Chapter 10: ch 8 :The visit
Man, I'm freezing! I really shouldn't have provoked him into dropping me into the lake.
But how am I supposed to defeat him? I've tried twice now, and I got my ass handed to me both times! I wonder if I'm doing something wrong...
Who would've thought a walk along the shore would turn into fighting an angry bird?
I should really go home now, but damn—I'm still soaked to the brim. How am I going to explain this to May?
Sigh. Whatever. I'll just tell her I fell into the park fountain by accident or something.
After that, I went home. As usual, I got scolded for getting soaked, then headed straight into my room. I flopped face-first onto the bed and groaned.
This sucks. Now I have to spend the next few weeks trying to track down a metal bird who's trashed me twice and go to school with all its awkward tension.
Speaking of school, I really need to visit Jeffery and ask him to come back. It's been what—three weeks now? And he still hasn't shown up.
Okay... I'll try going after school tomorrow.
---
#After School#
I guess I'm heading to Jeffery's place now.
Honestly, I'm amazed the school just gave me his address when I told them I'd try getting him back. I think Principal Lynn mumbled something about not wanting to lose "the only other overachiever in the school." Whatever that meant.
After a while of walking, I arrived at a pretty fancy-looking house.
Whoa. Is this Jeffery's house? I didn't know he was rich. Guess you really do learn something new every day.
I walked up to the front step and rang the doorbell. A beautiful woman opened the door.
Woman: Oh, hello there! Did you need something, dear?
Kai: Oh, yeah. I wanted to see Jeffery. Is he here by any chance?
Woman: Oh, are you a friend of Jeffery's?
Kai: Yeah... I think we are?
Woman: Oh, come in, come in! I'm Jeffery's mother, by the way. Nice to meet you, Kai.
Kai: Likewise, ma'am.
She gently grabbed my arm and led me into what I assumed was their living room. I sat down on the couch.
Jeffery's Mom: Wait here for a bit. I'll go call Jeffery.
I heard her heading up the stairs and shouting:
Jeffery's Mom: Jeffery! Your friend is downstairs! Come down and keep him company while I make some snacks!
Jeffery (shouting): Moooom! What are you talking about?! You know I don't have friends!
Jeffery's Mom: Well, he's downstairs, Mr. Anti-Social. Either you come down now or I'm confiscating all your comics.
Jeffery: Okay, okay! Just please don't take my manga away!
A few moments later, he came downstairs, saw me, and froze.
His mom grabbed his hand and sat him down beside me.
Jeffery's Mom: Okay boys, you can do whatever you want while I prepare the snacks. Don't worry—it'll only take a minute.
Then she disappeared into the kitchen, leaving us alone.
To say the mood was awkward would be an understatement.
But then Jeffery opened his mouth and, in the most emo voice imaginable, said:
Jeffery: What are you doing here? Didn't you people ruin my life enough at school? What—do you wanna ruin my home too?
Kai: W-What? No, no! I swear, I'm not here for that!
Jeffery: Then what are you here for, huh? Did she send you? Did she ask you to come and extract more secrets from me? So she could humiliate me again?
Kai: Dude, no! I'm not here to do any of that!
Jeffery: Then why are you here? I know you're not my friend. You just stood there while they tore me apart.
Kai: Look, Jeffery, calm down, okay? I'm just here to ask you to return to school.
Jeffery: And why should I? So you people can laugh at me all over again?
Kai: Look... I can't promise everything will be fine if you come back. But this—this isn't living, man. You've been gone for weeks. Your grades are tanking, your GPA too. You're throwing your future away... all for what? A bunch of jerks?
Jeffery: Grades, school, GPA—none of that matters anymore. My life's already been ruined. It can't get worse. I've lost all motivation. Not even my manga or cartoons help anymore.
Kai: Jeffery... really think about this. Do you really want to destroy your future over a bunch of girls who laughed at you?
Jeffery: Laughed at me? Just laughed? THEY DIDN'T JUST LAUGH! THEY HUMILIATED ME! BROKE ME! TURNED ME INTO THE SCHOOL'S BIGGEST JOKE! AND YOU SAY THEY JUST LAUGHED?! I CAN'T EVEN LAUGH ANYMORE—NOT AFTER WHAT SHE DID!
Kai: Calm down, dude! I know how it feels to be in your situation, so just listen—
Jeffery: Know how it feels?! DON'T GIVE ME THAT! YOU DON'T KNOW A DAMN THING ABOUT HOW I FEEL! DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO STARE AT THE CEILING EVERY NIGHT, UNABLE TO SLEEP, NEEDING PILLS JUST TO GET THROUGH THE DAY?! SO DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME YOU "KNOW HOW IT FEELS!"
Kai: Jeffery... just talk to me, man. We can figure this out together. We can fix it.
Jeffery: There's nothing to fix, Kai. Just eat the snacks... and get out of my life.
---
(A/N):
Hey there everyone! I know it's been a while since the last chapter—five days, I think?
Sorry for the delay! I've got a cold right now, so I've been feeling pretty exhausted. But I didn't want to keep you guys waiting, so here I am!
This chapter's a bit short, but it's setting up something big for a future chapter—after the Vulture gets defeated. That's why there's no fight scene this time. But don't worry—the next encounter will be the final showdown with the Vulture, and I'm really excited for that one!
With all that said—have a great day, everyone!
Sol, peace out ✌️
---