Shadow Boxing

Chapter 6: Class Intrusion

"And so, the vikings have been proved to be the first to make land on America..." The professor drones on endlessly as some people take notes and others fall asleep. It had been a long day of lecturing for the class, and only Jack and Vanessa were really paying attention- the others that were taking notes were on the verge of napping as well. When the professor FINALLY finished his lecture, everyone save Jack and Vanessa had fallen asleep, the combined snoring noises being quite audible in the now relatively quiet room. "I should have expected this."

"I mean you lectured for a good hour or so, I could see that happening." Jack replies. "Got something to wake them up?"

"Seeing as I lecture all the time, I brought this along." The professor replies, bringing out an air horn.

"Oh lord..." Is all Vanessa can say before she and Jack cover their ears...

HONK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The resulting sound blast makes everyone jump out of their chairs. Jack and Vanessa uncover their ears and start laughing as everyone starts panicking for a few seconds before they realize it's just the professor and his air horn.

"That should teach them not to sleep through my lectures." The professor chuckles. "Anyways you've got some work to do. Jack, Vanessa, could you pass it out?"

"Sure." Jack replies as he and Vanessa get up and receive the papers they must give out.

"Man these guys must be the college version of teachers pets..." One random student mumbles. It's loud enough for everyone to hear, and it's not long before Jack makes a paper airplane out of one of the papers and throws it at said student. It hits him square in the face and everyone laughs as the student reluctantly admits defeat. Once everyone receives their work, Jack and Vanessa grab one for themselves and join the others. Suddenly mid-problem Vanessa goes stiff.

"He's here isn't he?" Jack asks, and he gets his answer as Shadow Jack phases in through the door, surprising everybody. "Geez! At least you could have a little decency and attack when class ends?"

"Nah, I like messing around like that." Shadow Jack chuckles before performing the strange hand gestures again. Once the horns are thrown, Jack and Vanessa duck as the beam of energy just misses them, bouncing off the walls until finally it hits someone's backpack. The backpack then grows five times it's size, the zipper becomes a mouth lined with fangs, and the straps transform into tentacles before the monster lets out a roar! Shadow Jack vanishes for now as the class backs away from the giant monster!

"How are we going to deal with that thing?!" The professor shouts out. The monster then lashes out with it's tentacles, attempting to ensnare Vanessa, but she simply flips out of reach. Jack then gets up and stares down the backpack monster, intent on destroying it.

"Jack what are you doing?! Can you even fight in that state?!" Princess asks.

"Maybe not, but if someone will fight alongside me that'll even out the odds." Jack replies as Princess stands alongside him. The monster then starts using it's tentacles like a whip, attempting to lash Jack and Princess, but the two simply dodge them before closing in. Jack starts clawing at the monster, drawing blood with every swipe, and it seems to do something as the monster reels back in pain. "That's flesh!"

"Then it must have an internal system somewhere in there!" Princess shouts as she whips out pepper spray and empties the whole canister into the monster's mouth, causing it to start choking on the powerful mist. With the canister empty, the professor tosses a metal ruler to Princess, who catches it and wields it like a sword. Jack steps back as Princess then jams the sharp ruler down into the monster, and she hits something!

"Everyone duck!" Jack shouts, and everyone ducks just in time as the monster spits out blood everywhere before it dies, leaving Princess soaked head to toe in the sticky red liquid.

"Blech!" Princess complains as Margaret escorts her to the restroom so she can try and get it all washed off. The monster then goes up in flames before burning out of existence, only leaving behind everything the student had in there.

"At least my work wasn't eaten." The student says, wiping her forehead clean of sweat.

"What was THAT?!" The professor asks, finally realizing he can speak.

"I don't even know where he came from myself. All that I know is that he is some crazy dark version of me, started out as my reflection, and it would explain the smashed mirror you saw that day." Jack explains. "The dean already knows, there's no real way to stop this thing yet, but we'll find a way."

"Well let's hope we find that way fast because I don't really want another monster in my classroom." The professor replies. And with that, class ends early so everyone can recuperate from what they just witnessed.

"So that was unexpected." Vanessa says to Jack.

"No kidding." Jack replies. "Well, let's get our mind off of that. I did promise I would take you out somewhere after all. Mom know?"

"Yep, she knows." Vanessa says. With that, Jack and Vanessa head to the former's car, which surprises Vanessa a little bit. "Wait you can drive?"

"It's only my left leg that's busted up. I can manage." Jack replies. And with that, they both get in and Jack drives off with a place to eat in mind. The two stop by Thomas's family dining and they notice that there's a sparse amount of people actually eating there. "Huh, maybe business is slow today?"

"Maybe." Vanessa says. "What are we waiting for?" And with that the two head inside, quickly being greeted by a waiter and seated just as fast. The two order their stuff and they use the time inbetween to get to know one another even better.

"Did I ever mention you look gorgeous?" Jack says to Vanessa, causing her to blush.

"Oh Jack!" Vanessa replies, trying to hide her red cheeks with little success. Fortunately she doesn't have to worry much as the food arrives relatively quick.

"Well, might as well dig in." Jack says as the two begin eating. Halfway in, Vanessa stops eating and simply looks at Jack, she must want something.

"Hey Jack..." Vanessa begins to say.

"Hmm?" Jack asks.

"What do your parents think of me?" Vanessa says.

"Well you're definitely on better terms than some others, for a start." Jack replies. "And the fact that you're a history buff has amazed them, specially when you and my dad began a little debate on the Vietnam war."

"I wonder why he was so interested." Vanessa asks.

"He, along with most of my family, were refugees of that war." Jack replies. "Twas a mentally scarring event for them. But what matters is that they've quite admired you."

"Aww that's nice to hear." Vanessa says. "Well I'm glad they like me."

"Not as much as I like you though." Jack replies with a wink. Vanessa blushes once more, and they continue eating. Once they've finished and paid for their meals, the two head outside. "You know, I've only dated once and I never got to say this to her, but you'll be honored to be the first to hear this."

"What is it?" Vanessa asks, knowing what he's about to say.

"I love you." Jack says. He waits a few seconds for her reaction until finally, Vanessa slowly caresses Jack's cheek.

"I love you too." Vanessa replies. Jack then slowly snakes one of his arms around her waist and gently pulls her close, capturing her lips in a kiss, his first ever kiss.