"Still alive!" -Grandma Crood

Ordinary Monday Part II

Jasper High

Monday 10:30

Humphrey's P.O.V.

The school hall's looking nice and crowded this morning, fun for right? The principal's taking his own time and I couldn't find enough things to talk about with the boys. "Fucking hell, how long does this guy expect us to wait?" Salty groans and slouches in his chair.

The curtains open and out comes the infamous principal Clinton. He walks onto the podium looking unusually more formal 'and respectable' than he usually is.

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Neil T. Clinton, AKA: "the most anti-square, loose and irresponsible principal currently alive and breathing in the known universe". Usually anyone would be grateful to have a eccentric principal without stick up their ass running the school, but this guy's special case.

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"No way, we finally have a legit principal for once." Shakey gasps dramatically. Maybe... this was one of the seven signs of the apocalypse? An omen for something extraordinary to come? Yeah right, I wish.

"Hello to the educators, young and old, the students, freshmen, sophomores and seniors, welcome back to, and another year at Jasper High." The seemingly reformed principal starts the assembly. "This can't be the same guy, right?" The other students joke and even teachers gossip about his change. "Something's wrong, I can feel it." Mooch says. "Just a feeling I've got..." Salty adds to the lyrics of the song Mooch quoted from. "... like something's about to happen." Shakey continues. The three wait for me to say my part. I roll my eyes at them. "Fine. If that means what I think that means, we're in trouble, big trouble." Salty snickers at the accent I added when I said the line.

"I know you're all chatting about how different I am now, let's just say I've got to look the part for once. Big things are ahead of the school this coming year. The school is changing and so should I. During the break, I was contacted by, 'oh you're gonna love this', Classic Swift and they want to sponsor the school. We'll be well funded and all we have to do is just advertise their name from time to time by hosting CS sports matches and games." Clinton says.

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All right, let's add a bit of exposition on this company. Classic Swift, as lame the name sounds, is actually one of the 'gods' in the corporate world. This multibillionaire enterprise started off selling products as simple as energy drinks in the 1990's. It rapidly expanded in the past two decades now selling sports clothing and new tech like overpowered PC's, phones with faster and more secure cellular networks. Yeah, I thought it was a great company too until I recently heard a rumour of them distributing custom weapons on the black market and fucking selling security services under the radar. I wouldn't be suprised if it had a private military army in their back pocket at this point. But it's just a rumour. Rumours can always be brushed if you're wealthy and powerful enough.Whatever Swift wants with the school is beyond me. I can't guess if it's good or not though considering CS is a suspicious company to me because ofit's grown and branched out the way it has is questionable.

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The way Clinton's talking about Swift sounds sketchy. Almost like he was bribed to say it or something. I'm probably just overthinking this. "Katherine Quinn, the newly elected student council president has a speech for the seniors aswell as the juniors. Sophomores, don't feel left out, the sports committee has something to say to you too." Clinton closes the introduction and steps off the podium, making way for Kate.

My crush steps onto the podium, ready to say her speech. "Sheesh, we already know you have a major crush on the council president. You don't have to make it obnoxiously obvious, dude." Shakey whispers. I didn't realize that I almost started drooling while staring at her. "Shut it." I quickly say to Shakey then sink into my seat in shame.

"First off I'd like to say hi to all fellow students at our school. Like Niel Clinton said (damn, not even the council president respects Niel enough to call him 'principal' in front of the school), it's a new school year with big events and bigger changes ahead of us." Kate starts.

I felt more relaxed than concerned about the sponsorship now that I've heard it out of Kate's mouth. Yeah, I get it, I'm a simp. "With our sponsorship, we can get all new equipment in our classes, new tech, new extracurricular activities and more. Us seniors are lucky enough to atleast witness this for one last school year. With that aside, the rules haven't changed since I became student council president but we still encourage mature and respectful behavior in our school."

"No change in school rules? Wow, like there were any major rules to begin with." Salty shakes his head. I don't blame him for reacting the way he did. I'm not exactly a 'rules' guy but it's too obvious that our school isn't on much of a leash. Overpaid security not giving a damn if one of us strolls in with a P90 submachine gun bugs the fuck out me.

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Assembly ends later than usual since Clinton spent more time talking about the school rules, conduct and other useless stuff than he really needed to. The day was already going slow enough as it is and I didn't feel like being in school for another four and a half hours.

"I hope you're looking forward to the new school year as much as I am." Clinton says. The school manages a lethargic "yeah" as it exits the hall. "Ever lose ten Powerades worth of energy in 30 minutes? Not fun guys..." Salty says then let's out a yawn so loud and hard to ignore.

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Economic Studies Class

Lilly's P.O.V.

I found it hard to stay focused in this class today. I had a headache and I just wasn't feeling well overall. Ms. Nash was speaking but I couldn't pay attention to a word she was saying. It felt like my limbs and my head were gonna explode from my body.

"Ms. Snow, you don't look alright. Are you okay back there?" She asks. I nod my head, only making the headache worse. Humphrey passes me a note from ahead of me. I didn't feel like reading anything but because he's a family friend and pretty much my brother, I fold the note open and give it a read.

-'Nurse's office.'

I shake my head and write a reply on the note.

-'It's just a cold, it's that season after all. I'll manage.'

I fold the note then pass it back to Humphrey. He turns back to me and gives me a 'not amused...' face. I try to focus back on the lesson but my head hurt every time I tried listening to Ms. Nash. Of course Humphrey raises his hand ahead of me in the middle of the class. "Don't you dare-" I whisper to him as I tug at his jacket.

"Lilly needs the nurse." He tells Ms. Nash. "Well why didn't you say so, Snow? Williams, I trust you remember where to take the sick?" I drop my head in my arms as Nash tells Humphrey to take me to the nurse's office. The class stares at Humphrey as he gets up from his seat. I couldn't help but feel bad for the guy today. If only he hadn't brought my sister and I to school this morning, he wouldn't be getting the 'beady eyes' treatment.

I sigh whilst I close my books and get up from my seat. I let Humphrey walk me out of the class with a sick note from Ms. Nash. "I could've been fine all period y'know?" I mutter, not expecting Humphrey to hear me.

"You looked hot-" Humphrey starts. "Oh?" I cut him off, trying to tease him a bit. "Fine, rephrasing that: You 'clearly' weren't feeling well and you didn't seem to be paying much attention in class. Better?" He asks.

"If only that'd work on Kate..." I mutter into my collar, again not expecting Humphrey to somehow hear that. "Will it?" He asks, genuinely wanting to know if Kate would fall for that. "Jeez, sometimes you're hearing's way too overpowered."

"We're canines... our hearing should be way above average." Humphrey states. "Huh... my bad." I respond, shuddering after realizing that I let myself slip up from basic knowledge like that just because I couldn't think straight. "I feel like I lost thousands of braincells... sorry."

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Humphrey's P.O.V.

Hm... weird. It's looking like her flu isn't the only reason she's both slothful and jittery today. It's probably what she mentioned earlier about stuff at home and speaking of which, I don't think she's told me why both her parents went to work today. Usually they work in shifts since their working in the same company or generally days when their really needed at thier firm.

Once we got to the school nurse's office, the poor turtle fanatic couldn't stop dropping her head every minute. Makes it hard to believe that she was fine just an hour ago. "You've come down with just a fever, nothing very serious. You can either stay here for the rest of the day or be sent home." The nurse tells Lilly. Knowing her and how she knows when to call it a quits, she'd probably go for the latter...

"Well, it's not like anyone's gonna be home and I wouldn't want to miss any important work handed out. I should stay here until school ends." Or not apparently. "You're full of suprises, white rose. In that case, all work you might be given will pass through here as the day progresses." The nurse says. Kate's sister was given the nickname white rose by the first aid crew back she was still a junior. I don't exactly know the story behind it, I might have to ask Kate about it later.

The nurse gives me a pass I should show to educators when there's a sick learner willing to do their work in the office. Of course that means I should visit Lilly's remaining classes while also having to attend mine through the day. No problem.

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Yeah... that's what I thought at the time. 'No problem'. Fucking hell, I had to run to Lilly's classes on the other side of the school then sprint to mine three more times for the rest of the day. It was tiring as fuck but great cardio nonetheless.

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Later that day (14:59/2:59pm)

I watch the clock above the whiteboard in front of class. I could practically feel the blood pumping through my veins as I sit and wait ever so calmly for the freedom bell to ring. I tap my finger on the desk to the ticking of the clock, knowing it would hit 3pm any second now.

The school bell finally rings, meaning it's time to get the fuck out of here. I've never been this happy for a school day to since... middle school I guess. As other students in the English class started packing their stuff, I'd already gotten up from the seat, picked up my bag and started walking to the door. I still needed to do something. Before I open the door, I realize that I need to go back to the nurse's office one last time and return the pass I used to deliver work for Lilly.

"Even in school I'm just a delivery boy. I sure wish my life turned out differently." I say to myself as I exit the room. I tighten the shoulder straps on my bag and hustle to the west wing of the school.

I accidentally run into Salty on my way out of the east wing. "Well damn, what's got your tail in a knot?" Salty asks. "My bad, I have to make one last stop to the nurses office then I can finally go home in peace. " I tell the lanky wolf. "Sounds like you're making your final delivery of the day then. See ya tomorrow bro." Salty says then we fist bump goodbye.

I sprint through the quad and bolt down into the hallways of the west wing. The nurse's office was just down this left corridor. I make the turn too quickly before checking and bump into Lilly this time. I should really stop rushing around places. "Are you trying to give me a second headache?" Lilly asks as she fixes her bangs.

"I'm sorry, I needed to give the nurse this pass back and I'm in a hurry." I apologize to her. I straighten my bag then as I start walking towards the office, Lilly grabs the sleeve of my hoodie. "I don't want to be an even bigger bother for you today but my parents still aren't back and Kate has a student council meeting. You don't have to but could you-"

"Yeah, I'll take you home." I answer. She smiles cheerfully then lets go of my sleeve. Lilly accompanies me to the nurse's office, probably to make sure I wouldn't run away and leave her but she knew I wouldn't do that. I enter the office and greet the nurse. "Ah, you've done so much today Williams. I can tell you're not like most of the boys at school." She tells me. I wasn't sure what she was implying but I had a pretty good feeling that it meant something good.

I didn't want to waste time here so I politely said goodbye to the nurse and left the office with the turtle fanatic. Oh, on that note... "Hey Lilly, do you mind if I call you turtle fanatic?" I ask. She shrugs her shoulders then gives me an answer. "Not as much as I would've if you weren't such a great friend." Noted. I'm not gonna call her turtle fanatic anymore, even is she's mostly okay with it.

The two of us walk out of the west block and see Kate... with another wolf in the quad. "What the-" I cut myself off then walk back into the building after seeing who the other wolf was. "Why didn't you tell me Kate had a boyfriend?" I ask Lilly, mildly frustrated at the situation.

"I'm sorry Humphrey, I didn't know either. Kate never talks about her relationships openly anymore, not even with me. I'm just as shocked as you are right now." Lilly says, pacing back and forth. "Y'know what's worse is that I actually saw who her boyfriend was. Garth Richards, who is not only just as popular with the girls as Kate is with the boys but part of the sports committee in the student council! He's the ultimate jock!" I yell, but quiet enough so Kate and Garth don't hear me.

"Slow down, what if their just talking. I mean yeah their both in the council and but like just friends? Their probably just talking about the meeting their attending." While Lilly's talking, I decide to peak through the windows and watch Kate. "We don't know for sure if their dating-" I'm afraid I had to stop Lilly there because I could hear Beethoven's Requiem playing in my head. "I can confirm... target is in love with the enemy." I say both in a comical manner but also so damn hurt. I just watched Kate kiss Garth and she enjoyed it. I felt crushed.

"God, you have a bad habit of making bad jokes at even worse times. We should probably leave." Lilly states. I sigh and follow her out of the second exit, leading to the gardens. "Wait, how's Kate gonna get home after the council assembly?" I ask Lilly. "She told me shed either call a cab or ask a friend... for a lift. I'm such an idiot, I should've known she'd catch a ride from Garth." Lilly puffs. I didn't say anything as I was in shock that neither I nor Lilly knew that Kate had aa boyfriend. We walk around to the south block in silence until we reach the corridors. It was so awkward and tense, one of us had to say something eventually to break the silence.

"I don't want to wish anything bad on my sister's relationship but you deserve better." Lilly says. "I'll just mope about it over mac and cheese when I get home." I felt my life force being drained from me as I say this. That wasn't healthy, right?

I take my bicycle from the rack outside the crowded parking lot for Lilly and I to ride home in. I felt like she was staying quiet for my sake so I decide to start a convo between us to lighten up the afternoon. After I start riding us out of the school, I ask Lilly if she wanted stay at my house for a bit, atleast until Kate's doneceith her meeting and gets home. She nods her head. "Only if I get some of that mac and cheese." She says. "Nope, that's only for sad and heartbroken wolves." I joke. "I got the flu, so that counts." She protests.

"Wait, that's illegal! Ill are wolves exclused, you should be eating soup or something like that." I meme as I pedal downhill. We pass a carbon black Corvette C7 Grand Sport at a T-junction right before the bridge where I picked up Kate and Lilly this morning. "Oh my God, that's one of my dream cars. Who's even driving that?" Lilly asks. We couldn't quite see since the windows were so tinted from the outside. This reminds me of my dad's car... for some strange reason.

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15 Minutes Later

I first took Lilly to her home but her parents were still not home. She called them both and they said they'd be home way later than they thought. I then took her to my house since she wanted some of that mac and cheese.

"One question: why haven't you shown me your garage?" Lilly asks me as I unlock the front door of my house. I look down at the porch then back at her. "Long story, I'll show you when we graduate." I reply. "Unair..." Lilly pouts. I don't remember the last time that even I went there. The only times I go there was to clean shit out and I bet it's dusty as fuck right now.

I open the door and let Lilly walk in first. Strange to think that Lilly's been to my house way more times than Kate. This makes me feel even worse about today. I shake off the emotional trauma and walk in with my bicycle. Lilly helps me set it on the rack, accidentally getting herself scratched by a pedal.

"Fuck." Lilly curses as she runs her finger on the bruise across her arm. "Aye, I'll go get some ointment and bandages, this stuff used to happen to me all the time." I say. I jog through the house, trying to remember where I last put my first aid kit. "Come on dude, it's not that bad. It'll fade in a day or so." I hear Lilly say two rooms from me. I should believe that but I don't want her parents and Kate hating me because she got hurt in my house and I didn't do anything about it.

I run upstairs to search my 'slightly' untidy room. The first place I check was under my bed because I know that I get lazy to put things like kits and boxes back in the cupboards so I tend to shove them under my bed. Luckily (or unluckily), I did find the bag of medicines and bandages under my bed.

I grab the kit and jog out of my room. After exiting the room, I proceed to run down the stairs which of course was a stupid call. I trip on my laces, and tumble all the way down to the living room. "Oh my God, are you okay?" Lilly rushes to me. I felt alright until I tried getting up. My right shoulder hurt so bad it felt like I got hit with a brick. "Ow, I definitely hurt something. My shoulder doesn't feel dislocated though so that's good."

I grab on the handrail to balance myself while getting up. "Welp, note to self: never run up or down stairs." I say. Lilly almost hits my right shoulder but goes around to punch the left. "That's just common sense, dumbass." She tells me. "Well that's considerate of you... kind of?" I chuckle and hand her the first aid kit that I almost snapped my neck for.

Lilly thanks me then takes the bag. She already knew what she was looking for since she took a roll of bandages and found the cuts and bruises ointment so quickly. "I'll go warm up the mac and cheese you wanted. In the meantime, check if Kate's done with her meeting." I say as I walk to the kitchen.

"You do know that Garth would take her home right? He has a car." Lilly says while she bandages her arm. "Sheesh, way to make me feel worse. I just wanted know when she'd be home so you could go home."

"Oof, almost sounds like you don't want me here..." Lilly pouts as she says this, almost making me set the microwave timer to 2 hours. "Come on, now you're putting words in my mouth. You know I'd never say that, we literally do nothing but have fun playing games and doing assignments and projects together."

"Haha, I know. In some other alternate universe we could still be best friends but running spec-ops missions as a dynamic duo." Lilly says. "Wow, you're imagination is off the rails. I like it!" I chuckle softly at this. Part of what Lilly said made me feel that it didn't have to be an alternate universe, it could've also been our future universe was crazy enough to let Nigel Clinton sign with CSE. Maybe I fo have the same, out of the box imagination as her, but I'm not complaining.

After two minutes, our mac and cheese was ready and I took the two bowls to living room. Lilly and I just talked for the first 6 minutes then only started having fun and playing video games for the next 20 minutes after we finished eating and plugging in the console in the living room.

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Some time later...

"What the hell? Can you please drop that sniper rifle, please?" Lilly moans. "No." I give her my straight forward answer. "You're hogging all my kills with that thing!" She protests. "Jeez then go loot one for yourself." I tell her. Lilly doesn't respond. Instead, I see her shooting aimlessly at the sky on the second half of the screen.

"Huh, what are you doing?" I ask her. She ignores me until her mag runs out. "What do you think?I'm sending us to the gul-" Lilly's cut off by the sound of a Camaro ZL1 LE engine pulling up right in front of the house. I set down my controller and walk to the front door. The driver honks a few times so I knew they were here at my house for a reason. 'Garth owns a Camaro so it's probably him and Kate coming for Lilly.'

I open the door and see the orange and black striped muscle car, parked on the side the street. I fucking called it. I call Lilly to the door and tell her that Kate's here. "Well shit. As always, it was fun while it lasted." She jokes on her way out. I see Garth sitting in the watching me. He gives me a thumbs up as Lilly gets in the car. I felt intimidated but damn well flattered that the second council member acknowledged me. "What a twisted Monday..."

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A/N

: That's it for this chapter I've spent the past month working on. I've noticed how writing long chapters just doesn't cut it for me anymore aswell. I guess I'm probably gonna force myself to stick with 1.5k-2k chapters again. Probably less. Enough about that, thank you for reading this chapter and may you have a blessed day!

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Humphrey: Welp, here I go playing COD Warzone again...Garth: Next chapter's gonna be a doozie.Humphrey: (Human by Rag n' Bone Man intensifies)Blazin' Blitz: That's a rather lowkey spoiler.Kate: This version of TMELIHS is so different yet the same. It's like the original work then the Netflix adaptation meme but backwards. This is better in some ways but worse.Blazin' Blitz: Say sike right now.Kate: Sike.Blazin' Blitz: Thank you.Kate: Lol no.Humphrey: Did Lilly say when she'd come back yet?Kate: Nope. Sad furry times ahead of us.Garth: What?Kate: What?Blazin' Blitz: Okay, so I'm gonna start the next chapter now...Humphrey: You're not gonna rest first?Blazin' Blitz: I don't need sleep, I need progress!Humphrey: And that is why you fail.Kate: AGAIN WITH THE STAR WARS REFERENCES?! I thought you two got over this!Blazin' Blitz: I didn't make the reference, he did. What I said was a reference from a sitcom.Lilly: I'm back bitches...

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To Be Continued...

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