Hey everyone. Randall here. I've, like Sean, have been slowing my updating progress to work on everything over the summer. I have some hurt legs and some pain in my ribs right now, so I don't think you'll be seeing updates from me very soon. Sean'll keep you occupied till then.
Read and review! Ow......
Chapter 12 Strife and Toil
I made my way through the crowded hallway, trying to find a staircase. From memory, it was on the third floor. "(Ok ok....just cut through....now...)" I thought. I was already on the ceiling, heading up to the third floor. Funny thing about my climbing actually. I use to get so dizzy when I practiced it. Thanks for that, I kinda have a small fear of heights. I know what'cha thinking. I could have fallen to oblivion in the door vault. By then I had honed my skills and my anger had increased accuracy on my part. But hey, you'd be a little scared to fall down that huge vault.....I kinda did actually.....
Anyway, I got to the top, everyone already heading to their classes. "(Pff....)" I thought, heading over to the door. I gripped the knob, before I was interrupted.
"Read the paper today Randall?". I stopped, looking to my right. Leaning his back up against a locker, was Strife. I actually didn't talk much to people I don't know too well, and Strife was no acceptation. Still....he was reptilian.
"Uh....yeah...I managed to see it..." I said, taking my hand off the handle and focusing my attention on him. "Managed?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Forgot, he too doesn't know I live at an orphanage. ".....Why?" I asked, wanting to know what he was interested in. "Saw the front page?" he asked. So far its questions with him, might as well answer. "Yeah....that murder right?" I answered, looking to see no one bothering to listen to us, at least not yet.
"More like a slaughter...." Strife said. I think I know what he was talking about from that kind of attitude towards it. "You know how its like for us right? Well you can't honestly believe it was an accident right?" he asked. I, for some reason, always felt a little uncomfortable when talking to Strife, maybe its because I don't know him that well. Actually, hardly anybody does. "No I don't..." I said. He seemed to look over my shoulder before getting firmly on his feet.
"Maybe we should head inside to talk a bit..." Strife said, opening the door. I eyed him before heading in.
He was already in his seat when I came in. I took mine, then he picked up the conversation. "Really makes you think don't it?" David said, getting his books out of his bag. "....Don't take this the wrong way David but...um....why are you...?" I started, but he seemed to know instantly. "Just felt like I needed someone to talk to about such things....preferably another...." he said. Using the word "another" made it clear.
"Oh....sorry...." I said, thinking I might have offended him or something. "Your right to be a little curious......" he said, flinging back a couple of his fronds. "But I do think that...well...its a little stupid isn't it?" I said.
"Agreed on that....I'm surprised they even let us in schools...." Strife said, his face straight but his eyes on me. "....Yeah..." I said slowly. He chuckled, which actually surprised me. "You seem like a nice guy Randall....maybe we can talk more later..." he said. Suddenly he wants to talk to me? It was strange at first, but I figured what the heck. Always wanted someone other than Fungus to talk to, especially one who's been prejudice like me.
As soon as he had said his last word, the rest of the class was coming in. I kept my eye on Strife though. He was really the only reptile I know, although I don't know him that much. Its hard to remember when I first met him, but he seemed to always be around me allot.
That's one thing about us reptiles. We may be pushed around all the time, but through most of it we stick together. The bad thing is, were mostly spread out and there are a few of us left. Take it from our friend in the alley, were not on the protection program of this world. Neither in yours.
I decided to keep Strife at the back of my mind, a thought said I would meet him at lunch after this period. I gave a quick glance around. I gulped at the sight of Percy at the door. Her eyes were fixed on me, and she started forward. She came between me and Strife. I hesitated from the sight of her. When she passed, she faked a lost grip. Her books, heavy ones at that, fell right on my left foot.
"OW!". I couldn't help but yelp, she purposely did that! "Oh...how clumsy of me..." she smirked, getting low to pick them up. I was currently barring my teeth, wanting to kick her in the face with my right leg. When she got up, her foot (or tentacle I guess) came down on it again. This was a little easier to handle. She quickly headed to her seat before Crawler came in.
I felt like blurring out a yell but held it back, rubbing my foot with the other. "(That little git!)". Strife noticed me, and in turn looked back at Percy, who was looking rather full of herself. The pain was still there, but I knew she wasn't finished yet.
I kept rubbing my foot, hoping things wouldn't get worse. "(I'll get you back I swear...)". Everyone else came in, not bothering to see if I was alright or not.
You might think that I would get back at her somehow. Sure, I could probably work up something, but with what I have to work with......well lets just say that's not an option. Crawler was currently discussing the books we would read this semester.
I prefer to let Percy's act slide for now....letting it go in with the rest of the "bottle" of anger inside me. I usually had a negative attitude most of the time. Really fit me. If anything bad happens, I'm not as much affected, since I knew it was going to happen. Anyone who went against me just proves how childish they are. And believe me, you'll see allot of that here.
I looked back over to see Wazowski coming in. A couple seconds left, I'm not impressed. He ran that's for sure. He came over to me and Strife, giving a laugh at me.
"I should have taken photos lizard boy! It really fit you!" he said, right in my face as he passed me. I swear, if Wazowski didn't hide behind Sullivan EVERY time, I would knock him into the Human World first chance I get.
But at least someone did something. Maybe a thanks for talking to him, Strife "accidentally" stuck his tail out in front of Wazowski's feet, causing the zit to fall flat on his face!
I held back the chuckle as Crawler turned to the scene, as did everyone....well mostly everyone. "Distracting the class must be your specialty Wazowski....." Crawler said, completely oblivious that Strife did it. She turned back to the shelf near her desk which held our books. "Take your seat.." she said. Strife casually helped him up. "Watch your step.....you could roll next time..." he smirked. Wazowski dusted himself off, and was about to give one of his "endless conversations", till Crawler ended it.
"Now Wazowski...." she said. It was pretty funny that he couldn't talk back now, I'm surprised it wasn't me! He gave a stern look at Strife before moving off to his own seat. "...Thanks..." I whispered over. "Don't mention it...." David replied, looking back to the front, moving a frond out of his eyes.
I turned my attention back to the desk, which now had a grammar book made by Ringchester Products logo on it. Ringchester was one of the few recognized book production facilities. I really didn't care much for grammar. Such as the simple s and 's. Still, I am...writing....this......ahem. Anyway.
"Page 319....Parts A and B...." Crawler informed. Well, she's quick on the pedal ain't she? I just signed and got to the page, taking out my book.
Won't bore you, so lets skip ahead to when I finished, which was pretty soon. Things are going to get fast here and there.
I looked to see many of them still working. "(How stupid are they!?)" I thought. Honestly. Sure, I'm smart....but something like this is so simple an idiot can do it, hence Wazowski. He was currently trying to chew the eraser off his pencil from figuring out the....heh....first sentence. As much as he isn't good at homework, I'm surprised he even became an assistant.
Nothing much really happened, so I just looked over at the clock, about half an hour. Pretty fast, but I'm skipping parts here.
I was more worried about how the rest of the week would be. We still go the same number of days you all do in your world.
Then again, I still had some things in the back of my mind. Like what Percy will do to me, probably after school. Something to get back at Sullivan and Wazowski and their little friends. Also, talking with Strife, which seemed.....well...interesting.
Crawler's eyes seemed dead locked on me and him. Guess she thought we cheated or something, seeing as we were the only one's noticeable for a finished paper. Actually, David finished before I did. He had a solid mind I guess. He nudged his head when I looked at him. I handed him my paper and he went up to turn it in. He was a nice guy I'd give him that.
He came back, nothing else in his hands. Guess that was all for the time being. I looked back to the empty note book in my hand. I figured what the hey, and started doodling. I wasn't an artist, as I mentioned. However, I did try to do some new things when I had an art assignment. That's why I decided to take an art class next year. Its an easy A. That is if the teacher doesn't believe in "you tried". Ever hate when you try your hardest, but its not good enough? Heh. I know that feeling.
Everything went downhill from there. Nothing much happened is what I mean. We were told about our first goal of how to look at poems. Some notes and a worksheet.
Lets skip to the near end of this class.
We were currently looking for key words in a poem to discuss tomorrow. I really didn't care much for poetry. Sure I can understand it.....most of the time. But I just don't like poetry, and I'm sure many men would say the same. Heh, sorry guys, but most of us just don't get it I think.
Strife was already finished, nearly all the words were circled on his paper. Wazowski was chewing on his pencil, trying to find his first word. Believe me. Wazowski is hardly intelligent. I mean the guy practically forgets to turn in ANYTHING. Percy, ehh, was acting as if she was someone important, like that would ever be true. Waxford was still scanning the paper with his eyes. Everyone else was waiting for the clock.
On cue, the bell rang and we all started to rush or stuff into our bags and get out. I started slowly, as Percy and Wazowski got out.
Strife didn't seem to wait, he was already out. I followed the crowd out into the hall for lunch.
I'm gonna speed things up through this day to get to more important parts. Such as when I get my annual check-up at the hospital, an inspector that visits the orphanage, and other things.
Wouldn't mind one now actually, its gonna be heck getting to sleep. Thank Monstropolis for movies. Oh yeah! Sean wanted me to mention he'll be updating our Road Picture soon enough, Cay burned the part of our song, so we had to do it again. Phew....luckily before this.
