King Gnah

17-Strangers

KENNY

That evening, there was a large social event for the students. Apparently, there is one every fortnight, and since we came two weeks late, we had to attend our first one. We were second years because the school said so, and so we joined those guys.

I also found out that Gale was a third-year student, and so was our new roomie, Missy.

We sat in the gardens a little off the classroom block from the back. The sun was threatening to disappear as we got cosy. I noticed the guy from earlier, Jay, staring at Seth. That dude has some serious issues, I thought to myself. I knew Seth liked boys, but I didn't think he was the blondie-blue eyes type.

I wandered off to look at the guy next to him, and the dude was looking at Seth too...well, not quite. I followed this gaze, and it landed on Anya. Woah. Okay. Time to stop scrutinising people.

Then, as my shit luck was out to screw me over, my gaze landed on my freaking EX!!

I had no idea she was in this school. I mean, I knew that she was rich shit, but not royal-rich. She was the last girl I dated, and just because of her social status, it would get our parents talking. Once dad was done with the business, I was done with her.

Obviously, she didn't know that part, but she was so hurt by the breakup that I had to completely remove myself from her world...I haven't gone to galas in a while.

I looked away from her quickly, but not quickly enough because she noticed and yelled my full ass name, "Kennedy Price Gnah??" Then she squealed and ran over and wedged herself between Seth and me, and Seth then wrapped her arm around mine...all the while, all I let out was a nervous laugh.

Willow walked toward us just then with the drinks and froze for a split second. Her seat was just taken by some pretty blonde rando. She looked at our arms...smiled a small, disappointed smile, then proceeded to sit next to Caleb, who was more than happy to entertain her. It hurt a lot. I tried to get her attention, but she was focused on Caleb.

The whole time they gave out the week's opinion poll, and I was shocked to hear the following from Gale, who was the emcee of the event.

"Twenty years ago, in the school archives, we had a terrible band of misfits called the Chaotic Bunch, as a princess of the Scots put it." He paused, then added, "The students were Salim D'Lamini, Lawrence Gnah, Sean and Jean-the Gnah twins of that generation, Melanie Monroe and Terry Stims."

That was our parents; Uncle Sal was Stacy's dad. I recognised the Stims' name from Andy and Caleb. I was starting to imagine those times in the 90s, but Gale was not yet done.

"This year, we get a copy of their descendants, causing havoc on their second day at school. I'd know, King throws a real heck of a punch." Then he held his jaw as everyone laughed about the fight they knew nothing about. I left it to their imaginations to figure out the reason.

When the crowd calmed down a bit, Gale added in a showman-like voice, "Let's give it up for the second bunch of chaos masters, The CB 2.0!" and the crowd went wild.

You could tell that the school lacked its fair share of drama, so we were really a big deal. Then again, rich (apart from me) people are always taught to stay in line, so it's natural for the sore thumbs to stick out.

I remember when I was a small boy, my mother never took me for those fancy etiquette trainings that all my friends went for. She taught me herself while always reminding me that the best etiquette is to be original.

Never allow people to put you in a bracket. Categories are for the proud, and labels were for nosy people. She made us be with the people and not above them.

Most of these kids had black cards and jets, but I was raised to ask for stuff, and I hated it, but now I can see for sure that having to go through someone gives you a sense of respect and the ability to improvise to have fun. While they went to real castles, I had to build mine from pillows. And I loved it.

That's why these people love u, too. They don't have what we have.

Originality.

After the event thing. We had a slow conversation with my friends(Lisa left) and walked back home under the stars. I was still worried about how Willow perceived me now. I was hoping for all the stars that she didn't hate me.

I snapped out of my mind when we saw a silver-haired man leaning against our porch railing. He heard us, turned and looked next to shocked to see us. Honestly, so was I. He was young - like 20-ish - and had a kind of wolf face. His hair was chopped neatly at the neck, and he wore all black but in an old English way.

"Anya..." The man slightly bowed in greeting. "The guardians..." He said to the rest of us." I bring news."

Without missing a beat, Anya kept walking to the door and opened it. "We'll talk inside." She said, and we all obeyed.

When we were settled, and our guest declined all offers of a drink, he spoke, " Luxy's moving super fast, and we need reinforcements on the barriers. The army is down to half, and our scouts got word of the Archer."

This mambo jumbo made no sense to me or anyone here, but Anya took it in grimly. "Did you find the location?"

"That's the issue." He said nervously. " Ash kept it on this end of the barrier. This is the address." He handed over a cream colored card with golden writing.

Anya read it. Paused. Then sighed.

I reached out my hand, and she gave it to me, "You're fucking kidding, right?"

No answer.

"Whatever this is..." I waved the card around, "It's in Amy Wilson's country home."

Seth snatched the paper to make sure, then nodded.

" And who is this 'Amy'? Another ex?" Willow asked.

The right answer was 'no', but I didn't answer the question in general. I looked at the man before us and asked, "What did you mean by guardians?"