And That Was It

The Announcement

As Jupiter and Ezra finish biology, the intercom came on. "Students of Westside High, meet up for an assembly in the gym. I repeat, meet up for an assembly in the gym."

Ezra was calm after he heard the announcement. However, when he turned towards Jupiter, the calmness turned into tension.

"What's wrong?" Ezra asked. "Is this not normal?"

"No," Jupiter looks around, scared as students head to the gymnasium. "Or at least, I don't think so."

Jupiter and Ezra walk towards the gymnasium. Their pace quickens as the halls become emptier. Eventually, walking turned into running. They finally make it to the gym and look for seats. Alyssa signals Jupiter, and Jupiter grabs Ezra's hand. Ezra turns a slight shade of red and runs towards the two empty seats next to Alyssa.

"Alright, we don't need more forms of PDA in this school." Alyssa jokes.

"It's not PDA." Jupiter and Ezra sit.

"What's with the hand grabbing then?"

"Jupiter was only helping me get here." Ezra jumps in. "If he didn't do that, I would've literally been pushed out of the gym."

"Alright," Alyssa puts her hands of as a show of defeat. She whispers into Jupiter's ear, "Next time, tell me when you hire a body guard." Jupiter was about to counter, when a voice caught their attention.

"Students of Westside High," said the man behind the microphone. He was an old man with a striped suit and a red necktie. "My name is Mr. Harrison, and I am the principal of this school. Jupiter doesn't know why, but the students all started clapping.

"If you have went to this school before, I'm sure you are wondering why we have an assembly today." Mr. Harrison wipes the drop of sweat from his forehead. "This is very important."

"As some of you may know, this school has been supporting a small company named 'End Call.' End Call has been helping us by counseling our students, and we return the favor by supporting their office."

"They have been working on a project titled 'Last Day.' The purpose of this project is to tell you how m-much time r-remains before you u-unintentionally pass away." Mr. Harrison stutters.

Whispers arose for the audience. Some were scared while others were laughing as if this was a joke. Jupiter and Alyssa turn to each other, and they both knew the severity of this as they both helped develop ideas for this project. Jupiter turned to Ezra to see a shocked face with a shrivel of fear.

"It is not a joking matter!" Mr. Harrison boomed. As the whispers die down, Mr. Harrison rubs the bridge of his nose. "I am deeply sorry for that sudden tone. My point is some of you may not last very long."

Silence.

"You students will have to remain with us until 12 AM, at which you get your notifications." A bunch of shocked gasps came from the crowd. Mr. Harrison continues, "Your parents and guardians were informed of this situation. This isn't a norm for the whole school, but everyone, including the freshman, will be given a dorm for the night. Everyone, please choose a partner to share a temporary bed with. I know it will be awkward, my apologizes."

"WHAT THE FUCK!?" Alyssa yells. "THIS IS SO STUPID!"

"Alyssa, chill." Jupiter says. "This is just for now."

"Ezra!" Jupiter, Ezra and Alyssa turn to the source of the voice. It's Katie.

"Well, shit." Ezra sighs.

"You said it." Alyssa agrees.

Katie walks up next to Ezra. "Hey, uh, is it okay if we could share beds for the night?" She starts to "blush." Jupiter doesn't understand why, but a sudden unknown feeling filled his heart.

"Jealous much?" Alyssa mocks.

Jupiter turns cherry red from embarrassment. "No."

"Oh, and two more things." Mr. Harrison grabs everyone's attention. "Boys and girls cannot share the same room. When you leave the gym, head to your previous class."

Couples scattered throughout the gym groan in annoyance. Ezra and Jupiter turn to Katie while Alyssa walks around to find a partner. Ezra smirks at Katie. "There's your answer."

Katie starts to tear up and runs to her group of friends.

"Wow," Jupiter couldn't help but softly laugh. "How rude."

"Good, she was getting on my nerves anyway." Ezra looks at Jupiter. He looks a bit shy. "So, uh, is it okay if we-"

"Yes!" Jupiter interrupts. Realizing what he did, and looking at Ezra's astonished expression, he blushes. "Sorry, that came out wrong."

"No worries." Ezra and Jupiter stand up and head to biology. "It just caught me off guard, that's all. Then yet again, you said all the boys you know so far are dickheads."

"Cause it's true!" Jupiter throws him hands up. "If they're aren't showing signs of PDA, they're flirting with the hot girls or something!"

At the comment, Ezra laughs, and a sudden likeable feeling flows through Jupiter.

"Ouch, man." Ezra jokes.

"Huh?" Jupiter thinks for a second. "Oh. Oh! I didn't mean that you're not hot, you are."

Ezra throws him a questioning glance with one eyebrow raised and a smirk.

"I mean- you're not hot. Uh, you're good-looking, but, uh, I meant like the boys in this school... uh... UGH!" Jupiter covers his red coated face with his hands. "Wipe that smirk off your face!"

"Alright," Ezra says. After a while, Ezra asks, "You think I'm good-looking?"

"Shut up!"

"Okay, okay."

"EZRA! JUPITER!" Ezra and Jupiter turn around and see Alyssa running down the hall to reach them. 

"Walk!" a teacher demands. Alyssa slows down until she's walking and stops when she reaches the two.

"Help me!" Alyssa begs.

"What's wrong?" Jupiter asks.

"I got stuck with Katie!"

"What?! How!?"

"A teacher caught me looking around, and since I didn't find a partner, she paired me up with Katie because she didn't have a partner."

"I wonder why." Ezra says sarcastically.

"You know her?" Alyssa looks at Ezra.

"She tried hooking up with me earlier today."

"Damn, lucky you. Getting girls on your first day."

"I never asked to be born like this!"

"Well be thankful you were." Jupiter comments, then turns to head to class.

Alyssa and Ezra stand there, looking at Jupiter. Ezra turns slightly pink. "What?"

"Don't worry about," Alyssa confronts. "Now go catch up."

"Right." Ezra runs up to Jupiter's side.

Ezra and Jupiter head into the biology class to find a panicking teacher.

"Mrs. Smith, are you alright?" Ezra runs to her Mrs. Smith's side to catch her from falling.

"I'm sorry, I just-" Mrs. Smith sits in her chair to relax. "I just pray none of my students will have to go through the pain of losing someone."

"Oh." Ezra says. "Don't worry about us, Mrs. Smith. At this moment, family is more important."

"I know, but-" Ezra throws a glance at Mrs. Smith. "Oh, alright. I'll see if I can reach my family."

"Good choice."

Word Count: 1097 words