Chapter 2: The crutch
A/N: The second last paragraph contains violence.
"You sent this." The man on the head chair of the office table said.
"Yes big brother, handpicked from the national securities wanted list." The girl nodded enthusiastically, her pink hairs were tied in loose pigtails and her eyes were closed. She had a disarming aura that contrasted with the otherwise dark and cold room where the only light source was a study lamp.
"Let's hope this won't be another disappointment."
"I will never let you down."
Tyson did his best to forget about the encounter with Kai. His words kept repeating in his head, making him more confused than ever.
There was some truth to it, he knew his time will come. But he also knew it's not now.
Tyson splashed his face with water; there was a lot of time to sulk later. He couldn't get much sleep last night, which made him late for school. Grandpa will be here any minute now. He hastily wore his uniform that consisted of maroon blazer, pants and tie with white shirt. He tripped on his pants in the process. He heard a tearing sound but there simply wasn't much time, "damnit."
The door started to get barraged, "how long do you plan to sleep on the world, T-dawg. Get up!"
Tyson cringed; he put on his bag and hung his tie on his neck. He opened the door.
"Morning Grandpa! Bye!"
He ran past him to the kitchen gulping down the glass of milk and grabbed his lunch box. Grandpa entered behind him giving him a disapproved look, before he could talk, Tyson shoved a toast in his mouth and bolted out of the house.
He made it in record time. He probably missed the assembly and maybe the homeroom class had already started but he didn't like them anyway. After verifying his Id to the guard, he entered the school building. The moment door opened, a dam of noise was broken. He almost came out but he had to go inside.
He made it to the stairs safely; he was just about to climb them when he bumped into Hillary.
"Finally decided to grace us with your presence?" She said.
"Yeah, see you later."
Hillary blocked his way with a annoyed expression.
"Oh come on," he whined.
"Did you just come out of bed?"
"I really don't have time for thi-"
Hillary grabbed his tie and started to retie it, her nimble fingers worked swiftly on the fabric. The light unintentional touches on his neck sent the shivers down his body. "What are you, my mom?"
"Is that the best insult you have?"
Tyson rolled his eye, whenever they talk it was like a cop was interrogating a suspect. He realized the proximity between them and wondered if she was aware of her effect on him, for some reason he became hyper conscious of their breathing and the warmth that pooled under the skin of his cheeks. She gave it one last satisfactory tug and looked up, catching his gaze.
"Is there something on my face?" She furrowed her brows.
He felt like a culprit. "Where else am I supposed to look?"
Hillary blushed.
"Will you kindly fuck off?" Someone said.
"What's that about?"
"I don't know."
They both ran toward the source which was their classroom. The white board that teachers use for explanation is on the ground.
"So you can ruin what remains of the wall?" Julia's knuckles were white from clutching the chair she stood behind.
"Oh well," Tyson shook his head and went to his seat.
"A freakin scratch won't wreck the whole building woman!" Johnny said with an irritated scowl and he tried to assemble the drill machine.
"You call that a scratch?
"Do you even know how to use that thing?" Hillary asked.
"You learn something new every day," with that he turned the button one. The roaring of the drill filled the room. Johnny brought it to the surface of the wall, what he didn't know that drills usually push back the user upon contact with the surface. The drill slipped from his hand and made him loose his balance, resulting in a decapitated chair and a hole in the wall.
"This was unexpected, machine's broken." Johnny stood up and dusted himself.
"Of course it's the machine's fault and not the gorilla that was using it," Julia's cheeks were flushed with anger.
"Shut up you screeching Hyena!"
Hillary had to hold back Julia from pouncing on the redhead. "Geez, calm down."
"They always let him get away with it Hils."
Johnny gave her a mocking smile.
"Go away and bring another chair," Hillary said.
"Why should I?"
"Because you broke it."
"Whatever," He reluctantly does what was told.
"Talk about getting worked up." Hillary said.
Julia shoved her aside and dropped on her seat, still fuming. The brunette sighed and followed her suite. Soon everyone was seated in the class and much to Tyson's dismay the homeroom class begun. He should've slept a little longer.
Their homeroom teacher was a middle aged man; the eyes behind his white rimmed glasses looked dead and he had a look of constant disappointment on his face.
"Good Morning, I'm Soichiro Hitoshi, your home room teacher this year." He said, "I highly doubt you have the capacity to be civil for longer periods of time, but let's hope we all can meet in the middle," he made a bitter face, "anyways, as you all have already noticed, we're having one more celebrity in our section. He'll be joining you, pretend to be normal for a while. Introduced yourself and take your seat." He said the last part to the ginger who accompanied him.
"I'm Brooklyn Masefield, and I'll be studying here. For now." He sounded disappointed.
Everyone watched him silently as he walked to the only empty seat behind Max, who leant toward Tyson and said, "are earrings allowed?"
The bluenette shrugged, "Don'- WAIT, when did you came here?"
"I was here before you."
There was loud crash in the front, apparently someone had improvised broken chair.
"WHO DID THIS?" Mr. Hitoshi was shaking with anger as he supported his hurt back.
All the eye in the room fell on the same place.
"Wait! I didn't do anything?" Enrique hid his phone very unsubtly.
"Behind you." Mariam said, still writing on her notebook.
The seat was empty.
"MCGREGORRR!"
So begun the typical day at ''Sharp Edge Private High"
Brooklyn was sitting under the shade of a tree in the school yard, as far away he could be from the bustling crowd that never seems to stop, even for a breath. He felt the stares and heard the whispers that always followed him like a tail. He had learnt long ago to ignore them. He didn't blame them; maybe he would garner similar reaction if he had been on the other side of the lens. Pity, life had not given him the opportunity yet.
As if to prove him wrong, whatever fundamental force had someone marching in his direction.
Not his specifically but away from the crowd, it always get tiring. Well, that someone happened to drop with a thump, under a tree, exactly opposite to him but didn't even spare him a glance.
He wanted to be offended at the lack of regard. But on the bright note its good, he won't be forced to socialize.
Snorting, he tried to concentrate on the home work already too late for its submission date. An incomprehensible sound came from the other direction. He looked up at her. "Excuse me?"
She sighed and looked up; face incredulous, now founding some recognition in him. Hillary Tachibana, manager of G-Revolution, 'if that's what they're still going by. 'They stared at each other in awkward silence.
"Were you spying on me?" She asked.
"Obviously, I've nothing better to do with my life." He collected his belongings, stood up and walked away.
"Hey!"
He didn't look back, even if a nagging feeling in his chest told him, that it was not a bad idea to talk to someone. Was it?
'Nope, I think I'm good with tolerating four people in my life, for now.'
Tyson chewed on the back of his pen, eyeing the other seven occupants in the detention room, which was just an unused classroom. He pulled out the pen from his mouth with a pop, earning a glare from Mr. Hitoshi who looked more bedraggled than ever.
He looked down at the math worksheet they were given, it was three pages long. To him, it looked like an alien language with no relation to human comprehension and the amount of 'x' in it were making his head spin. He made a pop sound again. This time Mr. Hitoshi got up took a few breathes, "I'm going out, so behave."
Everyone gave a nod, not really paying attention as he left. Tyson didn't enjoy being forced to study extra hours a bit, especially since everyone else is doing club activities and he was getting bored.
He looked at his left Max and Mariam were on their last page. He glanced back to Enrique who had a bandage on his left cheek and was trying really hard to concentrate, and beside him, Brooklyn was making origami. "You done?"
"Yeah."
Behind him Johnny scribbled furiously at the notebook.
'I highly doubt that's schoolwork.'
Tyson looked around carefully; it didn't look like Mr. Hitoshi was returning anytime soon. He walked toward Johnny peaking over his shoulder. As expected he was making a sketch of what looked like a catapult contraption, but what caught his eye were half-erased peculiar notes scribbled here and there.
'Sick, expelled, money, loser, something quivk, se_'
"What's this about?"
Johnny jumped, his hand reflexively moved his elbow that stopped inches before Tyson's face, but he relaxed upon seeing him.
"Woah, hey?!"
Johnny then instead closed his notebook slammed it on Tyson's head.
"What the hell was that for?"
"Don't sneak on me again!" Johnny said.
Tyson rubbed his head, already recovering from the rude behavior. "I was bored. What did you do to get in here?"
Johnny gave him a toothy grin and turned back, "I'm always here."
"Hey Edward," Johnny shook Brooklyn's shoulder.
"It's Brooklyn, not Edward"
"Whatever, give me your worksheet."
"Why would I do that?"
"So, I can copy."
He thought a little and then surprisingly gave him his worksheet without a fight.
"Huh? Good."
"I know not everyone have a functioning IQ."
Johnny didn't pay him mind and Tyson wisely came back to his seat.
"So, what was your sin?" He said addressing everyone, not really expecting a response. No one replied immediately.
"I punched someone." Julia said proudly and a vein popped on Enrique's head.
"I got caught with the phone, but in my defense I wasn't using it, it just rang in the middle of the class." Mariam said without looking up.
"What kind of Jurassic era phone is it, that don't have silent mode?" Max said.
She snatched Max's sheet revealing the cell phone he had beneath it, she glanced at the chat on the screen. "Who's this honey?"
"Hey!" He took it back, turning off his phone and continuing the work, "it's my favorite cereal flavor."
"Yeah, sure." Mariam rolled her eyes.
"I told the English teacher, how utterly waste of time our current assignments are. We're just copying text into note books." Brooklyn said as he tried to make his origami hop. "What about you?"
"He slept in that said class." Max said his pen was literally scratching the paper.
"And he was flirting with the teacher in that said class." Tyson said pointedly.
"Telling her that her hair looked nice is not flirting. She's my mum's age. Why did everyone have their heads in gutter?"
This time he had successfully tore the page."Damnit"
Mariam snorted, "Language kid, we're in school." Max mimed it back at her in squeaky voice, earning a half-hearted smack.
When the teacher returned everyone got back at work.
Tyson was just about to leave with everyone when he was called specifically. He was met with a red faced Mr. Hitoshi, who was shaking. The man had no chill. "Mr. Granger, could you guess how many question you got right?"
Tyson smiled nervously and said, "three."
"And your peers."
"most of them.."
"You were supposed to be on detention because you misbehaved in class, what am I supposed to do with you now?"
"I didn't know how to solve them."
"I thoroughly explained logarithmic differentiation in the class! And asked you afterwards. As convenient as it would be to keep you here. I'm not paid enough for that; you single-handedly manage to increase my blood pressure."
Tyson squirmed on his feet, "Sorry, sir."
"Don't be sorry to me, be sorry to yourself. This is a worksheet I have prepared for you. I want it completed and on my desk tomorrow morning, and if you cannot do that then you're leaving your advanced math class, no matter what."
Tyson bit back a response at seeing the thick pile of paper, with the amount of anger Mr. Hitoshi was radiating Tyson had no wish to be the cause of the possible heart attack.
He nodded took the paper and left.
Everyone is probably gone.
In all honesty, he had never thought that much before choosing his subject. The only reason he had a class in Math, let alone advanced is because both Max and Kenny were there. Which right now felt really shallow.
'Maybe I should quit the class.'
Max, Kenny and an irritated looking Hillary were waiting for him. He rubbed his temples, 'I really don't have time for this.' He approached them slowly and looked at Hillary, "I didn't do anything this time."
Hillary rolled her eyes and tilted her head to the right.
"You didn't."
A guy walked into the adjacent corridor and slipped, sliding on his butt. It has become less theatrical and more annoying yet Johnny's prank became more and more common with time.
"What's with that face?" Kenny took the sheet from him, flipping through it.
"Yeah, you look like a wilted plant." Max twirled his phone in his hand and almost dropped it.
"Got to turn it in tomorrow." Just thinking about it was exhausting.
"You'll be fine. Oh, I have an idea let's do it together in the library." Kenny turned on his heels walking ahead without waiting for a response.
"You heard him."
Hillary looked like she might disagree but one look at his face and she sighed. "Fine, whatever."
Tyson said," Do I really look that pathetic?"
"Well, duh."
Tyson watched the way Hillary's eye light up and her body language changed when she was aware that she knew better. She always had this habit of running a hand through her hair, the few strands that were lying peacefully were now starting a rebellion and he had to suppress an urge to stop it. This distracted him so much that he didn't hear a single word she said properly. 'Shit, focus you idiot.'
He rubbed his eyes as if it'll magically stop them from getting distracted.
"We'll take it slowly this time." Hillary's left eyebrow was twitching. But she'd managed to not scream on top of her lungs, if Tyson was hard to manage as a beyblader he was worse as a student and just as stubborn.
'Just be calm Hillary, patient. Yupp, that's easy. Way too easy.'
"Since we already know the standard value of these functions-"
"uh!?"
"What is it?"
"I don't know that either." Tyson rubbed his neck nervously.
Hillary looked at him and at her cheap wrist watch. 'Two hours then home. I can make it on time.' She took a deep breath. "Let's make the table first."
They did that and to some extent Tyson got a hang of it. She did her best to not raise her voice and risk getting kicked out, but damn was it hard. She felt really sorry for Mr. Hitoshi, she always thought of him as a person who got angry for no reason. But imagining teaching thirty Tyson's per class, was eye opening realization.
"I want a drink, you guys want some." Max said stretching his arms.
"No." Hillary said.
Max motioned to a group of girls sitting a few tables away eating snacks.
"I'm pretty sure that's not allowed."
"I'm getting an energy drink, anyway."
"Should you?"
He looked at Tyson, who glanced at his worksheet. "Coffee? with cream"
"Fine I'll take one too."
"Good. Come on, Kenny."
"But we aren't done, yet."
"You're not doing anything." Max gave him a look that was lost on Kenny, "Hey!" So he simply dragged him out earning a glare from the librarian.
Hillary dragged a hand down her face, those two were complete dorks. She watched as Tyson attempted to solve the problem, his previous unsure expression had turned into a determined look that he had on while playing Beyblade. It almost gave her hope, that not all is lost. Until she checked the solution and pursed her lips.
"I should quit right."
She opened her mouth to retort, but stopped when she saw his face.
"It's not just that, it's just if I can't do it properly, that's the best way out. That way I'll find something else on time." And probably repeat the year. He didn't say the last part aloud. He looked at her, waiting for affirmation. Like she knew better somehow. He had the look of that lost puppy, who was hoping this human would took pity on him and return him to his wayward home.
Tyson Granger wasn't allowed to look like that; he shouldn't be allowed to look like that. Nope, he always looked happy and optimistic. Always giving people hope. This just won't do.
Hillary shook her head at him. "Nonsense, we'll do it again."
And they did again, a little slower but steadily. Two hours turned into three and time slipped away like quick sand. "Calm down, geez." Hillary said a little loudly, the librarian coughed. "Sorry."
Tyson was practically bouncing as they reached the last problem; the excitement turned the numbers and letters into incomprehensible scribbles much to Hillary's dismay. But she couldn't fight the smile that was forming on her lips.
The moment he finished it he pumped his fist in the air, and Hillary rolled her eyes only squeak in surprise as she was pulled in a quick hug. She swatted his arm, "You're acting like you won an Oscar."
"Oh I will one day, just you watch Hil."
"Before getting ready to quit."
"Ouch, that hurt."
"Good, now let's leave before she kicks us out." Hillary said as the librarian gave them disapproving look.
As Hillary left, she noticed the familiar bush of orange hair sitting alone in one of the tables.
"Seriously, how long does it take you guys to bring four drinks?"
"Three hours, twenty five minutes, and its forty sixth second, no forty seven, fort-."
"That's not what I meant!"
After that Tyson quit his advanced class, but not mathematics which Mr. Hitoshi approved and was secretly proud of. Brooklyn often found himself running into a certain brunette and Johnny's prank kept getting weirder by day.
"This is venom reporting, can hear me?" A dark figure wrapped in black clothing said in an intercom, the figure was crouching behind a wall surrounded by marching soldiers.
"I can, our satellite spotted you fifteen minutes ago. What are you waiting for?" A girl replied from the other side in a harsh tone.
"Your Intel was wrong; there are too many soldiers for me to handle. I need a distraction."
There was a pause before the venom got the desired result, "it better be worth it. We don't want big brother to be unhappy with us."
"Sure." Venom disconnected the call, waiting for the right moment to move.
Soon the soldiers moved outside toward the entrance, the order was delivered. The historical building was like a fortress shown only in medieval fantasy. To think they'll do all this for a spinning top.
Sprinting through the corridor the Venom pressed against the wall. Two men were patrolling, one was a short-thin man and the other was a literal giant.
"Say Tohru, did something moved?" The thin one asked the giant.
"No, the tiredness is messing with your head."
The venom sighed with relief, a thing that was proven to be stupid because the next moment The giant's hand was clomped around venom's windpipe, body dangled in the air and gasping for breath.
"Oh wowyy Tohru you caught a fish?" The thin man fumbled on his feet.
The venom choked trying to say something. "Y….o…..uu.."
"Who are you?" Tohru the guard shook Venom violently.
"yu…ooo…" Venom pulled out a dagger and stabbed the guard in the eye, who screeched loudly and threw Venom at the ground. Blood gushed from his wound like water.
Venom coughed and regained composure, "You fucking moron, who gets drunk when the national security is crawling at this place. You should know something dangerous is coming. I demand respect."
"That was actually the reason we got drunk. Thought no one could get past them, "The thin man said totally unphased by his companion's demise.
"Oh," The venom rotated on the axis anticlockwise and kicked his head. He fell like a sack of potatoes.
There was a guttural cry from behind as Tohru tried to take his one last stand; sadly venom couldn't play any longer. Tohru was shot dead with a gun.
If the venom recalled correctly, there was supposed to be a hidden room and some glass cabinet around. Surprisingly, it was very easy to find.
Venom smashed the glass cabinet and took out decorated metal top his boss had ordered. Once all five of them were acquired. The Venom took out a paint space and mad made a snake's head and left the vicinity.
"Big brother~," The pinkette with pigtails said in sing song voice, carrying a black rucksack. "Look what I got for you"
"I am here, Serine." The man on the head chair of the office said.
"Oops, my bad. I heard you move across the room. So I followed the sound but here." This time at the right place, Serine offered him the bag.
The man emptied it and examined the top, "What do you want me to do with it?"
"The load of work must be messing with your head. You should take rest."
"This is useless.' He threw them at the trash bin.
"But why would you want something useless than?"
"I didn't my dear sister. You simply brought me a replica."
"But that's impossible. They've been confiscated and put i-"
"Or they weren't and everybody is lying." The man stopped doing his work and stood up from his seat. He approached Serine who flinched and gently guided her out of the room.
"I think I'll handle it from here." He said.
"But-"
"Good Night, Serine."
He closed the door.
Serine wavered, tears formed in her closed eyes, "I'll bring them for you big brother. Just you wait."
BTW Venom is not dead, simply the job(assigned by Serine) was completed.
A/N : Thanks to CuteTyil, Seafoam Green Under Twilight, Emerald Vivienna Ramira Mayvin, Beybladeorigins or happypeanut for reviewing the first chapter.
Also this was my first half century like wtf, I didn't noticed. So Special thanks to Rockthe Road my 50the reviwer XP
Previously a lot of people reviewed I don't remember all so thank you to Ezabella and AnnieJD29. Apologies for forgetting anyone.
Thank you to all the readers! People who followed and favorited. My friends simy and nain ;)
Also that tea I drank to keep writing, "TAJ MAHAL TEA", my dog, my computer, my comfy pajamas and chair also my weird brain. I swear I didn't do anything great XD XD
I think staying up late is messing with me. Byeeeee….
gnzzzzzzz