It was just another day at Tulip High School, and for Stanley, it was a perfect example of how he had managed to blend in so well. The sun barely peeked through the classroom windows, the usual noise of students shuffling through books and chatting filled the air. For most people, high school was the place where they tried to figure out who they were, what they wanted, and where they belonged. For Stanley, however, it was all too familiar.
He could see everything, know everything, and yet, he chose to remain quiet in the background, unnoticed. The god of the entire universe, disguised as just another teenager. His real identity was hidden, locked away beneath the persona of an ordinary high school student. He didn't need to rule worlds or manipulate time and space at least, not now.
As the teacher went over the lesson, Stanley felt the familiar tug of indifference. The universe he had spent countless ages ruling felt insignificant compared to this small corner of Earth. Here, on this little blue planet, he could feel something different a sense of warmth, humanity, emotions so raw and genuine. In all his infinite power and wisdom, it was the simplicity of human life that intrigued him the most.
"Stanley," came the voice of his classmate, Mia, breaking his thoughts. "Could you help me with this question?"
Stanley blinked, momentarily snapping out of his contemplation. Mia was one of the few people who had spoken to him without hesitation, without fear of his silence. She wasn't aware of the full extent of his power, and Stanley liked it that way. He appreciated their connection, even if it was as simple as studying together. The human interactions, their flaws, their imperfections, were what he found most fascinating. The sincerity behind Mia's request for help touched something in him.
"Sure," Stanley said with a small smile, looking at the question she pointed to. His fingertips brushed the pages of the textbook, the knowledge coming to him in an instant. His mind worked quickly to provide the answer, but instead of showing his full intellect or revealing the divine power he held, he kept it simple.
"This is how you solve it. First, you simplify the expression like this..." Stanley guided her through the problem. She nodded enthusiastically, writing it down on her notebook.
In this moment, Stanley felt content ordinary, almost like any other teenager, helping a friend. Of course, this was only a glimpse of what he could truly do. There was so much more beneath the surface, but the world around him was full of stories waiting to be discovered. And Stanley had a front-row seat.
As the bell rang to end the class, Mia turned to Stanley. "Thanks, you're the best!" she said cheerfully.
Stanley smiled slightly, the same smile he often wore when interacting with others. "Anytime."
As students left the classroom, Stanley's gaze drifted to the window. He watched the sunlight dance across the sky, knowing that the universe beyond his little corner of Earth was vast infinitely vast. But right now, that didn't matter. Right now, he had his own world to explore, one where gods didn't have to rule and mortals didn't have to suffer. For once, Stanley could be as small as he wanted to be.
But deep inside, there was always the question. Was living like this enough?