Valhalla High (A Magnus Chase Fanfic)

Senior Skip Day

February 10th

    The last of the Shakespeare presentations were on Monday, so I had no idea what we were doing today in English. Odin enlightened us once the class had settled down (read: stopped playing basketball with the garbage can and crumpled up pieces of paper). "We've covered a lot of ground this year," Odin said. "You guys have read an ancient Viking saga, some classics, and we've tackled both comedy and tragedy. We have been focusing on fiction and now we're going to make a transition into nonfiction."

   Several people groaned. "Nonfiction is boring!" Magni said.

    Halfborn looked over his shoulder to face down the son of Coach Thor. "You can't be serious, can you? Nonfiction is where it's at. You got biographies, memories, histories, psychology, biology. . . The whole world and you can read it!"

       Magni looked at Halfborn as if he had declared blue was the foremost color. "Nonfiction means boring."

      Odin cleared his throat loudly to prevent the squabble from boiling over. "Today, we will begin reading In Cold Blood. It's a true crime story that mixes elements of fiction and nonfiction. I suspect you will all find this interesting."

    Jack was immediately looking the book up on Google. "Guys, look what I found!" he said.

     "What?" Mallory asked.

     The entire class looked towards Jack expectantly — even Magni and Mothi. "A fanfiction mashing up In Cold Blood and Harry Potter."

Magni's eyes lit up. "Is In Cold Blood some witch trial stuff?"

Odin looked just about ready to facepalm himself. "In Cold Blood is not about witch trials or any witches for the manner. It's about the murder of the Clutter family."

"Bummer, I prefer witch trials," Magni said.

A couple people snickered, but Odin gave us all this look with his one eye — you know that intense teacher stare that says "I'm your teacher and your principal and I can write you up in a heartbeat." Magni was unusually quiet for the rest of class.

    I left the room quickly when the bell rang and made my way to my Ceramics class. As I walked in, I could smell the loamy scent of clay, the warmth of a cooling down kiln, and the metallic scent of paint. Sif greeted me as I came in. "Your mug is coming along well."

Sif had this idea that since we were high schoolers and a good amount of us in the class were seniors, that we should make our own dish ware. We'd started with plates and were now making cups. I'd chosen to make a mug because coffee is life.

Alex came in right before the bell. She was quiet and when we began working, I noticed her hands were shaking. I figured it was my duty as her boyfriend to figure out what was going on. "Alex, is something bothering you?"

She paused, her face folded in anger. She looked like she was going to say something, but then she pressed her lips together and shook her head. I decided I shouldn't push it. "I'm here for you," I said softly.

     We didn't share another word the entire class. I began painting my mug a sunny yellow color with orange stripes, while Alex was working on creating another mug. When class got out, I slung my backpack over my shoulders and felt a tsp on my side. It was Alex. "Sorry for being in a mood earlier," she said.

    I shrugged. "We all have had days."

     She gave me a lopsided smile and using a piece of rolled up paper, she tapped it on my left shoulder. "I hereby declare you Sir Magnus."

      "Sir Magnus!" I exclaimed. "Please no. I don't need more responsibilities."

     Alex burst out laughing. She clutched her stomach and laughed. I stopped and stared at her, slightly concerned by how much she was laughing. When the giggles finally subsided, she shook her head ruefully. "Thank you," she said. "You made me laugh. I didn't think that would happen today."

The warning bell rang, cutting through our conversation. "We're going to be late to class!" I said.

Alex smiled thinly. "Not if we skip."

I slowly grinned. "You're not suggesting. . ."

"I may be," Alex said, coyly shrugging.

***

We snuck out of the school to go to Taco Bell. The closest is a five minutes walk from our school. We both got burritos and drinks before sitting down at a booth in the back together. Alex was tapping her foot and playing with her straw.

      I cleared my throat. "So, what are the responsibilities of knighthood?"

     Alex's downturned lips rose and she flicked her gaze to me. "Well, enduring justice and battling the enemies of your sworn host: me."

    I nodded slowly. "But, like, I can still wear normal stuff, right? Like, I don't have to go around in armor or anything?"

    Alex rolled her eyes. "Do you think Michael Bloomberg wears steel-plated armor and rides around on a horse?"

     "I don't want to share a position with the likes of him," I said.

    Alex just laughed. "Thankfully for you, I am not the Queen of England. You'll only be representing Alex's kingdom."

    We began eating our burritos. In between bites, we chatted about small things. "Umm, Alex?" I asked.

     She raised one green eyebrow. "Yes?"

     "Is there someone I should be fighting on your behalf?" I asked.

     Alex's face crumpled and she put down her burrito. "It's my father. He wants me to join the leadership in his company. He found out I applied to college and told me that if I went, he wouldn't pay any of it."

       "You can get scholarships or take out loans," I said.

     "I know," Alex said. "It's not the money that is upsetting me. It's the fact my father cares so little about me. I thought I was used to it and it didn't bother me and I don't know why it's making me upset all of the sudden. He isn't worth getting upset over."

        I didn't know what to say. "You have ever looked up photos of minatore horses?"

     "What does that have to do with my father?" Alex asked.

    I pulled up an image on my phone and shared it. Her face softened and I let her scroll to see more. We  commented on the ones we thought were the curtest as we returned to our meals. When we finished, Alex was looking marginally happier. We cleaned up after ourselves and left, smiling as we snuck back into Valhalla High.