Cigarettes, the smell of cigarettes being smoked fills Zyphers nostrils.
-Dad must be smoking again
It was Saturday morning and Zypher just had woken up. He hated the smell of smoke.
-Today is a rather important day…I actually wouldn't mind staying home but I already made a promise
Zypher stood up and approached his wardrobe. He did not have many clothes but still the ones he had were enough.
He decided to wear a blue jeans and a yellow shirt. Not wanting to disturb his father he quickly left the house , not realizing that he had forgotten the most important thing in his life.
Zypher didn't need to wait long until a car stopped near his house. He got inside and sat down next to Leon.
,,Good morning everyone" Zypher looked at Leon and his mother driving the vehicle.
,,Good morning Zyph, did you sleep well? You seem a little tired."
Leon was curious.
,,I'm a little tired from yesterday but nothing out of the ordinary." The car ride was awkward but at least they got to their destination quickly and safely.
At a crosswalk Leon's mother let Leon and Zypher out of the car. Zypher closed the door behind him and then Leon and he made their way to the Café. Leon was the first to walk inside, there was no real reaction or greetings. When they then saw Zypher enter the Café, other students started greeting and smiling at him.
,,I haven't seen you in so long Zypher, you're even taller than back in middle school and you're still always around with Leon huh"
A guy about 160 cm tall approached him and extended his hand.
,,In comparison you didn't change that much William." He looked down to meet his gaze and accepted the handshake.
-A middle school reunion…I never wanted to see any of them again but here I am among my former classmates.
He sat down next to William and Leon who was still shy just quietly went next to Zypher.
,,Now that everyone is here how about we talk about some shared experiences from back in middle school?" A confident and well spoken young woman stood up and looked at the group of former classmates.
Everyone nodded and so the group started to talk about some past events they had. Some funny moments such as William waking up during class and screaming out of nowhere. Or sad moments like when their class hamster died.
The group was spilt into two subgroups, one of them continued to talk about futile things while the second one began to talk about more sensitive topics.
,,I remember when Leon used to wipe his nose with his hands and then smeared it onto others. He was so weird and disgusting" The second subgroup laughed out loud and as if starting a chain reaction many others started to talk badly about Leon as well.
Leon was at the other end of the table so he tried to not pay them much attention but the crowd just kept on going.
Zypher had enough with the slander.
He slammed his fists onto the table and looked them straight into their eyes as he began to speak loudly.
,,Could you stop talking about Leon. I can understand finding one or two funny but this is going too far."
,,We're just having fun Zypth, are we not even allowed to have that much anymore?" His voice was sarcastic and his face looked unserious.
,,You're haven't grown up even a little since then Marcus. You're still the same looser as you were back then. Just picking on the weak to feel better about yourself." Zypher was getting angrier and others noticed.
,,Me?! You're the only one still the same Zypher. You're always protecting that little shit as if he was your little boy." Marcus stood up angrily and his smile faded.
The unfolding scene was the worst nightmare a reunion could face. A useless fight against two individuals.
,,Appologize to Leon and I'll let you off the hook."
,,Or what?" His words were aggravating.
,,You know what will happen Marcus. Are you sure you want to let it happen?"
,,I won't ever apologize to that pathetic shrimp of yours." He spat at Leon's face and then proceeded to get ready for a fight he wouldn't be able to handle.
Zypher ran towards Marcus. His speed was leagues above his. A quick punch on his right arm and Marcus felt as though an anvil had crushed his bones.
,,ARHHHH" Marcus was screaming in pain , not noticing a second attack incoming. A powerful kick towards his chest send him flying through the room.
Some people tried to intervene but stopped after seeing Marcus get back up on his feet.
,,I will let you taste blood you shitbox"
As Marcus tried to punch Zypher with the same amount of force as he got hit , he failed to imitate the same movement and fell down face first.
Zypher pressed him down with a powerful kick at his stomach.
Ultimately people began to intervene. Eight people confined Zypher. He couldn't move and he didn't need to. A few others rushed towards Marcus to check on him and saw him unconscious.
The others let Zypher move again and he grabbed Leon's wrists and stormed off out of the Café. He continued dragging him until they were far away enough.
,,You didn't have to do that Zypher." Leon looked at him with a genuine smile
,,I know but I did it because you're my friend Leon." Zypher tried to look nonchalant but failed miserably. He wanted to continue to talk with Leon when he realized he had forgotten something home, except that it wasn't just something, it was everything .
,,I'm very sorry but I forgot something important home. I will return later okay?" Before getting a conformation he just left in a hurry.
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-All my life I've been a shy person. I tried to become more outgoing but every attempt was futile. People made fun of me, harassed me and some even bullied me. I hated school more than anything and so I became more and more isolated.
He took a deep breath to focus on the dark past that he foolishly tried to forget.
-One day Zypher approached me. He always stood out even when we were smaller. He was confident, a smooth talker and someone everyone respected. So when he asked me to be his friend it was as though my light switched on. Finally after years of being lonely I had a friend. A good friend at that. He always helped me, always hung out with me and never expected anything in return.
A smile formed on his face as he remembered the good times.
-My biggest wish is to someday return the favor. I've never been able to return his kindness that he had shown me effortlessly for years. If there's one thing I want to achieve in life it is to repay my debts.
As Leon was sitting at a bench alone Zoe noticed him and walked towards him.
-Hmm…isn't that Zoe of Class 2E? I heard she's very popular. She apparently goes shopping often with her friends.
,,Uhm excuse me, may I sit here?" She pointed at the spot next to Leon.
-Ahhh she talked to me!!! What should I say?!!
,,Uhm sure you can sit there if you want to."
Leon shifted a bit further away from his place when Zoe sat down next to him.
,,You're name is Leon right? I heard you're very smart." Zoe's hand slowly moved from his shoulder down to his hands.
,,Uhhh I suppose I'm rather intelligent by comparison with others." He looked shyly at her.
,,Hmm I guess that's one way to put it." Her gaze lingered on Leon's lips just long enough for him to notice.
Zoe crossed her legs and then uncrossed them again while remaining a deep eye contact with Leon.
Leon twitched weirdly at the unfolding moment.
-She's even better looking up close. Her black eyes absorb the light entering them . It's like they are sucking me in.
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-I need to be more careful…I can't believe I just forgot it at home.
Zypher returned to the place where he had left Leon at and when he started to look around he saw Zoe's face nearing Leon's face. Leon looked like he was love struck.
Just as Zypher was about to walk away he noticed a familiar sound coming from the bushes.
He turned around and then with a swift move , he destroyed the branches around the bush.
A girl about 168 cm tall emerged from the bush. Her hazel eyes captured the sun in their irises.
It was a face he was very familiar with. It was someone that Zypher wanted to see the least and see the most at the same time.
Her name was-
,,Zyphyyyyy , you remember me don't you?!!!"
Her voice shifted into a more serious tone
,,I'm your biggest problem and best friend Fate." Her expression partially remained neutral but it also showed an intense amount of pressure and energy.
,,I haven't forgotten you Fate. How could I forget you , you're my biggest problem and best friend after all."
Zypher was everything but excited to see her but he still had to smile at the irnoy of the moment.
-Heheh…The one person I wanted to ignore the most just so happened to find me . Fate really is destiny
Both of them hid their true emotions and feelings behind a smile.
-Something tells me today is going to be a long day