The Matters of Power

Chapter 18- West Anton High, Winter War [1]

Winter. Oh how I hate winter, not that it makes much difference to Texas weather. Even with the preserved amount of wearable clothing that our family has been able to store as well as cheap packet warmers, there has been that one night that makes the Sahara Desert a preferable alternative to live in, damn our house's poor insulation. Luckily, mosquitos are all dead or in hiding to no longer bother me when I'm outside, such as heading to school or doing chores, so I got that going to me. Already, I can see my fellow peers wear the most stuffy jackets and not a single shorts or uncovered head in sight at the school entrance. I'm about to enter the main building until I spot Fernando waving me over. As I approach him, he seems fixated on his phone that he tries to show his screen. "You see this, Marcus? Not even into the middle of the season and this is the worst that Texas weather has to offer us. Even the news network says that we might see a chance of snow before Winter Break. Snow! That is a once-in-a-decade opportunity down here, and I for one is waiting for a good excuse to not go to school. Say Marcus, (he taps around on his phone) did it snow from where you were from?" Austin isn't much different from here, except I got more sunlight and the chances of a hurricane so I couldn't really say to him. Before I can even respond, I feel a tough shove from my shoulder, looking back to find "Prince" Zeke going by with a sarcastic 'sorry about that' look. "(Zeke) ...Jerk. All this fame for him and all I got was a punch to the gut." Fernando doesn't seem happy seeing Zeke, "He still looks like he is holding a grudge on you when you gutted him into the ground that time. (He makes a 'loco' gesture) Even being one of the most popular guys in this school with some people for his pockets is not enough to heal a hidden humiliations months ago." Yeah, you and me both, buddy. "We should head inside for class now," I say, trying to get an excuse for the both of us to go inside from the chilly breeze. "No good for us to freeze to death before school even starts." He nods and heads inside the main building while I follow him in. Quite a lot of people hanging around the foyer area, finding Carl and Payton together nearby, Zeke surrounded by his cronies in one corner, and the dreaded Swift Cross school gang at the far corner with Quarter and Yan there just... hanging out like everyone else is.

Fernando and I look at each other, confused on where to go from here. Luckily, Carl spots us and waves us over but not before calling my name out and everyone else turning their heads towards me. Even months in this school, I feel like I am in the life of some A-list celebrity with the amount of popularity I never wanted. A lot of the usual whispers go around as we make our way towards Carl, but I try to make a straight face like the other times before like I had to. I can hear in his head that Carl regrets his decision, but tries to play it cool anyways. "Hehe, uh, nice weather, right Marcus? So anyway, how-" Payton jabs his sides in frustration. "Dammit, Carl, think before you speak, will ya? We already know that he's the most popular kid in this school, probably in this town, you don't have to announce his presence." "What? Who wouldn't want to take advantage of their massive popularity? More importantly, who wouldn't want to be THE Marcus Fernandino, with after all he has done still insists on being 'some high schooler'. (He puts out his arms towards me) His words!" With what he said in mind, I try to butt in with my reply, "Well, you see, that's the thing. I don't want any of-" "Heeeeeey, Mr. Fernandino, Star Freshman! Es ist schön, Sie heute Morgen zu sehen!" We turn around to see Hugo approaching us with a small posse of female students, some in the upper classes, following him. He flicks a piece of hair hanging from his face, "Sorry for interrupting. How have y'all been?" We reply positively, and he goes on. "Marcus, it's been a good while since we last talked at the Fall Festival, I hope that vest that you wore suited you well." Oh yeah, I remember about that. "It was good, but when I tried to talk to your sister about handing it back to you, she refused, saying something about 'He wouldn't dare take back something that he made for a valued friend'... so I kept it with me back home." Instead of being upset, he smiles. "Well, of course my sister knows me too well. Listen man, (he gives a thumbs up) don't worry about returning it because it's yours to have. Also, I want to to know if you are able to let me be able to style your hair for a day, it would be a blast!" The morning warning bell stops me from responding, and we all have to make it to class for the day. Though not without hearing the voices of Hugo's following fanbase to partially distract me for the first period.