The Paradoxical World: Phantom's Academia

(Chapter 3: Everything Nice)

*Beep! Beep! Beep!*
"Ughhh.." I groan, and hit my alarm clock. My eyes hazily open, and I saw the red digital lights. I take a deep breathe, and stretched in bed. Time to wake up! I throw myself up, and rubbed my eyes. I yawned, cracking my arms, and neck. 6:00 on the dot. I got up, and opened my curtains. "So bright." So cold~ I shivered, and walked over to the calendar beside the computer. December, 30, Sunday. I walked out of my room, and entered the bathroom. I glanced around the changing room, no clothes were in the baskets, I'm clear. I walked into the boys sectioned bathrooms. I used it, washed my hands, my face, and teeth. I went back to my room, and dug around in my dresser. Deodorant, and cologne, I put them on, and dressed for outwear, 6:26 now. I grabbed my phone, and a notification was there. "Wake Dakota up." Almost forgot that.. I exit the room, and approached Dakota's door.
*Knock Knock*
I knocked loudly, and the door slightly opens. "Dakota?" I peered in, and it was a complete mess. Socks and clothes lying in piles, desk was messed up, and his computer left on. His closet was overflowing with his belongings. I gulp, and stumbled towards him to the bed. He was surround by pillows, and snoring loudly. "Hey, wake up!" I threw a pillow at his face. "Ngh.." He turns over, and cracks a snore. "Dakota! Come on, or they're gonna close!" I open the curtains, and threw two more pillows at him. "Nnn.. Huh?" Dakota lifts his head, and with small beady red eyes, spots me. I gulped, his eyes look scary. "I forgot.." He says, and gets up wobbly.
"Yeah. Just hurry up, man." I swept my hand, and headed downstairs. He enters the bathroom, and I wait in the kitchen, grabbing a quick fruit bar, orange juice, and a piece of toast. After I was finished I glanced at my phone again, 6:56. As long as we get there before 9. I nod to myself, and grinned. I'm so excited! A once-in-a-lifetime deal, eighty percent off everything! Wood, tools, and paint! Maybe this time around, I'll start it. After several more minutes, and thoughts on my list, Dakota was done, and ready. It was 10:24, and Dakota drove his SUV. "Direct me." He yawns. "First, we need to get of out here, it's in the rural area of Getnny." I told him.
"Getnny?" He says questioningly, steady on the trail.
"..?" Ah, that's right. He's probably a city person. "Sorry, um, it's a road on the way to Ixton, I'll tell you when to exit." I apologized. He nods, and speeds up, checking out with his Student I.D. We were on the snowy road, and driving quietly. "Heheh, so what are you gonna get?" I grin.
"Screwdriver." He says bluntly.
"Eh? That's it?" I frown.
He nodded in reply.
"Hmm. You're missing out on such an opportunity! I plan on getting buckets of paint, a couple of poster boards, frames, nails, and a precision tool set." I giddied. All this for a price below 100 Reils!
Dakota didn't do, or say anything. I sigh, and leaned on my hand, staring out the window. There's nothing but woods along the road. Why'd I even bother coming to this school? Oh yeah.. It was my grandfather's decision. Well, it's not entirely bad. I slightly smile to myself. The roommates are fun to be around. Ah~ especially the cutsie angel, Hannah. Ah, but Audi's always around her, and she's a little scary. Emma's pretty cute too, she's an athlete, no questioning that. She plays pranks, from what I heard. Oh, that reminds me, there are eight doors, but only seven of us.. I wonder if it's another girl? "This turn?" A voice questions.
"Huh?" I looked ahead, and saw a dirt trail.
"No, it's like exactly halfway to Ixton." I swept my hand.
He drives onward, and the trees got cut off. There were large plains of snow, and the sun rising can be seen. It looks pretty. I smile, and crossed my arms. Nearly there!
[Workshop Shoppe]
Finally! We've arrived, and I instantly ran towards the back, where they kept the wood. For now, I'll just get some 2 by 4s, should be good enough. I carried at least ten blocks of it, finding a stray shopping cart, I loaded it up with the wood. Heheh, can't wait to get back! After a great while in the store, I got all I needed, and more! I went to the check out, and the total is.. "That'll be 90 Reils please." The clerk smiles. Ha! Thank you great discount day! I paid the man, and stood by Dakota's SUV. I looked through the windows, he wasn't in there. I straighten my face, and tried opening the trunk, oh, it's unlocked. I load my stuff in, and glanced at the small shop. Maybe he got lost? I frown, and shut the trunk. I have to take the cart in, and it's a small place anyways. I pushed the cart through the snow, and into the pen. I overview the place, looking for black hair. He's tall, so he shouldn't be that hard to miss. I decided to walk past each of the eight isles, and search through the back department. Wait, he said he wanted a screwdriver. I walk to the tools department, and checked each isle. He isn't in here! I frown, and checked with the clerk. He said he hasn't seen anyone like that leave. Where'd the hell did he go? I walk towards the garden center, I haven't checked in here. There he was, crouching over a pot of dark flowers. "..?" Dakota! I was looking everywhere for you! Did you get your screwdriver?" I approach him.
"They bloomed." Dakota gazes down at the flower.
"Hm.. Well yeah." I rose my eyebrows, and looked at the flower. It was a.. Uh.. I don't know much about flowers. I scratch my head, and frown. "Well, I got what I needed. Did you want to buy some flowers?" I look away.
"No." He stands up, shaking his head. "They wouldn't last long with me." He walks past me.
"Huh?" I looked at him awkwardly, and looked down at the pot. Their petals were liquid black, and had white stringy things coming out. I shrug, and grab the pot, I'll buy it for him. I reach the counter once again, and Dakota wasn't there. "Hey, did a tall, dark-haired guy pass through?" I ask.
"Yeah, just left." He looks at the entrance.
"Thanks, how much is this flower?" I scroll through my final Reils.
"Oh, this is a quite the purchase. It'll be thirty-five Reils." Thi-Thirty five?! Is that including the sale?
"What the hell old man?! Is that including the sale, just for this one flower?" I frowned.
"Yes, it's found in the south, the no territory land." The man's eyes glimmer.
"Come on old man! I don't think people would risk their lives just for a plant." I make an exasperated expression.
"Hmm? You'd be surprised." The man strokes his beard.
"Thir-Thirty-five Reils?" I sigh heavily.
"Hm, for you kind earlier purchases, I'll bring it down 15. Hahaha! A deal of a lifetime!" The man declares. Nearly half the price? Not bad old man.
"I appreciate it." I grin, handing him the rest of my Reils, sayonara Reils~
"It's been a pleasure, young man." He grins and waves me off. I nod to him, and left the store, when I reached Dakota's SUV, I entered the backseat. Dakota glances back, his eyes steadily open, and his face completely surprised. Heheh, he's happy! He clears his throat, and looks away.
"Hehe, it's a thank you gift for the ride. I would have ended up walking all the way here, if it weren't for you." I smile at him.
"Thank you." He says, I spot a small smile from my angle. I grin to myself, and buckled the plant in.
[Dakota Anvilory]
"That old man was trying to charge me 35 Reils for that! But with my smooth negotiation skills I brought it down to 15!" Ken grins widely, as he buckles in. I turned the car on, and looked back to reverse. The plant caught my attention momentarily. It reminds me of her... I shove the feeling away, and drove back towards The Grand Goliath. I wouldn't except Ken to buy it. Especially for me, he's a nice guy huh. He is a little annoying though, he likes to talk. I glance over at him, still talking. I dunno what it's about, though. "Haha! I'll definitely finish it this time!" He looks determined, as he clenches a fist. I kept on driving as he talks to me. It made the ride home a lot more shorter. I helped him move his stuff to his room, and after he went to go get the last load, I looked around. It's plain, organized too, he hasn't done much to it yet. Maybe that's what the supplies are for? I shrug, and exit his room, as sticks of wood, charge into me. "Ah, D-Dakota are you alright?!" Ken shouts to me. I fell to the ground, hair out of my face, staring up at the red roof. "Yeah." I pulled myself up, as Ken sighs in relief. He enters his room, and I looked back, hmm.
"I put that flower, on your windowsill, and opened the shade. Just don't forget to water it later." Ken gives me a thumbs up. "Thanks for ride! I'll see you at dinner!" Ken slams his door, and fumbles around his room. I blinked, and entered my room. I stepped over the mounds of clothes, approaching the windowsill. The flower's glistening against the window. Gently swaying, as it absorbs the sun. "It's so pretty." I stared at it, and turned around. It deserves to be around beauty. I cleaned up my room, and sat on a chair, staring at the beauty of the Shannon.
[Ken Suchago]
"Ah!"I fell backwards hitting my head again the floor. "Ouch.." I groan, and throw myself up. The frames are building well, the colors need mixing! I rushed over to them, and stirred them slowly. Alright, I walked to the stacked pieces of wood, and held them up. Time to really begin!
[Dakota Anvilory]
I'm hungry. I walk down the hall, overhearing Ken's struggles, and went down the stairs. I noticed Audi and Hannah were in the living room. I ignored them, walking into the kitchen. I scavenge around, finding some microwaveable noodles, chips, and some sticks of bread, this is good. I heated up the noddles, and watched the noodles cook closely.
"What are you doing?" A girl comes in, looking at me strangely, it's Audi.
"Making noodles." I replied.
"There's some leftover burgers in the fridge." She walks away, grabbing two cans of soda. Hamburgers? I watched her as she left, and looked for the burgers. Where are they? I analyze the fridge, and saw a foiled plate and peered under it. Their they are.
*BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!*
The microwave beeps, as I take the noodles out, and put the burgers in, with cheese. Watching closely as the cheese bubbles, and melts down onto the burger, it dings. I take it out, and took out some ketchup, pickles, onions, tomatoes, and buns for the cheeseburger. After I prepared that, I sat down, and began to eat. The burger was tender, and tasty, along with the added ingredients. After hallway through the burger I consume the noodles, and munched on chips.
*THUD!* *CRASH!*
A lot of noise rumbled the roof, and I ignored it, continuing to eat. "A-Are you okay?!" I heard Hannah shout. Mumbling, and more mumbling. I rose an eyebrow. Finishing my cheeseburger, and the rest of the chips. I threw the garbage away, washing my hands, and dried them. That was a great lunch~
"D-Dakota! Can you help Ken and Audi?" Hannah frowns at me. "Yeah." I nod, what happened? I follow Hannah as she rushes upstairs, and enters Ken's room. Inside, was a complete disaster, Audi looked down at Ken, as he was buried under wood, and square frames. I walked over to the two. Along with Audi's and Hannah's help, we threw the junk off him.
"His arm's hurt." Audi tells me. "What were you doing anyways?" She looks down at Ken.
"Heheh, I fell." He forced a smile, as a stream of blood separates down his nose. He looks down looking at his bloodied nose, and chuckles.
"What an idiot.." Audi sighs, folding her arms.
"Do you need to go to the hospital?" Hannah frowns.
"No! No! I'm fine, I'm used to this kind of stuff." He elbows himself up, but his left arm, he winces, but he forces himself up, hiding the pain. I looked at Hannah and Audi, as Audi stared down at his arm. Hannah frowns up at him, completely worried, her hands were bleeding from the wood. "Trust me, I just need to wash up, lie down with a bellyful of food." He grins.
"..." Audi blinks, and looks down at Hannah.
"Alright.. If you say so." Hannah gently sighs, and looks up at Audi.
"Thanks a lot for the help you three. I'm gonna take a shower, wash the blood away." He waves at us, with his right hand.
"You're bleeding, Hannah." Audi holds Hannah's hands, and walks out.
"Huh? Audi.." Hannah struggles away from her, as she's dragged out of the room.
"Thanks Dakota." Ken looks at me.
"No problem." I shook my head, and looked down at his arm, blood seeps through his shirt, as he slightly turns. "Be more careful." I exit his room, and saw Audi and Hannah entering the bathroom. I walked to my room, and laid on my bed, staring down at the Shannon flower. I'm pretty sure something's definitely wrong with his arm. Broken or fractured, one of those two. Oh well, he said he was fine. I take a deep breath, and slowly sink into my bed, it's time for my dinner nap. I breathe out, and was dead asleep. 
[Ken Suchago]
I look down as the blood is absorbed in the drain. Damn, why am I so clumsy?! I lift my left arm up, and it sends a sharp pain to my body. Along with the stings if minor cuts. I sigh, and looked at the deep cut on my right bicep. I need some bandages~ I washed off, cleansing the wounds, and looked around the shower room, I saw some cabinets, and looked inside, towels, robes, and some shower mats. Not what I need, I already got a towel. I made sure to enter the bathroom after the two girls left, and looked around the changing room. I noticed a wide cabinet, and peered inside. Aha! I'll use these large patch bandaids, I'll wrap my arm for now, I suppose. That's what they did when I was little, right? After I bandaged myself, I got dressed in pajamas, and went downstairs to the living room. I'm not used to TV, or even technology itself. My room's TV broke, and no one really goes down to the living room. I made it downstairs, and walked into the living room, as predicted, no one was there. That's pretty strange when I think about it, there are seven residents here, and it seems no one leaves their rooms. I shrug, and plotted on the couch, turning the TV on. I glanced at the digital time as it turned on, 4:14. The girls might be in the kitchen, it's around dinnertime. But then again, we might order take-out again. I shrug, and watched TV, my left arm stinging in pain. I should be fine. No, I will certainly be fine.
[Dakota Anvilory]
I wake up, smelling the thick aroma of meat. I walk downstairs, and entered the dining room. I saw Hannah, and Emma preparing the table, as Audi sits at her end seat quietly. "We're having meatloaf tonight." Hannah smiles at me. I nod, and took a seat towards my end, on the side. The two girls gracefully place the silverware, and plates down. Along with the pan of meatloaf Audi carries in. "Dinner's ready everyone!" Emma shouts out the dinning room door. She enters the kitchen door, along with the other two, and I got two pieces of meatloaf, I glance at my empty cup, and grabbed it before taking a bite. I got som juice, and came back to others spread out and eating.
[After Dinner]
I helped wash dishes along with Carmine. He quietly grumbles, and curses Audi's name. Hm? He handed me a plate, I dried it off clean, and placed it in the top cabinet. I wonder how the folks are doing at home. After dishes, we all disbanded, and I headed straight for bed, ah~ a good meal deserves a good night's rest.
[Ken Suchago]
Dammit, I could barely hold my glass during dinner. I should probably go to the clinic first thing tomorrow. I sigh, and laid down gently, as my body aches in pain, and soothes down to softness. I was definitely sleeping with a bellyful though. I can't help being happy about that.