The peculiar conclusion left everything in a state of bizarre confusion. Why did the uncanny abruptly come to an end so quickly? It bewilders and deceives, causing you to either forget or to lose your belief in it.
Only one wretched lesson remained before its conclusion. I ardently wished to endure it and not hastily depart. Strangely, I no longer desired to remain in this class, this city, this country! Everything appeared astonishingly unrealistic. Throughout the lessons, my mind was solely engrossed in thoughts. How could all of this transform for my betterment? Well, perhaps not exceedingly better, given the mafia's involvement, but... it's difficult to fathom. Just yesterday, I was subjected to bullying, and now I'm the mafia's companion. What's wrong with this world?
"They're on the first floor, to the right, there's a vending machine," I responded.
"I know, are you coming? My sister and I are already heading there."
"I'm afraid I can't at the moment.I need to finish something else," I muttered. 'And I can't recall what it is.'
"Alright, we'll get as many as we can and bring them to you," Mort said respectfully. His tone resonated as if he was bracing against mighty sea waves, not addressing an automatic snack dispenser. His face resembled someone who'd just retrieved a treat from distant lands.
"Fine, just make sure you're not late for class!" I exclaimed, although Mort's gesture seemed akin to a cow playfully licking.
Then I noticed that my entire class was absent (except for Lisa). Where could they have vanished to? Who knows? My fellow classmates could be anywhere.
Charlie's sister, engrossed in her phone, propped her head with her hand.
-'Is your head so heavy that you're supporting it with your hand?' I recalled the irritable math teacher's remark. Yes, our classes were organized into weekly divisions – one week for algebra, the other for geometry.
I hastily began jotting down the rules in my notebook. Having been occupied with work yesterday, I hadn't managed to complete my homework.
"Perhaps you're really getting along with the mafia," a voice chimed in. I looked surprisedly at the blonde girl. "You've become quite chummy in just one day. Your life's about to change," she continued, moving to Grace's desk and regarding me. "You've changed in a somewhat subtle way."
Shiny little gems sparkled on her oval nails. She must've just had her nails done yesterday. And she chose a blue shade, evidently a subject of discussion throughout the class.
"Changed? No, you're mistaken," I rubbed my neck. "It's merely the clothing."
"No, really. You've become more open. You're not lonely anymore. I was quite surprised when the mafia started protecting you. They saw something in you."
"Well... I suppose their friendship won't harm me," I shrugged and headed to the teacher's desk to submit my paper.
"True, they might transform you to the point of being unrecognizable," the blonde chuckled, hopping off Grace's desk. "Maybe even the girls will start chasing after you."
Returning to my seat, I stood beside my desk.
"Why would I need that?" I raised an eyebrow. "I'm living perfectly fine as I am."
"I'm not sure. Charlie and Luke take pride in girls being interested in them," Lisa said, trembling slightly as she reached for her white cardigan. Something seemed amiss, likely due to those heels they all wore, adding height. One of the girls stumbled over her own foot, nearly falling. Without thinking, I grabbed the blonde by her waist, and she, in turn, caught me by the neck. I wasn't even sure what stance we were in. Our eyes met. We stood like that for a couple of seconds.
"Lisa, what's going on?!" her friend exclaimed, wide-eyed. I placed the blonde back on her feet, and she blushed. And then I recalled an unpleasant incident involving myself. As soon as I arrived here, Lisa and another person drenched me with a bucket of foul-smelling water. Also, Karen assisted in spreading rumors about my sister.
"What did you do to my sister?!" Charlie roared, lunging at me.
"Wow, even an outcast lets himself do that!" Luke sneered and slouched in his seat. The blonde caught me by the collar of my jacket.
"Stop, he didn't do anything!" Charlie's sister interjected. He tried to strike me in the face, but something seemed to possess me. This often happened. And I called it my "other side." I grabbed the blonde's hand and twisted it. Well, no, if Luke can allow himself to hit me, then maybe, but not Charlie. Everyone stared at us. Lisa's brother looked baffled; I pushed him away.
"Charlie, need any help?" Forrest insolently asked. He nodded, and the boy began to approach. But just then, Mort entered. Everyone fell silent.
"Have you all lost your fear?" Grace bellowed, and I sensed everyone growing fearful. "Are you immortal or something?" He approached me and placed chocolate bars on my desk.
"Your... um... friend touched Charlie's sister," Luke mumbled.
"We walked in, and they're hugging here," Josephine added playfully. The brunette glanced at me, then at Lisa.
"I didn't... " I tried to object.
"So what? Maybe she likes him?" Grace shrugged.
"I live in these," I snorted, turned around, and saw that the mafioso was calmly eating a mint-flavored chocolate bar. Despite the tense scene, she appeared utterly indifferent. I internally smiled. She resembled a child. Besides this chocolate bar, she seemed oblivious to everything else around her. Much like my sister.