Amson, 17, "Peachy Keen"

The ride to school with Baun was chill, and though I was angry, ranting about my sister for the majority of the ride, talking with him calmed me down. On our way there, Baun also picked Nicky up from her house, pulling up to probably the biggest house I've seen in my life.

In comparison, our house looked like cardboard.

Pearly gates, a broad wall surrounding the space, and fountains galore made it look like she owned half the city, and I sat, lockjaw in the passenger seat of his truck. The rest of the ride was as you'd expect, a one-on-one, no holds barred deathmatch of words, Nicky sometimes pounding on my seat from behind, but it didn't spoil the mood. I'd gotten used to her ape-like amount of self-control.

Once we arrived at school, the three of us separated for the day, me going alone while Nicky and Baun went the other direction.

///

'Fletchlin isn't here...' I thought, the empty space irritating me beyond belief.

Homeroom was as it normally was, listening to our teacher, Mrs. Dixie, speaking an octave higher than any normal human. The material was simple enough, so I opted to tune this lesson out, leaving enough attention that, if called upon, I'd be ready, even for a war within my own brain.

Something about Tora's absence was weird, not only the fact that she was rarely even late for school, but the fact that her parents were so strict that she'd best not be. I couldn't shake the feeling as I stared blankly at where she would have been, twirling my pencil in one hand.

The other girl in our group was silent as per usual, donning a new set of black for the day. Sometimes I wondered if she ever felt hot with those unnecessary layers on.

"Mr. Grinner, dear!" Mrs. Dixie yelled with glee, snapping me out of my daze. "Yoohooo!"

As I came to, I saw all eyes on me, including the goth chick across from me. I leaned against the seat, looking lazily at them. Though I was prepared, my thoughts being interrupted always pissed me off.

"Yes, ma'am?" I sighed.

"Oooh.... So polite..." She jittered, pointing to the board. "What is your favorite element group, Mr. Amson?"

An odd question, but I rolled with it.

"Group 8, Noble gases." I said without much thought.

Mrs. Dixie seemed surprised by my answer, as did the rest of my classmates. I think they were less surprised by my answer that they were the fact that I retained enough to give one, and to be honest, I normally wouldn't have. The question was so indirect and opinionated that it'd be almost impossible not to give one.

"That's an unusual answer, Mr. Grinner." She smiled.

"I don't think it's too unusual an answer." I challenged. "As noble gases are usually less reactive, they seem like the obvious choice to me. They're more stable, self-sustaining, and don't require the electrons from other atoms to remain so. They are the most complete, and some might even say they are the happiest."

"O-Oh..." Mrs. Dixie retreated.

After looking at her reaction, I assumed there was no more questioning and returned to the space inside my head, twisting the pencil around my hand again. For that reason, school was always a bother, hence why I'd usually give minimal effort on tests and such. Though, it's not the worst part of the three G's, more the most irritating.

///

It was a lonely day without Fletchlin, PE being the only class I was able to stomach for more than a few minutes. I nearly thought of skipping.

Damn this new class system.

Class-after-class, one-after-another, just an hour and thirty minutes straight of listening to my own thoughts three times over. Then I'd have to do it for the rest of the day. I couldn't feel more defeated if I tied, and I sat alone at lunch, in the same sorry situation as Saturday. Who would've guessed that they'd have the bright idea to section off lunches, as well.

It was only until I was here alone, tapping at my food that I realized I was a target for the system. It had to be, because how else would nobody except Fletchlin be in this lunch either. Being as she's been out of commission all day, the time couldn't be riper for me to leave.

Yet, the same thing fixing me to that seat was my own device of success.

Life was so much easier when I'd remained to myself. Then, the second I try to change my situation, I'm slammed back to the ground by the system. I sighed as I looked at my food, up, then back down.

'I've had enough me for today.' I thought, standing up with my tray.

I took the tray and walked it to the trash can. As I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on me, and I spat, annoyed with my own mind. Noone was looking at me, and I damn well knew that.

I returned the tray to its graveyard for the day, and with that, I was out of there, free to roam the campus until the next period. After some sifting, I settled on a lone tree, the biggest tree in the pavilion. As I leaned on it, I slowly felt the weight of my mental exhaustion pulling me to the ground, and I flopped onto the tree's roots, thudding against the tough surface.

I pulled myself together and looked into the sky, finally getting the peace of mind I'd needed for the entire day. I needed something other than myself for a change, and this day made me realize what a state I was truly in, unable to even think without growing irate.

I took a deep breath in and out, closing my eyes and trying to refresh for the moment. I sat there for a moment, and slowly, the image of Tora invaded my mind, thrusting me back to reality. I looked around, only a glimpse of her remaining in the moment, but as I became aware of my surroundings again, I sighed.

I'd been sitting on an ant pile.