Part Three

Chapter Seven

The day after was a rainy spring day. After a distracted day at school, Scott found himself sitting alone in the Youth Centre, books spread out before him as his mind continued churning over what the demigod had said yesterday, the words playing in his mind. They'd been hard to forget.

"Hey Scott," said Ernie as he slid a drink onto the table.

Broken out of his daydream, Scott looked up to see Ernie standing over him, a concerned look on his face. "Thanks Ernie, but I didn't order this?"

"It looks like you could use it," Ernie replied. "Rough week?"

"Something like that."

Ernie nodded. He knew better than to ask, but figured he had to at least try. "If you need someone to talk to? I'll be over at the bar." And with a kind smile, the jovial Youth Centre manager ambled back to the counter.

"Thanks," Scott said softly. With that, he looked back to the schoolwork before him. Piled high on the left were Drew's books, with the notes Scott had made sticking out from between the pages. Scott smiled to himself, making a decision about them when he glanced up to see Drew, Artie and Emma making their way towards him. They were trying so hard to look edgy and cool, and Scott realised how out-of-place they seemed in the bright, honest colours of the Youth Centre. Emma was walking side-by-side with Drew, which meant they were best friends again. Scott couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey guys," Scott called as they approached.

"It's a great day outside, isn't it?" Drew smiled. "So Scotty, have you finished all that work yet?"

Scott hesitated, then slid the books across the table towards Drew. "Actually, Drew, I was thinking," he began. "I've got plans with my friends, later on, and I've actually got a lot on my plate right now. I think you should do your report and prac write-ups. Although I'm more than happy to proofread them once you're done."

Drew's face fell. It was as if he was unfamiliar with people saying 'no' to him. "You don't want to hang out with us anymore?" he asked quietly.

Scott stood up. "See, Drew, here's the thing," he began. "If you only want to spend time with people because you're getting something out of it? That's not a friendship. You might as well just go hire a butler or something."

Drew's gaze turned icy cold as he picked up the books. "Forget you then," he swore, then turned and stomped away, followed quickly by his friends. As they left, Scott saw Sarah, Kimberly and Tommy step inside and head for the counter. He slid his books into his backpack, content that he'd lost nothing of value, and was about to join his friends when he heard a shout.

"Scotty!" Artie called, running back across the Youth Centre. Reaching Scott, Artie grinned and clapped his hand against Scott's shoulder. "You're a cool guy Scott. I'll see you in school tomorrow." With that, he dashed away.

Grabbing his backpack, Scott made his way over to the counter and sat down beside Sarah. "What was that about?" Sarah asked.

"I think I just made a new friend," Scott replied.

"Cool," Kim smiled. "He should hang out with us sometime."

Once they'd ordered some drinks, Sarah glanced to Scott and Tommy and lowered her voice. "Teresa told me you had a fun afternoon yesterday," she said.

"It's not every day you take out a demigod," Tommy replied.

"And we still have no idea who this guy was?" Kim asked.

"I checked with Alpha this morning," Scott replied. "There's no records on this guy at all."

"That's a bit weird," Kim replied. "I mean, the Command Centre has records of everything. That's the whole point of the Command Centre. When have Alpha or Zordon ever come up blank on something before?"

"I've been thinking about that all day," Scott began. "The only thing I can think of is that, maybe he's not in there at all?"

"You think he might be new?" Tommy asked.

"Actually I was thinking the opposite," Scott said. "What if he was old? So old that even Zordon had never heard of him?"

"Well whoever he was," Sarah began, "hopefully that's the last we'll ever hear of him."

"Hear hear," Tommy nodded, and raised his cup. "I'll drink to that."

"Cheers guys," Scott smiled, and they enjoyed the smoothies together.

To be continued.