7 Coal Digger

[Hey, do I have to keep going to your house when we're working on our science project?] - Zephyr

[I don't know. Let me ask Dad] - Alex

[Dad said I can but not today] - Alex

[Why?] - Zephyr

[I'm going to Grandpa Jay's for a barbeque and Mom won't let me skip it] - Alex

[That sounds like your mother] - Zephyr

[Is she always this uptight?] - Zephyr

[Most of the time. She used to be worse when we didn't have Luke] - Alex

[Really? I can't imagine her being more uptight than she already is] - Zephyr

[She used to fully enter the school to make sure Haley and I went to school and didn't skip class] - Alex

[That doesn't sound too bad] - Zephyr

[This one time, I was a few minutes late and she asked me if I got kidnapped] - Alex

[🤣🤣🤣] - Zephyr

[What else did she do? This is so hilarious] - Zephyr

[Haley had detention this one time and mom thought it was because she was doing drugs or something like that. When Haley got home, Mom shouted at her for like a few hours only to find out it was because Haley didn't do her homework]- Alex

[Your family is just too funny] - Zephyr

[Hey, I want to ask you a question] - Alex

[Shoot] - Zephyr

[What's your family like? You never talk about them and you always come to school by yourself] - Alex

[My family's quite tame when compared to yours] - Zephyr

[My dad's a bit overprotective, but he means well] - Zephyr

[He doesn't spend as much time with me as before, but I get why] - Zephyr

[My neighbours are really nice as well] - Zephyr

[She has a daughter who always hugs me when they come over] - Zephyr

[They sound nice] - Alex

[But what about your mom?] - Alex

[What do you mean?] - Zephyr

[You've talked about your dad and your neighbour, but not about your mom] - Alex

[Ahh, that's kind of a sensitive topic] - Zephyr

[You don't have to tell me if you don't want to] - Alex

[I understand that its something personal and I don't want to force you to tell me] - Alex

[Thanks, but you'll find out anyways] - Zephyr

[My mom's dead] - Zephyr

[Oh My God] - Alex

[I'm so sorry. I didn't know] - Alex

[Don't worry. I get it] - Zephyr

[I've gotten used to it and come to terms with it] - Zephyr

[Are you sure you're okay?] - Alex

[Yeah] - Zephyr

[I know this is a bad time, but I've got to go] - Alex

[Mom wants us to leave right now and she's getting angry] - Alex

[It's cool] - Zephyr

[Enjoy yourself] - Zephyr

[Thanks. Bye] - Alex

[Bye] - Zephyr

Putting his phone down, Zephyr lay down on his bed and looked up at his ceiling. Letting out a deep sigh, he muttered, "Why do I feel so depressed? I've never been like this"

[It's because you still haven't come to terms with your past. You're confused about who you are and are afraid of truly opening up to others]

"How am I meant to get over what happened then? I can't just forget what happened, then I won't be myself", Zephyr asked.

[I don't have a psychologist feature built-in but my only answer would be to accept what happened in the past]

"Accept the past", questioned Zephyr, "How the hell am I meant to do that? That's the sort of advice I'd expect a friend to give after a breakup".

[I'm afraid I don't have any better advice]

At the system's words, Zephyr sighed one more time before getting up and going downstairs. Unsurprisingly, his dad, Matt, wasn't there. Matt Blake was a financial manager for a big company and as such had a lot of work. Before his mom, Nyx, died, Matt was a workaholic and had little to no time to spend with his family. After Nyx's death, he decided to regulate his work hours to spend more time with his son.

Opening the fridge, Zephyr took out a carton of apple juice and poured it into a glass. After adding a few ice cubes, he took a few sips, enjoying the sensation of coolness he received. Downing the rest of the juice and leaving the ice cubes in the glass, he went outside to the garden, sitting down to look at the sky.

As the sun sank lower on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the land, a tranquil hush settled upon the world. The day's vibrant hues slowly melted into a tapestry of deepening oranges, purples, and pinks, painting the sky with a flash of ethereal brilliance. It was a scene that beckoned the onlookers to pause and admire nature's grand finale for the day. The sun, a fiery orb, cast long, elongated shadows across the land, adding depth to the landscape.

As minutes passed like grains of sand through an hourglass, the sun's descent quickened, painting the sky in bolder strokes. The horizon blazed with hues of deep crimson and burning orange, as if the heavens were aflame, bidding farewell to the day in a magnificent display of celestial artistry. Time seemed to stand still as the final sliver of the sun dipped beneath the edge of the world. The sky transformed into a celestial masterpiece, as shades of violet and indigo embraced the fading light. Stars began to emerge, twinkling faintly, heralding the arrival of the night.

As darkness slowly enveloped the landscape, they turned away from the cliff, their hearts filled with a sense of tranquillity and gratitude. The sunset had painted the world with its divine brush, leaving behind a sense of awe and reverence. And though the sun had set, promising to rise again, its departure had left an indelible mark on those who had been fortunate enough to witness its majestic descent.

Letting out a deep breath as he basked under the moonlight, Zephyr asked, "System, how many points do I have?"

[You currently have 1139 Gacha Points which is the equivalent of one Uncommon and one Common]

"Roll me an Uncommon", he muttered.

[Deducting 1000 Gacha Points]

[Balance: 139 Gacha Points]

[Rolling Uncommon Gacha]

[You've received Kiyotaka Ayanokoji (Classroom of the Elite)]

[You've received Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's perception]

[You've received Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's manipulation mastery]

[You've received Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's martial arts mastery]

"Great", groaned Zephyr, "Another cold manipulative guy. Because that's exactly what I need right now".

[The Gacha is all randomised. If you have any complaints, please raise them with the admin]

"I can't even talk with the admin though", argued Zephyr.

[Indeed]

"So how can- you know what, I don't care", Zephyr said, getting up and going back inside.

[Pritchet residence]

Jay was sitting on the sofa watching the Ohio State football match with Alex sitting down to his right and constantly looking at her phone.

"Let's go Illini! Let's go", chanted Cam as he entered the room with a beer in his hand and Mitch following after him.

Cam sat on a couch chair to Jay's left while Mitch sat on the armrest. "Looks like I gotta watch the game with Dick Butkus", Jay said.

Alex giggled at his words while Mitch spoke up, "Dad! Dad, come on. That's offensive".

"No Mitchell. He's one of the best linebackers to ever play at Illinois", Cam interrupted, "And one of my personal all-time heroes"

"And his name is Butkus?", asked Mitchel asked, "And we're just choosing to ... Okay, all right. Dad, I'm sorry, I thought you were being homophobic"

"We got all night", Jay replied.

"Yes we do!", cheered Cam.

"Are you joining us in here?", Jay asked.

"Yeah, Jay. You know what, he's been studying up", Cam said while taking a seep of his beer.

"Yeah, and I got to tell you, I'm a bit worried about C.J.Hightower, right?", Mitch said, standing up, "With the bad ankle, I'm wondering how he's gonna run his corner routes".

"Hightower's out", Jay said.

"What?", asked Cam, not taking his eyes off the screen.

"Well, whos going to run his corner routes then?", Mitch asked.

"I'll tell you who won't be, Billings", Jay replied while putting down his beer bottle.

"That's low", Cam muttered. Turning to look at Mitch, he said, "He's in jail".

"Oh wow, I didn't know that", Mitch stated.

Cam raised his voice, "Oh, double tight end. It's gonna be a quarterback rollout to the-".

"Nah, they're gonna run it", Jay cut off.

"No, trust me", Cam said raising his hand, "He's got the slot in the endzone! Touchdown!"

While clapping with everyone else, Mitch said, "Maybe they should've considered blitzing".

"Blitzing wouldn't have helped them", Jay declared, "Get out of here".

Hearing Jay's words, Mitch got up and began to leave. However, just as he was out of the room, Alex stood up and ran to him, "Uncle Mitchell. There's something really important I want to talk to you about".

Seeing the worried look on Alex's face, Mitch was taken back for a few seconds before saying, "Sure. Let's find a room and you can tell me what you want".

Alex and Mitch made their way out of the living room and into one of the empty rooms in Jay's house. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?", Mitch asked as he sat down on the bed.

"Promise you won't tell anyone?", Alex asked.

"Sure, I promise", Mitch said.

Alex nodded and then began speaking, "Before coming here, I was texting with Zephyr and I think I might have done something wrong".

"What did you do honey?", Mitch asked gently.

"While we were messaging, I asked him about his family and I noticed that he didn't say anything about his mom. I asked him about it and he told me she died and now I feel really bad", Alex said.

[Commentary]

Mitch

"You know, I never expected Alex to come to me for advice on boys, but I'm glad she did", Mitch began, "It makes me feel important. Anyways, I was kind of surprised by how good Zephyr's baking skills were, but now it all makes sense"

[Commentary ends]

"Alex, you don't need to feel bad. I'm sure he doesn't blame you", Mitch said while hugging Alex, "He's a tough boy. I'm sure he's gotten over it".

"Really?", Alex asked.

"Yeah. And if he's like Haley told me he is, he probably already told you", Mitch remarked.

"He did", Alex said while nodding her head.

"See. There you go", Mitch said while releasing her from the hug, "No need to be so worried. I'm sure he's waiting for you to text him".

"Thanks Uncle Mitchell", Alex said as she walked out of the room.

[Time Skip]

[How's the barbeque?] - Zephyr

[Not well] - Alex

[That's unfortunate] - Zephyr

[What happened?] - Zephyr

[Ugh. Mom and Gloria had a fight and then Dad came in and helped solve things for them] - Alex

[That doesn't sound so bad] - Zephyr

[Yeah. But then Luke and Manny came in and ruined everything]

[Luke even said how Mom called Gloria a gold digger last year on the way to the Christmas Party] - Alex

[Ooooo. That sounds bad] - Zephyr

[Yeah. Mom and Gloria started shouting at each other and Gloria won't come out of her room now. Dad went up there a minute ago, and Mom just went up so I don't know what's going to happen] - Alex

[Hey, do you want to make a bet?] - Zephyr

[Sure, why not?] - Alex

[I bet you that Gloria and your mom will make up but Gloria will have Claire do something embarrassing, like jumping into the pool at your grandfather's house] - Zephyr

[I think that Gloria won't make up and we'll end up leaving early] - Alex

[Okay. Since we've made the bet, we need to come up with the reward] - Zephyr

[If I win, I want you to be there during my lacrosse match in a week] - Alex

[I was going to do that anyway, so that's your loss] - Zephyr

[Then I take it back] - Alex

[No takebacks] - Zephyr

[That's not fair] - Alex

[All's fair in love and war] - Zephyr

[If I win, I want you to come with me when I go watch a movie at the cinema] - Zephyr

[Like a date?] - Alex

[Maybe? Maybe not? Who knows? 🤷] - Zephyr

[Hey, stop teasing me] - Alex

[No way. It's too fun] - Zephyr

[Wait. Dad, Mom and Gloria are coming down together] - Alex

[Switch to a video call. Let me see what's going to happen] - Zephyr

[Okay. Give me a sec] - Alex

[Third Person POV]

"Hey, did you guys work that out?", Jay asked.

"Almost. Gloria wants me to jump in the pool", Claire casually said.

"Okay then", Jay responded without paying attention.

"What?", Phil asked. Quickly, he got up from the couch with everyone following. Alex was walking behind all of the while talking into her phone, "Damn it, you were right".

The person she was calling (Zephyr) laughed hearing her words and said, "Am I smart or am I smart?".

"Don't inflate your ego. It's already so big, any more and it might just crush you", Alex snapped.

"Don't worry, I work out a lot. I'm sure I can handle all that weight and you at the same time", Zephyr replied.

"Whatever", Alex said and began jogging to catch up with the rest of her family.

"This is so awesome", Luke said as he followed Gloria outside the house.

"Mom does not look good wet", Haley added offhandedly.

"Gloria, is this really necessary?", Jay asked as he exited the house.

"Dad. Dad, it's fine. It;s fine", Claire announced, "If I need to jump in this water to prove how sorry I am to Gloria, the I will do it. Fine", she said, while trying to move towards the pool while hesitating. Turning around, she anxiously asked, "You're seriously not gonna stop me?".

"Why would I do that?", Gloria answered while shrugging her shoulders.

"Because I am standing here. I am showing you my willingness to ...", Claire began, but seeing the look on Gloria's face, she gave up and jumped into the pool. Everyone screamed as soon as she jumped into the pool with Claire swimming towards them, "Are you happy?"

"Yes. I forgive you!", Gloria screamed.

"Okay, then give me your hand", Claire asked, while holding her hand out.

"That's the older trick in the book, she's going to pull you in there", Jay said, while pushing Gloria in himself, "And that's my job".

"This is funny, but this is also a teaching moment", Phil tried, but was pushed in by Jay. Seeing that, Manny and Luke rushed to Jay and tackled him into the pool. Snatching Alex's phone from her and putting on a chair, Mitch wrapped his arms around Alex and jumped into the pool with her.

Seeing everyone having fun in the pool, Cam shouted "Cannonball!", while jumping into the pool as well.