Lotor

One final year of high school. It shouldn't be that bad. At least it gives me a reason not to be around my father. The classes may be slightly easy, but it was better than nothing. Year after year, Ezor does often suggest skipping class. Sometimes we do.

Actually, we were right now. All I had to do was ask to go to the nurse and grab a hall pass.

I was currently waiting outside in the courtyard, an area where no one really went to or thought to check during school hours.

Narti was the first to show up.

"Hey," I greeted her.

As usual, you're the first to show up. She signed. Are you sure the others are coming? She asked. Her head was cocked to the side and she held her bag with one hand instead of just putting it on her back, like it was made for.

"Have they ever missed a chance to skip class?" I pointed out.

Acxa does sometimes, she countered. I rolled my eyes and decided to change the subject.

I glanced at her bag. "I'm guessing you brought Kova for the first day?" As I expected, she nodded. I shook my head in disbelief. "How is he even still alive? Most cats don't live as long as he does."

She shrugged. He originally belonged to you, not me. Why would I know the answers? When she finishes signing she opens up her bag and releases Kova, who is somehow able to breathe in there as well. Does Narti just poke holes in her bag or something?

I opened my mouth to reply but that's when Ezor came.

"Hey guys, whatcha' two doing?" She asks, her usual playful smile on her face. There was a mischievous twinkle in her eyes as she strolls over.

Narti turns towards her. Not much, she signed. Where's Zethrid?

Ezor just shrugs. "She stopped real fast to shove Throk in a locker. She should be here soon."

Sure enough, just as Ezor finishes speaking, Zethrid strolls into the courtyard looking pretty triumphant. "Let me tell you, Throk is definitely going to feel that in the morning," she chuckles.

Ezor smirks at her. "What did you do?" She asks.

Zethrid's grin grows. "Bashed his head into a locker then shoved him in that locker. He might have a concussion."

Narti claps sarcastically. Then she signs, First day and you'll probably all ready get in school suspension. I couldn't help but agree with her.

"She's not wrong, Zethrid." I tell her. She rolls her eyes and turns to stare at me and crosses her arms in front of her chest.

"I don't care! I've gotten a ton of them all ready."

"That'll get you into a good college," I comment sarcastically. I realize that we're still missing one person. "Is Acxa going to show up?" I question. Zethrid shrugs.

"Don't ask me."

"She said she was going to, but it looks like she might be a no-show," Ezor answers. "It's not like her to go back on her word," she adds.

As if we had summoned her, Acxa opens the door and steps outside. "Sorry I'm late," she apologizes. She looks exhausted and her usual neat hair is a tad bit messy.

"Yikes, you look like you got run over by a bus. What happened?" Ezor asks, looking a little shocked. She eyed Acxa from head to toe and she seemed pretty confused. "Are we sure you're the same Acxa we know and not some clone?"

Acxa lets out a huff of breath. "Clones don't exist, Ezor. And... I'd rather not talk about it." She says flatly.

Narti scratches Kova behind his ear and then lifts her hands to sign. You sure?

"I'm sure," Acxa snaps. Narti looks taken back. Acxa wasn't the snappy type. Whatever happened must've really bothered her, but it didn't seem like she would be telling us anytime soon.

Ezor looks back and forth between Narti and Acxa for a few moments. "O-o-o-kay then," she says slowly. "Anyways, remember that dumb back-to-school party Altea High always does?"

I narrow my eyes at her. "And?" I question. She pauses to think for a moment.

"Well, I was thinking that we could stop by, grab a few drinks, cause some trouble, then leave."

Zethrid grins. "I like it!" She exclaims, pumping a fist into the air. "When is it?"

Ezor smiles back at her. "About a week. So are we going?"

Acxa frowns. "If we are, then I'm driving." She declares, putting a hand on her hip. Narti just shrugs and goes back to stroking Kova. Everyone else turns to me. I bite the inside of my cheek, a habit that started when I had been younger.

"Fine," I sighed. "What day is on, Saturday?"

Ezor shakes her head cheerfully. "Nope! It's next Thursday," she states. "So we'll be there?"
A Thursday seemed a little odd for a party and I wondered why it's not on a Friday, which would be more convenient. And the thought of me drinking didn't exactly make me cheerful. I considered cancelling, but Ezor and Zethrid all ready seemed too into the idea for me to just suddenly say no and burst their bubble. It felt too late to back out now.

"Yes, we'll be there. Where's it at?"

"A kid named Max is throwing it at his house since his parents are out of town," Ezor informs us.

"All right. I'm confused about one thing though," Acxa begins to say. "I thought Altea High kids' wouldn't even think to touch alcohol and you mentioned drinks."

Ezor smirks at her. "Not all of them are goody two shoes."

I walked to my house like I always do. The bus was too loud and the driver wasn't the best at his job. So, I always decided to walk. It was more quiet and I could be alone with my thoughts.

Narti, Acxa, Ezor, and Zethrid usually took the bus so normally, it was just me. I was fine with that though.

I liked to take the long way home. It meant I could be away from home for a little longer. Another thing I was fine with.

Summer was beginning to fade into fall. The air was turning more cool and the trees were starting to shed their leaves. Birds were calling out to each other followed by the occasional sound of woodpecker pecking at a tree.

I enjoyed summer, but I prefer the colder seasons like fall and winter. Fall usually wasn't freezing cold and winter had always intrigued me. I liked to see the white snow covering the world like a blanket.

Soon, I reached my house. The driveway was empty, which fortunately meant my father wasn't home. He never told me much about his job or where he goes, but I don't care. He doesn't tell me much of anything.

I walked to the porch and opened the door. The house was dark and lifeless. I sighed and switched on the light and then walked up the stairs to my room to start working on my homework.