The alarm clock on my phone let out an obnoxiously loud noise, causing me to groan. While I hated the sound, it was the only one that actually woke me up from my usual deep sleep. I sat up, rummaging my fingers through my hair before letting out a toothy yawn. I got out of bed and turned off the alarm, only able to keep one eye open. It was 7:00 in the morning, and the start of my final year in high school.
Yippee.
I dragged myself to the bathroom, where I spent a good 10 minutes alone brushing my teeth, albeit very slowly, before grabbing my washcloth and running it under some hot water. I squeezed most of the water out before rubbing it across my face, allowing the warmth to seep into me.
Afterwards, I made my usual breakfast, oatmeal, and grabbed a cup of water before sitting down in the dining room, where it took me about 10 minutes to eat my breakfast. Yawning as I threw away the paper bowl and tossing the spoon in the sink, I went back to my room, where I laid back down for another 20 minutes.
After my second alarm clock rang, I got out of bed once more to put on my normal clothes of choice: baggy sweatpants and a loose-fitting t-shirt. I put deodorant on and slung my backpack over my shoulder before heading outside.
I glanced at Lachesis' house for a second before scowling and walking towards the school. It was stupid of me to even think of that, I thought bitterly.
And for the first time in my life, I walked alone on the first day of school.
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"Yo, Depra!" I heard a familiar voice as I reached the school gates. I turned back to see Hiro and Luna waving at me, and I stopped as I waited for them to catch up.
"Um, hello Depra!" Luna said a bit too enthusiastically, and Hiro ruffled up her hair.
"You've known him for almost 2 years now Luna. No need to be so shy."
"Big bro, don't mess up my hair!" Hiro just chuckled before fixing her hair.
"Anyway, you alone today? Lachesis isn't with you?"
"Nope, as usual…" I sighed and glanced down, and Hiro sighed along with me.
"We need to find you a person to walk home with, at least partway. That'll be our objective for today! Luna, I'm counting on yah!"
"Eh!? Why me!?" I let out a small smile at their exchange before turning back to the school building.
"Anyway, let's go inside already. I'd rather not be late."
"Agreed Depra! Anyway, Luna, you be safe out there!"
"Big bro, it's just the first day. I do hope that I'll be with my friends." And there we parted ways with Luna, who found her group of friends just outside the building.
"So, what class you going to first?"
"Oh, I actually don't know what my schedule is," I murmured, and Hiro laughed.
"Yep, sounds like the Depra I know. Luckily for you I forgot my schedule at home. Onwards towards the office!"
We quickly made our way to the administrative office, where the principal, a balding middle-aged man, was standing outside. He caught glimpse of Hiro and a wide smile appeared on his face.
"Ah, if it isn't number one!"
"I'm here for my schedule, not to promote the school."
His smile quickly turned into a scowl. "Ah, I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up like that. Right, ask the secretary, and she'll print out both of yours."
"Thank yah kindly," Hiro said in a southern accent. We quickly got our schedules and sat down in the office to check it out.
"Hmm, my first class seems to be a math one. Ugh, I hate having math in the morning. How about you Depra?"
"Discrete Math?"
"The one and only! Aw hell yeah, we're together again once more baby!" Hiro shouted, causing everyone in the office to glare at him, but he didn't care.
"Okay, let's see, it looks as if it's on the second floor. Got it, let's get a move on, shall we?"
We walked through the school, making our way upstairs before entering our classroom, where we found a familiar face.
"Oh, Caelus is with us too then."
He heard his name and turned towards us, and he let out a grin. "Hey, glad you too are here. Honestly, I'm surprised I'm even in this high level of a class, all things considering."
"Obviously it was because of me. I'm a great teacher."
He chuckled. "Yeah? Then I'll need your help again this year." Hiro gave him a thumbs up.
"Anyway, to the back I go. Aw yeah, protagonist's seat, here I come!" He made his way all the way to the back, nearest to the windows. "Depra, you're in front of me."
I glanced at the board and nodded. Looks like it is my seat. Caelus was sitting near the middle, although closer to the back then the front.
"I wonder who else will show up," I muttered aloud, and Cae looked back at the both of us.
"All we really need is Heracles, and then we're set. The four bros they'll call us."
"The four amigos sound better, don't they?" It was deep voice this time, and we turned towards Heracles, who was smiling at the three of us.
"Speak of the devil, it's the man himself! You're with us this year?" Cae asked, shooting up from his desk.
"Yep."
"Ah hell yeah! The four amigos are here!" Hiro yelled out, and everyone in the class glanced at him before rolling their eyes.
"Where's mom?" I asked, invoking a look of confusion on Hera's face.
"Mom…? Oh, right. She's getting her schedule since she never bothered to get one, like an idiot."
"I wonder if she'll be with us this year too…" This was Cae's and Hera's first year in the advanced course, thanks to being under Hiro's tutelage since sophomore year.
"Eh, I would prefer if it would be us guys, you know? Bro's before Hoes and all that," Hiro said casually, leaning back in his chair, and suddenly a book hit him square in face, causing him to fall on the floor.
"Hmph, dumbass." It was Pinkie, who was closing her satchel after throwing the book at Hiro. "Looks like you're unlucky this time around. Prez is with me too."
"Yoo-hoo! Howdy guys!" Prez waved from behind Pinkie, leaning on her head. "Wow, almost the entire gang is here! I wonder if Lachesis and the Ass will show up?"
"For the record, I've been here this entire time you know," and we turned towards the ass, who was sitting near the front, although nearer the door than the window.
"Ah right, it can't be the four amigos without the ass! The four amigos and their ass!"
"Why the hell do I have such a stupid nickname?"
Hera went to his seat, which was behind's Cae's, the Prez went directly to the front, sitting in front of the teacher's desk, while Pinkie sat next to me.
"So, where exactly is Lachesis then? Is she in the other advanced course?" Cae asked, and we all shrugged, except for the ass.
"She went to see her other friends. You know, Erebus, Hemera, those guys."
"Ugh, why does Hiro have to be here?" And the last person was none other than Lachesis, who was glaring at Hiro.
"Hey, I was here first. If you don't like it, I can always tell them to put you in the other advanced course."
She scowled at his statement. "Since when can you do that?"
"Since always. How else do you think Depra was with me last year and this year? Also, I can change the seating the order whenever I please."
"Wait, number one can do that!?" Prez exclaimed, rushing over to Hiro. "Whoa, how come you never told us!?"
"Dumbass, you can too! You're number 2!"
"Oh yeah, I guess I can huh? Wait, how come I never knew about it!?"
Hiro facepalmed as he sighed. "Honestly, how are you the second smartest here?"
"I ask myself the same question all the time!"
I couldn't help but chuckle, and everyone turned to me and started to laugh. And with my final year of high school starting, the Hidden Club's members were almost all together at last.
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"Mmmhm! My sister's cooking is still the best after all!"
It was lunchtime, and we of the Hidden Club were eating lunch at Hiro's favorite hiding spot: the school roof. It was a clear, sunny day today, the sun shining down on us greatly.
"I would've rather have eaten in the courtyard today. There's at least shade down there," Lachesis complained, pouring dressing on her salad. "It's so hot."
I stared up at the sky and sighed. "Is it really all that warm? Lately, it feels as if even the sun's rays are just cold and harsh."
"There's the mood killer that we needed," muttered Hera, shaking his head.
"We should totally do something outside today!" Prez exclaimed excitedly, and we all let out a collective groan.
"I have to decline. While I wouldn't mind hanging out today, I'd rather not be out in this heat," Pinkie said, scarfing up her lunch.
"I would love it! We could just lounge around, basking under the sun as cats do!" Hiro said, stretching out his limbs all out once before laying down. "Yeah, that sounds real nice."
"Why must you always encourage her," Pinkie said, rolling her eyes as she put away her lunch. "There's only one rule we really need to follow, and that's to make sure her shenanigans don't get too out of hand. You remember the last time that happened, don't you?"
"Don't remind me," I said, scowling as I speared a piece of lasagna into my mouth. "She almost burned down the entire club building."
"Wait, she did!? First I've heard of it," Hiro said, glancing at Prez in shock, who was humming to herself as she too ate some lasagna.
"Of course you wouldn't know, since you weren't here for that escapade. Sophomore year, wasn't it? Speaking of, whatever happened to our beloved eight member Anna?" As usual, Lachesis somehow managed to bring it up.
"She's sick overseas, we've been over this a million times already. She's too sick to move, so she's stuck there."
"Then where might she be? What hospital is she at?"
"I won't tell you that. Honestly, she wouldn't want you to see her like that."
Lachesis rolled her eyes. "Damnit Hiro. I know somethings up, since no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to-!" She got cut off by Pinkie, who covered her mouth.
"In any case, Depra, my son, how've you been. I didn't really see much of you over the break. You good?"
I let out a deep scowl. "How are you gonna try to jump me like that mom? I slept for the most part, watched some anime Hiro recommended me, and hung out against my will many a time."
"Oh yeah, how about your last adventure, hmm?" Hiro asked teasingly.
"You mean the woods?" Hera asked, confused.
"Ah, it's nothing," I said, starting to hastily eat my lasagna, which caught the attention of everyone. Damn you Hiro, I'd rather not get interrogated today.
"Oh, so something did happen then," Caelus said, a sly grin appearing on his face as he finished his food. "Was it with a girl?"
I ignored him, continuing to eat my food as I felt my body heat up from the nervousness, and Lachesis narrowed her gaze onto me.
"Hey, leave him alone. If he doesn't wanna say, then don't force him." I gritted my teeth as I heard the ass' words, the first he's said since this morning. He was the last person I wanted sympathy from.
However, his words didn't go unnoticed, catching everyone off guard, including Lachesis, who's mouth has slightly open from his statement.
I cleared my throat. Well, time to change the subject. "How about you mom, how was your summer break?"
"Huh?" Pinkie turned towards me as she blinked, trying to snap out of her shock. "Oh, yeah! My summer went pretty well. I accomplished a lot, and I worked Hiro like a dog after the stunt he pulled in the woods, so I was pretty satisfied about that."
"Ugh, fuck off with that. I'm never owing you a favor again," Hiro grumbled, and Pinkie giggled to herself.
"Oh, but it's a two-part job! It's not over yet!" She said this in an overly cutesy voice, winking at Hiro.
"Like hell it is! Nah, I'm done for today, c'mon Depra, we're leaving." I was suddenly grabbed by Hiro, and as we left, everyone except Hiro and I were laughing.
And there went my first lunch of the school year.