✓ A Fact-Fiction by Death the Kid's Wife
My alarm clock goes off at 6AM, and I groan in despair. I may be a budding meister, but if there’s anything that I can’t stand, it’s the mandatory strength that waking up demands of my body. I love sleep. I yawn and shake my sister awake. “Adrienne, get up. We need to meet Kid at the DWMA in an hour.”
“No,” my sister moans, turning over on her side. She’s always one to sleep in, my sister. I can’t budge her from her bed, and there have been instances in which I’ve tried to wake her up but ended up getting punched in the face instead.
I roll my eyes and turn on the heater. “Suit yourself. If you’re late on your first day at the Academy, it’s your fault. Not mine.” I look for my normal, everyday outfit, but it’s nowhere to be found. I must have washed it last night. This day is already turning out to be frustrating. I open the door as loudly as I can and walk outside down the hall. I hope that wakes my sister. As I turn the corner and enter the living room, I freeze. Frozen with shock, I can’t move. I can feel the blood rush up to my cheeks in a hot, uncomfortable burst when I see Kid sitting on the couch watching television.
He turns and looks at me blankly.
“H-How did you get in here?” I say with my eyes going white, holding up a quivering finger.
“I’m sorry. The door was open, and you weren’t answering my knocks.”
I gulp and look down at my clothes. I’m still in my pajamas. What a fantastic first impression I’m making. I blush. “W-Well, just give us fifteen minutes. We’ll be ready in no time. Go ahead and continue watching T.V.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, yes! Go ahead!” I walk down the second hallway quickly, trying to hide my pajamas from view with my mind. I rip my clothes out of the dryer and practically run back to my room. I close the door and try to calm my breathing. What was he thinking? Walking in here? Why? I shake my sister again. “Adrienne, get up! Kid is here!”
This seems to rouse her. “What?”
“He just waltzed right in here and started watching T.V.! We need to get ready. Now.” I hastily pull on my clothes and slink into the bathroom. I hear my sister get up, and I thank the high heavens I don’t have to bother her a third time.
I brush my teeth, wash my face, brush my hair, and put on my makeup as precisely as possible before I exit the bathroom. My sister takes the same amount of time to get ready as she always does, but we make it out to the living room in a decent amount of time.
Kid looks at his golden pocket watch. “Thirty-five.”
“What?” I ask.
“And it takes fifteen to get there.”
“Kid?” I ask again.
“Thirty-five plus fifteen equals fifty.” He stands up and looks at us for the first time, still appearing as if he could care less about anything, even the sky was about to fall on his head. “Fifty minutes. You’ll need fifty minutes in the morning - thirty-five to get ready and fifteen to get to the Academy. Since I want to train you an hour before classes start, that means you’ll both have to wake up at 5:10AM every morning. Do you understand?”
My sister’s jaw drops. “5:10AM every morning? You’re joking, right? The sun won’t even be up yet!”
“These are my conditions. I thought you said you were going to accept whatever terms of training I choose to impose.” He crosses his arms and closes his eyes, turning his head in a condescending manner.
I elbow my sister in the arm and she rubs it contemptuously, sticking her little pink tongue at me.
“Kid’s right, Adrienne. We said we were going to accept whatever regulations he chooses to enforce, so let’s just go with it. I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”
“That’s the spirit. Come on, Jordan. Adrienne. We’re not starting your training until tomorrow. First, I want to introduce you to my social group. It’s good to have friends at the Academy.”
The sun has already built itself up, and the sky is a brilliantly beautiful blue. The white clouds drift along with the cool breeze that washes through the city streets. I welcome the clean feeling as it rushes through me. It’s the kind of soothing feeling you get when you’re walking along the beach on a hot summer’s day. This city is so beautiful in the daytime. It’s illustrious and magnificent in the nighttime. The colors of the city and the purple sky illustrate everything that home is to me. It fills my body with the yearning to write some sort of life-changing novel that people will talk about for ages.
“If I may ask, where are we going, Kid?” I say, quickening my pace to catch up to him.
He keeps his gaze pointed straight ahead. “You know the local Death Bucks on the corner of Luna Road?”
“Yeah, I go there all the time with my sister,” I respond. “It’s right up ahead.”
“That’s where we’re headed. May I offer you some words of advice?”
“Sure. What is it?” My first piece of advice from Lord Death’s son? I’m all ears.
He sighs. “Make sure to keep a level-head around Black Star. The slightest comment could set him off like a fire cracker.”
“Who is Black Star?”
He smiles to himself knowingly, looking at me briefly. “You’ll know soon enough.” He opens the door like a gentleman and bids us inside. I pull some money out of my pocket and turn to the both of them. “Why don’t you guys get a table for us, and I’ll get us something to drink.”
He smiles again. I’m really getting used to that smile. He seems a little mysterious when you first meet him, but once you get past that layer of introverted awareness, he actually appears to be a friendly person. “It’s all right, Jordan. I’ve got it covered. What do you two want?”
I shake my head good-naturedly. “How about I wait in line with you? At least let me pay for my sister’s drink.”
“All right. What do you want, Adrienne?”
“I’ll take a hot apple cider please!”
“Huh. That’s Patty’s favorite,” Kid comments, stepping into line.
I join him, and my attention is nabbed by the I.D. in his hand – the same one he was able to use to convince the announcer that he was a member of Lord Death’s family. I bet he could get away with a lot using that little card. I wonder what he’s privileged to do as a Grim Reaper. The city is named after his family after all.
I now realize exactly who I’m working with. This young Grim Reaper is the heir to the monarchy here in Death City. He’s the next one in line. I wonder how powerful he is right now and how powerful he will be twenty years down. I’m dealing with the future Lord Death. A sense of honor washes over me as I gaze at him. Already a student at the Academy, he’s going to make a fine Grim Reaper when he reaches adulthood.
The employee looks up from her shiny, new cash register and shows off a winning smile. “Welcome to Death Bucks. What can I get you this morning?”
I pay for my sister’s drink, and Kid orders for himself and I. We leave the line to stand and wait for our orders to be ready, leaving behind a very uppity cashier.
“So you must get away with a lot,” I say, raising my eyebrows, “since you’re Lord Death’s son and all.”
“I suppose I could get away with a lot, but I try not to,” he replies, shrugging and looking to the side. “I’ve always tried to refrain from cutting corners. I’m just another ordinary citizen like any other. I don’t want any special treatment. I try to steer away from that. It helps that not many people know who I am until they see my I.D.”
“I see. So you like to keep your identity as vague as possible so you’re treated as equally as anyone else. That’s very noble of you.” I wonder if I’d have the same dignity to impose such limitations on myself.
“Thank you,” he says with a curt nod as he grabs our drinks. We walk back to the table Adrienne saved for us and have a seat.
“I love the smell of this place,” Adrienne says. “I may not drink coffee, but it has a nice smell.”
The front door opens and six other teenagers like us walk in. One of them is broad and strong with blue, spiky hair. Another, a white-haired boy, turns to us and waves, sticking his hand back into his long-sleeved leather jacket. The four girls look friendly. One of them has a long, black pony tail and a tan outfit similar to the blue-haired boy’s. Two of them are wearing matching outfits, but one of them has long, brown hair and the other has short, blonde hair. The last girl is wearing a black coat that drapes around her little frame. She has a red and black plaid mini skirt, and her hair is a very subtle blonde pulled up into two pigtails. She looks around and then her eyes rest on my company and I.
I smile, expecting a smile back, but instead her eyes contort into a confused and almost frightened look. She’s staring straight at me. Do I have something in my teeth? What is it? I turn around to look out the window behind me, but no one is there. I look back at her, and she whispers something into the white-haired boy’s ear. He looks at me, and I watch them. He appears to be shrugging off whatever she said to him, but she still approaches the table warily.
“Hey, Kid,” the red skinny jeans boy says. “Why did you call us down here?”
“Oh, I know!” the blue-haired boy adds with a mighty laugh. “Kid called us down here ‘cause he wanted to bask in my godliness all over again!”
“Hello, guys,” Kid greets. “I called you down here because I wanted you to meet two new friends of mine. Jordan. Adrienne. Meet Soul, Black Star, Tsubaki, Maka, Liz, and Patty. Liz and Patty are my weapons. Tsubaki is Black Star’s weapon. And Soul is Maka’s weapon.”
“It’s so nice to meet you two!” Maka says, holding out a hand and shaking ours firmly, although she still casts a weary and cautious glance my way. “How did you guys meet Kid?”
“It was actually I that met them.” Kid corrects. “They’re not students at the Academy. Not yet. When I met them, they were trying out for enrollment. Unfortunately, they didn’t pass the test. I stepped in and stopped the entire show to stick up for them. We came to an agreement with the faculty that they will be trained and will try again in a month to prove themselves.”
“Wow.” Maka folds her arms behind her. “So who’s going to train them?”
“That will be my job,” Kid announces.
“Seriously?” Liz asks. “You’re going to train two girls whom you barely know and who you barely met for enrollment into the Academy? What made you get so diplomatic all of a sudden?”
“Don’t question my motives.” Kid shrugs. “They seemed very skilled in the arena. It would have been a shame to waste such talent when the Academy could be using it for the greater good.”
Maka smiles. “Well, I hope you two make it in. We’ll be happy to have you.”
“Thanks,” I say. “We’re going to try our best. Thank goodness for Kid. If it weren’t for him, my sister and I would have to go back to the drawing boards.”
“Kid’s a hero!” Patty laughs.
“Not as big a hero as me, but yeah! Why not?” Black Star says, smirking.
As soon as introductions are made, Soul makes an effort to squeeze in next to my sister. He winks at Black Star and Black Star laughs a deep, throaty laugh, as if they’re sharing some unknown data through their brainwaves.
Patty points at my sister. “Oh! I love your dress! Where did you get that?”
Adrienne giggles. “I made it!”
“Really?”
“Nah, I don’t know how to make clothes. I got it for Christmas, actually.”
At this, Patty lets loose an extremely loud laugh which causes the entire shop to look over at our table. “You’re funny! I like you! Let’s be best friends!”
Adrienne laughs, too, just as loudly. “Okay!”
I face-palm and stare at my sister through the slits of my fingers. Well, at least she’s already found a companion to talk to at the Academy. I fear I’m going to be at a severe disadvantage. I’m not good at talking to anyone, let alone socializing with a very large group of teenagers my age. I’ve never gotten along with teenagers. I sigh and stare out the window. That girl Maka is still giving me a weird look. I feel like I should ask her what the hell her problem is, but I don’t think that would help me to make a good first impression.
“Maka, can I talk to you for a minute?” Kid asks, scooting out of the booth we’re sitting at.
“Huh?” she snaps her gaze away from me. “Oh, yeah. Sure.”
I watch them as they leave the shop. The door jingles as it closes and it looks like Kid starts the conversation. I hope Kid is telling her that I’m not an alien from outer-space, here to abduct her and take her to my love-ship.
Tsubaki scoots out as well. “I’m going to get us some drinks. What do you want, Black Star?”
“I’ll take coffee, ‘cause a big man like me has to have a lot of coffee!” He chortles and bangs the table, causing the napkins and plastic silverware to bounce up and down.
“What about you, Soul?”
“I’ll have whatever this pretty lady’s having,” Soul says, pointing to my sister with his thumb. Adrienne blushes and pushes his shoulder slightly. “Stop it, you.”
“Oh, okay! Liz and Patty?”
Liz shrugs, her eyes closed with evident disinterest. “I don’t want anything, actually. But thanks anyways.”
“I want what Adrienne has! It’s my favorite! My favorite, I tell you!” The sound of her laughter fills the room again, and I see a few other customers groan and roll their eyes. Well, I guess I can’t blame them. We are pretty loud, and it’s mostly old people that visit these stores at such an early hour.
“I’ll be right back.” Tsubaki leaves to the counter, and Black Star turns to me. “So! You!” He points his finger in my face and very nearly touches my nose. “Are you impressed with my manly muscles? My toned skin? My illustrious and bold hairstyle?” He flaunts his muscles, flexing them as much as he can while sitting in his seat. I inwardly laugh to myself. So this is what Kid meant. He really is quite the character.
“Oh, yes. Totally.” I say with a little laugh.
“I knew it! Women dig my strength. It’s nothing new. But you’re the first one to admit it. Good for you. You’ll go far.”
Soul laughs, resting his arm on the back-rest behind my sister. “Black Star, you’re not exactly a ladies’ man. I bet you’ve never even had a girlfriend.”
“What? Hell yeah! Of course I have! I’ve had plenty of girlfriends!”
“Name one.”
Seconds pass. Black Star scratches his head. More seconds pass. Black Star’s still scratching his head. A full minute passes.
“Who needs a girlfriend anyway?” Black Star hollers. “I’m Black Star! I can get any girl I want! I’m just too godly for them right now. My strength probably scares them away.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s gotta be it.” Soul shakes with mirth and then sneaks another look at my sister again. My sister has always been a thing of beauty. Being the social butterfly she is, it’s no wonder so many guys have taken an interest in her.
I look back out the window and stare at Kid and Maka. It looks like they’ve finally finished. They walk back inside and join us at the table.
“Sorry about that,” Kid apologizes. “We’re back now.”
“What was that all about?” Soul asks.
“Nothing,” Maka says with a smile. “Kid just wanted to hear about our last mission together.”
Soul nods. “I see. The one with Darla DuPrice? The Soul Stealer?”
“Yeah, that one.” She looks at Kid, and they exchange a brief glance. For some reason, I have a feeling in my gut that that wasn’t what they were talking about at all. Maka has stopped staring at me like I’m some sort of monster. Maybe Kid really did assure her that I’m not an alien. Curiosity tugs at my soul, and I’m beyond tempted to ask for the truth. I keep my mouth buttoned shut.
Tsubaki comes back with the drinks, and Black Star drinks his coffee in one gulp as soon as it hits the table. “Ahhh,” he breathes.
I raise an eyebrow. “Wasn’t that coffee hot?”
He freezes. I barely have time to cover my ears before he screams at the top of his lungs. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”
“Black Star!” Tsubaki grabs a cup of water and hands it to him. He greedily snatches it and gulps the refreshing liquid down. “I fink I’ff booned mah tongf.”
“What?” Tsubaki asks, confused.
“I fink I’ff booned mah tongf.”
Kid shakes his head. “He said, ‘I think I’ve burned my tongue.’”
What an idiot. But I have to admit that was very, very funny. I giggle. Everyone looks at me, and this causes me to giggle some more until I eventually fall over in my seat, laughing like a crazy hyena. My laughter must be contagious, because everyone else joins in.
“Hey! Fiss ifn’t fooneh!” Black Star screams, glaring at all of us.
Tears pour down my cheeks. “Oh, god! Stop! Just stop!” I grab my sides.
Soul, Patty, and Maka, and Adrienne are laughing exactly the same way, while Kid, Tsubaki, and Liz are still sitting upright, laughing just as much.
“You’re such an idiot, Black Star” Soul exclaims, wiping away a tear.
That’s when an employee approaches us. “Hey, a few customers have been complaining about the noise level you guys are making. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“We’re sorry, sir,” Maka says, getting up. “We’ll be leaving right now. C’mon, guys.”
“Yeah… T’okay…” Black Star groans. We leave with as much dignity as we can muster. I’m sure we all looked like a bunch of babbling fools in there.
“All right, everyone.” Kid stops and turns toward the rest of us, Patty and Liz on either side of him. “Now it’s time for school. It’s almost eight.”
Soul looks at his watch. “Uh… Kid? It’s actually almost seven. School starts at seven.”
“No, no. I’m pretty sure it’s almost eight. Let’s get going.”
“No, it says on my watch that it’s—“
“It’s almost eight, damn it!” Kid screams, turning around and pointing a finger at Soul.
I’ve never seen Kid like this before. This is an entirely new side to his persona. Usually he’s very cool and calm and collected, but he’s blowing up now. Over…time? The number seven?
“All right, man! Chill!” Soul says, holding up the palms of his hands. “Eight it is, then. Lead on.”
We begin to walk again with Kid in the lead. I nudge Tsubaki and nod at Kid. “What got him so frazzled?”
Tsubaki smiles daintily. “Oh, that’s just Kid for you. He’s the perfectionist of our group. He believes that everything must be entirely balanced, and since the number eight can be cut symmetrically horizontally or vertically, it’s his favorite number. He despises seven because of its unbalanced appearance.”
“I see. So that was all about symmetry?”
“Everything is all about symmetry when it comes down to it with him,” Tsubaki verifies. “You’ll learn that soon enough, I’m sure.”
That’s why he wanted to be so punctual this morning. If he’s a perfectionist like Tsubaki says, then Adrienne and I have to make sure to be on time every time. I don’t want to get on Kid’s bad side. Not at all. He had the generosity to invest time into our well-being. Such kindness cannot be put aside and ignored. I wonder how extensive his perfectionist personality really is, though. I guess I’ll learn as I get to know him better.
I’m thankful to Kid for allowing us to meet his social group. I’m sure it would have been awkward any other way. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t have chosen a better way to meet his friends. It’s as if he read my mind.
My alarm clock goes off at 6AM, and I groan in despair. I may be a budding meister, but if there’s anything that I can’t stand, it’s the mandatory strength that waking up demands of my body. I love sleep. I yawn and shake my sister awake. “Adrienne, get up. We need to meet Kid at the DWMA in an hour.”
“No,” my sister moans, turning over on her side. She’s always one to sleep in, my sister. I can’t budge her from her bed, and there have been instances in which I’ve tried to wake her up but ended up getting punched in the face instead.
I roll my eyes and turn on the heater. “Suit yourself. If you’re late on your first day at the Academy, it’s your fault. Not mine.” I look for my normal, everyday outfit, but it’s nowhere to be found. I must have washed it last night. This day is already turning out to be frustrating. I open the door as loudly as I can and walk outside down the hall. I hope that wakes my sister. As I turn the corner and enter the living room, I freeze. Frozen with shock, I can’t move. I can feel the blood rush up to my cheeks in a hot, uncomfortable burst when I see Kid sitting on the couch watching television.
He turns and looks at me blankly.
“H-How did you get in here?” I say with my eyes going white, holding up a quivering finger.
“I’m sorry. The door was open, and you weren’t answering my knocks.”
I gulp and look down at my clothes. I’m still in my pajamas. What a fantastic first impression I’m making. I blush. “W-Well, just give us fifteen minutes. We’ll be ready in no time. Go ahead and continue watching T.V.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, yes! Go ahead!” I walk down the second hallway quickly, trying to hide my pajamas from view with my mind. I rip my clothes out of the dryer and practically run back to my room. I close the door and try to calm my breathing. What was he thinking? Walking in here? Why? I shake my sister again. “Adrienne, get up! Kid is here!”
This seems to rouse her. “What?”
“He just waltzed right in here and started watching T.V.! We need to get ready. Now.” I hastily pull on my clothes and slink into the bathroom. I hear my sister get up, and I thank the high heavens I don’t have to bother her a third time.
I brush my teeth, wash my face, brush my hair, and put on my makeup as precisely as possible before I exit the bathroom. My sister takes the same amount of time to get ready as she always does, but we make it out to the living room in a decent amount of time.
Kid looks at his golden pocket watch. “Thirty-five.”
“What?” I ask.
“And it takes fifteen to get there.”
“Kid?” I ask again.
“Thirty-five plus fifteen equals fifty.” He stands up and looks at us for the first time, still appearing as if he could care less about anything, even the sky was about to fall on his head. “Fifty minutes. You’ll need fifty minutes in the morning - thirty-five to get ready and fifteen to get to the Academy. Since I want to train you an hour before classes start, that means you’ll both have to wake up at 5:10AM every morning. Do you understand?”
My sister’s jaw drops. “5:10AM every morning? You’re joking, right? The sun won’t even be up yet!”
“These are my conditions. I thought you said you were going to accept whatever terms of training I choose to impose.” He crosses his arms and closes his eyes, turning his head in a condescending manner.
I elbow my sister in the arm and she rubs it contemptuously, sticking her little pink tongue at me.
“Kid’s right, Adrienne. We said we were going to accept whatever regulations he chooses to enforce, so let’s just go with it. I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”
“That’s the spirit. Come on, Jordan. Adrienne. We’re not starting your training until tomorrow. First, I want to introduce you to my social group. It’s good to have friends at the Academy.”
The sun has already built itself up, and the sky is a brilliantly beautiful blue. The white clouds drift along with the cool breeze that washes through the city streets. I welcome the clean feeling as it rushes through me. It’s the kind of soothing feeling you get when you’re walking along the beach on a hot summer’s day. This city is so beautiful in the daytime. It’s illustrious and magnificent in the nighttime. The colors of the city and the purple sky illustrate everything that home is to me. It fills my body with the yearning to write some sort of life-changing novel that people will talk about for ages.
“If I may ask, where are we going, Kid?” I say, quickening my pace to catch up to him.
He keeps his gaze pointed straight ahead. “You know the local Death Bucks on the corner of Luna Road?”
“Yeah, I go there all the time with my sister,” I respond. “It’s right up ahead.”
“That’s where we’re headed. May I offer you some words of advice?”
“Sure. What is it?” My first piece of advice from Lord Death’s son? I’m all ears.
He sighs. “Make sure to keep a level-head around Black Star. The slightest comment could set him off like a fire cracker.”
“Who is Black Star?”
He smiles to himself knowingly, looking at me briefly. “You’ll know soon enough.” He opens the door like a gentleman and bids us inside. I pull some money out of my pocket and turn to the both of them. “Why don’t you guys get a table for us, and I’ll get us something to drink.”
He smiles again. I’m really getting used to that smile. He seems a little mysterious when you first meet him, but once you get past that layer of introverted awareness, he actually appears to be a friendly person. “It’s all right, Jordan. I’ve got it covered. What do you two want?”
I shake my head good-naturedly. “How about I wait in line with you? At least let me pay for my sister’s drink.”
“All right. What do you want, Adrienne?”
“I’ll take a hot apple cider please!”
“Huh. That’s Patty’s favorite,” Kid comments, stepping into line.
I join him, and my attention is nabbed by the I.D. in his hand – the same one he was able to use to convince the announcer that he was a member of Lord Death’s family. I bet he could get away with a lot using that little card. I wonder what he’s privileged to do as a Grim Reaper. The city is named after his family after all.
I now realize exactly who I’m working with. This young Grim Reaper is the heir to the monarchy here in Death City. He’s the next one in line. I wonder how powerful he is right now and how powerful he will be twenty years down. I’m dealing with the future Lord Death. A sense of honor washes over me as I gaze at him. Already a student at the Academy, he’s going to make a fine Grim Reaper when he reaches adulthood.
The employee looks up from her shiny, new cash register and shows off a winning smile. “Welcome to Death Bucks. What can I get you this morning?”
I pay for my sister’s drink, and Kid orders for himself and I. We leave the line to stand and wait for our orders to be ready, leaving behind a very uppity cashier.
“So you must get away with a lot,” I say, raising my eyebrows, “since you’re Lord Death’s son and all.”
“I suppose I could get away with a lot, but I try not to,” he replies, shrugging and looking to the side. “I’ve always tried to refrain from cutting corners. I’m just another ordinary citizen like any other. I don’t want any special treatment. I try to steer away from that. It helps that not many people know who I am until they see my I.D.”
“I see. So you like to keep your identity as vague as possible so you’re treated as equally as anyone else. That’s very noble of you.” I wonder if I’d have the same dignity to impose such limitations on myself.
“Thank you,” he says with a curt nod as he grabs our drinks. We walk back to the table Adrienne saved for us and have a seat.
“I love the smell of this place,” Adrienne says. “I may not drink coffee, but it has a nice smell.”
The front door opens and six other teenagers like us walk in. One of them is broad and strong with blue, spiky hair. Another, a white-haired boy, turns to us and waves, sticking his hand back into his long-sleeved leather jacket. The four girls look friendly. One of them has a long, black pony tail and a tan outfit similar to the blue-haired boy’s. Two of them are wearing matching outfits, but one of them has long, brown hair and the other has short, blonde hair. The last girl is wearing a black coat that drapes around her little frame. She has a red and black plaid mini skirt, and her hair is a very subtle blonde pulled up into two pigtails. She looks around and then her eyes rest on my company and I.
I smile, expecting a smile back, but instead her eyes contort into a confused and almost frightened look. She’s staring straight at me. Do I have something in my teeth? What is it? I turn around to look out the window behind me, but no one is there. I look back at her, and she whispers something into the white-haired boy’s ear. He looks at me, and I watch them. He appears to be shrugging off whatever she said to him, but she still approaches the table warily.
“Hey, Kid,” the red skinny jeans boy says. “Why did you call us down here?”
“Oh, I know!” the blue-haired boy adds with a mighty laugh. “Kid called us down here ‘cause he wanted to bask in my godliness all over again!”
“Hello, guys,” Kid greets. “I called you down here because I wanted you to meet two new friends of mine. Jordan. Adrienne. Meet Soul, Black Star, Tsubaki, Maka, Liz, and Patty. Liz and Patty are my weapons. Tsubaki is Black Star’s weapon. And Soul is Maka’s weapon.”
“It’s so nice to meet you two!” Maka says, holding out a hand and shaking ours firmly, although she still casts a weary and cautious glance my way. “How did you guys meet Kid?”
“It was actually I that met them.” Kid corrects. “They’re not students at the Academy. Not yet. When I met them, they were trying out for enrollment. Unfortunately, they didn’t pass the test. I stepped in and stopped the entire show to stick up for them. We came to an agreement with the faculty that they will be trained and will try again in a month to prove themselves.”
“Wow.” Maka folds her arms behind her. “So who’s going to train them?”
“That will be my job,” Kid announces.
“Seriously?” Liz asks. “You’re going to train two girls whom you barely know and who you barely met for enrollment into the Academy? What made you get so diplomatic all of a sudden?”
“Don’t question my motives.” Kid shrugs. “They seemed very skilled in the arena. It would have been a shame to waste such talent when the Academy could be using it for the greater good.”
Maka smiles. “Well, I hope you two make it in. We’ll be happy to have you.”
“Thanks,” I say. “We’re going to try our best. Thank goodness for Kid. If it weren’t for him, my sister and I would have to go back to the drawing boards.”
“Kid’s a hero!” Patty laughs.
“Not as big a hero as me, but yeah! Why not?” Black Star says, smirking.
As soon as introductions are made, Soul makes an effort to squeeze in next to my sister. He winks at Black Star and Black Star laughs a deep, throaty laugh, as if they’re sharing some unknown data through their brainwaves.
Patty points at my sister. “Oh! I love your dress! Where did you get that?”
Adrienne giggles. “I made it!”
“Really?”
“Nah, I don’t know how to make clothes. I got it for Christmas, actually.”
At this, Patty lets loose an extremely loud laugh which causes the entire shop to look over at our table. “You’re funny! I like you! Let’s be best friends!”
Adrienne laughs, too, just as loudly. “Okay!”
I face-palm and stare at my sister through the slits of my fingers. Well, at least she’s already found a companion to talk to at the Academy. I fear I’m going to be at a severe disadvantage. I’m not good at talking to anyone, let alone socializing with a very large group of teenagers my age. I’ve never gotten along with teenagers. I sigh and stare out the window. That girl Maka is still giving me a weird look. I feel like I should ask her what the hell her problem is, but I don’t think that would help me to make a good first impression.
“Maka, can I talk to you for a minute?” Kid asks, scooting out of the booth we’re sitting at.
“Huh?” she snaps her gaze away from me. “Oh, yeah. Sure.”
I watch them as they leave the shop. The door jingles as it closes and it looks like Kid starts the conversation. I hope Kid is telling her that I’m not an alien from outer-space, here to abduct her and take her to my love-ship.
Tsubaki scoots out as well. “I’m going to get us some drinks. What do you want, Black Star?”
“I’ll take coffee, ‘cause a big man like me has to have a lot of coffee!” He chortles and bangs the table, causing the napkins and plastic silverware to bounce up and down.
“What about you, Soul?”
“I’ll have whatever this pretty lady’s having,” Soul says, pointing to my sister with his thumb. Adrienne blushes and pushes his shoulder slightly. “Stop it, you.”
“Oh, okay! Liz and Patty?”
Liz shrugs, her eyes closed with evident disinterest. “I don’t want anything, actually. But thanks anyways.”
“I want what Adrienne has! It’s my favorite! My favorite, I tell you!” The sound of her laughter fills the room again, and I see a few other customers groan and roll their eyes. Well, I guess I can’t blame them. We are pretty loud, and it’s mostly old people that visit these stores at such an early hour.
“I’ll be right back.” Tsubaki leaves to the counter, and Black Star turns to me. “So! You!” He points his finger in my face and very nearly touches my nose. “Are you impressed with my manly muscles? My toned skin? My illustrious and bold hairstyle?” He flaunts his muscles, flexing them as much as he can while sitting in his seat. I inwardly laugh to myself. So this is what Kid meant. He really is quite the character.
“Oh, yes. Totally.” I say with a little laugh.
“I knew it! Women dig my strength. It’s nothing new. But you’re the first one to admit it. Good for you. You’ll go far.”
Soul laughs, resting his arm on the back-rest behind my sister. “Black Star, you’re not exactly a ladies’ man. I bet you’ve never even had a girlfriend.”
“What? Hell yeah! Of course I have! I’ve had plenty of girlfriends!”
“Name one.”
Seconds pass. Black Star scratches his head. More seconds pass. Black Star’s still scratching his head. A full minute passes.
“Who needs a girlfriend anyway?” Black Star hollers. “I’m Black Star! I can get any girl I want! I’m just too godly for them right now. My strength probably scares them away.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s gotta be it.” Soul shakes with mirth and then sneaks another look at my sister again. My sister has always been a thing of beauty. Being the social butterfly she is, it’s no wonder so many guys have taken an interest in her.
I look back out the window and stare at Kid and Maka. It looks like they’ve finally finished. They walk back inside and join us at the table.
“Sorry about that,” Kid apologizes. “We’re back now.”
“What was that all about?” Soul asks.
“Nothing,” Maka says with a smile. “Kid just wanted to hear about our last mission together.”
Soul nods. “I see. The one with Darla DuPrice? The Soul Stealer?”
“Yeah, that one.” She looks at Kid, and they exchange a brief glance. For some reason, I have a feeling in my gut that that wasn’t what they were talking about at all. Maka has stopped staring at me like I’m some sort of monster. Maybe Kid really did assure her that I’m not an alien. Curiosity tugs at my soul, and I’m beyond tempted to ask for the truth. I keep my mouth buttoned shut.
Tsubaki comes back with the drinks, and Black Star drinks his coffee in one gulp as soon as it hits the table. “Ahhh,” he breathes.
I raise an eyebrow. “Wasn’t that coffee hot?”
He freezes. I barely have time to cover my ears before he screams at the top of his lungs. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”
“Black Star!” Tsubaki grabs a cup of water and hands it to him. He greedily snatches it and gulps the refreshing liquid down. “I fink I’ff booned mah tongf.”
“What?” Tsubaki asks, confused.
“I fink I’ff booned mah tongf.”
Kid shakes his head. “He said, ‘I think I’ve burned my tongue.’”
What an idiot. But I have to admit that was very, very funny. I giggle. Everyone looks at me, and this causes me to giggle some more until I eventually fall over in my seat, laughing like a crazy hyena. My laughter must be contagious, because everyone else joins in.
“Hey! Fiss ifn’t fooneh!” Black Star screams, glaring at all of us.
Tears pour down my cheeks. “Oh, god! Stop! Just stop!” I grab my sides.
Soul, Patty, and Maka, and Adrienne are laughing exactly the same way, while Kid, Tsubaki, and Liz are still sitting upright, laughing just as much.
“You’re such an idiot, Black Star” Soul exclaims, wiping away a tear.
That’s when an employee approaches us. “Hey, a few customers have been complaining about the noise level you guys are making. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“We’re sorry, sir,” Maka says, getting up. “We’ll be leaving right now. C’mon, guys.”
“Yeah… T’okay…” Black Star groans. We leave with as much dignity as we can muster. I’m sure we all looked like a bunch of babbling fools in there.
“All right, everyone.” Kid stops and turns toward the rest of us, Patty and Liz on either side of him. “Now it’s time for school. It’s almost eight.”
Soul looks at his watch. “Uh… Kid? It’s actually almost seven. School starts at seven.”
“No, no. I’m pretty sure it’s almost eight. Let’s get going.”
“No, it says on my watch that it’s—“
“It’s almost eight, damn it!” Kid screams, turning around and pointing a finger at Soul.
I’ve never seen Kid like this before. This is an entirely new side to his persona. Usually he’s very cool and calm and collected, but he’s blowing up now. Over…time? The number seven?
“All right, man! Chill!” Soul says, holding up the palms of his hands. “Eight it is, then. Lead on.”
We begin to walk again with Kid in the lead. I nudge Tsubaki and nod at Kid. “What got him so frazzled?”
Tsubaki smiles daintily. “Oh, that’s just Kid for you. He’s the perfectionist of our group. He believes that everything must be entirely balanced, and since the number eight can be cut symmetrically horizontally or vertically, it’s his favorite number. He despises seven because of its unbalanced appearance.”
“I see. So that was all about symmetry?”
“Everything is all about symmetry when it comes down to it with him,” Tsubaki verifies. “You’ll learn that soon enough, I’m sure.”
That’s why he wanted to be so punctual this morning. If he’s a perfectionist like Tsubaki says, then Adrienne and I have to make sure to be on time every time. I don’t want to get on Kid’s bad side. Not at all. He had the generosity to invest time into our well-being. Such kindness cannot be put aside and ignored. I wonder how extensive his perfectionist personality really is, though. I guess I’ll learn as I get to know him better.
I’m thankful to Kid for allowing us to meet his social group. I’m sure it would have been awkward any other way. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t have chosen a better way to meet his friends. It’s as if he read my mind.