Chapter 9
The ever-popular Duo Maxwell was in a particularly good mood as he exited the sizeable five-story high school building. In spite of the school being aimed more towards the wealthy (though some middle-class students were also welcomed), it gave off the appearance of being more of a prison than a school. With scraggily vines creeping up the pale yellow brick walls, and a fence surrounding the premises, complete with barbed wire at the top and a guard always actively on duty, a prison compound is what came to mind for most whenever looked at or mentioned. It also was completely anti-Rebel, being it was literally in the center of OZ's influence.
Although Jade High was the school to go to for the residents of Jade because of academics, no one really did anything about revamping the property…or the faculty, which is a story in itself. 'As long as my children learn well, it doesn't matter how,' was what the community thought. And to think otherwise was looked down upon.
Still holding the school's door open, Duo stood at the topmost stair on the long flight of steps leading down to ultimate freedom. He took a deep breath and looked up at the beautiful blue sky. It was now a brand new era, like yesterday's terrible thunderstorm finally ending. It was a new age filled with opportunities, a new epic that is blowing every single student's mind away. It was otherwise known as a week-long vacation!
"No school! Seven days of nothing but fun, fun, fun!" With a big grin, he slammed the ill-fated doors shut behind his unsuspecting friend, hoping to catch him off-guard.
When his little plot was foiled, Duo looked at his vertically challenged schoolmate in surprise. "'Ey, Lucas! You were supposed to get hit, buddy!" Pretending to be offended, Duo poked his friend in the belly.
"Not the fat, not the fat!" Lucas cried out, raising both hands in surrender. His sea green eyes twinkled as he joked with his cohort in crime. "Maybe next time."
"Yeah, okay, whatever. Now, the million-dollar question: what shaaaall we do while we're on this rare seven-day vacation period?" Duo made a failing attempt at sounding sophisticated as he put his arm around Lucas's neck.
"Uhh…hmm…" Lucas put a pondering finger to his chin as he considered all the different prospects of amusement on a holiday. He brightened instantly. "How 'bout we go to Larry Dairy!" His eyes could have taken the shape of hearts. "I love that place. They've got the best ice cream in Jade City!"
"Lucas! We always go to Larry Dairy!" Duo complained, his arm sliding off Lucas's neck in irritation. Sighing, he began to walk down the stairs, expecting his clumsy friend to follow.
It was Lucas's turn to sigh. He stayed put. "Oh, come on! It's a great start to a great holiday!"
Turning, Duo thought for a moment. "Uhh, Lucas, what's so great about Treize Week?"
"I dunno," Lucas answered, beginning to follow Duo down the steps. "But a holiday means no school. Who cares about the reason?"
"I do!" The braided boy raised his arms, stretching overdramatically in his school uniform. "It might seem that way to you, bud, but for me, my dad's making me watch The Special."
"Huh? What's The Special?" Lucas asked with a blank stare. "Is that something you'd find on a menu?"
"Why would my dad make me watch the Food Channel?" Duo groaned theatrically, and reached the end of the stairs. He walked over to one of the large nearby trees and flopped down on the ground, leaning with his arms behind his head against the aged oak. "Come on, now, Lucas, don't you remember last time we did this?"
Lucas joined Duo, sitting down next to him. "Duo, I can barely remember what I had for breakfast, let alone last Treize Week."
"It's all Khushrenada talk. All day long. On almost every channel…" Duo's eyes sparkled mischievously, "…including Toon Time."
Lucas started up. He appeared to be confused. "Toon Time?!"
Duo nodded, knowing it would only take a while for Lucas's reasoning to kick in. He took out his cell phone and twirled it around by its little string. "Yeah, and he talks with big government words I can't even understand. I wish there were subtitles made for the politically ignorant." He stuck out his tongue, and leaned in close to whisper his next statement. "In fact, to tell ya the truth, I don't think anyone understands what that loony guy's sayin'."
Lucas shook his head when he heard the comment. "Dude, not that I'm an expert at this suit-'n-tie stuff, and not that Treize is the Queen of Hearts or anything, but I do know it'll be 'off with your head' for you if he ever finds out you said that."
"Excuse me for being a mere teenager!" Duo sniffed, playfully turning his head away and putting the phone back in his pocket.
"You're excused. Can we get some ice cream, now?"
"Gah!" Duo cried out, ignoring Lucas, his hands clutching his head. "The whole world revolves around politics; I hate politics!" Looking around, he quietly added, "Don't tell my dad I said that, though. He'd flip, and I'd fry."
"HOLD IT!" Lucas held up a shaking hand. "You mean Toon Time's off for the whole break?!" It seemed the poor guy finally got the message and let it sink in. "What am I gonna do for SEVEN WHOLE DAYS?!" He wildly stared at Duo, his eyes as wide as they would go. His lip almost seemed to be quivering.
Duo snickered at the look his friend was giving him. He knew Lucas well; the poor boy couldn't live a day without his cartoons. "You got it, pally. You just figured that out?"
Lucas looked like he was going to roll up and die. "Now I really need a cone. Larry, here I come."
Duo laughed and was almost converted to go with his friend. He lightheartedly scrunched his eyebrows together and bit his lower lip. "I don't know…"
A mysterious smile crept across Lucas's face. "Consider this payment for trying to cut off my nose with the door."
Duo gave in. "Fine."
"YES!" Lucas leaped all three inches into the air and pumped up a fist. "Victory is mine!"
"Not quite, buddy. It's gotta be on you; I got no dough," Duo said, rubbing his fingers together.
"Then go home and get some!" Lucas shouted, excited. "It's not like your dad is dirt poor or anything. He's only Treize's confidante, after all!"
Duo stood, then looked at the heavy boy, puzzled. "Hey, where'd you hear that word? What's it mean?"
"I dunno, I heard it on TV somewhere," Lucas shrugged, brushing off his generously proportioned pants and grinning to himself. "Who says television teaches you nothing?"
"Wait a minute!" Duo started. "They could've been calling my dad an idiot for all we know!"
"Speaking of your dad," Lucas said as they began to walk out of the school grounds. "Why won't he let me sleep over at your place? Is it because I like to raid fridges or something?"
"Lucas, buddy, I guess it's one of his little pet peeves," Duo answered, patting his glum friend on the back. "He's thinks my friends are 'destructive' and will wreck the house."
"Tell him I'm not destructive and I won't wreck the house! I won't even raid his fridge!" Lucas crossed his arms with annoyance. He then eyed Duo suspiciously. "Or maybe you don't want me to come over!"
"That's not it at all!" Duo exclaimed, waving his arms in the air. "I've tried to tell him my friends aren't like that, but nothing I say will change his mind. He only let's important guests (Duo made quotation marks with his fingers) stay over."
Lucas considered that for a moment, then nodded, approving. "Yeah," he snickered, "I bet he'd only listen to His Royal Imperial Magnificence!"
"Uh-huh, now whose going to get their head lopped off!" Duo countered.
Both boys laughed as they reached the school's gate and handed their identification cards to the guard by the fence.
The guard took the cards and looked them over. He smiled. "You're good. See you next week."
"Dude, don't ruin the vacation before it even starts!" Lucas cried, covering his ears as if he just heard blasphemy.
The guard laughed and waved them through.
Shrugging, Lucas rubbed his belly. "Come ON, Duo, let's hurry up! All this school talk is making me hungry."
"Uh…Luc'…you're always hungry."
"Be quiet and walk," Lucas commanded with a grin. "I'll meet ya at the stand with a Double Chocolate Cow Pie Cone in one hand and a Treize Cone in the other."
"You just like the Treize Cone because of the gum ball for his eye!" yelled Duo good-humoredly, shaking his fist at his friend as he marched away.
