Chapter 24

"Yadda Yadda Yadda"

That's all these teachers ever seem to say around here. It's only been a little more than three weeks now since High School started up and I'm already bored out of my mind. Even though science is my cup of tea, the study of cells is not.

At this rate I might truly die of boredom. I know High School isn't exactly supposed to be fun but this is ridiculous. The fourth period science class needs a savior… someone who can ask a completely unrelated question to ease the sorrows of everyone else.

"Ribosome's, can they be eaten?"

Our hero has come, Neptune we are forever in your debt. Usually a question like that would make me question the friends I have. However this is a special case, one in which my life was on the line.

As much as it pains me to say it I owe her one. I'll repay it later today at some point. Maybe I'll just give her my lunch as a way of saying "thanks for keeping me awake." The cafeteria certainly isn't serving anything satisfactory for a normal human being today.

Neptune isn't exactly normal so it should be a good fit with an abnormal meal. The class's laughter of her stupid comment is dying down now, which is a good thing because now I'm awake enough to get annoyed again.

"Sigh… No miss Neptune a ribosome cannot be consumed directly from the cell."

The remark to Neptune's comment causes her to slouch a bit and look saddened. This didn't last for long as she jumped back up perkier than usual five seconds later.

Behind my desk I can hear Noire laugh at Neptune and not in the bashful style of laugh either. No, this laugh seems more like a girly one. That raises the question more of if she's being true to herself.

Now I see why everyone called her a tsundere at the picnic last Saturday. It all makes sense now.

Enough of this masking emotions talk, I'm awake enough now I can full hear the teacher.

"After going through the endoplasmic reticulum, the proteins are then sent to the Golgi apparatus to be packaged and… oh it's eleven thirty. Ok class go to lunch now."

Closing up my binder I stand up from my desk and join Blanc in standing near the door. She gives me a light smile and looks the other way. Strange, usually I have to talk with her for quite a while before she smiles even a little bit.

Things are even weirder today than ever. Then again the dance is just around the corner. After giving a slight mention of it to my friends most of them were enthused. Blanc just saying ok, and Noire acting like she didn't want to go.

The rest as you could expect gave off a cheer so loud in the lunch room that we almost got suspended that day. Good times are what my future self will be saying. If only I could peer into the future.

Uni is the next to come up to us and soon after the other six follow. Now the gang's all here, we can finally get down to the lunchroom for a lunch that will require a stomach pump.

Today the cafeteria isn't all that crowded, due to some of the people going on a field trip. Less time in the line for us then.

On the menu today is… oh lord. Goulash.

First terribly incorrect orange chicken now goulash? Now I know the school is trying to kill me. It hurts even more that they're trying to be more culturally diverse.

There isn't an option really, I'll just have to play along. Hell this is the chance to give Neptune my lunch. Knowing her she'll eat it.

And now we're at the table we usually sit at. Same as always, same seating arrangement, same people talking. At least later today will be exciting.

"What is this?" The thing they call Goulash is nothing more than beef noodles. This isn't Goulash at all, it doesn't even taste remotely like it.

My theory about giving Neptune this today is correct. Somehow she's just munching on the unholy concoction.

"Hey Neptune, do you want this?"

"Mhm, I'll gladly take food off your hands. Thanks Jackie." No one has ever called me that and no one ever will. Jackie is a girls name any way.

Using her spoon to take the devils spawn off my elevated tray Neptune happily resumes her second lunch. That's better than usual I guess, one time I saw her eat fourth lunch. On the bright side now I don't have to stare at the Goulash anymore.

Another good part is now I can dump my tray earlier than everyone else to avoid a crowded garbage can. It wouldn't be too much trouble today since some of the people I eat with are out.

With the food out of the way I can utilize my brain fully. It happened too fast though because a new thought had entered my mind. Should Rom and Ram go to this dance?

Don't get me wrong dances here are a fun experience, however… some of the activities that go on at them such as what I named the "cesspool" might be too inappropriate for children their age.

In case you don't know what the cesspool is, it is when many of the dance attendee's get in a huge blob and hump each other regardless of gender. Personally I wouldn't have a problem whether it is a guy or a girl. I'll let you interpret what I mean.

It's none of my business, but maybe I should ask Blanc about it. She is their older sister after all.

"Blanc" I whisper. "Should Rom and Ram be going to this dance later?"

"Why wouldn't they, if anything bad comes along I'll beat it within an inch of its life. Besides… if I said they couldn't go they wouldn't stop bugging me about it."

I can see her point there, both of them are strong for their age. Not only that, but Blanc kill anything she deems bad for them. I'll take this as a sign that I'm alright in her book.

As far as everyone else is about the dance later can be varied. Neptune as you would expect is head over heels excited about a chance to get down and boogie. If only I shared her happy-go-lucky attitude.

Nepgear is a tad nervous but who wouldn't be? This is the first dance of the high school year. The only reason I know about what goes on here is Maurice mentioned it to me once. I'm sure she'll bounce back once she sees it's not so bad.

Noire doesn't seem to mind either way. I believe she said to us that it was a courtesy that she is going with us. Not like she actually cares right?

Uni is in much the same manner as Noire is in. Saying how I in particular should be grateful that she is attending. It appears the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

I've already mentioned vaguely what Blanc's opinion is, just going there to see what it's like probably. In all reality she's more than likely going to sit in one of the corners of the room or outside all night and read a book. It's better than some of the things that have happened I can guarantee it.

Rom and Ram are eager to go. As most of all little kids are they just want to grow up and prove they're grown up. If there's anything that'll accelerate the process it's a High School dance.

And finally Vert is waiting for the time of arrival as all of us are. To dance would be my first guess, but I honestly still can't read her, or any of them for that matter.

Sigh… it's barely been any time at all since lunch started and I'm already this bored. If the rest of the day is this slow I might be on the verge of death again. All I can do now is wait for the time of the dance.

Not much can be said right now. It's only ten minutes until dance time. The dance is being held after tonight's football game. Being band members we were forced to play.

Well… not all of us are in the band but we were able to qualify them. Neptune, Vert, Rom and Ram all volunteered to help the band out tonight by carrying stands and instrument cases.

The director saw fit to let them at least get into the game for free. Another benefit was they got to ride the band bus back to the school.

It's a shame that our team lost tonight but whatever. As much as it goes against my code of honor, the football team here sucks.

Dances do cheer people up after a tough loss though, as well as just bring overall joy to people. Mainly idiots who just want to get some quick pussy on the dance floor. Personally I hate people like that.

Women should be treated with utmost respect and not like a toy. Girls are gentle flowers no matter what their personality is. All must be given respect unless they are just a total bitch to you in the end.

In a way, you could say I'm going to the dance with eight people tonight. While that sounds like a dream come true for most guys it's bad.

No doubt all of them will want at least one dance with me. On top of that I will bet two of them at least will blush at the slightest thing I say. As I said before things are more unusual than they've been in three weeks.

I haven't said it before… but I'm nervous. Talking with them in school and playing an online game with them is one thing. Getting together for a practice once is in the category as well.

Even taking one of them out to lunch just to show them what the town they call home now has to offer is still on the list.

But this takes it to the next level. Sure I've gone out on an activity with all of them before. Believe me I still have the bruises to prove it. But that was just us, now people will see what we really are.

It sounds weird on account we all talk in school and sit together, but… I don't know how to describe it. I feel so weird just thinking about it, I've never felt this sensation.

Whatever it is I hope it lasts forever. I like spending time with my friends and in turn they make me feel this way. It's a warm and fizzy feeling on the inside. By now I sound like a whirlwind of emotions and can't keep a face for too long. But that's just how I role.

Anything that comes when I enter that door will happen, and I'll be prepared for whatever comes my way.

Hopefully I don't die from this, more than that though I hope that after tonight I'm still friends with them. Call it a hunch but I've got a bad feeling about this.

"Jack!"

The call Neptune gave me snaps me out of my trance. Her optimistic voice makes me forget what I was debating about in the first place. That's for the best, I could've sworn I was just eating my soul from the inside out.

"Come on dear, let's make haste and have a wonderful evening."

Vert's voice does have a calming effect I'll give it that. Now I really don't remember what I was debating about.

"Jack you dummy quit looking like that and smile."

My little friend's voice finally breaks all ties with pessimistic Jack for a while at least. Its times like this that I can truly appreciate them and how much they've broken me out of my shell.

"Alright, let's dance."

The largest smile I've made since knowing any of them is on my face. They've noticed as well and are glad to see me like this now.

Returning the smile back to me, my head turns forward and I walk through the doors to the dance area… with eight angels of mystery behind me.