The Beginning Chapter 1 Page 6-10

Chirp Chirp Chirp...

The rustling of branches in the wind,

The subtle chats of nature,

The sky beautifully painted with hues of yellow and light blue, fluffy clouds lazily drift by...

January/2/2019. Waking up like I was chewed out by a rolling pin and a few burns left by Jerkwad's Lightning Magicia, I really don't wanna get outta bed but I've gotta take care of this, kickin' myself up and out, I drop my clothes on my bed and start patching myself up, but dang it! It hurts! Hurts real bad!!... Hearing Sara yelling from the first floor, I think she's saying something about being late? Y'know, I bet a nice warm bath oughta do the trick, also, I'm not so sure I should go to Fuller Academy smelling like burnt toast and sweaty socks... I'm sure whatever it is Sara's yelling about can wait, first things first I gotta bathe... Yeah... So after a nice warm bath, patching myself up is a lot easier, mentally at least, physically, it still hurts like hell!...

Sadie: Pumpkin! Are you alright? The first aid box is gone, can I come in?" Hearing Mom's voice from my door, I'm glad that she's not full blown volcano instead, she's warm and really concerned, I guess that comes with being a parent...

" I'm fine Mom, just... Fell down a few flight of stairs is all! Totally... Fine! Fine!!"

Sadie: Pumpkin, is it those boys again?? It's them, isn't it??!" Oh, crud... She's going into full blown volcano mode, repeat, this is serious! Prepare for explosion!! Fumbling putting my clothes on, I dash, stumble, to the door and cracking it open just enough for a Moon Mouse to pass, I can't let Mom see me busted up but I also shouldn't not open it a bit cause then I'm just confirming what she says... Going back and forth over what to do, Mom cannot, absolutely cannot, go to Fuller Academy and report them cause then I'll be involved in a fight and the Dean told me that if I did; I would be either suspended or straight up expelled! Letting Mom patch me up, most of the burns are easy to deal with simple ointments and so are the bruises, but the more than likely fractured or broken ribs, they are a whole other issue but I'll leave that alone for as long as I can, cause a trip to Mt. Shakesbeth Hospital would A. Cause us money and while we aren't in financial trouble anymore, blowing money for a hospital trip is definitely not good... But I can't really think of anything else but yeah, that's how the cookie crumbles so that's that. Taking care of breakfast with Mom's help, I make a break for Fuller Academy cause yo boy overslept, not the worst but it's definitely up there, so I gotta haul behind there! Taking a shortcut through a few winding back alleys and sidewalks, I'm gonna make it! I think?!... Burning my lungs and setting my legs on fire, I think I'm feeling my ribs move in a way that shouldn't be, yeah I can't go full sprint... But... I can't... I... I can't be late! I gotta push through, seeing the world tilting left and right, I gotta keep going, running until I'm just passed the front entrance, I slide down a locker and crash on the checkered marble floor; need to catch my breath... Getting a message on my M-Stone bracelet, it's glowing yellow then red, oh crab cakes... This is probably the Dean isn't it? Standing on noodle legs and jello arms, I can't wait to get suspended or expelled! Great!... Finding my way to the Dean's office, she's actually a lot like Mom but she's definitely more serious than her, so yeah totally gonna be a fun time! Opening the door and stepping inside, I'm surprised Jerkwad and his squad ain't here to see me get suspended or expelled, asking Dean Darci why I'm here just in case there's a slight chance it isn't about what I think it's about, she tells me that it's exactly as I thought, it's about the fight that happened between me and Jerkwad and his friends. Giving me a chance to explain my side of the truth after hearing what Jerkwad and his friends had to say, I tell it as is and Dean Darci just sighs and spits a curse in French too fast and quiet that I can't catch it...

Dean Darci: Jack, I understand that your time here isn't pleasant as the other students, but do try avoiding fights. Alright?" sounding just like Mom, genuinely caring and concerned but more serious than her, it's always surprising when she flips on a dime and her dark side takes over, definitely not a situation I wanna find myself in.

Dean Darci: Jack, you best get those injuries treated by our medical team, will you be alright going there on your own? I could call for one of them to come here if you want." Thanking Dean Darci for her offer, I can't accept it but I will take her advice and defs go to the Fuller Academy medic room and get these injuries taken care of, thanking Dean Darci for her time and for seeing the truth, I do a slight bow and leave her office going about as fast as a cube being rolled... Yeah this is gonna take awhile...

A Few Days Later...

Made it! Whew... I don't think I could've gone an inch further, I'd probable be crumbles on the cold, smooth, checkered marble floors... Getting patched up by the spectacular doctors and their nurses, I'm under strict orders to rest here for at least half the day, I guess I gotta follow doc's orders... He pretty much roasted me on how I let myself got hurt so badly, so yeah I'm definitely not looking to turn from roasted to charcoal. But I guess this isn't so bad, the warm fuzzy red orange torches that adorned the walls, nice cool sheets and a soft pillow, it's all making me so sleepy, so, so sleepy... A nap good... Nap... Becoming one with the empty void of darkness.... Waking up without a daydream, all my injuries are mostly healed aside for the fractured ribs and the nervous system in my body. Thanking the Doctors and their Nurses for fixing my injuries, I leave the medic room and onwards to Mr. Earl's class in the Evening, I pass through a sea of elbows and bags that just so conveniently keeps smacking me to the face... Eventually, I make it to Mr. Earl and cramming 2 classes into 1, my brain is overheating... Stuffing my books and everything that has to do with classes to my locker, I would die for a good bowl of Rocky Shore Ramen! Juicy, tender, shrimps. Perfectly boiled eggs marinated in special soyu blend, fresh mussels and of course, dare I say, a heavenly broth sure to transform the way you view a bowl of Ramen, nothing will compare... Maybe I can swing by Porter's Rock and have a couple bowls before going back? But tonight's family dinner night and we already made plans, I guess today wasn't meant to be Rocky Shore Ramen. Leaving Fuller Academy early because I am still injured and recovering, I hate missing Coach Brunhilde's P.E class but it's not like I can do my usual training like this, with busted ribs and my nerves finicky and glitching, there's no way I can get anything out of it... Huh? I wonder where's the crew? Kind of odd not to see them, after everyday, this is weird... Eh. I'm sure they're just busy, I think Grayson and Lars mentioned something about monster trucks, arcades, and Jeremy's got his head in Magicia books and spell castings, Kimberly and Danni are probable having a girl's night by now. Walking back the longer route passing the river that's flowing in from the ocean through Sun Coral City, California; home to beautiful beaches and fun in the sun, Magicia surfing, and nature. Thankfully, we live not too far from Fuller Academy that's across the river, up on Boro Mountain. Hearing the water hitting the stones on the river's shoreline, the fishes swimming, the soothing chatting of nature, I arrive back home just as the sun sets.

Sadie: Hey pumpkin, Ms. Darci called; she told me what happened. Do you wanna talk?" wrapping me in a big ole hug, she sounds worried but also a little proud? I wonder why?

"... Talk about what?"

Sadie: Pumpkin, you know what I'm asking, so do you wanna talk or should I just have a nice chat with Dean Darci. Your choice." Flipping on a dime from worried and caring, to sassy and shamelessly sarcastic in a kinda good way, maybe... Uuuuuuhhh, seriously? Dragging me to our couch, she asks what happened and this time, no more falling down a few flight of stairs, she wants the truth; dropping my head, I sigh and give her what she wants. Answering all of her questions about yesterday's incident and about all the other times I was bullied, that I was fine with their silly antics, petty words, and yes, the occasional fights... Moving on, she asks how did Dean Darci react to the entire situation.

" Quite well, actually..."

Sadie: Pumpkin, I know you didn't like who you were younger-"

" Hate. I hate him."

Sadie: Pumpkin, you can't keep holding onto this hate, it's not gonna land ya anything good, alright? So if any of the kids at Fuller Academy are bullying you, hit 'em back! Just enough to scare them away." speaking with a ton of love, care, and oddly enthusiasm, Mom knows just what to say which is awesome, and she's right. I can't keep hating myself for what I've done, it won't change what I did and it won't heal the scars I left on the people I hurt, I just gotta do better and not let myself hurt people again, but that's much easier said than done... Either way, I reassure Mom that I'll try my best to not hate younger me, but no promises on that coming soon, I'm struggling as is just trying to accept me now, younger me is on back burner indefinitely. But Mom doesn't needs to know, letting me go and prepare dinner, it's family dinner night and it's my turn to cook, since Mom, Sara, and Yasmin would eventually set the kitchen on fire; especially Sara, yeah, defs not letting her anywhere near the oven again. Making a classic recipe of Red Tooth Trout soup with a side of rice, fresh salad, and for dessert Starberries ice cream cakes. Let's go: grabbing the Red Tooth Trout from the fridge, fresh vegetables for the salad, egg tofu, and the special Ki Dua Yu paste, time to get cooking! Cutting off the head from the Red Tooth Trout, I put it in our biggest pot along with the spine and the bigger bones, a few raw and unpeeled vegetables for aroma, and let it boil for at least 2 hours, then drain it and using the Red Tooth Trout stalk I made, I wait until it's boiling to add the Ki Dua Yu paste into the pot and Oh. My. Gosh... The scent is amazing! Throwing in a few vegetables and of course the star of the meal, Red Tooth Trout, letting them mingle over low flames in a slow simmer for 1 hour, and while I wait for them I move on with the rice, simple and easy, getting our good old reliable rice cooker and adding five cups of rice and the same amount of water, a little more just to be safe. Checking back in the soup reduced but there's still enough that it's a soup instead of a glaze, dropping in the egg tofu, I carefully stir and kill the heat after a minute or so, and dinner is served! Plating everything on our dinning table, Mom, Sara, and Yasmin seems to be impressed and totally mouth watering like me as soon as they took a whiff of the scent from the Red Tooth Trout soup. Taking a little of everything, the tastes are fantastic... The subtle sweetness of the Red Tooth Trout compliments the slight sour and spicy Ki Dua Yu in the soup, and all the vegetables helps to balance out these flavors, and the rice is soft and sticky, but not too sticky or mushy... Yes! Got it just right... After having dinner together and helping a little in cleanup, though I wanted more, I decide to pay my Bros a visit and see what they are doing, cause it does feel a little strange to not see or hear from them for this long, usually 4 hours is the longest I've gone not hearing anything from them or seeing them. Going to Lars' place first, he lives closest out of everyone, with Kimberly and Danni living the furthest in the more private and luxurious streets, specifically Kimberly. Arriving at his front door, I give a little knock and it isn't long before I hear his footsteps coming to the door, then the audible clicks of the locks and the door opens, revealing Lars! Although, there's something different about him, but I can't put my finger on it... Weird.

Lars: Jack! Buddy! Where have you been??" sounding like a hat on fire, his higher than most guys our age, unique and just super kind, is a little a lot full of panic and concern... Maybe I'm just feeling things...

" Lars, are you okay? You're looking pretty jumpy and you sound just the same, also, you look like you walked through a tornado."

Lars: Who me? What? Wh-What do you mean?? I'm completely fine... Hey! You haven't answered my question!" Speaking in a very rushed and jumpy tone, Lars is energetic sure, and bubbly, but he's not jumpy like he's about to get caught with his hands in the cookie jar, something's going on here... But what?

" As usual, Fuller Academy, and then back home since it's family dinner night."

Lars:... Right!.... Hey you wanna hit the arcade? I heard they upgraded some of the games, even added a few from Japan!"

"... What?? They're quick! Sure Lars, let's go!... Hey, are you sure you're ok? If someone's giving you a hard time, we have your back, alright?"

Lars: Buddy, I am fine, really... Now let's go and get us some prizes! New M-Apple watch for the win!!" excited and buzzing like a bee, here's the Lars I know. Maybe I was just seeing things, either way if Lars says he's fine, than I'll take his word, since he's not a Disabled... Arriving at the arcade in record time, we warm up a few rounds on easier games like good old ping pong, table hockey, and Go Go Racer. Now it's time to really play: taking on Bank Shot Supreme, me and Lars each grabs 2 b-balls and waiting for the buzzard to shoot, we both take a deep breath and hearing the buzzard shoot, it's time! Sinking as many b-balls into the net as possible, they fly and most go in with only 2 missing out of every 6 to 10 b-balls, Lars has about the same ratio although he certainly has the better speed at throwing them and sinking them. Moving on to one of my top favorites, the boxing arcade machine; one of the few where the rules don't allow the use of Magicia. Letting Lars go first, he earns a pretty respectable 515, not bad considering he's on the lighter side. Taking my boxing stance, I step in throwing a piston right straight fully turning over my hips and pivoting my back foot to face where I'm aiming, and connecting with a loud thump, I stick to my previous best 1280, which happens to be the third best score. The highest is 6 zeros, which means whoever earned that score was so strong they broke the machine... Winning till we're raining with arcade winners tickets, we should have some left after getting Lars his brand new M-Apple watch and maybe I'll get the Inferno Diable boxing gloves, and if we still got anything left over we'll just see what we can get cause unfortunately the rules of this Arcade; we can't keep any tickets to spend later on, we gotta use them the day we win them.

Lars: Those gloves look awesome! Hey buddy, thanks for helping me out today, I couldn't have gotten the M-Apple watch without ya." slinging his arms over my shoulder in a bro side hug, I'm glad Lars is back to the Lars I know, or maybe I was overthinking things and seeing stuff that wasn't there? Who knows...

" glad to help!... Hey Lars, have you heard from the guys yet? Or maybe Kimberly? Or Danni? I can't find them kinda like how I had a hard time finding you."

Lars: Really? Buddy, we were looking for you!" Sounding shocked as a double blue tail pigeon, I can't believe we all missed each other for an entire, flipping, day!! What the heck?? Asking where they were searching for me; Lars said the entire Fuller Academy, my training ground, and Porter's Rock... Woah... They went through all that just cause they wanted to see how I was...

Lars: Also, I sent them a text while you were in the bathroom, and we're meeting up at Porter's Rock, you have to go, please?"

" Hmm... Sure, why not. I'll race you there!" Getting a headstart, Lars shouts something about me cheating but is it really cheating if he's gonna use his tech gears to help him out? I mean, c'mon, he's practically a tech genius and wizard with almost all things technology, especially like the kinds from the Eastern Countries. They are way. Way. Way... Too complicated for most of us except Lars. But I guess our country isn't too far behind, but still, they have a lot more tech stuff than us at the moment. Running at a relaxed sprint, cutting through the wind, jumping and vaulting over obstacles and on top of roofs, the adrenaline pumping more and more as my heart goes faster... Everything becomes a blurry picture and all my problems nonexistent in these moments, moments where I can be free from everything and just enjoy what I'm doing, the feeling of nothing stopping me is something I hope I'll have when I'm older, without having to run like now... Winning by a little more than a carriage, we step inside Porter's Rock and everyone's here; sitting at our booth, there's also our favorites on the table.

Grayson" Hey Bros! I knew you'd make it, so you were playing the arcade without us, huh?!" Said Grayson, loud but that's just who he is, it's a package deal.

Lars: Yeah, and you should've been there, we won the last new M-Apple watch they got." Said Lars, taking out the watch from his satchel and showing it to everyone, his voice higher than most guys our age unique and just super kind.

Kimberly:... Jackie, are you alright?" Said Kimberly, she sounds worried and her ruby red eyes are reflecting that too. I probably shouldn't tell her and everyone about what happened, anyways, it's not like they can be there to stopped it or stop future fights so I defs don't need to say anything, just gotta keep going on like I always have; like a clock that's constantly getting broke, I always put myself back because of them. The people here, saved me from becoming what I couldn't come back from, and now, I can't let them down... Not after how much they put in to help me out...

Grayson:... Hey Bro, that jerk face hasn't been causing ya any trouble right?" Says Grayson...

" what?? I'm fine, Grayson, I'm tough-"

Grayson: Bro, we know, but if he is, I call dibs on beating him up!" Again. A little loud, cutting me off or more so cutting people off, is a habit of his, but he almost entirely only does it with people he know he can trust, so I see it as a nice sign.

Jeremy: Grayson, not every enemy needs to be dealt with in such a brute manor; we can instead, make his life torture..." Okay... That's why you and I and anybody, should never get on Jeremy's dark side cause he will use plenty, and I mean, Planet-Mart plenty of ways to hit you back.

" guys, seriously, I'm fine... C'mon, I'm starving from all these foods..." Chowing down on a bit of everything, they all taste delicious.... Slurping up the noodles, dare I say, a heavenly broth sure to transform the way you view a bowl of Ramen, and the mussels, the shrimps, and the soyu eggs, all come together to form; Rocky Shore Ramen. Taking a bite of another favorite, chili cheese bangin' fries, special and heavy, greasy but not in a bad way, sauce, and golden perfectly crisp fries... Ooh! And the Sun cheese dressing is fantastic!... Listening to the talking of customers and music in the air, as the song ends our favorite jam comes on and the smiles and grind spreading across their faces tells me all I need to know, they wanna dance, and who am I to say no when it's our jam. It was pretty unexpected that we'd all be into one song, but who knew? Hitting the dance floor with slick feet and a fire to move, we have a routine and it's something we've practiced so, so, so, so many times that it's practically walking, we can't forget it... Dancing with Kimberly like the world has faded and the only thing is the music, and us, moving together in perfect synchrony, every step we take, every twists and turns, fluid and free like water and wind. Ruby red eyes shines with a carefree glow I haven't seen in awhile, bold and beautiful plum wine silk moves free and fluid with every twists and turns, her dark tan skin radiant and smooth as porcelain, ink covers her arms hiding stories about her, her family, their history, stories I'd listen countless times... Hearing the music end, we stop and the cheering of the crowd around us and our friends makes it hard not to beam with smiles from ear to ear, going back to our booth our heads held high, we spend the rest of the night eating and drinking mostly non alcoholic drinks and having fun... Walking back in pairs since everyone is a little drunk, except Jeremy, Danni, and me, I pair up with Kimberly and walking back to her family's house together, the moon hangs high above in the night sky and silver light shines, casting shadows that dance with it as we move. Deciding to stop by our secret getaway to let Kimberly sober a wee bit, the gate screeks open cause it's a little old but it's still as tough as the day we got it made, and oh wow has nothing changed here: from the big tree in the center of our getaway to the old stove and kitchen set. Some of our personal items are here but it's mostly about us instead of anything else... Slowly sobering up as the alcohol subsides and slowly Kimberly's senses starts flowing in, and I know this look, it's the "I know you're hiding something from me look."

Kimberly:... Jackie, don't you tire of constantly losing to me? You know I will find whatever it is you are hiding." She said, a little flirtatious and mostly confident.

" Kimberly, I'm not hiding, anything, I'm just a little sore from practice is all..."

Kimberly: Fine then... You won't tell me what it is, nor will I force you to, instead I shall find out for myself." Sounding almost entirely confident and a cup of competitive, Kimberly grew up in a big family, and her family is unlike any other family, after all, she is a Satrivatin; they are one of the few oldest, most powerful, and influential families in the entire world.

" No! Don't... I'm fine, really, hey why don't I walk you home? You can tell me all about Rex."

Kimberly: hmm... A very tempting offer, Jackie, fine then; where should I start?" She says, helping Kimberly to her feet we start our walk back to her Family's Home and it's not too long but long enough that we can talk like this.

Kimberly: he is absolutely charming, a gentleman, and quite the flirt TBH. I was slightly surprised, truth be told..." Hearing the excitement in her voice warm as a fireplace in winter, velvet and deep with an air of mystery to her, the way her character and brilliance shows same as royalty always impressed me. The butterflies making her speak of him like he's a knight in shining armor, which he kinda is, I'm happy but sometimes I feel bittersweet...

Kimberly:... He is magnificent, isn't he? Jackie." Sounding happy and content, I think I'm picking up some sadness? Doubt?... That's odd... Asking Kimberly if there's anything that's gotten beneath her skin? She says that she's fine, waving off my question, nonchalant and smiling, but this doesn't feels right... But I can't make her tell me since she's not making me tell her what's bothering me. Enjoying our walk, the subtle scent of herbs and spices in the wind, blown from Kimberly's home, the chatter of nature and the silver light that covers the Earth, and the kingdom of shadows that's all around us, this is a pretty perfect night... Walking Kimberly to her door, we embrace each other and say goodnight, as she opens the front door, Rex sweeps her off her feet and he nearly blew our socks off! What the heck?! A little heads-up would've been nice, y'know! Sharing a passionate kiss, their couple stuff is way too much...

Rex:... Hello Jack, how are you? I hope I'm not interrupting you and Kimberly, am I?"

" no! No... I'm just about to go home, getting late and all that, anyways, have a goodnight Rex."

Rex: thanks. I know I will with Kimberly here..."

Kimberly: down boy, we are going to rest and nothing else. Goodnight Jackie."

shutting her door, I leave walking back like the living dead as sleep sinks its calming fangs into me, slowly making me fall deeper and deeper, I think I just bumped into a tree? Eventually I make it back home... Cracking the code of unlocking the doors in the dark, I use up what energy I've got to stealthily go to my room and oh sweet corn chips and guacamole, I'm falling down! Repeat, ship is falling! Crashing on my bed, my eyes shuts and I become one with the empty void of nothingness...

Chirp Chirp...

The rustling of leaves on arms of a tree...

The songs of birds, conversations of nature...

The Earth lush and vast as the Ocean...

January/3/2019 Waking up, I rub my eyes and I think I'm fully healed cause I'm light as a feather, rolling through my morning routine like I always do, I stand in front of my mirror to check myself before leaving my room. Onto breakfast, I whip together their requests via stick notes on the fridge, making toasts, eggs, cereal, and freshly diced fruits, I gotta say, my cooking skills aren't half bad! Although, I've still got a long ways to go before I'm anything in the cooking world, for now, I'm still amateur home chef.

Sara: Thanks Jack! Soooo, are you going to hang out with your friends later?"

" I might. Yeah... Why? You need me to pick up something from the market? Buy you some food?" Seeing her eyes light up with excitement and expectation, I guess that's a definite yes; taking her orders and Yasmin; Mom too. I leave armored with my trusty tote bags, and wallet, onwards to foods!! Traversing over cracks on the sidewalk! Venturing through the shrubs and bushes! Climbing over walls and walking on rooftops!.... Which is actually the only thing that'd be remotely close to anything adventurous, anyways, after this tremendous journey do I arrive at Sun Coral City's local treasures; The Food Market! A life changing experience for foodies, from the varieties of snacks; entrees; main dishes; desserts; horderves; ingredients from all around the world!! Coming from over 120 countries give or take a few, there's still plenty more countries from both the Western Union and Eastern Countries. I think I heard something about how there's at least another 130 countries that haven't been made known to our society both Western and Eastern, with the majority coming from the Eastern Countries, considering the whole Värhūchtenheim Wars, it's no wonder why they'd be a little cautious getting in touch with us but c'mon... We aren't the only ones with insane, tyrannical, and genocidal conquerors! They had a few too, one of the most infamous was Gun-Ho Khan; he was an absolute tyrant and conqueror! He was insane in the worst of ways, seriously, what the hell?!! ... Hitting up all the stalls and checking off their orders from the list, it's going to take some time for the chefs to cook, so I might as well see if there's anything new; while sailing through stalls and getting a sample or 2 every now and then. Ah... The Food Market is so, so, beautiful; how the lights yellow, orange, and white all mingle together; creating an atmosphere that's perfect; the tantalizing smells in the air, so strong and so many you could taste it! Huh? Hearing glass shatter it breaks the perfect atmosphere, and my guts are telling me to check it out; following more glass shattering, as I get closer, the yelling of an angry man gets louder.

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