Chapter 59 ~ Sun Shorts Collection No. 11
SUN SHORT #1 - A Rivalry Blossoms
On the next day of school, Marcus is walking through the halls when he sees Rebecca Jenksin with all of her friends. He goes to wave at her but she ignores him. So he just decides to go to math class. When he gets there he sees the math teacher, Wilsten Jefferson, handing out the math tests they just did. When he gets his back he sees he got a 100%.
"Congratulations Mister Veridan," Mister Jefferson remarks, "You're the only student who got a perfect score on this exam."
Everyone looks at Marcus, including the person who got a 99% score on the test, Rebecca Jenksin.
Once class ends, Marcus gets up to leave when Rebecca walks up to him, "So you're aiming to be valedictorian huh?"
"I'm only good at math so I doubt I'd ever be valedictorian," Marcus replies.
"Well, my GPA is a near-perfect score, so if you ever change your mind and want to be valedictorian, then you'll have to be better than me," Rebecca sneers.
"No offense Rebecca but, we're both freshmen. Besides I don't even know how to check my GPA," Marcus remarks.
"You don't? Don't your parents ever tell you your score?" Rebecca asks.
"Uh," Marcus says as he tries a way to switch the topic, "good luck on the next test."
As Marcus begins to leave, Rebecca wonders if she said anything wrong to him. All the while Marcus looks down at the calendar. It's already April. And yet he can't even remember the last time he's had a proper conversation with them.
SUN SHORT #2 - The Betrayal
Crunch Backson, the wild card sophomore of Starlight High, marches down the campus of Starlight High. His long dyed lime-green hair blew in the wind. His brow furrowed and his mouth was frowning.
"Where is that fucker?!" Crunch exhales.
Next to him is fellow sophomore, Suzy Dark. Who's completely uninterested in Crunch's shenanigans.
"Can't you just, not do this?" Suzy asks.
"No, that guy needs to be taught a lesson!" Suzy says.
The two finally find who they're looking for and Crunch rushes over to the person and grabs them by the shirt.
"Hey! How dare you do that crap!" Crunch roars.
The person that he's holding is X Locke, who looks confused and asks, "What did I do?"
"WHAT DID YOU DO?! YOU TERRORIZED THE SCHOOL AS A FAKE GHOST…," Crunch begins to say angrily before pouting and adding, "WITHOUT ME!"
Suzy rolls her eyes as X laughs.
"Uh, my bad man," X Locke chuckles.
"That sounded so fun and now we can't do that!" Crunch sighs.
"Okay okay, look if I decide to do any more fun things then I'll let you know," X says, "Now can you please let me go?"
Crunch does so and X walks away, as Crunch & Suzy then begin to walk away from the school, Crunch sighs, "Man, I just wish that we could have some fun. It's been a while since I've truly had a fun time."
It's when he says this that someone approaches the two. The person is an 18 y/o Hispanic woman wearing a black beanie, a light brown-green flannel jacket over a black t-shirt with the name of a local nightclub on it, jorts, and black boots.
"So I heard you loved having fun," The Hispanic lady says.
"You bet! The only life worth living is that of the party!" Crunch says, causing Suzy to roll her eyes.
"I see," the lady responds with a smile on her face, "Well I heard about this one place that I think you'd really like then."
"Really? Where is it?" Crunch asks, excited to try something new.
"Here," The lady says as she hands him a business card, "We'll be open tonight so why don't you stop by?"
"Okay, will do!" Crunch responds.
As he looks at the business card, Suzy sighs and asks, "Why did you listen to a complete stranger?"
"Why did I?" It's simple really." Crunch says as he looks at the card, "My gut was telling me fun things are going to happen at that place real soon!"
The card Crunch holds in his hands reads: 'Marcy Murphy. Manager at Club Azure. Open from 11 PM - 4 AM every night.'
SUN SHORT #3 - Broken Promise
On the rainy day when The Ghost of Starlight High attacked several students, there was another story going on. One that took place somewhere else in the city. This is that story.
At the Starlight City Bookstore, Ivan Turnip sits in his wheelchair by the front counter as he takes a sip of some coffee. Next to him is the co-owner of the business, Professor Jessica Powell. As the two are in the bookstore, their mind wanders.
"You know Ivan, despite us knowing each other for a long time, we barely even talked about what we did before we met," Powell says.
"Really? What's there to really talk about," Turnip jokes, "We're surrounded by countless stories here. All of which are far more interesting than anything from my past."
"Maybe for most people," Powell says, "But I'd rather get to know you more than read another book to pass the time."
As they chat, the rain continues to fall outside.
"Well, how about you go first," Turnip suggests as he moves in his wheelchair to go close the door that blew open due to the storm.
Powell walks over and helps slam the door as she says, "Well it isn't anything interesting. I got my PhD and was ready to make something of my life. Then the '08 crisis hit and I had to move to this city. Now I'm here selling books to random passersby and having to make sure our employees don't cause a huge ruckus."
"Employees? We only have one besides us," Turnip chuckles, "But do you ever regret choosing to stay here?"
"To be honest, sometimes I do," Powell responds, "But there are several moments where I'm happy just being here. What about you? Do you have any regrets?"
"Me? Well of course I have some," Turnip says, "I wish I kept all my hair, I wish I didn't get stuck in this wheelchair, but my biggest regret of all…"
Turnip looks over to a photo on one of the shelves behind the counter of the store. The photograph has a teenage Ivan Turnip smiling enjoying a moment with his friend. His friend has wavy black hair, white skin, and gray eyes. The friend is also wearing blue overalls over a black hoodie.
"I wish I still kept in touch with an old friend of mine," Turnip sighs, "I wonder what he's been up to recently."
____________________
In the CEO's office of Club Azure, Jerry Pit sits on his chair looking at his desk. On the desk are several papers that the manager of the club, Marcy Murphy brought to him.
"So what do you think of the trajectory?" Marcy Murphy asks.
"It's nice, but I think it'll be best if we had more younger people try and talk to the high schoolers. You graduated last year, right? Why don't you try and grab a few," Jerry Pitt suggests.
"Yeah sure," Marcy Murphy replies as she lights a cigarette, "I thought that would have been Li-Wei 'field specialist' Zhang's job but I can do that too."
Marcy Murphy exits the office and as she does so, Jerry looks over at the photograph on his desk. It's of him as a high schooler, back when he didn't have a care in the world. Back when everything was right. Back when he was with his childhood friend was always by his side. Back during a simpler time.
"No matter what it takes," Jerry says as he looks at the photograph, "I will make things right. I promise."
SUN SHORT #4 - Things Are Still The Same
As the school day ends at Starlight High, many of the students make their way out of the school including The Miracle Clinic members; Ronnie Everst, Marcus Veridan, Elizabeth Moore, & Cameron Dots.
"Wait so you guys were ghost-hunting the other day?" Elizabeth laughs, "Why does all the interesting stuff happen when I'm absent."
"Well it wasn't as fun in the moment," Alex sighs.
"I wasn't even a part of it," Ronnie sighs.
"The ghost wasn't even real," Marcus sighs.
"Well still, it is better than taking an exam," Elizabeth says.
"True," Alex admits.
As Cameron walks with them he begins to try and speak when he gets interrupted by the honking of a car.
The group looks to see a red minivan parked by the school with Elizabeth's dad, Nolan Moore, driving the car. In the back seats are her younger siblings Nhung Thi Moore & Hai Vhan Moore.
"Sorry guys but I'm getting picked up today," Elizabeth says as her face goes red with embarrassment.
"That's fine, tell your dad we said hi," Ronnie says but Elizabeth ignores him as she gets into the car.
As the car drives off, Cameron begins to try to say something when he hears the clicking of a helmet. He looks to see Alex getting on a pink tricycle that's way too small for him with a white bike helmet on.
"Well guys I gotta head back home, I'll talk to you all later," Alex says as he begins to bike off.
"Yeah but make sure to give your cousin her bike back!" Ronnie yells as Alex rides off.
As Cameron then tries to speak up once more, he notices some of the buses are getting ready to leave so he sighs and states, "I uh- gotta get going, the bus is about to leave."
"Oh okay," Ronnie says, "I'll see you around, alright?"
"Y-yeah," Cameron sighs as he walks off.
As he walks off and enters the bus, Cameron begins to think to himself how despite it being months since he joined this club, nothing has changed for him. He's still the same.
See You Next Chapter!~