Gah, so sorry for not updating for 2 months and 9 days! I didn't realize that much time had passed until today really... Well, anyway, heres the chapter! And It's a lot longer then the past three chapters!
It's been three days since we were told. Three long days filled with thoughts that always became noisome. Father made us miss school, figured we'd need the time off. With the weekend we had five days total stuck at home with nothing better to do than to stare at a wall.
Mom told us to tell a few friends to help us get through it. What friends? All my so called friends are actually just acquaintances I met in class or through Thor. I do suppose Pepper is a friend, then again I still barely know her. I guess I won't tell anyone, but knowing Thor, all of his friends (so half the student body) will be informed.
She hasn't changed much, all that's really changed around the house is the fact I'm left to cook all the meals and Odin won't let her out of bed. She wants to be with the family, so whenever he isn't home mom will get up and around, cook us random things, and help us clean the house. She says it's our little secret.
Thor will generally at sports practice afterschool, currently he's generally hanging out with friends (because mom told him to do whatever he wants to with friends) so her and I are left to talk and discuss everything from the most adorable animals to politics and world issues.
Once, while talking about animals and pets she promised she would get me something, even if father said no. I laughed, pondering what she would get me. Knowing her it would be something grandiose like a tiger or a bear.
Father is never really home, seeing as how he's high up in the business world. Whenever he is home he generally keeps mom to himself. I think he realizes how much more time Thor and I get with her, so for once I understand his reasoning and actually oblige.
The Sunday before we had to go back to school Frigga went up to the school and told the principle and counselor. The teachers will be informed within the few days, and if we don't turn in our homework then they'll have to give us an extra chance. I find it funny because I almost never do my homework in the first place.
Eventually Monday morning came. I'm not looking forward to the day, then again when did I ever? Oh yeah, when the school play was Hamlet and I was in stage crew. I heard the next school play is going to be Jake's Women; naturally I look forward to it.
Thor left for school early, his friends wanted to play random sports before the day started. I stopped keeping track of the plethora of sports Thor plays. As far as I'm concerned he plays everything that dad suggests.
Why on Earth my father is so obsessed with getting us in sports I'll never know. Last time I played a sport was in elementary school. I played soccer for half a season, broke my arm because someone tripped me and I fell on it weird. Haven't really played sports since.
First period math, as usual, was a blur. I try to recall what we learned today as I walk to my art class, yet the subject seems to evade me. "Ah, my prized pupil! How've ya been Loki-boy?" Ah, yes, the ever happy and chuckling voice of my hippie teacher, Mr. Jake; Jake is his first name, we technically should be calling him Mr. Henner, but he insists on his first name, says it's for 'bonding with the kids'.
"Ah, I've been better. What about you Mr. Jake?" I ask. His smile widens as I ask. "Well, I'm entirely glad you asked!" Sometimes I think he does drugs in the parking lot before school, but then I remember the teachers get tested for drugs each quarter.
He walked over to his work space, a 3x6 ft. canvas stood on an easel with an old paint splattered sheet hung over what I hope is an actual painting this time. Last time he showed me a painting it looked like someone gave a third grader randomly assorted colors of melted crayons and asked them to chuck the melted crayon at a wall. Mr. Jake insisted 'It's a new and popular form of art! Loki-boy, you've got to stay updated on these things you know!'
"Now this is what I've been working on while you were away." He said grabbing hold of the sheet. He then pretended to do a drumroll, moments later tugging the sheet up and over the painting, revealing a scene from Arsenic and Old Lace; the scene where Teddy is coming out of the cellar proceeding to yell "CHARGE!" as he runs up the stairs with his rapier drawn, bewildered looks on Jonathan and Einstein's faces.
"So, Loki-boy, what do you think? I figured you must have felt awfully like a bowl of cow crap to have to miss several days of school, so naturally, knowing your love of theatre; I made you a painting of the only part in a play I can remember having seen!" Mr. Jake exclaimed this loudly, gaining questioning looks from the students gathered in the class room. I just smiled awkwardly as he handed me the 'gift' and sat down in my seat, naturally my seat is located in the corner farthest from the door.
Just as I began to sit the bell rang and Mr. Jake began to tell us our assignment for the day, passing out supplies. Today is a free-ish day; either paint/sketch one of the four classmates he made sit on the large table in the middle of the room, or work on using the medium we personally think we need practice with. I choose the latter option, it has more freedom.
All too soon art is over and I'm heading to acting. I'm the most anti-social person in that class, but according to my teacher I have the most passion for theatre as well as the skill and dedication it takes for acting. Naturally he generally gives me all the minor roles, to give other students a chance to improve. I don't mind it really, but sometimes I wish he would just give all the lead roles to the good actors so the scene we're doing doesn't take an extra two weeks for the actors to memorize the actions and script.
Despite my love for the subject the class is generally a bore. Listening to people who are only here for the credit try to act out a heart wrenching scene can only be so entertaining before it makes you just want to rip out your eyes and stab blades into your ears.
History and English are the only classes I have with Ms. Pepper Potts. On my way into the history classroom I hear Beatles music blaring from the T.V. The title screen read "Across the Universe" I'd seen this movie once before, why on earth Mr. Smith would ever want to show it to us was beside me.
"Loki, your back! Were you sick? I heard Thor was gone too, did you two have the same thing?" The ginger asked. I smiled slightly at her bright appearance. "Ah, no, neither of us are or were sick. Something family related came up; I'm surprised you haven't heard from someone else already." I reply taking my seat, three desks back right next to the windows, Pepper's desk being behind my own.
"Oh, you mean Thor told everyone right?" She asked. I simply nodded in response. The bell rang, teacher walking in right on cue. He explained how instead of actually doing book work to go over the Cold War we'd just watch a few movies that involve the more important aspects of the Cold War.
I have to admit, Across the Universe is a great movie for showing what was going on in the U.S. during Vietnam. Not to mention the Beatles songs incorporated throughout the movie.
I dropped Pepper a few hints here and there about the current family situation, despite her high intelligence I don't think she'll realize exactly what said situation is until someone tells her, which will likely happen very soon knowing Thor's large group of gossiping friends.
All too soon my classes with Pepper ended, having science next, which just seemed to drag on even with the slightly interesting topic of evolution and religion being discussed. Surprisingly the argument ended within twenty minutes and we were able to continue on with whatever the lesson for the day was.
Now for my only class with Thor, Electricity. When I walked into the classroom, like normal, the room was filled with laughter and smiling students. Also being normal, I was the most pessimistic person in the room.
I sat in my seat, located right next to the student aid's desk. Just as I was reaching for my notebook said aid walked into the room and sat next to me. "Hey Bambi." He greeted. I waved in reply. "You're awfully sulky this afternoon." He commented. "I guess I am." I reply.
He just fiddled about awkwardly for a few moments before addressing me again. "So, Rudolph, I heard from Steve, who I guess heard from Thor, but anyway, Steve said your mom was sick." I smiled lightly, "Yeah, cancer, its terminal." I reply not letting any emotion show on my face, hiding emotions from one's eyes is a different story; at least Tony was never too great at reading people like that.
"Well… Pep said something too, so I thought I'd talk to you or something." Ah, so Pepper had picked up on the hints, probably not till her sixth period though.
"Yeah, I slipped a few pointers in here and there while she and I talked." I reply opening to a random page in the notebook to begin a simple sketch of a fawn. Tony nodded and waved to Thor as he entered the room.
"Oh, Stark! How have you been these past few days?" My 'brother-dearest' shouted across the room. Tony chucked, mumbling "He's always like that, huh?" before yelling a reply back. I smiled lightly, ignoring the rest of their small talk as Thor took his seat a few desks away.
Soon after the teacher entered and told us to continue working on the current project. He's a very laid back teacher, only explaining the need-to-know to the whole class, then answering the questions students ask him during the work time.
Tony had already finished the project for me, he's almost done with Thor's and it's not due till the week before winter break. Sometimes I wonder why Tony even bothers doing all the work for us, I even asked him once and all he said was something about being bored, excellent reasoning for him I suppose.
As he fiddled away at Thor's project I finished the sketch of the fawn, only shading and a witty phrase to write above it left before the drawing is complete. It's a rather cartoony sketch of a fawn idly playing a pan flute.
Surprisingly enough Tony didn't ask much about the family situation throughout the rest of class. I guess he might just be waiting to ask Thor instead, seeing as how Thor wouldn't get all teary eyed and all.
Currently I'm at my locker, grabbing random sketchbooks, notebooks, and text books to rearrange between the locker and my backpack. As I put a useless math workbook back into my locker as Pepper steps up to hers, which is right beside mine, Steve following close behind her.
She began putting her own items away as she talked to Steve in a stern voice. Eventually the male let out a sigh and turned toward me. He seemed oddly uncomfortable with the situation, which is weird seeing as how nothing is really awkward or concerning.
Pepper closed her locker and cleared her throat. "Steve and Tony are having a little party, and they wanted to invite you." She said, Steve fidgeting awkwardly by her side. I laughed slightly, "By they you mean you, right?" I ask in reply. She simply nods in return.
"You don't have to come; it's whatever you want to do." Steve finally spoke. I shrugged, " Thor's going right? I suppose he'll try to drag me along anyway." I returned a slight smile to Pepper. "Well, that's great! It's tomorrow night around 7 or 8, right Steve?" Pepper turned to face him as she asked this, him nodding in response.
"See you in math tomorrow." Steve said taking his leave with a slight wave of the hand. I waved back with a generic reply of "See ya."
Soon after Steve left Pepper and I went ahead and walked to the public busing that she took home. On our way there she told me what generally happens at Tony's parties, which I already had a general idea of seeing as how he tells me about his weekends fairly often, but since the party was Steve's idea there won't be anything illegal. Apparently that's supposed to make me feel better about going to a social event.
After we said our goodbyes and Pep was on her way home, I too began my trek home. Lugging the painting Mr. Jake gave me all the way back to my humble abode was the opposite of a fun task. Naturally the second I got home I placed it in the corner of my room.
Thor hadn't gotten home yet, I think he has sports practice; then again I stopped keeping track a few weeks ago. Frigga asked how school went, so I gave her a quick rundown and continued our conversations as I tried to do a little bit of the makeup work that apparently is due tomorrow, even though I won't get much done seeing as how the second Odin steps in the door he'll make me help Thor with his work instead.
Mother said her and Odin would go Christmas shopping as soon as possible, even asking me to make a list with at least 10 things on it. I suspect she'll ask the same thing of Thor, who will forget and then end up telling them what he wants last minute as always.
Eventually night came and we all retired to our rooms, of course me having had helped Thor complete over half of his makeup work whereas I still need to finish eighty percent of my own.
As I prepared for bed I began to wonder about the event, or party I should say, that I'll mostly likely be forced, er attending of my own 'free will'. Pepper said Steve is the one actually 'throwing' the party, his mom will be in her room checking on Steve and his friends every now and again.
Only about 20 people will be there, Pepper said Tony would probably invite about 15 more, so make that about 35 people. Pepper will be there, as will Bruce Banner, those two are probably the two I will converse with the most, seeing as how Tony will be too busy 'mingling' with every girl there and Steve will probably want to be with his own closer friends.
Is Bruce one of my friends? I've never really given it much thought before, I guess he's probably the only person I know who I actually initiated the 'friendship'. I suppose he is, but he and I only have one class together currently, wait, isn't he that other quiet kid in my art class too? So maybe two classes, total. I guess he's my friend along with Pepper then, even though we rarely speak.
I have two friends, oh joy. I think that may be the largest number of friends I've ever had, naturally I chuckle at this thought.
My mind once again wonders back to the party. I've never been to a party, one that wasn't a birthday party I mean. I'm sure there will be refreshments, chips and caffeinated beverages are the most likely. Music? Probably, but at least with a parental figure being home it will be a reasonable volume, or at least I hope.
Letting out a sigh I flip off the lights and climb into bed. The only way to find out what tomorrow holds is to wake up and experience it, right?
Review and such if you fancy!
P.s. Yes I do know Steve's parents are technically dead, but I want him to have a mother at least in this story! I have my reasons -insert awesome here-.
So, since the past week-ish I no longer have a reason to procrastinate on writing this story, on the downside that means my mother passed. Now before anyone gives me a yacht full of sympathy, I just want to say I'm kind of happy she passed, shes no longer in pain and that's all that matters right? Plus she wanted her death to be a celebration, being a strong believer in Christianity she wanted everyone she knew to celebrate her passing into a better place. And guess how many people showed up to the viewing on Thursday: a little over 200 people! and the funeral had about 100 lol. Over the past week I've received more hugs then I think I'll get for the next 3 years!
Anywho, enjoy your day. c: