Chapter six

Two days later

"As you guys know it, Steve Rogers and Tony Stark didn't make it. they will be holding their memorial and funeral in Town Square. We're all very sad for our loss. You don't have to come to school tomorrow if you don't want to. It is a choice," Mr. Kin says.

Mira sits on her phone beside me as Brandon finishes up his homework on the other side of me. The class was filled with bright light from the open window.

Mr. Kin and a few other students shed tears, but not enough to make anyone laugh or even care. I didn't at least.

"Damn..." Mira looks ahead to see Mr. Kin slowly walking to his seat.

Apparently Tony Stark has saved his life before. So Tony kinda grew on Mr. Kin. If it wasn't for Tony, Kin wouldn't be here right now. I can see the sadness he was feeling. Knowing someone saved your life but you had no chance of ever saving theirs. Was a terrible feeling.

I cross one leg over the other and scroll on my phone since he'd cancel the normal schoolwork he had for us.

We'd be having that field trip. I was partnered up with Asuwa seeing as we had to be partnered up with people so that we don't get lost on this trip to C.O Labs.

They examine new species of insects there. Cool ones I hear.

I'd be seeing Asuwa at lunch today. She'd requested to sit with me at lunch so that she knows who she'd be working with. I've seen her around. Never spoke to her in my life but somehow she knows exactly what I do for a living. but that's nothing. I just work in an ice cream truck. I've seen her come up to the truck once but I was always in the back making the ice cream, never spoken to her.

Brandon and Mira somehow hot pared up. I'd much rather work with Brandon. He was a chill dude as Mira was outgoing and sometimes annoying as hell.

the bell rang and Mira instantly stood up before anyone else.

I stand too, ready to put some food in my stomach. I couldn't wait to go to the hospital to get the cast removed. That bullet really messed me up. But they said it was more than one bullet. I must've passed out during the attempted purge.

I have one too big pair of sweatpants, a black hoodie, some black Vans, and a flat beaked hat that I wore backward.

Mira had the same style as I did, so I never cared to see what she was wearing.

I walk down the hall while Mira rested her elbow on my shoulder as we walk. She had to reach up seeing as I had to look down on her when we stood side to side.

The hallway was filled with people talking about the same thing over and over.

"They died"

"Damn, really died"

The Avengers are no more"

That's all it was. got annoying after a while. I mean, shit, everyone was going to die eventually. So it really made no difference.

I get outside where the cafeteria was visible. It took me an awhile but I reached it.

"Kaden!!" I hear.

I keep walking, acting as if I didn't hear someone call my name.

"Kaden!" I hear again.

I turn my head to see Ellen rushing to me. "Hey!" She stops right next to me. I look down at her thighs then to her stomach that was showing. "Hey.." I say.

She smiles, trying to catch her breath.

"I'm so sorry about what happened. I didn't mean for him to come at you like that. He's just stupid sometimes. I hate when he does that." Ellen put her hands in her pocket, staring at me as we walk, trying to see my facial expression.

I kept my composure.

"It's okay. I don't hold a grudge on people," I say. Ellen nods softly.

"Who'd you get partnered up with?" Ellen asked. I shake my head a little. "Why do you date him?" I ask as soon as she asked that.

Ellen's facial face went blank. Just under her sleeve, I could see a bruise she'd most likely got from Jake.

"What do you mean?" Ellen stopped walking. I walk a bit forward, turning to face her. People walk past us. "Why do you girls like guys like that? I understand you girls crave attention, but why those guy's attention?" I ask.

Ellen slowly shakes her head. "I... I don't... I don't know..." she answered.

I slowly back up as Ellen stares me down. I slide my hands in my hoodie pocket and turn to keep walking. "Answer is Asuwa by the way," I proclaim. Ellen just stands there.

I walk into the building, looking around for said Asuwa. I just hope she wasn't one of those awkward kids.

Some said she doesn't even talk but that's what they said. I'm sure I've heard her speak. "Wassup, Kaden." Taiwan handshakes me before walking off to get his food. A tall African American guy he was. Fastest guy on the track team. People have known him for always clowning other kids and being the class clown. but when you get to know him, he was probably the biggest teddy bear you'll ever meet. He may seem intimidating at first.

Sitting alone at the table near the big windows was Asuwa.

I raise my eyebrows and walk over to her, passing Mira as she leans over and says something to me. "Have fun." She patted me on the shoulder and kept walking with Brandon to her side.

"Asuwa?" I stand at the table. Asuwa looks up at me from her phone and nodded.

Her smile was cute. A short Taiwanese girl. Pale, black hair, nerdy, shy I guess. She was 19 as well. Just like me.

I pull the chair out, ignoring the noise around me. "We're partners, I guess," I say. Asuwa nods her head aggressively. "I know..." She whispered. I squint my eyes to make sure she actually said that, I lean over a little.

"What?"

She leans in over her phone and spoke a bit louder, "I know," she replied.

I lift my chin and sit back. "OOOH!" I say. Asuwa nods her head and sits back as well, texting someone I was guessing seeing as she was moving her thumbs rapidly with a grin on her face. I look around.

"Where are you from?" I try and break the awkward silence. Asuwa moves her hair from her face, grabbing the one AirPod she had in.

"Taiwan, but raise in America," she answered. "You're from Taiwan?" I ask. Asuwa nods her head with a cheeky smile. "Of course. Haha, are you from Taiwan too?" She asked. I smile at the question she just asked.

"No. Mexican. Can't tell?" I ask.

Asuwa looks at my hoodie and face closely, trying to examine me. She then said, "A little. I think you are white skin. Like, mix with the white man." Asuwa nods, agreeing with her own response. I laugh a little.

"Asuwa could barely speak English I could tell. Her family must only speak Chinese. She was absolutely adorable.

Asuwa stands up and leans in on the table. "I will use bath. To, take, the pee." She walks off quickly. she was hella short. Me sitting down was almost as tall as her standing. She was a few inches taller. maybe about 5'3 in height.

I sit back taking my phone out to wait for her to get back from the bathroom.