Ever After

Tuna Sandwiches

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This chapter is in Mark's perspective.

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I can't quite tell how I feel about this baby egg project. To be honest, I can't quite tell how I feel about a lot of things these days - like, a lot. Now that things are so different, I've earned a new perspective, one that no longer decides to be shocked when Jack suggests we skip a day of school or offended whenever the three numbskulls decide to call me by my nickname. But, I have to say, the fact that Killian asked me to speak with him after class came as startling news, news that I (of all people) didn't expect.

"You comin' with me?" Jack asked, throwing his binder into his backpack.

"Where to?" I responded, not having been listening - I was too focused on what Killian had asked of me.

"Lunch," he said. I took a glance at the clock, just now realizing that it'd become twelve o'clock within a matter of seconds.

I nodded, smiling as I regained hold on my precious egg. "Just gotta talk with Mrs. Jefferson first."

He nodded. "I'll wait for you in the hall."

He left but a second later, his absence making me feel utterly awful. I'd just finished lying to my best friend in the whole world, the only person who knew (and kept) my dark secrets. I mean, sure, going up and talking to Killian wasn't too large of a deal, but it definitely felt like one to me, especially seeing as I was watching my life play through a liar's pair of eyes - I would definitely fess up to this later - much, much later.

And, just as soon as Jack had fled the scene, Killian approached my desk, along with his two sidekicks. He leaned across the table, forcing me to lean back in response.

"Fischbach," he barked, placing his egg on the table. "How are 'ya?"

I shrugged. "Fine."

I needed to keep my cool, to act tough. I didn't feel the need to bother asking why he wished to speak with me, for I already knew what it was about - I was hunching over as he spoke, searching frantically through my backpack for the English paper he suggested I finish in order to keep my involvement in the prank a secret (although I highly doubted it mattered now). I'd only forced myself through it so that I could have a better relationship with him, a bond that would give him reason not to stuff me in a locker after school, for I definitely didn't want to end up in a wheelchair (like Jack).

"Got the paper?" he ordered. His eyes widened as I placed it down on the desk, seemingly attracting his attention. "It's typed."

I nodded, not feeling the need to express how difficult it was to sneak into the school's library and print it off.

He then handed the paper to Felix, who I watched fold it up and stuff it into his back pocket. Killian's glare didn't dare lose its hold on me, making me feel even smaller than I already did.

"That's not the only reason we're here, Coffee Breath," he grimaced. "We have an offer for you."

"An... offer?" I wondered.

He nodded. "Yep - an offer." A smile replaced his grimace, one that concerned me more than the frown he'd been wearing a moment ago. "You see, the basketball team's in desperate need of a new mascot, and we can't find anyone small enough to fit in the costume."

I froze up, wishing I could stop him right then and there.

"You're the only kid in the school that's barely four feet in height," he continued, "so, obviously, we found you to be the best option."