Retribution

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Reyna had asked me during lunch if I'd like to come over. Instantly I found myself thinking of an excuse, but then I really thought. Did I want to be stuck at home with nothing to do or did I want to try and forge a friendship? Josh always said I needed to socialize with people outside of The League. So, in short, I told her yes.

"I just gotta ask my mom. We can ask her before fourth hour."

"Okay." When she turned her attention to one of her other friends, I shot off a text to Josh.

The day passed slowly, which just made me all the more anxious. Yeah, I wanted to hangout with Reyna, but that didn't mean I wouldn't feel anxious. I even thought about finding her or her mother and telling them that something had come up. But I didn't, and that's the important thing.

Finally the school day came to an end and I made my way to Mrs. Noble's classroom. Along the way I saw Reyna and Nina walking and talking, so I assumed they were also going to Mrs. Nobles' room. Picking up the pace, I caught up with them rather easily. Nina was the first to speak, "Oh, hey Vanessa."

"Hi."

"You still on for the study group tonight?"

"Pardon?" Reyna jumped in and quickly explained, "Yeah, I figured since we all have AP English that we could do some studying. I hope you don't mind."

I didn't know they were in AP English. I had never seen them in my class. Though I suppose we could have all had separate hours.

"No, it's okay," I said with a small smile. Nina seemed nice enough, and if Reyna liked her. . .well then I suppose she couldn't be all that bad.

"Awesome!"

Our conversation came to close when we reached Mrs. Noble's classroom. Sitting on the surface of a desk was Riker, and I also saw a guy I didn't know. The guy I didn't know was chatting up Mrs. Noble. He was somewhat tall, skinny that was for sure. What stood out the most about him though was his icy blue eyes.

I thought maybe he was just a lingering student asking some questions about an assignment when Reyna went up to him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Hey," he said to her with a shy smile.

"Vanessa, this is Peppin. Peppin, Vanessa," Mrs. Noble told me.

"Hi," was all I could manage to say.

"Hello."

"Are we all ready to go?" Mrs. Noble asked everybody.

"Wait, how are we all going to fit?" Reyna asked. Good, I wasn't the only one thinking the exact same.

"Well, I gotta drop Riker off at his house. Then I'll see y'all at your place," Nina answered.

"Ah, okay. Well then, I guess we're all ready."

---

The Metamorphosis books littered the living room floor, along with a good amount of worksheets. We had yet to discuss anything about the book, though we had been here for about ten minutes already. Were we even going to study?

"How are your parents?" I heard Reyna ask Peppin.

"Uh, well. . .I guess they're still trucking on." All Reyna did was nod, possibly wishing she didn't ask the question.

"So. . ." I piped up, grabbing my book, "does anybody even like this story?" Nina nudged her book with her foot and answered, "It's kind of interesting. I think it really plays into the human feelings of inadequacy and the like."

"I think it's totally gross," Reyna mumbled. I couldn't help but smile a little. Both girls, in my opinion, were right. Peppin stayed quiet, reading over the worksheet. He read off the first question, "What does Gregor's father's uniform symbolize?"

Nobody spoke for a minute, all of us thinking or a good answer. Mr. Flintlock didn't like those short answers, no he liked them nice and wordy.

"Gregor's father wears his work uniform even after he returns home from work to symbolize how is doing his part to support the family. His wearing the uniform is an arrogant statement to the family about how important he is. It would also be a logical inference that he wears the uniform so that Gregor can see him in it and feel even more bad about his metamorphosis. Gregor was the the provider for the whole family, and now they all must go out and work for a living. Gregor was proud of his ability to take care of the family, but it is subtly revealed that the family are all capable of working and that Gregor didn't have to carry the burden of the family debts and expenses by himself. The father had a substantial amount of money left over from his business and the family is also able to save a portion of the money Gregor gives them. This money could have been used to get the family out of debt sooner and allow Gregor to get on with his life sooner, but the family took advantage of Gregor and thoughtlessly let him continue working for a company and a boss that made him lonely and miserable. The father is angry that his comfortable retirement and living off of his son is over, and he is asserting his anger in this rather passive-aggressive manner," I replied.

My answer was met with a few looks of awe. It was probably the most I had ever said to these three.

Packing up my stuff and waiting for Josh to text me to tell me he was here, Nina asked me, "Hey, you know those fliers you were putting up? Would it be cool if I come with ya to tryout?"

"Right now?"

"Yeah."

I didn't want Nina to be part of The League. She was, well, my friend. She had a life, things to aspire for. I had seen too many lives ruined, and ended, because of The League.

"Hello, Earth to Vanessa. Is anybody in there?" Nina said, waving her hand in front of my face.

"Uh, are you sure you want to tryout? I mean, it's really time consuming. Don't you play soccer?"

"Aw c'mon, let me just try. I'll tell the coach about my schedule."

"Nina--"

My phone buzzed. Josh was here.

"Fine. Come on, my brother's here."

"Yay! Bye guys," she said with a little wave to Reyna and Peppin.

"See ya," they said in unison.

When we got to the house (more like garbage heap) I immediately found myself getting embarrassed. What would Nina think of this disgusting place? Beer cans everything, empty liquor bottles, and cigarette butts in every nook and cranny.

"Here we are," Josh announced, leading us up the driveway and unlocking the front door. He pushed the door open and I was. . .amazed. The scent that I was greeted with wasn't foul, it was pleasant. It smelled like Febreeze, or laundry detergent. "Vanessa'll take you to Coach."

"Follow me," I said solemnly.

We found Boss and another male in the backyard. It sounded like Boss was chatting the kid up.

"Ah, Vanessa," Boss gleamed. Something was totally off about him. "Come here, quick!" I did as told, Nina not far behind. "This is our, well, our medic. She'll take care of any injuries you get."

I looked at the kid in horror.

It was Chauncey.

He smirked down at me, "Well that's awesome." He looked like he was about to say something, probably perverted, but held it back. Most likely wanted to make a good impression.

"Vanessa, this is Chauncey. Though he says you both already know one another." I nodded. "Good. That means I don't have to hear introductions. He'll be bunking with your brother." Boss turned his attention to Nina and asked, "Who might you be?"

"Nina Benz, I'm here to tryout."

"I'll schedule you in for an appointment tomorrow morning. You can spend the night if you wish."

"Oh, okay. Well, thanks."

I prayed to whatever god there may be that night that this was all a dream.