We Meet At 6 p.m. for (Painting Class) Being a Hero

Chapter 1

"I love it when the cafeteria serves chocolate chip cookies," Jacob said, admiring the cookie in his hand.

"Yepth," Paul agreed, chewing. He paused to look at the third member of their table, who had their hands over their head in agony. "You okay, Francis?" he asked.

Francis looked up just enough to glare, then immediately shut his eyes and face-planted back onto the table. "I hate you both," he muttered.

"Hey, bro, it's not my fault that they served cookies today," Paul said, patting him on the back.

"No, you're right, Paul," Francis said, his voice rising optimistically, "It's not your fault that I have my worst migraine in days on the day that I just so happen to be surrounded by chocolate, on the day that just so happens to be Halloween."

"Halloween?" Jacob asked, surprised, "Is that today?"

"The pumpkins Jacob. What did you think they were for?" Francis asked, gesturing aimlessly.

"I've been so focused on the game," Jacob admitted, "You know we're taking on Villains today."

The bell rang, suddenly.

"Just leave me alone to die," Francis moaned, covering his ears.

Paul and Jacob rose. "Do you want me to tell Mr. Kim that you'll be skipping science class?" Paul asked, "I'm sure he'll understand, since you have a migraine today."

"I have a migraine everyday, Paul. And if I miss this lecture, I'll just be stuck watching it at home later to catch up," Francis said. He rose, keeping his eyes closed, and felt around on the table for his sunglasses. After finding them and putting them on, he followed Paul and Jacob down the hall.

"I was so close to beating this guy," Jacob said, as they walked, "but then he found this amazing sword..."

"I thought you were talking about soccer for a moment, and I was concerned," Francis said, keeping one hand on the wall as they walked.

"Soccer? I wish I could have a sword during soccer," Jacob said, bitterly, "Especially against those Villains."

"Why did they even name their team 'Villains'?" Francis continued, unimpressed, "Don't they know that the good guys always win?"

He suddenly realized that the others had stopped walking.

"Classroom's--" Paul began.

"I know," Francis sighed. He lifted up the sunglasses for a second, then put them back down, and followed the others into class.

Unfortunately, he was forced to remove the glasses a moment later.

"Today, class," Mr. Kim began, with an accent, "we'll be taking the semester survey for the seniors' final projects."

"Free polling," Francis muttered in disgust, "Stupid seniors."

"Our feedback will be quite useful," Mr. Kim continued, handing them out. He paused in front of the class, who were all glaring. "And," he added, "when you're finished, you may leave." He smiled, and added, "Happy Halloween."

The class stared, then erupted with excitement.

"Free day," Francis observed aloud, glancing at Paul, "Less-stupid seniors."

He took a pencil, and removed the sunglasses. He began to start writing, but paused.

"Ethnicity," Francis read aloud. He glanced towards Jacob, who just marked the question and continued the survey.