BEASTLY || CHASE STEIN (EDITING)

chapter seventeen

Just like every year on Open House, Atlas Academy shortened their student's day allowing for teachers to prepare their rooms for the parents who will be attending. So when it was time for the event to begin the principal started it by gathering both parents and students into the hall as she began her speech.

"Welcome to Atlas Academy's Annual Open House. Our students and faculty have been preparing for this night for months-"

The speech was boring, Garfield was the worst at sitting through speeches, something he and Chase can fight over for later, as the boy was already lulled to a light sleep by the principal's droning voice. Chase, weirdly though, was not kidding as he was earlier dragged by the arm to sit beside him whilst his parents were on his opposite side.

"And we're thrilled to share what we've been up to. We have student club booths for you to visit, as well as special displays throughout campus. I am certain there is something surprising waiting for you at this year's open house. Now, for the past decade, we have been recognizing our outstanding students and their dedicated mentors..."

Now Garfield wasn't the only one falling to sleep, the other was Dale Yorkes as his snoring could travel for miles.

"Tradition, and one I look forward to greatly each year. One of my favourite aspects of this open house is the chance to experience some of the fruits of our students' scholarly and creative activity. We learn more from our students themselves."

Alex was stuck sitting between his coddling parents, Nico was pulled away from her father and was sat besides her emotionally distant mother. Karolina and Leslie were joined to the hip waiting on Frank who was late to a social event.

"You will see many impressive examples of that."

In the front row Victor Stein raises his hand, "No, Dad, this is a straight-up assembly. You're supposed to sit and listen." Chase forcibly whispers, embarrassed at the fact his dad interrupted the speech.

Victor nods his head in understanding, however, he proceeds to keep his hand in the air as he waits for the principal to call on him, "Mr Stein, you had a question?"

"Will there be an opportunity to interface with the faculty this evening?" Victor quizzes his hand no longer raised yet still continuing to embarrass his son, "I wanted to personally thank each and every one of my son's instructors. They've helped mould him into a fine you man."

Not being able to believe that his Dad had just embarrassed him in front of the whole hall Chase lightly shakes his head while looking over to Garield who was biting his fist to hide his laughter pretending to cough when said joke looked his way. Chase nudged the boy's shoulder, "guess you're not tired anymore?"

"How could I miss this great moment?"

●□◇□●

"Hey! Mind if I join you?" Garfield looked up from where he was sitting on a stool, working on sorting out Coach's sport monitors to find Victor Stone smiling at him. "Or you know I could go," Victor draws out teasingly as Garfield grins in response, motioning for Victor to sit down besides him as Victor playful grabbed a tennis ball from the floor, carelessly throwing it as high as he can as Garfield groaned, putting down the detangled chords and snatching the tennis ball from Victors hands.

"Pretty sure you were banned from messing with tennis balls 'cause of what you did in P.E last year, " Garfield laughed, putting the ball in a bag near the racket cases. "You're no fun Gar, and if I remember correctly it was also you who got into trouble."

"Lies," Garfield gasped, "I would do no such thing."

"Tell that to Mr Blackburn's broken window and Connor Murphy's bruised back," Victor replied jokingly as Garfield smacked the back of his head, causing the boy to yelp. "That was an accident Vic you know this and you're the one who used the pitching machine for tennis dodgeball!" Garfield exclaimed in dismay as the dark-skinned man let out a throaty thundering laugh that echoed throughout the hall leading to those around them to stop and stare.