Sometimes, things just...happen. And not little things, either, big things, huge things, life-changing things. One minute you're walking down Main on your way to Flip's, and the next minute, you're dead. Luis wasn't a history expert but he knew enough to realize that a lot of the biggest events that shaped the world just...boom, here it is.
And his history was no different.
At Royal Woods Elementary School, Luis opens up his locker, but someone pantses him.
Luis looks down and the other kids laugh at and take photos of his expense. The person responsible is heard laughing, Ronnie Anne is a Mexican-American girl with dark tan skin, black hair worn in a low ponytail, freckles on her cheeks, and two buck teeth that stick out of her mouth. She wears a purple hooded jacket, dark blue jean shorts, and dark purple flats with light pink socks worn high. Her jawline is an oval shape.
Ronnie Anne smirked, "Hey, Lame-o! Did you forget your belt again? Or are you just trying out the 'no pants' look?"
Luis tugged his black pants up and said in a monotone that matched the pallor of his skin, "I did. My brother advises that to evade the constraints of pantses, one should adorn a belt." He then snatched his dark belongings from the depths of his locker, closed it with a soft thud, and drifted away like a shadow merging into the night.
Ronnie Anne raised an eyebrow, totally baffled by Luis's reaction.
Once class wrapped up, Luis started to get up, but Ronnie Anne had a plan. Sneaky as ever, she tied his shoelaces together, and just like that—he tripped and fell!
She couldn't help but burst out laughing, "Nice one, Lame-O! Hope you had a nice trip!"
The other kids laugh and photograph this, too.
Luis shakes his head, "Sigh...
Lucy sitting next to him gets up to help her boyfriend, "Luis! Are you ok?" Lucy asked offers her hand.
Luis gazes at the offered hand from his girlfriend, his dark eyes reflecting an abyss of emotions. With a slight smirk, he takes her hand, the coolness of her touch matching his own, "Thanks, Lulu," he murmurs, the words almost lost in the shadows that surround them.
At lunch, Luis is sitting in his favorite under a tree outside with Lucy sitting next to him.
Kids chased each other, tossed balls around, and otherwise worked up a sweat while the few who didn't scarf down their food so they could hurry up and play looked on. Lucy sat her lunch box in her lap and stole a quick look around to make sure no one was looking, then opened it. She wanted an the Vampires of Melancholia lunch box, but her father killed that noise real quick. He gave her a Princess Pony lunchbox.
Shiver.
She worried people would make fun of her for having a Princess Pony lunchbox. Funny enough tho she did look up the comic series and ended up enjoying it. However this lead into her worrying about being found out about liking the series, she die of embarrassment if Luis found out about her secret.
Anyway, speaking of dying the lunch box held food inside to die for. Johnny, ever the skilled chef, preloaded it each morning with the best lunch he could scramble together. Today's offering was blood pudding topped with potato chips, apple slices, a Handi-Snack (little breadsticks and cheese for dipping), a juice pouch, and a single pack of Oreo cookie. Lucy licked her lips and glanced at Luis. His lunch box had the ARGGH! logo on it.
"What'd you get?" Lucy asked.
Luis pulled the sandwich from his dark, worn lunch box, examining it with an air of theatricality. "Behold, the Dark Despair Sandwich," he declared, twisting it in his hands as if it were a cursed relic. "Accompanied by a side of Hollow Chips, an offering of Oreos to sweeten the void, and the ghostly remnants of apple slices."
Double-Death Sandwich which is a double-decked version of the normal Death Sandwich, Death Sandwich The sandwich is a foot long, white bread sub, with ham, meatballs and sauce, why Luis isn't dead, she'd never know.
"Johnny sure makes crazy food doesn't he?" Lucy said.
Luis sighed dramatically, he rolled his eyes. "Ugh, don't even get me started. I witnessed him create a hot dog pizza this morning… it was a culinary abomination."
"Maybe Johnny's onto a dark genius," Lucy mused, her voice lilting with a hint of irony. "It actually sounds kind of intriguing, in a twisted way."
"For breakfast..." Luis replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I can only hope my siblings don't meet their grim fate before their 30s."
Lucy giggles, "I'll do the funeral free of charge."
"Don't pick on me Lulu." Luis said with his smiled hidden.
Lucy took a bite of her blood pudding and looked out over the field. She spotted Ronnie Anne skateboarding and laughing madly, like it was the funnest thing in the world.
Luis took a bite of his sandwich and washed it down with a sip of juice. A big boy made his way towards Ronnie Anne. Luis squinted his eyes against the glare of the sun to see them better. "Hey," he said and nudged Lucy's arm with his elbow, "Here comes trouble."
Lucy stiffened. "Where?" she asked, a hint of alarm creeping into her voice.
"Over there," Luis said and gestured. Luis shoved the rest of his sandwich into his mouth and chewed.
Lucy saw who her boyfriend was referring to and what she saw made her blood ran cold.
Lucy let out a soft, eerie giggle, "I'll perform the funeral free of charge."
"Please, don't torment me, Lulu." Luis replied, his smile barely visible beneath his dark fringe.
Lucy bit into her blood pudding, a morbid delight, and cast her gaze out over the field. There, she spotted Ronnie Anne gliding on her skateboard, laughter bubbling forth like it was the most exhilarating thing in the bleakest of worlds.
Luis took a grim bite of his sandwich, washing it down with a sip of juice that seemed too bright against the darkness surrounding them. He noticed a heavy figure approaching Ronnie Anne, and squinted against the harsh glare of the sun, attempting to discern the danger. "Hey," he nudged Lucy's arm, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Here comes trouble."
Lucy tensed, an ominous feeling creeping into her voice. "Where?" she asked, her heart pounding like a funeral march.
"Over there." Luis said, pointing with a sense of foreboding. He stuffed the rest of his sandwich into his mouth, chewing slowly, as if to brace himself for what was to come.
Lucy caught sight of the figure Luis had mentioned, and a chill raced through her veins, freezing her in place. The world around her grew dim as dread settled in.
Billy Mason, the school bully, loomed over Ronnie Anne like a mighty oak, his chapped lips pulled back from his yellow teeth in a hateful sneer that Ronnie thought was supposed to be a smile. His big, brick-sized hands were balled into deadly fists and sunglasses shielded his eyes - he always wore them, and Ronnie was half sure he didn't even have eyes beneath them, just gaping sockets filled with hate.
A recent transfer to Royal County Elementary, Billy looked more like a linebacker than a sixth grader. His shoulders were so broad you needed two buses and a taxi to get from one side to the other and his neck looked like two packs of hotdogs frozen together. He wore a leather motorcycle jacket like a fifties greaser and denim cut off shorts that were dangerously close to hot pants territory. If any other kid dared to wear something like that, the entire school would come together to roast them out the door, but no one said a word to Billy. No one, no one, was brave enough; whenever he was around, they put their heads down and scuttled past, grateful that this time, it wasn't them he was picking on.
But there was always tomorrow. Billy held the whole school in an iron-clad grip of fear. No one was safe from his wrath, not even the old bullies Chandler and Poppa Wheelie. They both tried to cozy up to him and act as his squad, but he treated them the way Moe treated Curly and Larry - that is, he hit and picked on them even more. None of the teachers had the courage to stand up to him, not even Coach Meyers, and word on the street had it that he was man of the house, not his father.
Ronnie could believe it. He was built like a pro wrestler - and just as dumb too. He once got a two percent on a science test and spelled his name as BILEE. Being big and stupid really works up an appetite, apparently, because at lunch, he went around the cafeteria taking people's food away and eating it in front of them with obscene and mocking moans of pleasue. This brownie is so good. My compliments to your mom. Everyone handed their stuff over willingly. If they didn't, he'd pulverize them.
A long time ago, Dad showed Bobby and her this old school comedy called Friday. There was this dude in it named Deebo and in one scene, he hits some guy so hard he flies like ten feet in the air (Ronnie always imagined the WASTED screen from Steal That Car popping up when he hit the ground). Billy did that to the biggest kid on the football team when he refused to give up his Lunchable. Poor Sean (that was football kid's name) sailed through the cafeteria and crashed onto a table, which then collapsed under his weight like the announce table every week on Raw is War.
Presently, Billy leaned over and Ronnie glared to hide her fear, "What do you want?"
Billy smiled. "What'cha got there, loser?"
"Just my skateboard." Ronnie Anne said holding it closer to her body.
Like an eighty year old Democratic socialist, Billy thrust his hand out, palm up. "Give it here."
Ronnie backed up, "Yeah right doofus that ain't happening."
Billy was glaring at her. Billy wasn't above hitting girls and this time it was no different Billy wiggled his fingers, "Don't make take it Rat Girl. Now give it here."
"Are you deaf? I'm telling you, that's not -"
Flashing, Billy grabbed her by the back of his jacket and dragged her off her butt. Ronnie's heart rocketed into her throat, and suddenly she was soaring through the air, five feet above the tree Lucy and Luis. The ground rushed up to meet her and she had just enough time to brace for impact before hitting the grass. A girl screamed in alarm and a gang of boys jumped to their feet and darted away like Old West townspeople at high noon. Billy made his way towards Ronnie like Andre the Giant.
Ronnie let out a pained moan and tried to get to her hands and knees, but Billy planted his foot between her shoulder blades and drove her to her stomach. "I said I wanted your board. Now fork it over."
"N-No, you fat stupid -"
Billy stumbled and screeched in surprise. Ronnie sat up and blinked: Luis was on his back like a small, vicious mammal, his tiny fists battering Billy's head in a furious rain of hellfire and brimstone. Billy reached behind him, peeled Luis off, and tossed him aside like a ball of paper.
Before Ronnie Anne knew what she was doing, she was on her feet and rushing at her opponent. No way anyone was going to hurt Luis on her watch! She wasn't about to let that happen.
Lowering her head, she threw out one shoulder and speared Billy Goldberg-style. Billy staggered back with an oof, but didn't go down. He shoved Ronnie back just in time for Luis to kick him in the knee. Billy yelped and sat hard on the ground. Luis slapped him hard across the chest with the back of his hand. "Woooo!" Luis cried, imitating RIC Flair.
Billy came alive and pushed Luis away, then got to his feet. Luis jumped back got behind him, and did a driving fist drop. Billy sank to one knee and Luis wrapped his arm around his head in a DDT. He threw himself to the ground, and Billy's face planted in the dirt. Luis jumped up, slapped his elbow, and dropped it onto the back of Billy's head.
The other kids had gathered around in a screaming mass, their chants and cheers urging Luis on.
Backing up, he ran at Billy's crumpled form and hit him with an Atomic Leg Drop. The kids jumped, pumped their fists, and chanted, slurping up every second like it was candy-coated and filled with chocolate. Luis bent at the waist and strutted around like RIc Flair, stopping to swipe his hand over his hair. The girls swooned and the boys went crazy with envy.
Luis ascended the gnarled trunk of a tree, his thumbs pointed outward like the claws of a raven. He curled his arms, tapping his shoulders thrice in a shadowy ritual. "Luis. Velaz. Quest." With the weight of the world on his soul, he leaped from the branches, performing a somber frog splash that descended upon Billy, who lay sprawled beneath, utterly unconscious like a fallen star in the void.
Ronnie grabbed his hand, lifting it high above their heads in triumph. The crowd surged forward, mobbed them, and carried them on its shoulders.
The heel had been vanquished and they were on top of the world. Literally.
But then Principal Huggins came out and things went from great…
...to not so great.
"I can't believe he gave us a whole week of detention!" Ronnie Anne huffed, crossing her arms as she slumped in her seat. "What does a kid have to do around here to get a break?" She shot a glance at Luis, her frustration bubbling over.
Luis ran a finger along his cheek, a hint of melancholy in his voice, "Sigh, yes, it truly is dreadful." he murmured, the shadows of his thoughts echoing in the dim light.
After their big match against Billy, Principal Huggins dressed them down and called them delinquents. When they got out of detention, they passed a team of paramedics in the hall rushing Billy away on a stretcher. Luis would feel bad, but bullying...Being a bully is awful. Really, don't bully people.
As Luis strolled into the shadows at the front of the school with Ronnie, he let his gaze linger on her face, his expression clouded with concern. The bruise she sported around her eye, a darkened mark from that fool Billy, was a grim testament to their chaotic world.
Luis tightened his grip on Ronnie's shoulder, a mixture of empathy and frustration swirling within him. "Ronnie, you need to do something about that eye. It's a haunting reminder that beauty can often be marred by darkness."
Ronnie Anne felt her cheeks heat up, 'Wait, did that Lame-o really just call me beautiful?!' She shrugged it off with a smirk, "Psh, whatever. It's not a big deal. Besides, my mom's a nurse, so she'll have my back if anything's actually wrong."
Luis tilts his head and shadows his gaze with a hint of solemnity. "No, your eye looks wretched. We shall tend to it at my lair, and someone will escort you home afterward."
Ronnie raised an eyebrow as she crossed her arms, eyeing Luis with suspicion, "Seriously, dude? The way you're talking, it's like you think I'm just gonna roll over and accept your help. I mean, I've been pulling pranks on you for days now! So why are you even helping me? What's in it for you?" She couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and confusion.
Luis detached his arm from her shoulder, his voice low and melancholic. "Your soul." he murmured, "is cloaked in shadows, saturated with an unending sadness. We often surrender to the dark currents of our emotions." He continued to walk, his figure dissolving into the gloom, while Ronnie trailed behind, unable to resist the pull of his enigmatic presence.
Once the two made it to Luis's home, Elizabeth the mother of the Velazquest family had been the first to spot the goth son, "Luis there you are. Principal Huggins told me you got into a fight today. I'm guessing you just came from detention. How are you sweetie?"
Luis nodded, a shadow passing over his features. "Greetings, mother. Yes, I confronted a bully who dared to harm this girl, Ronnie Anne. I'm fine, but is Frankie lurking about? We require his skills to tend to her injured eye."
Elizabeth let out a breath, "Thank goodness your ok and yes Frankie is in his room."
"Thanks, Mother." Luis murmured with an air of melancholy, casting a glance back at Ronnie, "Come, follow me." He ascended the dark staircase, shadows clinging to the walls, with Ronnie trailing behind, curiosity etched on his face.
Luis made it to Frankie and Sammy's room. He knocked on the door.
"You are cordially invited to enter!" Frankie proclaimed with enthusiasm.
Luis and Ronnie entered they saw Frankie working on a unknow experiment.
"Pray tell, how might I be of service, dearest third eldest sibling?" Frankie inquired, turning to regard them with a thoughtful expression.
"Hey, little bro, do you still possess that elusive healing spray you conjured?" Luis inquired, his voice dripping with an eerie yet stylish gloom.
"Upon examining it, I shall presume it is intended for your lady companion accompanying you." Frankie remarked with a touch of sophistication. He maneuvered his wheelchair towards his collection of medical supplies. He placed the items into a box secured with an electronic lock, ensuring that Sammy and the twins would not pry into its contents. As approached said box he elegantly danced his thumbs across the screen, engaging with the technology at hand.
Tommy burst into the room, all energy and wonder, "Hey, what's up with that eye of yours, homegirl? Did you fall from a star?"
"We clashed in shadows." Luis murmured, his voice dripping with darkness, "And against the abyss, we emerged victorious."
Leaning back against Frankie's bed, Tommy grinned wide, "Check it out! I'm about to drop a beat like the bass that'll shake your seat! 'Gonna put you on the racks like a pair of slacks, with a wack rapper tied up at your backs!' Can you feel that groove?"
Ronnie gave a confused look towards Luis.
Luis let out a hollow, sardonic chuckle and said in a monotone, "Interesting verses, but I find myself lost in the gloomy shadows of your meaning."
Frankie carefully opened the container and retrieved a spray can, upon which the label read "Shiner-Be-Gone." "Come here, esteemed guest," he beckoned, "and I shall alleviate your periorbital contusion, commonly referred to as a black eye."
Ronnie stepped closer and permitted Frankie to apply the spray to her swollen eye. Miraculously, the dark bruise vanished immediately, leaving her astonished.
Just as they were finishing up, a stamped was heard and all of rest of the siblings came inside. Luis's heart sank, Tommy went rigid and Frankie felt a chill. Uh-oh
Delilah put her hands on her hips and shot them a fierce look, "Yo, you're getting picked on out here!"
Luis stared, his dark eyes widening in surprise, "Big sis, how did you unearth that?" he murmured, a hint of awe threading through his voice.
Charlie crossed his arms and huffed, "Come on, you goof! Some of us actually go to your school, you know!"
Larry nodded with worry, "And you know what? Some people were totally posting about you, like, everywhere! It's awful!"
Leo rubbed the back of his head, trying not to sound too worried, "Hey, my bad, little bro! So, Mom got a call from the school, and told me about you getting sent to dentation, everyone was in the van."
Delilah leaned in closer, a frown on her face, "Plus, I hit up Lucy 'bout it, and she said you and that jerk of yours went toe-to-toe with a bigger bully! Man, that's wild why I'm I just hearing this!"
Johnny threw his hands in the air like he just won the lottery, "I mean, seriously! You took on a kid twice your size? That's some Johnny-level craziness right there! I'm bursting with pride, like a piñata filled with fireworks!"
Luis stepped back, his dark eyes sweeping over the group with a hint of disdain, "Really, it's not that significant," he said, his voice dripping with a cool indifference, like shadows cloaked in twilight.
Milton fidgeted, glancing nervously at Luis before his gaze fell to the ground, "Um, s-so, uh, I'm really sorry to bother you, but, um, why are you using Frankie's, um, 'Shiner-Be-Gone' black-eye remover spray? I-I mean, I hope it's not because of anything I did! P-Please don't get mad at me! I just thought that if you're trying to 'shine' a light on the situation, um, that's one way to do it, right? O-Oh gosh, I really hope that was a good pun and not just, you know, pun-derful!" He bit his lip, waiting for Luis's reaction.
Luis's voice trembled, his dark attire accentuating his anxiety, "You see, Ronnie... she was injured after that twisted moment when Billy hurled her, like a discarded shadow."
Frankie placed his hand thoughtfully on his chin, "How intriguing! So, you're the one causing distress to our sibling? Ronnie, I must say that bullying often stems from a misguided pursuit of attention, typically fueled by underlying anger and frustration. Have you considered the possibility that you may be grappling with personal difficulties? If that's the case, I earnestly suggest that you seek counsel from a professional. My mother possesses considerable expertise in therapy and would be more than capable of assisting you."
Ronnie Anne scratched her head, feeling totally baffled, "Wait, what?!"
Delilah stepped up close to Ronnie, her voice firm, "Ayo, what's up with you picking on my little bro?"
David shot a fierce look at Ronnie, crossing his arms and tapping his foot like he was ready to challenge her to a game, "Seriously, what did our bro ever do to you?"
Leo raised his arms, his voice booming, "Yo, guys! Chill out! The situation's under control! Trust me, the problem's totally solved!"
Tommy glanced at Leo with a grin, "Hey man, don't stop believin', just hold on to that feelin'! But what if she starts 'cause the rhythm's in her soul? Could be a total twist, like a story untold!" He laughed, striking a pose, "You know how it goes, life's a dance floor, and we just gotta keep groovin'!"
Sammy raised his fist, "Off with her head!" Sammy yelled doing an impression of the queen from Alice in Wonderland.
Larry frowned at Ronnie, "We should kick her butt!"
Milton jumped and stammered, "I-I'm s-sorry, but isn't that a bit u-und-fair? I-I mean, there's just one of her and, um, eleven of us?! I-I really hope that's l-legal, or I'm gonna be in a world of hurt! It's just a little... overwhelming, you know?" He gulped nervously, glancing around. "I-I guess you could say I'm feeling a bit out-numbered! Eep! Sorry for the pun! J-Just can't help myself sometimes. I-I definitely didn't mean to ruffle any feathers!"
Charlie waved him off, "Na anything we do to her would be nice and legal." He had a sinister smile after saying that.
Luis had reached his limit, "EVERYONE, SILENCE!"
The room fell into an eerie hush.
He took a moment, sighing heavily, "Look, Ronnie's been tormenting me today, but I held my tongue because I knew you all would unleash your wrath upon her."
Ronnie shivered slightly under the weight of his gaze.
Luis clasped his hands together, a somber expression settling on his face, "I understand your concern; I just... didn't want to stir the abyss."
Delilah spoke up first, her tone mellow but strong, "Luis, it hurts us to think about you going through this. You know you're family, right? We got mad love for you."
The brothers all echoed her vibe, nodding in solidarity.
Luis felt warmth in his chest, a faint blush creeping up his pale cheeks, "Thank you, my darkened souls. I love you all too."
Johnny rubs his hands together like he's about to unveil the world's greatest pizza. He leans in, winks, and says, "Sooooo, how about we dive headfirst into a glorious cheese and pepperoni adventure while we smash some video games? It's the perfect way to celebrate and figure out what makes Ronnie Anne tick! What do you say? Let's make it epic!'"
Everyone looked at each other and grinned. After telling their mom they were going out to Gus' Games and Grub the group had a blast. They pizza until they were in food Comas and Luis learned that Ronnie Anne had quite a bit of things in common with him like watching wrestling or as what she preferred to watch Lucha Libre her favorite wrestler was La Tormenta.
She also was a fan of skateboarding. They said that they should hang out sometime was this the beginning of a new friendship for Luis and Ronnie Anne?
THE END.