Something Unexpected

Chapter Five

The next couple of dayswere some of the longest hours Five could ever experience and helived alone in a post-apocalyptic world for 45 years. Friday dawnedbright and sunny as Five mechanically donned on his Academy uniform,hopefully for the last time.

Five combed his fingersthrough his hair to make it look presentable before blinkingdownstairs to the kitchen where he joins Luther, Allison, Klaus,Pogo, and Grace for breakfast. He grabs a cup of coffee and sip on itas he takes his seat. He tries not to grimace at the awful taste.

Grace sets a plate withsmiling pancakes, eggs, and bacon in front of him. He gives her asmall smile. "Thanks." And digs in.

After eating the pancakes,half of the eggs, and most of the bacon, Five pauses and lookstowards his sister. He takes a sip from his coffee. "Allison?"

Allison looks up from hermug of coffee and bowl of yogurt. "Yeah?"

Five rubs the rim of hiscup with his fingers. "Are you busy today?"

Allison thinks for amoment before answering. "No. I don't think so." She shrugs hershoulders as she sips her coffee. "All I have to do is drop offClaire at school and then I'm free." She gives him an intriguedlook. "Why do you ask?"

Five shifts uncomfortably."I... I need your help with something."

Allison sets her mug down."What do you need help with?"

Five glances at everyoneat the table before quickly standing up and blinking right nextAllison. He grabs her arm and blinks them both out of the Academy.They land in front of the iron gates in front of the Academy's frontdoor.

Allison stumbles and triesnot to vomit up her breakfast. She glares at Five. "What... the...hell was that?!"

Five runs his hand throughhis hair and sighs. "Because I didn't want to say anything in frontof the others."

"Like what?" Allisondemands as she straightens up as her stomach settles.

Five looks down at hisfeet. "I want you to help me pick out some new clothes."

Allison looks at Five insurprise. "Really?"

Five looks up at her."Yes." He looks around at the people milling about the streets,going about their day. "I finally realized that I look absolutelyridiculous in my uniform."

Allison smiles andchuckles softly at her brother, finally catching on to what Five wasgetting at. "You wanna make an impression on Ms. Gale."

Five shoves his hands inhis pockets and shrugs his shoulders. "Yes."

Allison shifts on herfeet. "Why didn't you wanna say any of this in front of theothers?"

Five gets a look offrustration on his face. "Because, it's stupid."