Code Ghostbird

2 - Not Alone

Luke was so excited he couldn't keep the bounce out of his step as he headed into the classroom followed closely by North. He was pumped to go back to the mysterious factory and enter the virtual world. Nothing could bring him down from his high.

"Northie! Did you miss me?" an annoying nasal voice screeched from across the room. Luke groaned. He spoke to soon. A figure darted across the room and plopped themselves down on North's desk situated directly behind Luke's.

Luke turned in his seat to take in the all too familiar Jade Hendricks, the headmaster's daughter. Her clothes left no mystery as to what was underneath even though most would rather they did. This girl for some reason had decided to attach herself to North much to his dismay.

"No, Jade. I did not," North stated his voice harsh. This girl couldn't take a hint so there was no point in dropping them.

"Oh, I'm sure that's not true," she said leaning toward him. North's eyes widened in alarm so Luke decided to take action. Quietly and efficiently Luke tilted North's desk with his foot just enough so that Jade fell over catching the floor with her hands. Instant laughter filled the classroom as Jade's face turned colors Luke didn't even know was possible. With a huff, she got back up to her feet and escaped the room as fast as possible.

"Thanks," North told him quietly. Luke smiled back as his brother and winked. It was just what brothers do.

It wasn't until lunch that the younger seven met back up again. They sat at a table near the edge of the space in order to observe anything they needed to. The room was loud, really loud but that seemed to be the norm here at Ashley Waters Academy.

North was the last one to make it to the table his shirt pulled to one side and his face dark. Immediately, Kota noticed.

"North, report," he commanded keeping his voice down.

"Jade, tried to corner me again. I swear that girl doesn't understand the meaning of the fucking word no." Everyone let the subject drop as lunch continued. It was towards the end of the period when a shadow fell over their table.

"Where are your uniforms?" McCoy asked them harshly. McCoy was the deputy headmaster but no one ever called him that to his face. Luke figured he probably didn't like the deputy part. They all shared looks before Kota turned to answer.

"This school doesn't have uniforms," Kota stated the obvious. McCoy huffed in frustration his eyebrows pinched together. He seemed to be in a perpetual state of frustration.

"I know that. Your academy uniforms," he clarified stressing academy.

"We don't have uniforms," Kota replied.

"I was told you would be wearing uniforms," he exclaimed his voice rising.

"He just told you we fucking don't have any," Gabriel commented before he could stop himself. McCoy glared at him harshly but Kota noticed a slight gleam to his eyes now. It seemed that Gabriel just gave McCoy exactly what he wanted.

"I will not be talked to that way. Detention, Mr. Coleman," he stated before walking away without a second glance. Kota watched him go knowing he was a potential suspect. Something about the man just didn't sit right with him. He was always too quick to abuse his power whenever he got the chance.

"Gabe," Kota started but was interrupted by the other boy.

"I know," Gabriel huffed. "I should have kept my fucking mouth shut." Before Kota could talk to him more the bell rang dismissing lunch. Although Kota agreed it would have been better if Gabe hadn't spoken up, he also knew how McCoy was looking to get any of them in trouble. One of them would have fallen into his trap at some point. It was only a matter of time.