The Modern Four

Chapter 5

Hiro was so done with school, and it had barely started. His bus ride home was boring as can be, and as soon as he got off the bus he ran inside, grabbing a bag a chips and starting up the stairs to his room. Before he could make it up there, however, he heard a voice behind him.

"Hiro?" His older brother, Tadashi, said. Hiro turned around very slowly, only to see Tadashi and his four friends, all staring at him. "How was school?"

Hiro forced a smile on his face, resulting into something more of a grimace. "Oh, you know, it was school...stuff that I learned for myself about ten years ago." He said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"Hiro, you were four. I don't think you learned advanced biology, AP computer sciences, and whatever else you're taking when you were four." Tadashi stated, crossing his arms. This got a giggle out of Tadashi's girlfriend, Honey Lemon, and a snicker from the rest of his friends. Hiro groaned, crossing his arms.

"Maybe I did. Super genius, remember?" He said, flicking his head.

"Yeah yeah, whatever. Still, school will be good for you. Don't you want friends like these?" Tadashi said, gesturing to his friends. Hiro glanced at the four friends, shaking his head. The four were all huge science nerds. Honey lemon, Gogo, Wasabi, and Fred were Tadashi's four closest friends. And, even though Hiro didn't want to admit it, he'd love to have friends like this. They were smart, loyal, and great people. But Hiro rarely made friends. In fact, he hadn't had a real friend since he was ten. After that, they all just found him...weird. Too smart, too geeky, too shy. The only thing close to a friend he had was Tadashi. And Hiro was fine with that. He wasn't very social anyway.

"Hiro?" Honey Lemon, or Esti, as she was actually named, shook Hiro out of his trance. . "Are you okay?" She asked, clearly concerned.

He nodded, blinking. "Fine, just...just thinking" he mumbled. She looked at him, concerned, before turning to Tadashi, who shook his head. "...anyway, I'm gonna head up to my room. Bye." He grabbed his stuff, running up the stairs. Behind him, Tadashi shook his head.

"What will we do with him?"

Hiro situated himself in his room, going straight to his computer and opening up a computer programming app. He began messing around with codes, when suddenly he received a text. He glanced down at his phone, blinking at the unknown number. He read over the text, shaking his head.

'Hey, it's Penny Forrester, from English! Turns out, I grabbed your folder! We must have the same ones :P. Anyway, I was just wondering if you wanted to trade those today, I gotta get started on that assignment. Text me your address if you're cool with it! :)". Hiro blinked. They had an assignment in English? He completely forgot that he had given the girl his number, since they were forced by their English teacher to choose partners. He shook his head, sighing, and quickly texting the girl back with his address. May as well get this over with...

About twenty or so minutes later, the doorbell rang. Hiro groaned, tearing his eyes away from the computer and blinking. He totally forgot that Penny was coming. He grabbed the girls folder, and headed downstairs.

"Hiro! A girls here for you!" Tadashi called. Hiro rolled his eyes, walking down the stairs.

"I know, shocking. Hey, Penny." He gave a quick wave to the girl, who smiled, waving back.

"Hey Hiro! How're you? How were the rest of your classes?" She asked, clearly excited.

"They were..they were fine, you know. Classes."

"What'd you have after science?"

"I had math. Pre calculus." He said, looking down at his feet. He may be a super genius, but he didn't exactly love to boast about that. Especially to a pretty girl. Woah woah woah. Back up there, Hiro. You do not think Penny is pretty. You hardly know her. Plus, you don't have time for girls, Hiro thought to himself. Penny's eyes widened.

"I didn't even know you could take that as a freshman! That's cool." She smiled. Hiro blushed, then began to regain his cocky attitude.

"I mean, yeah, it's pretty great." He said, trying to sound casual. Tadashi, who was still standing there, rolled his eyes.

"Dork." He muttered under his breath, smirking. Hiro shot him a look, then turned back to Penny.

"Oh, uh, here's your folder by the way..." He handed her the folder, their hands brushing, which again caused Hiro to blush a bit, which he quickly hid. Penny smiled.

"Thanks! Here's yours! Sorry about the mid up, I didn't realize that we had the same folder. Funny huh? I mean, I guess they're just normal folders...I got mine from target, what about you?" As Penny rambled, she handed off the folder to Hiro, who took it.

"Uh, heh, yeah, funny. I got mine from target, yeah. Thanks for dropping it off..." He trailed off.

Penny nodded, smiling. "No problem! I'll see you around!" She hurried off, waving as she got into the car. Hiro couldn't help but smile a little.

"Oh my gosh. You like her, don't you?" Tadashi said from behind him. Hiro turned around, crossing his arms.

"I barely know her."

"But you think she's cute."

"I-shut up Tadashi." He glared, heading back to his room, mumbling to himself about stupid girls, stupid crushes, stupid folders. Tadashi chuckled, turning back to his friends.

"He so likes her."