Chapter 16
The morning sunlight caresses my face beckoning me to get out of bed. It's only Wednesday and I'm already this tired? High school has really taken its toll on me this year. It's only week two and I'm already tuckered out from all of it. There are some things that accelerate it more though.
Eight things to be exact, one of them being more trouble than the other seven combine. Neptune has really taken a lot out of me. All that energy she uses to get on all of our nerves does do its part on her as well. That explains why she fell asleep yesterday from a simple problem.
After getting back to the complex Neptune was carried off to her apartment by Nepgear. What happened from that point I don't know. Nepgear has been acting a little strange lately though, more than usual. She claimed she was upset about missing her home. Most peculiar indeed.
'BUZZ!' My phone goes off.
A message was sent to me and a few others. The person sent this was Noire of all people. What could she possibly want with us? Well, I said I wasn't the only one who received it. Nepgear and Blanc also got it. Uni must've been told by Noire herself.
"Would any of you be interested in practicing for Friday's football game at my house tomorrow? Not like I care if you accept or anything, just trying to offer my great support. I only do everything after all."
After the way she worded that I'm tempted to not go to it. But I do need the practice, not to mention I've never actually been in a instrument practice group before. The lack of friends should tell you why. Thursday for me is free so what the hell, I'll do it.
"Count me in Noire, I'll need your address though." My reply stated as such. Shortly after the other two recipients gave their replies.
"I'm coming." Blanc offers that much at least. It's more than I could have expected her to say.
"I'll be there for sure!" Nepgear is back to an energetic positive attitude today. Hopefully things aren't going to be weird between us. We only hugged for a little bit, it shouldn't be that much of a deal right? Right?
I guess my Thursday is filled now, getting her address didn't take too long. Now the only thing I'm not sure of is if Maurice will give me ride. Actually, judging from this address she doesn't live too far away from me. All it would be is a short walk and I'm there. That answers that question.
"Oh well… time to get up I guess." The clock strikes six forty five as I say that. Not too much time left until I have to leave, but enough time to grab a quick shower. My feet touch the cool carpet floor, a relaxing feeling it is. "This is going to be a long day I can already tell.
Finally its noon, lunch time and today is one of the school days I'll actually eat the lunch. For today is School Taco day. Something has always puzzled me on why these tacos are so good. I guess that's one of life's greatest mysteries that will never be solved.
When I get to our normal circle table, everyone else is already there before me. From what I can tell they're all just conversing amongst themselves. At least I know if I'm not here they won't get lonely. I might if one of them wasn't here, technically speaking, the chaos they cause is all part of the routine I have set.
"This so going to be the coolest game to come out on DS ever!" Ram says energetic as ever.
"Pfft, Ds can't compare to the PSP. Unlike Nintendo consoles, Sony ones never break down." Uni chimes in as a response. On this argument I'll be siding with the PSP. No offense to Ram or anything, Sony has just given better machines over the years. But however people do have their opinions.
It's clear to me already that some of them enjoy handheld consoles more than regular sized ones. The younger sisters are the regular consoles handheld version. That's what it looks like to me at least. And the older sisters minus Vert are much like the handheld consoles versions.
"Those handhelds are too small for my liking. Consoles should be large, size rules the world after all."
Upon uttering that, Vert gives off a devilish smile while looking at me. I can't get one normal day around these girls can I? At least I get to deal with the rational ones later this afternoon, at Noire's house none the less. I'm sure everything will be just fine.
"And that's why the Sega should still be considered a console." I had gotten so lost in my own thoughts that I completely forgot that they were arguing about consoles. As I said before, I'm a Sony man myself.
"Sega is outdated, the PS3 is the only console that is perfect in every way. The network it has is unhackable. The same can't be said for Xbox live." Noire makes a good point, Xbox live has screwed a lot of people over in the past. Playstation Network is free anyway, clearly the better choice in this fight.
"Well… more people play on Xbox than on Playstation, and downloading doesn't take forever on it." Ok so Vert is an Xbox person, figures. Xbox is always going on about how they're the biggest thing out there. Vert is much the same but only boasting one part of herself.
Nepgear and Rom don't say anything in this conversation. Understandable, both girls are on the shy side when it comes to these things. Sometimes I wonder if Rom just does whatever Ram wants because she doesn't see her self worth. That could be it, or it couldn't be. Either way this thinking is getting in the way of a not to bad school taco.
However my luck goes from bad to worse as an all too familiar and hated face comes along. Andrew has made a habit of coming around when he's not wanted, which is every second of the day. What could that good for nothing rat want this time?
"Vert girl, why you hanging with these losers? You should for come over with me." I already know what's going on in that perverted head of his and I don't like it one bit. It's understandable to like Vert, she's really nice. But he only wants one thing out of this deal. "I'm flattered, but I must decline. You're simply not my type."
His face goes from douche bag who thinks he's cool to confused. No matter how nice he may act he will always just have one thing at the top of his mind… sex. Every teenage boy wants it, some more than others. I for one am not too keen on the idea at my age. "Why?! I'm cooler than all people in this school!"
"The way you've treated my friends." Her face goes from friendly smiling to a pissed off frown. "Has not been very nice."
"You mean pimple nipple and fag over here?" Andrew, you just made the number one mistake in the world… never insult Blanc's chest. He must have a death wish on himself, this time I think Blanc will kill him. "Who the hell do you think you are insulting my breasts like that?!"
The storm has come at last. I'm finally going to see that skulk of a person get what he deserves. Blanc's yelling doesn't attract the teachers attention though, all of them just sit at their table enjoying a taco. I hope they don't witness what's about to happen next. Blanc walks up to Andrew, being the idiot he is he doesn't even flinch.
"Go to hell asshole!"
Her fist at an alarming speed goes into his groin before he has a chance to react and defend. My legs immediately cross at the sight. Every man who would've seen that would cringe in the same way. "AHHHHHH!"
Andrew falls to the floor screaming in pain. Luckily none of the teachers saw anything. Even if they did they'd probably let Blanc off the hook. Andrew is hated by most of everyone. Not sure why he thinks he's cool just because he has a few thug friends. I feel nothing but pity for him, being hit in the testicles as well as hitting a tile floor very hard. Like Maurice always says, "Bitch had it coming."
Kneeling down to his fallen brittle body I whisper something in his ear he won't soon forget. "These girls are more than just boobs and a nice butt, they're fantastic. Also, I'm not a European cigarette."
With that last remark he gets up and limps back to his table. The rest of the lunch is spent with Blanc calming down. We sit in silence, with a now cold school taco.
Upon school ending, Maurice was out front as usual to pick me up. Now being in routine that Neptune and Nepgear ride with us back home, they join as well. Nepgear and I are going to Noire's house and I made sure Maurice knew that. But that'll leave one thing unchecked. Maurice and Neptune will be in a car alone.
He hasn't really gotten to know her the way I have, part of me is scared that he'll kill her. If that happens though maybe things will be better, but I can't be sure. She has provided me with some entertainment in the time I've known her. Easing my boredom is probably something she does unconsciously as a gift to me.
Noire's house is in sight of us now. The exterior doesn't look all that bad from my perspective. It's a moderately decent sized house with white walls on the outside. The porch of the house is larger than most around here, actually having columns hold it up. Black is the color of her roof, it looks like new shingles have just been placed.
"Well, here you are now get out of my car." Maurice says to me and Nepgear in a cheerful manner. He doesn't actually hate me or her, he just has that playful brother sort of thinking. As well as he wants me to spend more time with them to get a social life.
Doing as he says Nepgear gets out obediently and closes the door. She's the perfect wife material from what I have seen. Neptune even told me yesterday that she cooks extremely well. "Bye Nep Jr., have fun. Also, annoy Noire for me ok?"
Nepgear nods at her sisters' odd question. She's not going to do it, her personality doesn't dictate that she will. I do the same as in getting out of the car. As soon as my door closed, Maurice drove off wildly. Yep, that was to be expected of him. Now down to business, we must get inside to practice for a football game!
My hand strikes the door to knock on it signifying that we are here. Noire driving herself home can get here faster than we can. (In some states, it's legal for fourteen year olds to drive.) She opens up the door with her usual neutral look on her face.
"Oh, you came, well good for you. Don't just stand there, come in." Now this is the Noire I know and love. Well not love love, but you get the point. Not wanting her to get impatient both of us step into her house.
I'm not even going to bother describing it other than the fact it is freaking awesome! There's so much class in here. Not to mention how regal the place looks. Her living room has a black sofa in it with a cherry coffee table in front of it. Upon the coffee table is a few doilies with tea cups sitting on them.
On top of the mantle of her fireplace is a 47 inch flat screen tv, not bad if I might add. Enough of the description, there is much left to be done here. Uni walks down the staircase to the side of the living room. Not in her usual black dress anymore, instead wearing some yoga pants with a plain old t shirt.
I did not take her as one to dress like that in any circumstance. Then again it is her house, she can dress anyway she wants to. Something seems off though, their parents aren't here. I suppose they could have work or something, maybe it's just me being nosey again. "Hey Jack, hello everyone." Uni calls out to us all. Damn my curiosity, I've got to ask.
"Hey Noire, Uni, where are your parents exactly?" This questions results in both of them getting worried looks at the same time. Perhaps I was not supposed to ask that after all. At least Noire gives me a response to the question. "They are… um… working long hours! That's it."
I guess working hard runs in the family. Part of me doesn't believe a word she says though. Oh well, it was never my business to begin with. I really need to stop doing that. Everyone is set up some place in the living room now, that means I should get set as well.
Uni, Nepgear, Blanc, Noire and I are finally set up to begin practicing for tomorrow's football game. Noire was the one who called this meeting of band geeks to order, I assume she'll be the one leading practice. Oh wait, I forgot she's never played any of the music we have here before. "Um Jack, I was hoping you could teach us this. You don't have to, I could do it on my own. I just can't have the spotlight all the time."
"All right, I guess I can give it a whirl. Let's start with the fight song then."
Putting on smile, all of them ready their instruments and prepare to play. Honestly… I don't know how to fully conduct. All I know is from watching the band director do it for years. It looks so easy but at the same time complex. Oh well… what have I got to lose anyway?
"Ok let's go… da da da da da da da da." So far everyone is following surprisingly well. You almost would think this isn't their first time palying the fight song. Maybe, just maybe we'll get done with practice early.
Noire seems to be adapting well to the new music, she must've been some big shot musician back at her old school. Nepgear is what you would expect, messing up here and there but getting back quickly and better than ever. Blanc being the percussionist of the group just has to keep time so we don't get lost. And Uni is trying her best to be as good as Noire at this.
This is the only song they will really have to know for the first game. It's not even supposed to be that good when we play it for the first time in forever. For once in my pathetic existence, the band might have a good game song.
The practice doesn't take that long, it seems like only a little bit ago we were starting up. Now that I look at the clock, an hour has passed. Time sure flies when you teach some friends a song. Now I know how the band director feels in class. And thank the holy spirit Neptune isn't in band.
"Ok guys, that sounds pretty good, nice job."
"Yay!" Nepgear and Uni shout. Noire and Blanc just give off a shrug then a smile. Satisfactory is the word that comes to mind when I see this. I'm proud of them all for a lot of accomplishment in a short period of time.
"Well, that should be enough for now. I think it's time you all get home." Noire says to us all.
No words are spoken at this remark, instead Nepgear and Blanc leave the house before I do. Nepgear looks back at me to make sure I'm coming. Having a big instrument takes a little time to put up. "Hey Jack… can I speak with you?"
"Sure Noire, what's up?"
Noire gives a stare to Uni, this causes her to immediately go upstairs to leave the two of us alone in her living room. Again I get an awkward feeling from being around one of my new friends. It's to the point where I might start to go insane from these encounters. Oh wait, I'm already crazy beyond repair.
"I just… wanted to say… thank you."
Now this is a shocking turn of events. Noire has never actually said thanks to me in the time I've known her. This must be of great importance if she's keeping me just to say that. "For what exactly?"
"Remember… when you gave me advice… about a boy?" How could I forget that?
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Well… I'm going to see… if he likes me tomorrow at the football game. And I just wanted to thank you. You helped me gain the courage to do this…" Her face returns to a normal looking Noire face. "But don't get me wrong, I'm not praising you or anything."
"Never would've dreamed of you to praise me. Let's just have a handshake and get this over with." I hold out my right hand and give off a smile. Noire's cheeks turn red as I do this. Eventually, she reaches her hand out and we shake. Her skin feels so soft it's unbelievable. Now I'm talking like a pervert, I'm talking like an Andrew more like.
"Well, I guess I'll take my leave."
"Ok, bye then." Noire releases her grip on my hand and I make it for the door. Walking outside, I realize my place isn't too far from Noire's house. So is Blanc's, when I walked her home it wasn't that far either. Neptune and Nepgear are my neighbors even, this is getting to be pretty sweet.
"Sigh," I really should get home. My feet begin to move up the street. Another weird high school day complete. Next time in, the first home football game.