The whole morning in class, Kirk had been giving Ethan looks. He had asked his friend to tell him just what he was doing in that man's car but Ethan didn't budge. He reminded his friend that he had promised not only him but Chris that he was going to divulge that information at lunchtime and he meant to do just that. After trying a couple of times without Ethan saying anything, Kirk finally dropped the topic.
They sat through maths lessons that morning which proved too much for most of the students who weren't even properly awake. They had then done two more lessons before the bell finally rang for lunch. Kirk had been waiting for this very moment since morning and didn't waste time as he dragged a laughing Ethan all the way to the cafeteria.
They were among the first people there and Kirk had to wait for all their friends to join them before Ethan talked since he had refused to start without Chris. Finally, the boys had assembled at their table, and with it, a new face. Chris's.
"Everyone, this is Chris. A lady's man who has more game than Joseph", Ethan announced with a chuckle, trying to stir trouble.
"What?..this guy?, No way. Just look at me bro, I'm all muscle whereas he's all fat, now tell me who the ladies gon love." Joseph said in mock annoyance whiles flexing his pecs. Everyone started giving their opinion. Some agreed with Joseph whiles some sided with Ethan.
"Who wants to put it to the vote?" Francis asked. Everyone raised their hand. "All those in favor of the muscle head, Joseph getting more game, say, Aye," Francis instructed dramatically. "Aye", John, Vidash, and Francis called out.
"Well, there's no need to do the other part then. Joseph, the 'girl them sugar' wins. No offense Bro, but his pecs alone would give you a run for your money." Francis told Chris with a silly grin. "And with that?..." Francis prompted with a look at every one.
"Welcome to the table" everyone at Ethan's table announced to looks from the other people at other tables. Chris felt the smile that had blossomed on his face from the moment he and Joseph's contest had started growing bigger. These guys were really cool. They even had their own table welcoming tradition.
"Thanks, guys...you lot seem pretty cool. Though I am sure I would have won that contest if we made it a looks thing." Chris announced to giggles from everyone present. Even Joseph's lips were twitching as he tried to hold in his smile.
"Is that a challenge, brown head?" Joseph asked?
"Nah..it's just a fact", Chris said fearlessly to the much bigger boy. As the table went silent. Everyone was looking at what Joseph would do or say. The boy in question looked at the newcomer silently with a poker face, then he burst out laughing.
"I like you, bro...you got the right attitude for our table. Sit down." Joseph offered. Ethan watched everything unfold with a smile on his face. These guys were his friends. True, they mostly only talked during lunch and the previous him wouldn't have considered them friends but meeting Hermes had made him aware that he could lose everything he had in just a blink, and currently, he had nothing. If the world was going to end, then he deserved to have some companionship too just like everyone else. He didn't want to die without any friends.
"So are you gonna tell us why you were in Mr.Andrews's car?" Kirk pulled Ethan out of his thoughts.
"Yh, man. I heard this morning that a dude had hitched a ride with 'the terminator'. I was later informed it was you. How did that even happen? Were you like imprisoned by him or something?" Joseph asked.
"Yh...I saw you too. You had that stoopid grin on your face like you had won the lottery or something. Dunno what's so fun in that guy's car to put you in such a mood." John said with a shake of his head as everyone started laughing.
"Naah... there's nothing funny in Mr. Andrews's car. In fact, there's nothing at all in his car. And yeah, you could say I was imprisoned by him or I still am.", Ethan announced to puzzled looks from everyone.
"What do you mean by that?...is he making you do something again? You know you can report him to authorities, right?" Kirk asked his friend. Anger evident in his voice as the rest just looked on.
"Naah bro... it's nothing like that. Mr.Andrews just found out yesterday that I and him live on the same street. It was bad timing since I am flunking his subject as well, so he has decided to give me private lessons every day after school till after our final exams. Apparently, the offer comes with a lift to and from school every day as you and Chris heard from him this morning. I had no say in the matter, bro. You know how he is." Ethan lied beautifully.
Everyone was giving him sympathetic looks now and he started feeling bad for lying to Kirk who had obviously been worried about him. But he knew he couldn't tell anyone what he was doing though. Hermes hadn't given him the go-ahead yet and somehow, he felt like the whole thing had to be kept a secret. He had thought very hard of the excuse to give and had decided on this one. It was obviously a lie, but a well-designed white one, and its results proved that fact.
"Bruuuuh...that must suck. I feel really bad for you man. Sitting through history lessons every day with Mr.Andrews. then hitching a ride with the foul man as well to and from school every day. I'll die if I were you. No..lemme rephrase that. He will kill me out of annoyance if I were you." Joseph said with a chuckle.
"Yh man...your year just got ruined. That dude is gonna bore you to death. Seriously." Vidash said his piece.
' oh, if only you knew.' Ethan thought.
"Then why were you smiling like you were this morning. Don't tell me you and that guy had an interesting conversation in his car. I won't believe it." John asked. Ethan saw Kirk and Jake nodding their heads in acceptance of the question and knew he had to give a valid reason to sate their curiosity so he decided on the easiest solution. Telling the truth.
"Oh....that was just me reacting to all the stunned looks on your faces when you saw me step out of the car. It was hella fun." Ethan answered truthfully and was glad when he saw the satisfied looks on everyone's face now. Soon, the whole incident had been forgotten and the group had reverted to their usual arguments with Chris also contributing. Ethan watched them silently as they argued and smiled in contentment. These were his friends, and if he could do anything to save them from the darkness that was coming, then he was ready to try his best. 'I will unlock that if it's the last thing I do' Ethan made a silent promise to himself.