The Modern Four

Chapter 16

The next Monday, the four friends were low in spirit. Penny got out of the hospital after getting her ankle fixed up, which she had sprained in the fire. Both Wilbur and Hiro were grounded for two weeks, and Violet was grounded for one. Tadashi was also released from the hospital. Hiro, Wilbur, Penny and Violet were quietly gathered around a table in study hall, all very worn out and gloomy from the weekend. Hiro yawned and laid his head on the table, preparing to take a nap. Wilbur was using one of his math assignments to make the perfect paper airplane. Penny was diligently working on homework she neglected over the weekend while in the hospital, and Violet was quietly listening to music.

The gloomy silence shattered as the excitable school counselor, Mrs. Fredrickson, burst into the room. "Alright guys, today's gonna be great. At this school, we have a long held tradition of giving each of the freshman students a senior mentor! We've matched you guys up based on the aptitude test you all should've taken last week. Alright let's see, uh... Alice Liddell!" Mrs. Fredrickson looked around. Alice blinked, raising her hand and went over to Mrs Fredrickson. "Alright, you're paired with Aurora Rose. Next up is Vanellope Von- sweats? Schwetz? Sweet? You're with Ralph Wrecker. Next is..." She continued down the list before coming to the four of them. "Alright, Penny Forrester. Let's see...you're with Rapunzel Corona!" She smiled. Penny glanced at the others, raising an eyebrow. She walked over to the same blonde cashier from Stewart's, who happily welcomed her. The two, like all the other groups, vanished to the hallway. Wilbur was called up soon after, getting paired up with the white haired kid from detention, Jackson Frost. Violet was paired up with the girl from detention, Merida Dunbroch, and Hiro was with a boy named Hiccup Haddock.

Since the older four were all close friends, they all joined together to form a discussion group of eight. Rapunzel was very excited to be doing this, and that shone. She pulled a worksheet out of her hand painted backpack, scanning it.

"Alright, so let's start off with questions. Okay, how old are you guys? I'm 18." She said, smiling.

Penny smiled back. "I'm 14, turning 15 in about two months!" Penny turned to the next person, giving them a look as if she was telling them to speak. Hiccup, who was next, cleared his throat.

"I'm uh, 17." He said simply. Hiro followed suit.

"14." His voice cracked. The rest of them told their ages. Merida was 17, Jack was as well. Wilbur was 13, turning 14 next week. Violet was 15. After they said their ages, there was a lull in the conversation. Jack wandered off to go flirt with Elsa Arendelle, and Rapunzel had to go bring him back to the group. The four freshman shared a look of annoyance. Rapunzel dragged Jack back over, and sat down, scribbling on a piece of paper.

"Alright, so I know that we didn't talk that much, and that's probably because you know it's the first session of this and it's all awkward and everything but I just wanted you four to know that we are always available whenever you need is, whether that be for homework, or something crazy like, I dunno, saving the world." She laughed, handing out the pieces of paper, which had, in a very girly and loopy handwriting, the numbers of all four of the mentors. Jack and Merida protested.

"That's a total invasion of our privacy!" Jack said.

"Yeah, really Punzie! I don't want some freshman texting me about some stupid math assignment. I'm in the lowest math! I don't know geometry! I failed that!" Merida ranted. Again, the four freshman shared a look, looking very uncomfortable. Penny cleared her throat, looking around.

"Uh, actually, I'm in Algebra." She stated, as if that changed everything. Rapunzel gratefully smiled at her, and Merida rolled her eyes. Hiccup, who was silent most the whole time, looked around, and said softly.

"I dunno, I think it's a good idea. I wish my senior mentor had done more than locking me in a supply closet." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking down. Wilbur raised an eyebrow, looking at Hiccup.

"Wait, that actually happens?" He asked, crossing his arms. "No way. I don't believe you."

Hiccup sighed. "Well, believe me or not, it did, unfortunately."

"How'd you get out?" Hiro asked.

Hiccup laughed awkwardly. "You know, that's a funny story, actually..." Hiccup launched into his pathetic take of getting trapped in the supply closet for all of second period and third, and how, after lunch, the janitor finally unlocked the door and let him out. The freshman couldn't help but chuckle at the idea of Hiccup stuck in the small supply closet for a little under three hours. It even managed to get a laugh out of Jack, who never fails to crack up at the story of his best friend getting stuck in such a situation. Rapunzel smiled, they were finally bonding. Even if it was over Hiccups humiliation. Oh well, at least it was something.

Eventually, after a few more stories were shared, highlights including Merida's hair mishap, and Jack's hilarious story including some ice and the school bully, the period ended, and the eight said goodbye, excited for the next Monday. Even Merida admitted to having fun, and when Merida has fun, that means it was a success. The seniors and freshman went their separate ways.

"That was so great!" Penny laughed. Hiro smiled, nodding.

"Yeah, it actually kinda was." He looked at her. Wilbur raised an eyebrow, looking between the two.

"Yeah, it was fun, wasn't it?" He asked, carefully watching his friend.
"Mhmmm.." Hiro said, not looking away from Penny. Wilbur exchanged a look with Violet and smiled, causing Violet to look down and blush, letting her hair fall in front of her eyes. They all headed off to their respective classes, smiling all the way.