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Human Observation Number 2: Stealing Shark's bike is an unwise and dangerous idea.

When school comes the next day, the first thing Yuma and I see is Shark, glaring at us. But then he turns around and walks away, hands in his pockets.

Ugh.
Both my arms throb. Shark decided to beat us up the previous night, and the two of us have enough bruises for a dozen people.

"My heat hurts," Yuma whines, rubbing the bandage on his forehead.

I don't say anything. My legs are so wobbly from last night's run that all I want is to sit down. I am so happy to get to my desk in the classroom.

"Class, please hand in your homework." Mr. Kay says.

Homework?

"What is homework?" I ask Yuma.

"Um, extra schoolwork you bring home with you." he replies.

If I recall correctly, the entire class received some yesterday. But I never did mine. I never had time since Yuma and I were first running from Kari and then getting beaten up by Shark.

"I'm disappointed Astral." Mr. Kay shakes his head.

"I am sorry." I repeat.

"Well, I'll let you go this one time. Promise it won't happen again."

"Promise," I agree.


"What happened to you guys?" Tori demands at lunch upon seeing our injuries.

"Well," Yuma says. "First the bathroom was flooded thanks to Astral, and Kari got really mad. We, uh, 'borrowed' Shark's bike to get away, but he wasn't exactly onboard with that so he beat the two of us up."

"Wow."

"There's a dance coming up!" Cat announces, breaking up the awkward silence. She shows us a decorated poster. "And it's girl's choice!"

…Did anybody notice the electricity between Cat's and Tori's eyes other than me?

"Have fun." Yuma says, getting up.

"What is a dance?" I ask.

"It's when boys and girls get together for a party!" Cat exclaims excitedly. "There's food and music and dancing."

"Interesting," I say.

"But Astral, you don't know the horror of it!" Yuma cuts in. "The chaperones force people who can't dance onto the dance floor! And worse yet, I think Kari's gonna be there…"

"I think I'll pass." I tell Cat.

"But it's a lot of fun! Yuma was just exaggerating!"

Two sides to the same subject. Listening to them both at the same time is making my head spin.

"Excuse me," I say, and stand up to leave.


"Um, are you Astral?"

I look up. A girl with red hair is standing over me. "Yes," I answer slowly.

"Um, I was wondering…" she looks down bashfully. "…if you wanted to go to the dance with me?"
I am completely taken aback. My face suddenly feels hot, like I've been under the sun for a while. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out at first. Before I can think straight, I mumble, "Okay."

"Great! It's a date!" the girl beams. "See you there!"

I stare after her as she skips away. What on Earth, Astral World, or Barian World have I gotten myself into?


Durbe the Barian, leggo lover 99, and Dark Mist (guest), this is for you guys! Thank you!