I don't think I need to tell anyone that high school sucks. Taking bullshit classes, bitchy teachers, and worst of all...homework. 

But I'm sure some know the struggle of physics. While it seems cool at first--I mean, were talking about the stuff that makes black-holes here--the actually work that goes into it, sucks! The equations make no sense, and they sometimes pull a bullshit number out their ass from somewhere across the universe.

It's only made worse by our teacher--Mr. Crolwer. 

Think about the worst teacher you could think of, and times them by a hundred. That's who were dealing with here. He doesn't make this shit easy by any means, and gives us a crap ton of homework to boot. 

Today...was pretty much the same...

But things looked up for me a little. Why? Because I got to sit next to Mary today. 

While Mr. Crolwer was teaching us the next unit for class on the whiteboard, a little slip of paper landed on my desk. I looked at it, then in the direction it came from. It was from Mary. She singled me to open it, and I did. 

On it, it said: "Meet me after school, ok?"

"What's that in your hand, Michel?" Mr. Crolwer demanded. 

Somehow he was standing in front of my desk without me noticing he was watching. I quickly stuffed the note in my pocket, and tried to play it off...

"I don't know what you mean?"

"Oh really?" he sarcastically said, "Well, I hope the extra homework will teach you a thing of two about lying to the teacher, Michel!"

Well fuck...

As soon as Mr. Crolwer went back to teaching, Mary was making apology signs towards me, letting me know she was sorry. 

Not like I can blame her.

--

After school let out, I waited outside for Mary to show up. I had no idea why she wanted to meet me after school, but it must be important. 

I look back at the school, and saw Mary talking to Chad. Well, more like arguing with Chad. The two of them seem to be at each others throats, like two hungry wolves fighting for the last piece of meat. Once they were done, Mary stormed off, and towards me. I quickly hid behind the school's gate, and acted like a didn't see anything.

"Hey Michel." she greeted warmly.

I had a hard time getting the words out, but managed anyway...

"Sup, Mary." I said weakly. 

"Sorry I'm late, Chad wouldn't shut up."

"No, your cool."

"Hey, how about we grab a bite to eat, sounds good?"

"S-sure."

We left the school premise, and went on our search to find food. After surveying a couple of fast-food joints, we settled on tacos from a taco truck. They were good.

We munched on our tacos inside of a small park, and looked on as people went to and from.

"I didn't bring you out here to just eat tacos," Mary began, "I wanted to say "thank you for saving me at work" and sorry."

"Sorry for what?" I asked.

"If you hadn't saved me from that guy, then maybe you have your jobs still."

I guess she heard from G. Images of that guy turning into the Monster he really was--literally--flashed in my mind. I shook my head to get them out.

"Don't be," I said, "monsters like him give guys like me a bad name, and I was happy to kick his ass."

"Soooo, it's not cause you like me?"

I choked on my taco when she said that. 

I couldn't breath, and tried hitting my chest to make the shit come out. Finally, Mary slapped my back, and the piece of food came out. I took a breath of relief.

"Damn dude. I was just joking." she said.

Jesus Mary...

"You know I only see you as a friend."

Ah~ the friend zone...

"Besides, I know what kind of person you are. You'd help anyone in danger, regardless of who they are. That's what makes you a good friend." she finished. 

I sighed, think about how that's not actually that case. I'm nice, yeah. But I wouldn't have risked my job for just anyone, but of Mary, yeah, I would. 

"Sure, I guess so." I said softly.

Mary stood up, and threw her half eaten taco away. 

"Well, I need to get home. See you later!" she said running off.

"Yeah...later." 

In a few short seconds my phone started to buzz. I took it out of my pocket, and answered...

"Hello?" 

"Sup." the voice said.

I immediately recognized it.

"Kolt?"

"Who else?" he said.

"What do you want?" I asked bitterly.

"Damn, chill Michel. I need you back to your apartment now. We have to talk."

"Did you get a job?"

"Just get over here."

He hung up, leaving me with more questions than answers.

--

When I got to my apartment complex, all my stuff was in boxes. 

I was shocked to see that all my crap had been neatly packed, and organized, outside my apartment room. Kolt came up to me, whistling some stupid tune. I ran up and grabbed him by the collar. 

"WHAT DID YOU DO!?" I demanded.

"Whoa, chill," he said, raising his arms in defense, "I just took the liberty of moving us to a much more suitable apartment--"

"WHY!?" I yelled.

"For your training, why else?"

"Maybe because the cockroaches stool your milk money?"

 "Harsh..." 

I let go of his collar, and he fished inside his pockets for something.

"What are you looking for?" I asked. 

He pulled out a small, black coin, with a purple stone in the middle of it, and then proceeded to hold in front of me.

"The answer to all your questions."