Falling Upwards

Page One: The More Things Stay the Same

Perhaps with an introduction, you will gain an appreciation for the faces that you are stuck with for the rest of your life.

"For the last time, you buffoon," The female seethed with her teeth grinding. "Return my pen at once." She stood commandingly in front of the classroom's entrance. She then glanced at the rear exit and made eye contact with the two boys protecting it. Her eyes did not linger on them for long as she refocused on the supposed pen-taker. "I did not get transferred here just to fall victim to your brashness." 

The boy looked at the pen for the third time since she opened her mouth. "Uh-huh." He muttered nonchalantly before continuing to eye his prize. The utensil in question was a golden fountain pen with a strange purple symbol engraved. "Did you transfer from Europe or something?" The individual looked straight into her eye. "Are you supposed to be royalty or something?" He rubbed his finger across the pen slowly and carefully, slightly unnerving the onlookers. "You must be, given that you think you're above it all." 

He slowly began walking towards the girl, who took a slow step back. He was about six inches taller than her average stature, although he ignored the missing half-inch and boasted of being six feet. His lean frame boasted the undertones of high athleticism as he let his arms idly swing as he walked. "'Brashness,' you say," He started mockingly. "Let me be the one to tell you, princess: You're not above anything; just because you're new doesn't mean I will treat you better than I treat anyone else." 

Seeing that he was not inclined to stop, the two boys rushed to the damsel in distress. "I knew you were a princess. You have two knights ready to risk their lives at the simple chance of trouble." He stopped and clapped at them. "I didn't think you had it in you, Toby." 

Toby stood at a modest five foot seven inches. His skin was pale alabaster in tone, and his uniform was too big for his form. His legs wobbled when he moved, and his entire frame was uneasy. "You'll be surprised." He spoke with moderate pauses between each word. Sweat formed at his brow as he put on his most convincing stare. Sadly, the recipient was not convinced.

"Now, Toby," He started with a chuckle. "What did I tell you about trying to do the impossible?" The speaker cracked his knuckles which made Toby wince. "May I remind you that the last time you even attempted to do something, you stood up too fast and hit your leg on a desk. Toby, you had to go to the nurse's office and apply ointment to the area daily." He paused. "You hobbled to school for a week, Toby!" 

 Toby looked down at his black sneakers as the memories returned to him. His eyes darted to the girl, his associate, and back to the pen thief repeatedly. The sweat began to pour from his forehead, giving the illusion that he had just soaked his face in water. Toby's breaths increased in frequency. A red hue crept onto his face. His mouth opened and then shut beyond his control.

 "You don't look too hot." The other male stated concernedly. Michael Mauver was three inches taller than Toby and had an espresso-brown skin tone. His build was much more muscular than Toby's. His arms were akin to a personal trainer's, and his uniform hugged his figure. "You should go home and let me handle this." 

"Perhaps you should." The girl spoke calmly. "If that is true, I do not want to be held accountable if you are hurt." She sighed before continuing, "It would not sit well with me if my inaction causes more harm than good to you." 

"Is that Belinda showing an emotion that is not contempt?" The boy feigned shock. "It seems like the princess cares about her subjects."