The hot blinding light scorches her skin till she feels nothing.
"It's your turn now."
Burning brightly it completely engulfs her. There is no fear, no doubt, no pain.
"Wait...you're..."
Cackling murderously, the bright burning inferno clouds her view. Where is she? What is she?
"I don't know anymore..."
GASP!
Eyes bulging out of their sockets, with shallow breathes and drenched in sweat from head to toe Kagami awoke from her nightmare. She clutches her chest.
BADUMPBADUMBADUMBADUM
She gawks at her shaking hand attempting to calm her disorientated vision.
'It was just a dream, just a dream.' a mantra to relax her beating heart.
Kagami observes her surroundings, bringing her mind back to reality. That should ground herself.
'This isn't a nightmare. I'm in my room, in my house, with Shujin and Ojii-san. That's right. They're there.'
Hand still over her chest, her heart returns to it's normal rhythm. Fully down from her scare, Kagami registers the bright light from the screen currently blinding her vision. Piecing all the pieces together the girl slumps to her seat with a groan. She must've fallen asleep while working on her project.
Her project she should be working on with Toby.
"Ugh..." If she had to choose she'd rather go back to her nightmare then even think about her assignment. She twists herself towards her bed, it's 2am in the morning and she of all people knows how important good sleep is. Shujin went off a tangent about this once and oh boy, was that a lecture she was not prepared for or ever wanted to experience for a second round.
But something catches her eye. A note, lying beside her Gorm book on her desk. Kagami's eyebrows furrow at the site.
'Okasan...'
Kagami faces the bed then back at the glimmering computer screen. She couldn't slack off. This is Ms McGuck we're talking about and her presentation has to be absolutely phenomenal. Yet she's been working on this all afternoon and very much rather go to sleep. Kagami clenches her fists. If only she hadn't have to do this ruddy assignment. If only her perfect A strike didn't exist. If only...
But she can't it. She'd be letting everyone down. Her family, the whole student body.
Nick.
She's the queen of the school after all. She can never let that go. If only...
"Sorry Shujin..." She twists herself back to her compter and scoots closer, typing away till the sunlight kisses her skin.
9am with Ms McGuck and an assignment due means one thing.
Utter chaos.
The students that were present, which is most of class, have split off with their project partners. Even now, 9 bloody am in the morning, the students work on their assignment that wasn't even due in a week. Kemi silently sobs in the background whilst Miki tries her darnest to cheer the girl up. Chris sips on his fifth cup of coffee - everyone could tell it was his fifth, the cups lying beside his desk were a dead giveaway - rapidly tapping his foot as he switches to another page in his biology book. Justin, gawking at his partner shakes his head. "We're so screwed."
Joddie consoles a rocking Abel. Their partners are MIA and Abel sensing the weight of the assignment upon his head couldn't help but panic. Of course Haleigh and Dimitri argue like they're in a jersey shore episode. And let me tell you, they're loud af. Not helping Abel's case one bit.
Ike Pickney lays back on his seat, legs stretched out, observing the chaos. His partner, Matt Thompson hadn't arrived yet. Even if he did show up early, they wouldn't be frantically working on their assignment like the rest of the class. For once they've actually worked their butts of during the weekend ad mist playing video games at the Pickney household. However, through bonding with each other they've both come to the decision that there is no way in hell they're getting a good grade even if they put their all into it. So they've admitted defeat and agreed to wing it on the day. It's not like Ike's parents care about his grades in the first place. So overall he's in a good place.
A site to be seen, the only pair not to go bat-shit insane, Lucas and Gina sit next to each other on Gina's side of the class. Jessica sits behind them swiping away at her phone. No site of Kagami or the Tripp brothers. The events of Friday evening forever embedded in her memory.
After Toby passed out the paramedics arrived to take him to the Venture Falls National Hospital. Jessica insisted, no forced them to take her with them. Of course, Mark urged he'd come too. He's Toby's 'friend' after all and he couldn't leave him alone. It was crazy but the brunette couldn't shake off the feeling that this was all his fault.
Once they arrived at the hospital, Jessica gave the nursing staff Mr and Mrs Tripp's contact details and that was the last she spoke that night. She stayed by Toby's bedside, watching him in silence as the nurses monitored his health. Mark sat at the opposite end before getting fed up of the whole silent treatment and walked out for some fresh air. Jessica could only stare as he walked out of the room, guilt overriding her over the events of that evening. Maybe if she had handled it better none of them would be in this mess. Eventually Toby woke up, dazed and confused mind you. Jessica's heart stopped. Toby was okay. Before Jessica could speak the prankster blonde was bombarded with questions from the nurses.
"What is your name?"
The blonde squints his eyes, adjusting to the bright lights. "...Toby?"
"What day is it? Do you know where you are?"
"...F-friday. And I'm on a hospital bed?"
"Thank goodness!" Jessica jumped at the jokester, embracing him in a tight hug.
"Jessica?" Toby froze at first still dazed and figuring out why was he in a damn hospital bed. But thinking too hard made his brain throb so he relented and accepted Jessica's hug.
They stayed like that till Mark burst into the room upon hearing of Toby's reawaken. The brunette was starstruck at the scene. The boys make eye contact and there and then the memories start flooding back to Toby.
Jessica broke the hug upon noticing Mark. The brunette scratched his head, gawking at his feet. Jessica crossed her arms, her gaze wander across the room making sure to dodge Mark. The nervous atmosphere got to Toby as he too had a glum look on his face. Thankfully Mr and Ms Tripp arrived to break the weird tension.
They both flock to the boy, Ms Tripp in the mist of tears hugging her son for dear life. Mark and Jessica had to be excused as the doctors needed to discuss privately with the Tripps. Mostly consisted of talk about Toby's medical records and what could've brought on the seisure.
Afterwards at the peak of 2am, Toby was discharged and they were all allowed to go home. Mark and Jessica had to hitch a ride with the Tripps though, which brought on a lot more awkwardness to it. For one, Toby sat in the middle, pretty much acting as a wall between Jessica and Mark, not that they minded anyways. However when Mr. Tripp brought up Toby skipping classes (Nick did in fact snitch) that opened a whole can of worms. Let's just say Toby learned his lesson and leave it at that.
Speaking of the jokester, Toby enters the classroom with Nick in tow.
"I'm telling you Nick, it wasn't my fault -" Toby stops as the class all stare at him. The topic of assignments immediately dissipates, instead talk of the mall incident penetrates the room. You got to admit, the media is fast.
"Isn't Toby the one that had a seisure? You know, when everything went crazy at the mall?" Jackson whispers leaning into Sam.
"Wait was that kid on the news Toby?" Sky inquires to her partner.
"Well, they didn't say it was Toby but there are rumours that it was him."
"Yeah apparently he was with Mark and Jessica.."
"I mean, it is unusual for Toby to be in class."
Ike rolls his eyes. It's already enough that Paula's obsessed with the Tripps but now the whole student body is too. Moreover, over some stupid rumours. Paula isn't letting this one go that's for sure.
Toby ignoring the class makes a bee line to Jessica. The girl could only sigh, already fortelling what this was all about.
Toby slams his hands on her desk, startling Lucas and Gina. "Guys, we need a group meeting ASAP."
Gina cocks her head in confusion. "A group meeting?"
"This doesn't include you Gina. It's...private."
Gina scoffs. She pauses, blinking a few times in shock. So, she's going to be excluded again huh? The same as 4 years ago. The girl stands from her seat ready to take her leave. "Well, since I'm clearly not wanted, let me excuse myself." The girl hops from her seat, slides off her desk and strides out of the classroom.
"Gina! Wait up!" Jessica calls out to the girl but she's long gone.
Lucas glowers at Toby, "Dude?"
"What? This is Gorm related." Toby says putting emphasise on Gorm.
Jessica sighs and shakes her head. "Toby, this has nothing to do with Gorm. You just lost control of your powers and caused a huge mess!"
Nick interrupts Jessica, hand on chin in thought. "Toby does have a point. None of us are capable of doing something like that in our normal forms."
"Thank you Nick!" Toby throws his hands to the sky in relief. Finally someone on his side. He would've kissed Nick if he wasn't his brother. That would be weird. You know what? Forget I wrote that.
Ms McGuck enters the classroom. One look silences the students. They scurry to their proper seats.
"We're definitely continuing this discussion after class!" The group disperses. Toby flops to his seat behind Jessica and other two boys returning to the opposite end of the classroom.
Gina marches back into the room with a scowl plastered her face. Behind her comes along Kagami. Despite her make up you could still make out the bags under her eyes. A for effort at least. Ambling towards her seat, said eyes make brief contact with Toby's. Kagami squints at him before twisting her head to the opposite direction, not giving him her time of day. Toby shrugs. Nick peers at the two biting his lip in concern.
Before Ms. McGuck commences the lesson she glances at Toby expecting an empty seat. "Ah, it's nice to see you've finally decided to attend my class."
"Well, I started getting biology withdrawals and I just needed to see my favourite teacher again. I couldn't bear it miss!" Quiet chuckles erupt in the classroom. Kagami rolls her eyes. Of course she had to be paired up with the epitome of spewing excuses.
Ms Mc Guck adjusts her glasses. "Well I'll see that you'll be accustomed to joining me after school for detention . That way, we'll have plenty of time together."
Toby's face drops. Chuckles surround the classroom once more. Even Kagami had to join in. Justice served.
"Moving on..."
Kagami struggled to retain her attention . She didn't get a wink of sleep last night and hiding her tiredness from Shujin wasn't an easy task. From her rear view,she spots Chris Mc Clain. He's falling asleep, drooling all over his biology book. Poor Chris. Moreover, Kagami spots the coffee cups surrounding his desk. Praise the creators Kagami inherited her dislike for coffee from her grandfather. She would've done the same as Chris if it wasn't for her sensitive taste buds.
"About the assignment..."
Now that heightens Kagami's senses by 1000%. The class is dead silence, only Kemi's gulp could be heard.
"Now I'm aware that some of y'all might not be pulling your weight."
'coughTobycough' Kagami says in her mind. She would've said it out loud but it'd be rude and she didn't need any enemies in her life.
"So to rectify this, I've set up new guidelines."
There goes Kagami's 'don't get in my way' comment. One way or another she'll have to work with Toby to get an A. Now getting Toby to cooperate, she didn't want to admit but she might need to call in backup. And that backup might be Nick.
"Both parties will have to hand up a one page essay on the work both of y'all contributed to the assignment. If y'all fail to do so, or if I suspect anything untruthful business or lack of cooperation, both will get an immediate fail."
"WHAT?" Kagami yells. Nick was right. Ms. Mc Guck is a tenacious bit of evil.
"Kagami! Toby, I'd expect but you? I'd never thought of you being the type to cause a scene."
Toby scoffs at the lowkey shade thrown at him.
"S-sorry Miss..." Kagami slumps back onto her seat. She rests her head on her hand, masking the tears threatening to burst out. She's such an idiot! Of course she had to make a scene in class. What would her mother say? Moreover getting compared to Toby. What an embarrassment! She should've known Ms McGuck would pull something like this. But she wanted to take the easy road. All her hard work, restless nights and this insomnia just so she has to start over from scratch! Kagami wanted to quit, to swear up and down at the teacher, flip a table. Cause an even more extravagant scene, like a volcano ready to implode. But she couldn't.
4.44pm
Nick and Lucas crouch on the cold floor of the school halls. It's lunch and Toby texted them in their group chat . "Gorm meeting at 4.20 . Jessica you better be there." No surprise but Jessica wouldn't be attending their pseudo-meeting. Nick had received a text from the girl not long after morning classes ended.
"Sorry I won't be there Nick. Mark texted me and I really need to talk to him. I'll stop by your house to work on our assignment. - Jessica"
Explaining this to Toby, now that would be an interesting conversation. It's well known amongst Nick and Lucas that Toby isn't fond of Jessica and Mark's relationship. Ever since they started dating Jessica spends more time with Mark and co then with them. Nick isn't going to lie himself, he is somewhat hurt but there's no controlling Jessica. As the saying goes, 'she's an independent woman and she can do whatever the fuck she wants'. Now speaking of Toby, the one who called the meeting in the first place, is no where to be seen since biology and Nick has a sneaking suspicion it had something to do with Kagami. Nick sighs.
Lucas takes another bite of his burrito while eyeing his friend, who's still deep in thought. No doubt about it, he's thinking about Kagami again. Seeing Nick worry, Lucas digs into his backpack and pull out another burrito hoping to cheer his friend up. He probs Nick to take it, leaning it closer to the teen's nostrils before pulling away. "Hmm? Hmmmmm?"
The bespeckled teen gives his friend a faint smile before politely declining the offer. "Sorry Lucas, not hungry."
Lucas shrugs his shoulders. He tried. "More for me." He takes another large bite, savouring the sweet chilli sauce. "Now this is finger-licking good." He bits into his burrito again. "You're missing out Nick."
"Do people even say finger-licking anymore?" Nick asks.
"Says the guy that makes up words on the spot."
Nick pauses. "Good point."
Even if his stomach desires so, Nick wasn't in the mood for burritos. If it wasn't for his weak digestive system he would've taken it. However if Lucas really yearns for Nick to take a burrito he's doing himself a disservice given how he's devouring his burrito like it's his last meal. Nick gets it. They're tasty. You don't need to go that hard.
Anyways Nick's mind is too busy thinking about Kagami to focus on food. Specifically, on class this morning. She did a good job but he could still make out the dark circles under her eyes. Moreover, the way she reacted to Ms Mc Guck's new guidelines. She was definitely mid-tears. She may not demand it but Nick's absolutely going to square Toby up on this one. There is no way in hell Toby is going to ruin Kagami's perfect A strike. Nick swears on his soul, he'll do everything in his power to prevent that and if it means making Toby's life a living hell for the next two weeks then damn well he'll do that. He knows what it feels like not to be perfect and he won't let Toby ruin that.
For her sake and for his.
Nick curls his fist into a ball. Just the thought of Kagami getting anything other than an A, he couldn't fathom it. It's impossible, unthinkable, un-anything! He..he couldn't -
"Nick, you okay?" Lucas jerks Nick's shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Yeah...I'm good." Nick unclenches his fist, attempting to sooth his mind. He needs to think of something else other than Kagami, or Toby, or whatever the heck is going on. Maybe he should've taken the burrito
Lucas pats Nick's shoulder to gain his attention. "Hey, Kagami at 12'o clock."
Wonderful. Absolutely-extrodinarily wonderful. Using Kagami to stop thinking about Kagami. Now that's a juxtaposition.
The girl leans on one of the lockers. As if her day couldn't get any worse. After biology with Ms McGuck the girl planned to make a beeline to Toby but the prankster beat her to it and left class in a hurry. She hasn't seen him since. One thing's for certain. He's definitely avoiding her. What is she suppose to do? She practically ran around the entire campus looking for him. Unable to stand anymore due to the mental and physical fatigue she collapses to the floor, back hunched, cradling her head as if she has a headache. What if he wasn't even on the school grounds? What is she suppose to do? Complain to Ms McGuck? Kagami sneers at the thought. Ms McGuck wouldn't do anything to help, even for her, the perfect student.
Kagami sighs until she spots Nick and Lucas. Pulling a 180, she straightens her posture and she skips over to them. If anyone knows where Toby is, it's them.
"Hey guys!" she says amicably but there is a tinge of airiness to her voice.
"Hey/What's up!"
Kagami kneels beside them, hand on her heart trying to regain her breath. "Have you seen Toby?" Her eyes glisten with hope.
"Nope./Nada."
Kagami slouches onto the nearby door in defeat.
"You okay? You're all sweaty and out of breath." Lucas prompts. Nick nudges him on the back. "Hey!"
Nick gives him the 'don't say that' face. Geez Lucas can be such a dunce sometimes.
Now in these circumstances Kagami would usually say yes. But she's tired, desperate and bitter. Would she regret this? Probably, but her thinking brain's dying and she needs to vent. "No, not at all! I've been running around the school trying to find Toby. I've texted him and called him a dozen times too but no reply! It's like he's avoiding me."
"Don't worry Kagami, we'll help you out as best as we can." Nick says.
Lucas squints his eyes, getting a better look at Kagami's complexion. "Yeah, about that, have you been sleeping well lately?"
"Huh?"
People might think Lucas is dense as a walnut but he can be pretty observant sometimes. They all noticed the bags under her eyes and she looks more thinner than usual too. Kagami really needs a one and one talk though Lucas isn't sure he's the right person for the job. Nick's close to her but given Nick's more logical approach Lucas doubts he'd help much but he's gotta try. "Your eyes. You have bags under your eyes and you look really pale too. Do you need me to take you to the nurse or -"
"NO! No.. I'm...I'm fine." Kagami's heart stops. Damn, she let her guard down! She stiffens and turns away from the boys. "Look, I have to go but if you see Toby can you call me?"
Nick nods his head but Lucas isn't done pressing Kagami. Maybe he should ask Jessica to butt in. She is a girl after all, girls know these things better than he does and Kagami might be more comfortable confiding in Jessica than with him. But there's this side of him, tough-love Lucas, that couldn't back down. So as she's about to leave Lucas grabs her hand, not only startling Kagami but Nick as well. "Kagami, you know if you have a problem or anything you can come to us to talk. We're here for you."
"Lucas...uh..." She wanted to tell him. To confide in him. To lash out. Cry.
"Thank you." but she couldn't.
Right before she can leave again, Lucas gently pulls her back. What now?
"Lucas!" Nick whispers to the teen while nudging him albeit harder than before. It's already enough that there's tension between Kagami and Toby but with Lucas too? Nick couldn't deal with that.
"At least have this before you go." Lucas offers her his second burrito. "You haven't had lunch yet have you? You can't go on with an empty stomach."
Kagami would've declined but she knows if she did Lucas wouldn't let her go and she's already done with the awkward situation. Gosh, why did he have to go all Shujin on her?
She takes it. "Are you sure?"
Lucas nods his head and releases her hand.
"Thank you..again." She gives a rigid smile before running off.
Making sure Kagami's out of view Nick smacks Lucas' head.
"OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"
"Lucas?! You made her uncomfortable!"
"What? Something's up with her and it's definitely not about Toby!"
"It's about damn time some trouble doesn't involve me!"
Nick and Lucas yell and cuddle each other in distress. Their eyes trail to the source of the voice. Toby. He's head is poking out from the door nearby.
"Were you spying on us?" Nick accuses. Seriously not cool.
"I wouldn't call it spying. More like a happenstance?"
Nick and Lucas give Toby the side eye. Toby rolls his eyes then shrugs. He signals the boys to enter the empty classroom with a wave of a hand. Said boys glance at each other then at Toby before shrugging simultaneously and doing had Toby asked. Both were still pissed though, but if they listen to Toby they might be able to help Kagami. Once the boys have enter the blonde peaks out the door once more before shutting the door with a loud bang.
"You do know Kagami's looking for you?" Lucas proposes. More of a statement rather than a question.
Toby ignores him, dodging the question , striding his way to the podium. "Never mind that, where's Jess?"
"Never mind? Toby, she's losing sleep over this!" Nick walks up to the podium, poking Toby's chest with each word annunciated.
"Don't worry bro, I'll deal with that later we have more pressing matters to attend to." Toby places a hand on Nick to reassure him. Too bad, Nick's not letting go of the topic. He crosses his arms and grimaces.
"Toby."
Toby couldn't give a damn about the assignment. It's already enough that he has detention with the wicked witch of the south, but somethings going on in Gorm and nobody's doing anything about it. Yeah, did use his powers when he shouldn't have? Absolutely, he'll admit to that but that craziness that went down at the mall wasn't entirely his fault and convincing his friends is proving a complicated challenge. Yeah, he'll tell some white lies here and there but right now he's serious.
"Look, Nick, after this I promise I'll work on the assignment with Kagami."
Nick still not relenting continues to push Toby. "Not just work on it, you gotta promise to put your all into this! You gotta work harder than you've ever before. It has to be fantastic, absolute spotless, the best it can possibly be, the most -"
"Okay Nick, he gets the point." Lucas butts in, creating distance between the brothers. "Toby, we'll hear you out, just promise you won't slack off."
Toby places one hand on his chest and his raises his right hand, as if taking an oath. "I, Toby Tripp solemnly swear not to slack off and make sure Nick's girlfriend gets the grade she deserves."
A chuckle escapes Lucas' lips and eventually both him and Toby succumb to a laughing fit. Nick, fuming inside, adjusts his glasses and frowns. "Hey, that wasn't funny! And she's not my girlfriend!"
Lucas and Toby continue to laugh at the seething Nick until their laughter dies down.
Yes, Nick and Kagami spend a lot of time together but that doesn't translate to them being in love with each other. Why can't a guy and girl hang out and not instantly be mistaken as a couple? Nick isn't blind. He won't hesitate to say that Kagami is indeed physically attractive and it's a privilege to even hang out alone together. Nonetheless, suppose Nick is head over heels for her, she's way out of his league anyways. He doesn't stand a chance.
"Okay, okay, sorry little bro. I'm serious now, I promise not to slack off."
Nick, still pissed, pouts. Lucas butts in to ease the tension. Toby wants to talk, he isn't innocent but he'll at least give him that. "Come on Nick, he promised."
The bespeckled teen finally relents and sighs. "Fine. I'll hear you out."
Toby pumps his fist to the sky. "YES!" Step one completed, except for one thing. "Wait, where's Jessica?"
Lucas and Nick perch on one of the front desks near the podium. Nick whips out his phone before replying to Toby. "She's with Mark. Said she had something important to do."
"More important than this?"
"Apparently."
Toby rolls his eyes. He specifically told Jessica to come and lo and behold she's off with her boy toy . The blonde can just imagine it. Her and Mark, making out in some random secluded corner of the school all cuddled up together in a firm embrace -her hands relishing his abdomen, his on her hips. That nasty pervert would stick his disgusting tongue down her throat too. Explore her all over. Thinking about it made the blonde near vomit. Toby made a mental note to stop watching those late night rom-coms with his mom. Not good for his imagination at all.
Toby smacks his head repeatedly. The last thing he needs is a mental image of Mark and Jessica doing...stuff. Nick and Lucas stare at him in confusion.
"Whatever, since the lady isn't here to join us, us boys will have to continue without her." Toby reaches out to his bag and pulls out a potted plant and one of his dad's lawn gnomes. The face on that thing sends shivers down his spine. Whatever happens to it, his dad would thank him for it.
"Toby what are you planning? And why do you have dad's creepy lawn gnome?" Nick probes, a little hesitant to know what Toby's scheming.
"You see I've been thinking about it. When I tried to use my powers to knock Mark's drink down everything went crazy right? So if you guys try to use your powers too then the same will happen then you'll believe me and we can gate to Gorm." Toby smirks, proud of coming up with a simplistic but brilliant plan.
Lucas speaks up. "So, you admit what happened in the mall was your fault? And you tried to sabotage Jessica's date with Mark."
Toby flinches. He hoped they wouldn't have brought that up but Toby has no one but himself to blame. "Yes I did try to use my powers for...unconvenient circumstances but you guys have to believe me! I didn't try to flood the mall!"
Nick has to admit, Toby did come up with a good hypothesis for once. At least Toby isn't a brunt but he should put that working brain of his into his assignment with Kagami. Yet Nick couldn't help but notice a big fat flaw in Toby's plan. "So, say your hypothesis is true -"
"Which it will be!" Toby adds.
Nick clears his throat before continuing, " Like I said if it's true and I end up causing some...sort of earthquake let's say."
Toby nods his head in agreement. Step two of his plans are in full motion, convincing Nick and Lucas. Once this meeting is done and dusted they'll be on their way to Gorm. Except there's one hassle, Jessica. However, with Nick and Lucas on his side they'll convince Jessica to tag along. It'll be 3 against 1, she can't back down even if she wanted to.
"I'd be putting the entire school in danger!"
"Yep!" Toby nods his head once more before processing what Nick said. "Oh." His expression changes to a frown once he realises the flaw to his plan. "Ooooooh."
"Yeeaaaaah."
There goes step two. But before all hope is lost to Toby, Lucas steps up to the potted plant.
"Lucas?" Nick calls out.
Did Lucas tune out or did Toby bribe Lucas with something behind his back? "Please don't tell me you're going to do what I think you're going to do?"
Lucas shrugs at Nick. "Hey relax Nick! We've dealt with worse stuff that this."
"What he said." Toby includes regaining his energy. Toby not helping.
Lucas swings his arm around Nick's shoulder, dragging him towards the creepy lawn gnome. Nick eyes the little guy in concern. His brother and his best friend are asking him to commit property damage. Nobody would know but still, the fact that somebody would potentially get hurt because of him isn't too comforting.
"Come on Nick! If anything crazy happens we'll gate to Gorm right away and fix this. Like old times."
Nick sighs. Toby and Lucas do have a point. They have faced worser stuff and even if thing don't seem to work it they always found a way out of it. All four of them that is. However, this time Nick isn't so sure things were going to be like old times. "Who wants to go first then?"
"I'll do it." Lucas volunteers. "I doubt my vines will do much damage anyways. That's gotta ease your worries Nick."
Nick grunts. Lucas steps up to the potted plant. The little seedling is mid growth, it hadn't fully bloomed yet. Lucas isn't all about messing with the natural cycle of life and death but accelerating the growth of a small seedling won't be too bad. Since it had been stashed in Toby's bag for god knows how long, it'll need all the help it can get.
Lucas closes his eyes in concentration. Hands outstretched, he attempts to communicate with the plant. 'It's alright now, Lucas got your back.'
The brothers gawk at the scene. A site to behold, it was like those time-lapse videos except actually happening in the flesh. The stem branches out slowly but swiftly, growing and growing till it stops midway. Smaller stems branch out from the larger stem. From the nape of the main stem, the bud, the actual flower of the plant spurts out. Individual petals unweld from each other revealing the curved shape of the soft sundown of the flower.
Lucas drops his hands to his side. The brothers rush to their friend. If the events of the mall is going to repeat itself, at least Toby has an inkling of what to do in case Lucas starts spazzing out.
Instead, to the brothers' surprise they found their friend with tear stained eyes.
"Lucas what's wrong? Are you hurt?" Toby asks.
"You need us to take you to the nurse?"
The boy continues to sob till staggering the brothers as he grabs the plant, hugging it close to his chest. "How could you?!"
Toby blinks. "Wha?"
"He told me. He told me what you did Toby. You could've killed him!"
Now that was unexpected. Toby was awaiting Lucas writhing in pain (which kinda sounds twisted since Lucas is his friend and all) not to be berated once again for something he did. Honestly this time Toby didn't fathom what the hell he did to attempt murder on a plant. However, it is Lucas and it's apparent Lucas has a certain fascination with plants. Whatever Toby did it's probably be something minimal.
Nick takes the sobbing Lucas to the back of the class. "It's okay buddy, the plant's safe."
Lucas ignoring Nick continues chatting the flower. "Your coming home with me. I won't let Toby hurt you again."
Okay, so step two didn't go according to plan and Lucas, one of Toby's most greatest allies is off on Jessica's side. There's still Nick.
Nick, seemingly catching on to Toby's plan crosses his arms. "No."
"Come on Nick. You haven't tried using your powers yet."
"I've already seen what I needed to see."
Toby gets on his knees, hugging his brother as if it he's hanging off a cliff. Thank the orbs they were in a secluded classroom, Toby wouldn't be caught dead doing this in public.
"Please Nick! As your brother?"
Nick face palms. Now he understands how Jessica feels. Regardless if her meeting Mark was a hoax to get out of this pseudo-meeting or not, Nick made a mental note to pull a Jessica whenever Toby calls for another one of these conventions.
Toby finally lets go of Nick, rushing to the gnome and back to Nick, kneeing again. "For Dad?" the blonde says raising the creepy gnome to his face.
'What would Jessica do?' Nick thinks to himself. She'd probably do it to get it over with. Given that nothing happened when Lucas (whose currently still sobbing over his plant.) used his powers, Nick's a-okay to use his. He doesn't have total control over them but there is one thing he can agree on with his brother. That lawn gnome's got to go.
"Fine." Toby places the gnome on a desk and steps aside to let Nick do his thing. Nick emulates Lucas' stance, eyes closed and hands outstretched. The nature-loving teen ends his sobbing session to observe Nick. Even if nothing happened when Lucas tried to use his powers the same can't be said for Nick. He clenches the plant tighter. In case anything occurs, he won't let his plant, George XIII, fall to danger.
The gnome levitates midair. Toby clasps his hands, praying for something to happen. This is his only chance to get to Gorm. There is no convincing his friends afterwards. Please anyone just have something happen.
The door unlocks from the outside. The boys freeze. Nick breaks concentration, dropping the gnome in the processes with a loud smash.
"Umm...is everything okay?" It's Kagami.
The boys assemble to the broken pieces of the lawn gnome, hiding whatever they were doing from Kagami.
Nick breaks out into an awkward laugh. "Everything's fine. We're just ya know...-"
"Chilling! Us boys...chilling...in an empty classroom...together." Lucas adds.
Kagami beams at boys awkwardly. They were definitely doing something...weird in the classroom but she isn't there to find out what, nor is she curious to. She casts her gaze to Toby. "Yeah about that...Toby..."
The assignment. The blonde forgot all about it. How the hell did Kagami find him? Now that he thinks about it Nick was on his phone earlier. He didn't -
Nick interrupts Toby's thoughts. "Since the both of you are here you can work on your assignment! Excuse me and Lucas here." with that Nick drags a befuddled Lucas out of the class room.
"Wait! Nick?" Toby calls out. That traitor!
Before the blonde could do anything (like there's anything he could do in the first place) Nick and Lucas had already left. Kagami set down her bag and pulls out a few books she'd pick up from the library. "Where should we begin?" she says with a murderous smile.
Toby slumps to a nearby seat. This is going to be a long lunch break.
'Hey Jessica. Can we meet by the persimmon tree at lunch? I think we need to talk.'
Send.
Mark slumps to the nearest tree stump. This was all Serena's doing. The girl did have sharp eyes. She had caught him alone by the cafeteria and with her womanly senses she knew something was up between him and Jessica. Mark's plan had been to avoid Jessica till she calmed down. No doubt about it, she must've been fuming. That was the excuse he gave to Serena. However, Serena wasn't having it and practically threatened Mark to text Jessica that instant or she'd lock them both in the janitor's closet. How she'd go about this? Mark didn't have a clue but Serena does have some tricks up her sleeves. So here he is, by the persimmon tree waiting for Jessica practically shitting himself.
Now the real reason he had been avoiding Jessica? He wouldn't tell a soul. Yet he has to tell Jessica. That's what relationships are all about. At least that's what his mother told him.
Something had been bothering him since that accident in the arcade. Jessica has been Toby's friend since God knows how long. Mark wouldn't be surprised if it was since birth. Regardless they've been friends for a long time. Yet Mark couldn't shake the feeling that there may be more their relationship. For one, Jessica isn't loony but everyone knows you don't violently shake a poor man with a seisure. Also, the hug at the hospital. Would Jessica... cheat on him? No. She would never do that. Mark almost slapped himself silly for even thinking of a possibility of Jessica doing such a thing. Plus, it was just a hug. Friends hug each other all the time. However, the feeling of Jessica hiding something from him still lingers. Whatever it is, Mark is determined to find out.
Out of the corner of his eye he spots Jessica . He jerks to his feet, tiding himself wanting to look decent for his girlfriend. Hopefully she'll stay as his girlfriend after their conversation. Serena's womanly senses never failed him before.
Finally, the couple are at arms length of each other, wary of keeping their distance. For some reason, either it's cause he didn't go to the bathroom or the nervousness building up, Mark really needs to take a huge dump.
"Mark." Jessica says dryly. That doesn't help the butterflies in his stomach.
"Jessica."
"..."
"..."
Queue awkward silence.
Mark mentally face-palms. Not a good start at all.
Jessica breaks the silence, "About last Friday..." Mark's heart comes to a halt. Is it hot? Of course it's hot, the sun's up in the sky and oh yeah, focus. Jessica's about to say something.
"I'm sorry."
Now that is unexpected. Mark was sure Jessica was still enraged over the events of Friday evening . Apparently she had the entire weekend to calm down. The weight of the world scurries off Mark's shoulders.
"I shouldn't have acted the way I did. It's just...I don't know, I just lost my temper and everything went crazy and -"
Mark cuts off Jessica with a hug. Jessica relaxes and accepts the jester. They stay like this for a while till Mark speaks up. "Jessica I should be the one apologising. You were right. We should've left from the start."
"Mark..." Jessica tightens the hug. "Does that mean we can go back to the way things used to be?"
"Yeah. I'm kinda sick of the weird silence."
Jessica chuckles. Everything's good again right?
No.
Something's going on between her and Toby, his gut's telling him so. Mark knows in his heart that things would not go back to being normal until that aching feeling in his stomach goes away. For that to happen he must confront Jessica. If he doesn't their relationship couldn't continue. Relationships can't be built on mistrust, his mother once told him.
So he breaks the hug. "Sorry."
Jessica stares at him bewildered. "Mark, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry Jessica, things can't go back to normal. Not yet."
Jessica couldn't help but freeze in a state of disbelief. Didn't they patch their relationship? Not yet!? What does Mark mean by 'not yet'? What could be troubling him? She ranks her brain, attempting to find anything, something that might be distressing him. Last Friday, the mall. Her eyes shoot open with an epiphany.
"Toby. It's Toby, isn't it?"
Mark combs his hair . "I'm sorry Jess, I just gotta know."
The girl didn't want to play dumb. She knows exactly what's worrying Mark. Curse her smart brain! Toby constantly appearing out of nowhere, annoying her, playing pranks on her. He's an annoying mosquito that won't go away. To every guy, that must mean one thing.
"You think...something's going on between me and Toby?"
Mark nods.
"Romantically?"
Mark nods again.
Jessica sighs. If they were dating 6 years ago and he asked this question, Jessica'd be rolling in the grass laughing into cardiac arrest. But no. Sadly, she isn't living in that reality and he had to ask her now. No point in lying to Mark, she may lose her temper here and there but she isn't a liar. Especially with her boyfriend.
"You really want the truth?"
Mark nods, AGAIN. (a/n Jesus Christ stop nodding!)
"Right now, I only like you Mark but..."
"But what?" Mark repeats.
Time to get it out Jessica. "4 years ago...I might've had a slight crush on Toby?"
Jessica flinches. She never told Mark, or anyone, about her pseudo-crush on Toby. Yeah, it's weird and even she's surprised those feeling came to fruition but after Supreme Luminous disappeared Toby and her had time to bond with each other. Without Nick or Lucas. Alot. However, after 5 long years of stagnation in their relationship, her feeling just kinda disappeared? Afterwards Mark came along, now all Toby is to her is a friend. Just a friend. Forever a friend. Just friends.
"O-kay..."
Jessica un flinches. "Okay?"
"Yeah?"
"You're not mad?"
Mark scratches his head. "I mean, you don't like Toby in that way anymore, right?"
"Yeah, we're just friends."
"Just friends?"
An idea pops into Jessica's head. "If we weren't just friends would I do this?"
Thus, Mark is met with a kiss. Though startled at first Mark moves his lips to better fit Jessica's. They lean closer to each-other, enjoying the heat of the moment before parting ways for a breath of air.
"Touché." Mark comments with a tint of red present on his cheeks.
"GET A ROOM!" That's Ike Pickney from across the school garden. Alongside him, his partner, Matt Thompson who winks at the two.
"Let's go somewhere more private." Mark suggests.
Jessica smiles. "Yeah, I like that." Forgetting her worries and doubts, Jessica spends the rest of lunch break in Mark's arms, relishing the new sensations and the ecstasy of the occasion.
"Guys I'm telling you something's up in Gorm!" Toby states, struggling to carry all the books Kagami lend to him from the library. Thankfully Lucas and Nick came to his aid. How he got here? Since Toby fell behind in class he required some catching up to do and Kagami deemed it mandatory that he read all these books by Wednesday. Still, there was one nagging problem Toby had.
They only need one biology book for class.
However, Kagami claimed going outside of class material would appease Ms McGuck. Then he asked why they couldn't use the internet. With that she replied, "You'll find better, more accurate facts through books." Toby resisted the urge to run. Even if he did, he knew the door was locked in that empty classroom. Damn you Nick!
The boys finally arrive at the Tripp house. Lucas and Nick set the books beside the counter.
"We're going to play video games until Jessica comes over. We would invite but you have some reading to do." Nick states pointing to the books. Lucas laughs in the background, his potted plant, George XIII in his arms.
Toby grimaces. "Why won't you guys listen to me!?"
"Maybe cause, I don't know, the lack of total destruction at school? Jessica was right, just let it go." Lucas declares.
Toby's a competitive guy and when it came to Jessica that competitiveness goes over 9000. Toby and Jessica always had a friendly rivalry, a need to one up each other in everything they did. So when Lucas insinuated that Jessica was right, that she had beaten him, Toby isn't going lay back and take it lightly. "No! I'm not letting it go! I'm getting to the bottom of this right this - WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!"
In that instant an old man, for some unknown reason is in the Tripp's kitchen. He stood there presumably the whole time, bowl in hand, watching the boys go about their business.
"Oh hello there."
Lucas and Nick wave back at the old man. "Hey, Mr. Ono."
Toby leers at Nick and Lucas, pointing to Mr. Ono. "Wait you know this guy?"
"Yeah, he's Kagami's grandfather. He owns that restaurant we went to with Mom and Dad."
Panic mod initiate. Kagami, Kagami, Kagami. Everything is about Kagami. It's already enough Toby has to deal with her in a daily basis now thanks to the queen of all witches and his friends constantly treating him like the bad guy while she's the saint that needs saving from his devilish hands. Now they sick her grandfather on him. He can't escape Kagami's influence even in his home. Instead of focusing on saving the Gorm, Nick and Lucas are off worrying about her. If she wasn't around, maybe they would believe him.
Mr. Tripp enters the kitchen with a stock of groceries. "Oh, I see you've met Mr. Ono."
"Yeah, uh Dad, what is he doing here?" Toby, exasperated, asks. He swipes a quick glance at the man. He's still smiling.
"I found him wandering about near the front porch and I invited him in. He'll a real good cook you know? We're exchanging recipes."
Mr. Ono chuckles. "I wouldn't say I'm that good. Most of the hard work comes from my head chief."
"Don't beat yourself up Mr. Ono. I'm sure you make great meals." Mr. Tripp turns to the boys. "Say, you boys -"
"No."
Mr. Tripp shrugs, "Boys will be boys."
Lucas and Nick head into Nick's room for some friendly smash battles whilst Toby sticks around, watching his father and Mr. Ono bonding through the 'art of cooking'. It makes absolutely no sense why anyone never questioned why Mr. Ono was lurking around in the first place? Is it to do with Kagami or is there something else Mr. Ono is here for? Whatever the case may be, Toby didn't have time dwell on such topics. He had to find another way to convince his friends. So he ditched the books and heads to the reliable source. The internet.
Unbeknownst to Toby is Mr. Ono's gaze following the blonde as he marches to his room.
"You sure have lively children Mr. Tripp."
Mr. Tripp chuckles. "Tell me about it."
A/N: Over 8K words... (ಥ⌣ಥ)
Jesus Christ what a chapter. This was a monster of a chapter to write. I didn't expect it to be long but here it is. Thank you guys for being patient. My brain is just..not working.
I was debating weather to split the chapter into two but with some advice from the guys over at Discord, check out the gormiti discord btw, I decided screw that ＼(｀0´)／ let's write a monster chapter.
Idk what to say. Just a lot of tea was spilled this chapter. More tea spilling next chapter. Hopefully it won't be this long, hopefully.
Appreciate all the comments, all the feedback and help and everyone reading this fic.
See ya'll next chapter: Mirror mirror.
I hope I don't change my mind on this title or else that'll be awkward lol.