking about something and was wondering if you would ever continue playing the bass again.
Kurloz blinked a few times, but seemed to be more awake.
- I play the bass all the time, bro. Only in the privacy of my shack.
- Good, that's good. In that case, would you ever consider playing live again?
- You mean, like, in a band? I don't see why not. Why you asking?
- I was thinking about putting it back together.
For a second Kurloz was silent, as his brain was still digesting all of the information. A second later his eyes lit up and smiled wide from ear to ear.
- All right! I'm in! - he exclaimed and proceeded to grab Cronus and hug him close, lifting him off the ground.
- That's great, buddy. But you're killing me here. - Cronus said in a choked whisper and Kurloz nodded his head, then put him down.
- But what about Rufioh and Horuss, man? They left us alone in this nest. - said Kurloz with a frown.
- Chill, I'll talk to them. I don't see why they would disagree.
- I hope so. It's been a while since I got my groove on, you feel me?
- Totally. I'll catch you later then.
Cronus didn't have class with either of them, which made the task a bit challenging. He had to ask a few people on their whereabouts and discovered that him and Rufioh were going to be in the same gym class.
Once the bell rang and all of the boys stormed into the locker room, Cronus kept an eye out for an orange and black mo-hawk. A few minutes after the bell an angry teenager swung the door open and slammed it shut behind himself. He did not look happy.
- You're late, Nitram. - teased one of the boys and tossed a shirt in his face.
- Fuck off. - he growled and shoved the material into the garbage can.
Everyone in the room was stunned. Rufioh always used to be happy and sociable. He was a typical jock liked by all the guys and respected for his strength in football. The girls would swoon, when he'd flex his muscles on the field and teachers impressed with his high marks and positive curriculum. But he changed every since he became close with Horuss. Not that Horuss was a bad guy. He's the stereotypical antisocial, quiet guy who kept his distance from large crowds and popular people and the type that preferred watching Lord of The Rings over a football game. Though there's absolutely nothing wrong with him, people steer clear of his presence.
Sometime during freshman year, Rufioh was dared to talk to Horuss, which back in the day was a difficult task as he avoided talking to anyone who wasn't the guidance councilor. And shockingly enough, they became very good friends and all four of them made a band together. But after a year and a half, things went downhill and Rufioh alienated himself from the group. Soon after that, Horuss joined him and band ceased to function. Nobody had a clue on what happened. Aranea believed that they shared more than a bond of friendship, but the vast majority refused to acknowledge that such a possibility exists. So everyone accepted the fact that he was going through a faze and nothing else. But being around someone who swore like a truck driver became tiring and Rufioh was left alone. So much for being the school's prodigy.
Cronus sighed and watched the teen in the corner of his eye. Rufioh was a complete mess. His hair was messy and clothes in complete disarray. Even his shirt was inside out.
- Rough night? - asked Cronus, wanting to stay casual.
Rufioh lifted his head and glared at him, while slowly raising a finger.
- I swear to God, if someone asks me that question one more time I'm going to break something.
He slammed the locker door then turned towards the gym, pushing people out of his way in the process.
- What the hell is his problem? - grimaced a senior grabbing his water bottle from the bench. - He's worse than my sister on her period.
- Did you hear? Damara dumped his ass. I'm not surprised, he's a fucking douche.
- His loss, that sweet piece of ass is mine now. - said another and made a thrusting motion with his hips making all the other males hoot with excitement.
Cronus growled and slammed the locker door shut, then as quick as possible left the room. He tolerated a lot of things, but objectifying women was the last straw.
Rufioh was already warming up, dribbling a basketball and tossing it in one of the hoops. The coach was running late so he took the chance to utilize the fact it's just the two of them.
- Hey, you got a minute?
The teen ceased his dribbling and tucked the ball under his arm.
- Since when do we talk? - he asked quite rudely.
Cronus was beginning to get annoyed with his unnecessary blunt attitude.
- In case you forgot, we used to be friends.
- Used to be. As in past tense. We have nothing to say to each other.
He was being stubborn, but Cronus refused to give up.
- You're making it sound like it was my fault. You were the one who left us. Besides, what did I ever do to you?
- Everything! All of you! You make me fucking sick and I've had it with that stupid, pansy group of ours.
He was pushing it. Cronus was many things, but his friends do no deserve to be judged by him off all people.
- You take that back. - he growled.
- You, my friend, can go fuck yourself. - he said, then dropped the ball.
He turned to leave the gym, when Cronus grabbed his arm in a vice grip.
- We're not done here.
- Don't you fucking touch me!
- Shut off your ego for a second and listen to me! At least tell me why you and Horuss left the band. Just this one thing.
- I'm not telling you anything. - answered Rufioh and ripped his arm out of Cronus's grip.
There was no there was no other way to get through him. Until Cronus came up with a plan.
- Then let's do this like men. I challenge you in exchange for information.
Rufioh thought for a second, then angrily nodded.
- Fine. Name your game.
- As you can see, we're playing basketball. We'll be divided in to groups. If I win, you tell me what happened.
- And If I win all of you leave me the hell alone.
- Done.