Another Unlucky Day?
*KAWKAW* *KAWKAW*
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"...Ungh... why are those crows so loud this early in the morning...? Huh—hold uppp?!"
Jeff woke up early that morning, still feeling drowsy. His body still had those bruises from last night's tumble with the bullies—and they weren't going away anytime soon.
So, back to Jeff. He woke up early in the morning...
But hold up...? Was that really the case...?
"...Dang it!!! I forgot to set my phone alarm...!"
Reaching toward his phone on the left side of his bed, Jeff checked the time—7:40 AM.
Uh-oh.
"...Ha... haha..."
He chuckled nervously, tossed his phone aside, and hurriedly got out of bed, heading straight to the shower.
"...Agh, dang it..! I forgot to take my towel..! Ahh, whatever—I'm gonna be late, dayumm..!"
*KAWKAWKAW*
After rushing through his usual school-morning routine in a frenzy, thanks to the predicament he was currently facing, Jeff quickly got ready. Finishing it off by slipping on his shoes, he dashed out of his apartment and sprinted away—taking turn after turn, going as fast as he could to reach his school..!
"Ahh, dang it..! This place is like a maze—why are there so many alleys here, man?! DAYUM..! I'm gonna be late if I don't get there soon... 7:55 AM?!!! Uh-oh... do I really have to use that path again?!"
Running along the way, he spoke to himself while briefly checking the time on his phone—and yeah, it was pretty bad. He was definitely going to be late if he didn't move faster.
And now, he found himself in a stalemate...
Use the usual path—or not?!
And the one he picked was...
"Ahh!! Whatever..! Just one last time... maybe?! And they're not gonna be there again, are they?! Wahh—am I foreshadowing?!!"
He then sprinted off, deciding to take the path he usually used to get to school. Passing through a few alleys and making sharp turns, he finally got back on the main road. He was getting tired—that's for sure—but the adrenaline kept pumping him forward!
After a few more turns...
He could finally see the school building.
The school building looked like your typical high school—not too small, not too big... just about right. Yeah, you know how it was. And so, Jeff kept running, sweat dripping off his body like crazy—seriously, like a leaky faucet!
"Huff... Huff... Ighhhh... uaghhhh... almost th-th-there...!"
Looking like a dead man and gasping for breath, he sucked in fresh air like there was no tomorrow. He was still running—though now much slower than before.
And now... the school building was just about 69 feet away. He could finally see the school gate, and just as described earlier, there it was—the school name proudly plastered on the front of the building!
This High School...
Yep, that's the name—"This High School."
It wasn't the best high school out there... but hey, it is what it is!
And Jeff—he was closer than ever now!
So very, very close...
In just a moment, he'd be inside the school grounds—just by entering through the front gate of This High School!
And then...
".....AhHHhhh... Finally, I made it... I'm not late! Not this time around, hehe... HAHAHAHAHA...!!! ...WHATTTTT?!.."
...Jeff finally entered the school grounds. As he tumbled forward, he gave up completely—his body ragdolling to the ground.
Lying there with an exhausted look on his face, he said gleefully—while checking his phone.
8:02 AM.
His smile crumbled… but it wasn't that serious. Still...
"...I swear I was faster this time around... how the hec—"
"...Ahem..."
Just as Jeff was in the middle of ranting to himself, he was suddenly interrupted by the fakest cough imaginable.
It came from someone he knew all too well.
I mean—who doesn't know, at this point? They always meet like this… for the same reason… because of something Jeff caused.
And then, the person spoke...
"...Jeff... you're late again? I thought this would stop."
"Uh-oh... ahh—this time, I swear I was faster! Can't you please give me a chance?"
"...Are you being serious? You know being late like this every time isn't a good thing. And I can't just let it slide—I'm in the Ethics Committee."
The person Jeff was speaking to was one of the members of the Ethics Committee Chair.
I mean, sure—that's a good thing.
But having someone like that go against me?! Like, c'mon...!
Oh yeah—her name is Sydney.
She's the same age as Jeff, and they're even in the same class.
To describe her appearance: she has soft brown hair, fair skin, and wears glasses over her dark eyes—giving her a nerdy kind of charm.
And yes, she's officially in charge of this—recording students who come late. Like Jeff.
And boyyy... how famous Jeff is for this!
"...Gahh... c'mon, Sydney! I've got my own circumstances, okay?! Ahh, it's difficult—you know how many alleys I had to go through? How many turns I had to take just to get here?! I was literally speedrunning—"
"...Well, okay—but that still isn't going to change anything. Your name is still being listed on this report. And since this is the fourth time you've been late—apart from yesterday—you'll have detention after school."
She paused.
Then, her eyes widened—just slightly—as she asked with curiosity:
"Also... why didn't you come to school yesterday?"
Posed with that question, Jeff looked taken aback. He answered but rather awkwardly:
"...Uh... something happened to me..."
Looking at Jeff with her usual expression, she seemed like she wanted to press further… but in the end, she didn't.
"...Hmm... okay. I'm done with this here. You can go to the classroom first. Also, don't forget—you have detention later."
Saying that, Sydney then proceeded to close the school gate—since the time had already passed 8:00 AM, making it valid for the gate to be shut.
And there Jeff was, still on the ground, blank-faced as he slowly raised a hand to his face in a dramatic facepalm.
"...Awhh mannn..."
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The school itself had four floors, laid out in a classic style: the ground floor (or first floor), the second floor, the third floor, and finally, the rooftop.
Pretty neat. Very classic-looking school, as they say.
Jeff walked inside and began his ascent toward the third floor—using the stairs, of course. That's what they were there for. The main staircase was situated at the center of the building.
The first floor hosted both the cafeteria and the teachers' office: the cafeteria on the left side of the stairs, and the teachers' office on the right.
There was also another staircase at the far end of the cafeteria that connected all the other floors, just like the central one.
And for the second and third floors— both are where classroom are situated at.. Oh, there was also library.
And now...
After climbing the stairs, Jeff finally reached the third floor.
His classroom? It was on the left side of this floor, all the way to the back.
"Why does my class have to be on the third floor—and all the way in the back? They've gotta be joking with this..."
Grunting a little, Jeff walked toward his class, occasionally glancing into the other classrooms as he passed by.
Everyone was going about their day as they should—studying, listening, doing what students are supposed to do at school.
Jeff briefly took out his phone and checked the time: 8:10 AM.
The first period would start at 8:15 AM and end at 10:00 AM. The lecturer was expected to arrive right on time—and once they did, class would officially begin. Obviously.
...And thus, Jeff finally arrived in front of his classroom.
Inside, his classmates were still dilly-dallying, minding their own business.
Apparently, the lecturer hadn't arrived yet—which, for him, was a good thing.
Oh, and Sydney?
Yeah, she was already here—since she'd gone ahead after closing the school gate and leaving him in his miserable state back there.
"...Hmmm... WELL, here goes nothing..."
With that, he opened the classroom door and...
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.
.
"....."
Yeah... it was hella awkward.
Everyone inside the classroom was staring at him.
Sure, he expected it—but c'mon, this was seriously embarrassing for him!
After a moment, his classmates resumed whatever they were doing—having confirmed that Jeff wasn't the lecturer.
And there Jeff was, still standing stiff at the classroom door.
Yeah... that was embarrassing.
A few seconds later, he finally started moving toward his desk.
And guess what?
His desk was by the window—all the way in the back. Typical, right? Lol.
Anyway, once he reached his seat, he set his backpack down beside the desk, pulled the chair out, and finally motioned to sit.
...Well, that's it.
This is how school usually goes for me—apart from yesterday. That never happens.
(Not outside of school, at least... Ahem.)
Anyway, this classroom's packed.
We've got some familiar faces apart from Sydney—like Sarah. Yeah, I forgot to mention her earlier. Oops? I mean, I'm only human...
She sits at the very front of the class, right beside Window 1. Since I sit at Window 4, that means there's Window 3, 2, and then—yep—Sarah.
This class is laid out with five desks per row, and four rows in total. So yeah, 20 students including me.
Sydney sits beside Sarah, like always.
Are they always together? I guess they are... I never really paid attention before. But I do now? Maybe?
And then there's my deskmate.
Uh... what was her name again...?
Whitney? Yeah, I think it's Whitney.
Not like we're close or anything—we just sit next to each other.
She's currently sleeping with her arms folded on the desk. Bruh, how can she sleep right now?! The lecture's about to start.
Wait... isn't she the delinquent type?
I don't really know. She doesn't stand out much. But if I remember right, she's always sleeping in class?
Ehh, who cares.
I've got my own stuff to worry about. I've even got my own fair share of "delinquent" activities! (Being late for school.)
Ehhhh... that's it.
I mean, school life's good...?
Maybe, apart from the little bit of bullying.
It wasn't that bad—I just gave them money and it was over. But yesterday... Yeah, that one was too much.
How do I feel about it?
I guess... frustrated.
I couldn't do much.
But I want to do much...
"....."
While Jeff was off in his own little daydream, the classroom door suddenly swung open.
It was the lecturer.
Just like that, everyone quickly straightened up and shifted into student mode as she walked in, going on about this and that before officially starting the class.
Jeff snapped out of it too, deciding to lock in.
After all, this stuff was important for his future.
So yeah—pay attention in school, kids!
And boom.
...Class flew by in a flash—
Well, it does if you're not really paying attention. But Jeff did pay attention—he locked in, after all.
Then came second period, which lasted until 12:00 PM.
And finally... it was recess time!
Yippeee...!
And the second period went by just like that too—as if it were nothing. Jeff did learn, though. He picked up this and that... and hey, that stuff's important anyway.
Once the period ended, Jeff decided to head to the cafeteria—
To eat, obviously!
Yeah... the cafeteria was already packed with people.
"Dang... filled already... haiyahhh..."
This is great—funny, self-aware, and totally in character. Just a few small grammar tweaks for flow and clarity, keeping your original tone:
---
...Despite the long line, Jeff still managed to buy two buns with chicken filling—Both for $5!
But wait—how did he manage to buy those Didn't he lose his wallet...?
That's the thing, the wallet back then was a fake— a decoy! The real one (with a lot of money, of course) was still in his possession!
...Though, let's be honest—it wasn't worth it.
He still got beat up yesterday.
He thought they'd let him go after seeing how poor he looked... Guess that backfired.
Anyway, since Jeff prefers to be alone (he doesn't have friends), he'd be eating solo again.
And what spot is the best place to eat...?
The rooftop.
Somehow, the school rooftop isn't occupied by anyone else, Like—ain't this supposed to be a popular place to eat?
Wait a sec...
Is this... main character privilege?!
Wowowowow...!
"...Wow... No one is here? Back then, people used to crowd this place just to eat."
He found a place to sit and ate while watching the sky, the clouds drifting slowly overhead... It was peaceful—for now, at least.
"Man... this is seriously the best feeling. Eating on the rooftop like this... I just wish I wasn't doing it alone. Sigh..."
Closing his eyes, he simply basked in the sun, cold winds brushing past him now and then. It was peaceful... but then—
"...Huh? There was someone here?"
Jeff, hearing that voice, suddenly felt his whole body jolt. That voice—he recognized it. Someone he had just met yesterday. It was Bryan. And if Bryan was here... then that could only mean—
"..Seriously, I just wanna blow some smoke out here. Huh? Wait a minute... that guy looks familiar."
...Looking in the direction of the voice, Jeff gulped hard as he saw both Bryan and Krooke emerge from the rooftop door.
Uh-oh.
He's gotta be here too. There's no way he's not. But... why now? I was having a peaceful moment for once...
"...Uh—uh-oh... u-uh, h-hi guys...? W-what's up...?"
Wearing an awkward expression and stumbling over his own words, Jeff felt completely out of place. There was literally no escape if they decided to do anything.
And then—there he was.
"What's with all the fuss? Someone here? Why didn't you guys just chase 'em off? Huh... wait, don't I know you? Pretty sure we met just yesterday, right?"
Saying that—and then suddenly switching from a blank stare to a wide grin—was kind of crazy. And it definitely wasn't a good sign.
They were still approaching Jeff, and he knew he had to do something about it. But what could he even do? Could these bullies be reasoned with?
I doubt anything gets through those thick skulls...
Well, Jeff would just have to try.
"Yoo... g-guys... we've m-met? I-I guess that's a good thing... now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta take a big dump. S-sorry..."
Standing up and muttering those words, Jeff began walking toward the door—slow at first, then gradually picking up speed.
But alas... it was short-lived.
"Wait... who said you could leave already? I didn't tell you that... did I?"
"...."
Billy's hand was pressing on his shoulder. The hand was pretty burly—probably bigger than his—and the pressure felt a bit too hard. That wasn't good.
"Ahh, that's right... I-I'm sorry..."
"Well, no need to be so tense... So, do you have any money?"
"...."
That wasn't what he wanted to hear—like, literally. Dang, they got him good. Should he have just lied to them? But would they even buy that? Man, he's so cooked! Ahh, what should he do?!
"Yo... he's talkin' to you. Don't ya hear? Got money or not?"
Ahhh...! S-sorry, I spaced out. Uuhhm... to answer that—I'm really sorry, but I don't have any money left...?"
"Ah, really? Then—can you show us your wallet?"
Yeah, they're pressing so hard—like, really forcefully! When I said I ain't got it, I meant it. Just... please accept that as it is, man!
"Ahh... is there really a n-need? Didn't you guys already get my wallet y-yesterday...?"
Jeff tried to play it off, redirecting the topic to yesterday's story—hoping they'd give up already. And more than anything, he hoped they wouldn't find out about his real wallet. If they found that, things would get really bad. Like, seriously—he didn't wanna end up eating grass! That's way too early for that kind of struggle!
And doing a part-time job? As if he didn't have school anymore—yeah, right. That'd be tight as hell. This money was his allowance for the month, the one his "parents" gave him... even if it wasn't enough to actually last a full month. But hey—it is what it is.
Please let this work out somehow. Please.
"Nah, let us check you."
These numbnuts—why the heck are they so persistent?! Please, just have mercy on me! Gah... whatever! I'll just try everything!
"WAAAHHH!! THAT BADDIE PACKIN' MELONS AND A WHOLE DUMPTRUCK!!"
"HUHHHH—B-BADDIE?!" (Triple snap as all three whipped their heads around in sync.)
Jeff, wearing the full-on surprised Pikachu face—eyes practically ready to pop out—was also pointing his index finger behind the bullies. And somehow, all three of them turned to look in less than a millisecond. That was pretty crazy.
Jeff took the opportunity and broke into a sprint, dashing down the stairs. In his rush, he dropped the buns he had just bought—they scattered across the steps, abandoned without a second thought.
But there was one thing he failed to account for...
"Can't believe those freaking numbnuts fell for tha—huh...?"
Jeff was pretty unlucky.
Something felt off. Oh—right.
He had slipped on the stairs.
In an instant, he went tumbling down—hard. And the worst part? He was only halfway through. The sudden fall slammed him against the steps, the world spinning as pain shot through his body. His right ankle gave a sharp sting; that tumble really did a number on him.
Dizzy, sore, and stunned, Jeff lay there, blinking at the ceiling. That fall felt like it lasted forever.
But that was it.
"Awh... what the heck... happened...? Aughh, that hurts..."
Still lying beside the stairs—halfway between the rooftop and the third floor—Jeff just stayed there, motionless.
But only for a moment.
"Huh... you really got us there. C'mere now."
Bryan and Krooke—who had been on the rooftop—were now standing over Jeff. Without wasting a word, they each grabbed one of his arms and hoisted him up.
Then, together, they started dragging him back upstairs... to the rooftop.
There he was—waiting. Billy looked pretty upset.
"I really believed you when you said there was a baddie on this rooftop. But you lied—and I don't like it. Now you've got to pay for that. You're gonna take five punches from each of us—starting with Bryan and Krooke, and then me."
"… Wait... I'm sorry… I... I will give you… you guys the money… I got my… wallet… please…"
"You had your chance, Bryan. Do it now…!"
"...Wa- UGAHH....!??…"
Just as Jeff was about to say something, a powerful strike to his stomach made him blurt out random gibberish and even made saliva splutter out from his mouth. He was gasping for breath as that powerful strike always and really, really, really took him out again, but that was only 1. And more will come… dropping to his knees, as they let him go, he then… puts his hands on his stomach as the blow made him cower… that blow was too powerful… he felt like it could shorten his lifespan every time that hit him… and that was only 1?!!!!... And so he did what he could do now.
"… Agh... please… Billy… I'm sorry… I'm sorry… please… just take the wallet… I will bring you more, please... no… no more of this..."
"Hahahaha... I like hearing that… After we're done with this, you better bring us more money then…"
"Huh…?? That... Wasn't what... What I agreed to... hu... wait ple--?!? AGHHH...Ghh...?"
In the midst of him speaking, Krooke then takes hold of his arms to let Bryan take the rest of his shot at Jeff… and thus... It continued on…
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Jeff… leaning on the wall… as his face drooped to his chest level… this time around he was… bruised even more badly… the injuries he sustained yesterday were fading and not showing much anymore, but now… they got even worse... He didn't move… not that he can… it just hurts to move… and thus he let it be…
"Tch, tch, tch… is this all you had…? Huh... Well, better than nothing, huh...? Well, you already promised to give us more, right...? You better be true to your word… or this is going to happen to you again…"
Taking the money that he had in his wallet… Billy then dropped the wallet as if it was nothing… Done with his business… they then finally decided to get downstairs… leaving Jeff alone on the rooftop… too bruised to move… then his mouth moved…
"... I... I freaking hate this…"
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... After the recess ended… Jeff missed the rest of the period, and thus he only decided to attend the detention class... Well, at least that was something… After recovering at the rooftop for some time, he finally felt better… and here we are… inside the detention class. There it is… the lecturer that was supposed to be teaching them about stuff, ehh, you know, the usual, but... he is sleeping... Apart from Jeff and the lecturer, there were also 2 other students inside the detention class. Oh, and one of them he already knew. I mean, she just sits beside him… it was that girl, Whitney. She is here attending the detention class…? But even though she is sleeping yet again... So unbothered, huh... So moving on, the other student was… Jeff doesn't know who she is… This girl had a black bob haircut and red eyes…? Jeff thought so, and she had a book in her hands, and the book was… what was it that she was reading...?
"...Vigilante...uhhh..."
… There, Jeff trying to read the book title was then interrupted as the girl with red eyes was staring at him. Eye contact was made as they both looked at each other, but alas, Jeff broke that contact faster than ever, looking away, kind of embarrassed, and then suddenly…
"… Are you interested...?"
"...Huh… interested…? What do you mean…?"
... Hearing what the girl suddenly said to him… Jeff then faced the girl and posed his confusion as the girl suddenly talked about him and about interest… This time too they're making eye contact… The girl stared at Jeff...
Then suddenly smiled.
"This book, are you interested in it?"
"...Uh… I don't know… maybe I am interested… what was that book...?"
Although it was sudden, Jeff didn't look like he cared that much… but since this girl suddenly sparked that conversation about it... it looks like he just has to go with the flow.
And might just ask something that makes me look like I really was interested, thought Jeff.
... Hearing what Jeff said, she seconds later looked at the book, and her face became natural again. She closed her eyes then and took a deep breath, and her eyes were open this time as she began to speak...
"...This book I'm reading is about a man who had enough of his miserable life. He believed the world was unfair, that society treated him like trash—so he decided to change that. He started setting things right in his own way, trying to build a world where no one would be wronged or misunderstood again..."
... The way she said it solemnly… I thought it was just some storybook at the end of the day… but somehow it resonated with me? Was it because of what I experienced yesterday and today's event…? Was it because my life… was already miserable enough…? Then as I was in my own world…
"Do you want to try reading it?"
"...Huh…? Read it…?"
... Taken aback a little by what she said… she suddenly wants me to read the book…? I meant the book did kind of tick me there…? But…
"... You should try it… it will be worth it… ah… and it's fine; I had another spare of this book… I just decided to bring this one today to read it at school."
"..."
.... She had already brought the book in between the desk as she with both hands clasped on the kind of thin and yet thick book. I'm not really sure, but I think she really wants me to read this book.
Like, the eyes in her eyes are something I can describe as desperate?! What?! Does she want someone to read this book so bad…!? Gahhh, I don't think I can refuse… Well... I guess it's fine…? This book might not be really that interesting to me.
"... uhmmm… okay..."
I then brought my hands closer to the book and then finally grabbed it too… though it's pretty nerve-wracking that she was just going to stare at me like that… gahh, she really won't stop staring at me if I don't take this book any sooner, right...? Though after grabbing the book, she finally stopped staring too hard… that was how I describe it… that, I can hear it though! She was heaving a breath of relief...!
"... So… oh, wait… how do I give you the book after I somehow finish it…?"
Settings down, as I tried to relax, there something click in my mind... How do I give her this book back? ; thus, I asked her, and that in turn had her eyes turned to me again… as she replied to me a moment later…
"… Oh… we can meet here again… I'm going to be here every day after the class from now on..."
"Huh…? What are you doing here every day...? Did you do something bad for you to be here every day...????"
"... Not actually… I was here because it's peaceful here; it's not because I was punished. I can read it here without any interruption…"
... This girl is kind of weird?! We got a library for that on the second floor?! Why aren't you using those?!!! Ahh… whatever…
"... Uhh… I don't think I can come here every day; it's not like I'm punished every time..."
"I think you will."
...what is up with that deadpan answer she just gave me? Now that discouraged me even more...awhhiiee... She then shifted her attention as she looked at the clock that's hanging on the front wall just behind the sleeping lecturer. Looking at where she was looking, the clock was showing 6:00 PM, as I saw it too—that was the moment she packed her stuff back into her backpack, and then she said to me…
"... Okay… I think I'm going now… so let's meet again later...? Umm... I don't know your name..."
"... Oh, my name is Jeff..."
... After hearing my name… she seems to be contemplating for a bit about it… like, what was the need for that… and then after a bit, she finally spoke yet again…
"… Okay… Jeff, let's see each other again here… Goodbye."
After that, she stands up gracefully, and putting back the chair the way it was supposed to be, turns away and walks toward the door… and then I remembered... I didn't even know her name yet...!
"Oi...! Wait, you asked my name, yet I didn't even know yours yet…???"
... After hearing that, she then stops halfway through the opened door of the detention classroom… and then turns to me again, looking at me with her red eyes… and she says...
"... My name is Marie…"
... Saying that, she then turned back and resumed her walks as she walked outside the classroom. Now that left inside the sleeping lecturer… me and the now-standing Whitney with a pissed expression… Oh HUH…?!
"... You're kind of loud... Pipe it down a little, can't you…"
"... Oh-uh… uh, sorry, Whitney... I will do so…"
... Jeff was surprised... Whitney was there, standing suddenly with her blue eyes staring coldly at him… She is probably mad at me…
Whitney, who was a girl with dirty blonde kind of hair and blue eyes, is pretty scary… when they glare at me… scared me poopless just like back then at the rooftop!
"..."
"..."
...And there we are just standing and looking at each other, and here I am, akin to a scaredy-cat. Like, who wouldn't be? This girl Whitney has a killer glare, dayum!
Though the silence that felt like eternity is finally broken down by none other than the girl herself…
"... Whatever…"
... Taking her stuff from beside the desk, she then brought it to her and put her hood on as she then also exited the detention classroom rather quickly, probably going to crash if she stayed here any longer...
"... Uh... Dayumm... That's pretty… intense…"
After those exchanges that we had… from Marie and even unexpectedly from Whitney too… I now know that my deskmate beside me was not that friendly...? Hiiyah, I don't even know now… so Jeff also started packing his stuff, and after doing so, he headed out from the classroom and went downstairs toward the first floor and straight to the school front gate to get out from "This High School."
Though his body was still hurting, he pushed through it and kept on walking... And then the moment he stepped outside of the school grounds… he then relocated his attention back to the book that was given to him… he didn't even know the title yet… she just told me about what it is… but what was the big idea?!
"Hmm… let's see… Uh-oh… isn't that kind of expected..."
... The book, which was being held by his left hand, was then brought to his chest level as his right hand was also put up to support the book… and thus Jeff read the title…
"... Vigilante Man... "