Hidden Heroes

TWĒÑTŸ

I huffed and a cloud streamed from my lips. My grip on my bag strap could have crushed a human skull. I was not prepared to go back to school.

Maximus dragged me along through the empty alley, the snow piling on top of the dumpsters and crunching under our feet. I peeked at the windows, hoping no one would catch us trespassing as we hoisted ourselves over the fence leading to the other side of the street.

We both stopped to look at the entrance of he school. From there, you could still see all the kids in the halls getting ready to head to class. No one knew about what I did except for my classmates.

"How am I supposed to face them?" I turned to Maximus and he didn't bother to look back at me.

"I don't know. I couldn't even comprehend what you were telling me so I sure as hell wouldn't think they would take it any easier."

My shoulders slumped and I looked back at my feet. "Can I transfer?"

A good few minutes passed as we just stood there in silence. By then, all the kids have gone to their classes and the only sound was the harsh wind and a couple of cars passing by. I looked at my watch, we were just stretching out the inevitable.

"Alright," I sighed. "I'm leaving."

I trudged towards the entrance of the school and fumbled with the card on my keychain to find my ID. I hovered over the scanner for a second. Before scanning the card, i turned to see if Maximus was still there.

No one.

I shook my head and walked through the double doors. The snow from my jacket melted and fell to the floor as I took cautious steps to the home room. I tried to take as much time as I possibly could but in a minute I was already at the front of the door.

I took off my gloves and stuffed them in my pockets. I took off my hat and patted my hair down. By the time I was done stalling, the only thing I could do was turn the doorknob.

Come on! Taking longer will just make it harder!

Finally, I pushed the door open and looked around. The desks were arranged in their usual rows and the teachers desk was empty with only a few folders stacked on the corner. Only one chair had a bag handing on it, a simple black backpack.

"Why the fuck is no one in here?"

I stepped inside and looked on the teachers desk. A single notebook was opened to the daily attendance. Everyone was marked here today.

I walked over to the one desk with a bag and opened it. Obviously I shouldn't be doing that but it could give me a clue.

I looked at the cover of the notebook. It was Zachary's.

"Yo!"

I dropped the book back into the bag and turned my direction to the door. A familiar red head was standing by the door, trying to catch his breath. The rest of the class was standing by the door, impatiently waiting for him to enter.

He finally came in and walked up to me. "I thought you were turning yourself in."

"They decided the information they had on me was false."

"So you're off the hook?"

"I mean, I still have to talk to officials and clear my name and record but-"