Rising Phoenix

Chapter 3

Nick sighed as he trotted to the cafeteria. He still had some time to grab something before his next class.

"I hope Miles isn't wondering what's taking so long..."

"You could always say you got caught up in the crowd watching the Evil Magistrate," Apollo suggested, poking his head out of Nick's bag. "Think you could get me something to eat too? I'm starving."

Oh, yeah, it took a lot of Apollo's energy to transform, huh? Nick remembered Apollo had explained it to him after their first transformation into Phoenix; it took a lot of energy to transform and maintain the form. So Apollo was generally famished as a result.

Nick smiled at Apollo. "Of course. I'll sneak you whatever I can."

Apollo appeared relieved as he slid back into Nick's bag to rest.

As he got closer to the cafeteria, Nick spotted Miles and waved at him.

Miles gave a wave back. "What happened to you?"

"I got caught up in the crowd watching what was going on outside." Nick smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck as he hoped his lie was believable enough.

He had been told multiple times that he was a terrible liar.

Miles gave a nod. "I appear to have been caught up in a different crowd. Because of the events outside we were separated."

"Yeah. We still have some time to eat, though."

"Not as much if the Evil Magistrate hadn't shown up."

Nick appeared surprised. Had someone told the guy's name to Miles? "How did you know that guy's name?"

Miles blushed like he had been caught stealing from the cookie jar. "I may have seen a few episodes of the Steel Samurai."

"Oh." Nick grinned. "You at least know more than me then."

"We could get something from the vending machines," Miles suggested. "It's not cafeteria food, but it's cheap and quick."

Nick nodded. He didn't think that Apollo cared about the type of food he got as long as he got something to eat. "That sounds fine by me."

"I'll see you after our classes at the dorm, then?" Miles asked as he and Nick headed to the nearest vending machine.

Nick nodded. "Of course. We can work on homework together?"

Like old times.

Miles gave a slight smile. "That sounds....pleasant."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once his last two classes were finished with, Nick returned to his dorm.

Miles was already there working on some of his homework.

Miles wasn't alone though as Nick saw Larry and a guy he didn't recognize.

The guy had short brown hair with three pieces of it spiked up. He had scruffy facial hair with a bandage on the left cheek as if he had cut it while shaving. He also wore what appeared to be a beige trench coat over his blue jeans and rock band T-shirt.

"Who's that?" Nick asked, heading over to the group sitting on the floor.

"This is my roommate Dick!" Larry said proudly.

Dick saluted Nick, straightening so he sat at attention. "My name is Dick Gumshoe, learning to be a cop at law!"

"Okay....?" Nick looked at Miles who shrugged. "Nice to meet you, Dick."