We stood outside the classroom, me and Hazel, carrying buckets of water filled to the brim. We stood side by side, careful not to spill any water or say a word as the lesson continued without further interruptions inside.
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I know, this didn't seem like much of a punishment, and honestly, it really wasn't for the first few minutes. But trust me, holding buckets of water for almost an hour does a number on your arms.
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Usually, I didn't mind this punishment. But don't forget, I had missed three days of school, so I was already behind on my work and lessons. I really didn't need to fall even further behind.
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"This is your fault, you know that?" I said, looking at Hazel, who continued to stare straight at the wall, not giving me an ounce of attention. "What's your problem with me, huh?"
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Silence. Hazel kept ignoring me. What a bitch.
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"You had to start something with me on my first day back, really?" I asked, feeling more and more frustrated. "Of course you did. Since day one, you've been a pain in my ass."
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I turned away, my grip tightening around the metal handles attached to the buckets.
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"Shut up... Kurobane," she whispered.
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"Kuro what?" I asked. "Is that another language?"
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"I said shut it," Hazel snapped, turning toward me, her brown eyes serious as if she was ready to punch me in the face.
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I stayed quiet for a moment, thinking about that word, Kurobane, I think she said.
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I turned back towards Hazel and looked into her bothered face, which was something I hadn't seen before.
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"Look," I said, for the first time trying to be careful with my words. "I know we don't like each other. I know we will probably never like each other." I paused, considering my next words carefully. "But I was kinda hoping that maybe, just maybe, we could at least accept each other's existence for as long as we're stuck at this school."
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Believe it or not, I meant every word. I was tired of fighting with this girl, tired of getting my butt beat and my pride hurt.
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"Can we at least have a truce?" I asked, struggling to get the words out.
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Hazel looked at me, her expression still serious as she met my eyes.
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"You..." she began, her words dripping with disdain. "You want me to accept you? Which part, huh?" She stepped closer, only a few inches separating us. "The pathetic little boy who makes other pathetic little boys follow him around and do his bidding, all to make himself feel big and strong? Or maybe the pathetic child who bullies others, thinking that such acts will turn him into a man?" she demanded.
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I didn't have anything to say as I stared at the girl who was on a roll, roasting me.
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"I will never accept you," she said angrily. "And we definitely don't have a truce." She turned away from me once again. "Honestly, you deserve what's coming."
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"What's coming?" I asked, feeling more confused than before. "What does that mean?"
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"I have nothing more to say to you, Kurobane," she said, and that word bothered me more each time she used it.
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I stood back in my position, holding the buckets and staring at the wall. I listened to the distant murmurs of students and teachers. I mean, I tried, right? I tried to be the bigger person in all of this, didn't I?
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I glanced back at Hazel, who was still glaring at the wall, her anger palpable. She was probably thinking about knocking my lights out.
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"What did I ever do to make you this angry at me?" I asked. I know, I know, I should've stayed quiet, but I just needed to know. "I just got back from being sick... So what did I do?"
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Hazel glanced at me and let out a sigh of frustration. "It's not what you did," she said in a much calmer tone. "It's about what you are."
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"And what am I?" I said with more attitude than I intended. Was this a race thing? Because if it was, this wasn't the card I thought Hazel would play.
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"You are a Kurobane," Hazel said with a solemn tone, as if she were announcing a death.
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I rolled my eyes. "Can you finally tell me what that means?"
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Hazel's eyes softened slightly as she looked away from me. "It means that you are an abomination, meant only for destruction."
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"E-excuse me?" I stammered, not really sure if Hazel was playing the race card or something else entirely.
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Hazel shook her head as if she were denying something. "You deserve what is going to happen to you, but I will still apologize," she said.
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"A-apologize for what?" I asked, feeling creeped out by the look she was giving me.
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"Apologize for what's going to happen to you, on the next full moon," she said, before turning away, not explaining any further.
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Hazel didn't talk for the rest of the time we had to stay outside the classroom. She didn't talk to me at any point during the rest of the school day. In fact, it felt as if she was trying to avoid me, which, you know what, was fine by me. I wasn't looking to start anything with her today.
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As the day went on, I soon found myself walking towards the cafeteria as lunch began. I was ready to stuff my face with a cheeseburger or something mildly edible. I tried to shake off Hazel's cryptic words, focusing instead on my growling stomach. But her ominous warning about the next full moon lingered in the back of my mind, making me wonder what exactly I had gotten myself into.
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I walked towards the lunch line, which, of course, was already outside the door, and got in the back, not daring to cut this time, like I always did.
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"Boss!" I heard from behind. I turned my head to see Benny running towards me.
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"Benny," I said with a smile as I looked down at my friend, who had run up next to me.
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"How ya doing, boss?" he asked.
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"Fine... you?" I asked back.
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"Pretty good," Benny replied, putting both his hands behind his head. "So how's your first day back? Not too hard, I hope?"
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"Nah, you know me, when it comes to schoolwork, I'm the GOAT," I said, my cockiness taking over.
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"Ah!" I yelled as my head started to hurt.
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"Boss, you okay?" Benny asked, gripping my shoulder.
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I didn't speak as it felt like my head was going to explode. "What's happening to me?"
***
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Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
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and then Add to home screen.