Rising Shards

Stella watched as Zeta and Oka walked away. It had been an immensely stressful day waiting for updates, but deep down she had a feeling in her heart that Zeta would be OK. It was almost more heartbreaking seeing Evy take all of this very harshly.

“Usually a raid isn’t,” Evy said, after a few minutes of desperate stammering trying to form a sentence, rotating her hands around almost like she was rowing a boat. “Like that. I know I said it was a rite of passage and all…I know it’s—I totally understand if. Certain things that were discussed…weren’t earned?”

“Evy…” Stella said. “I’m not mad at you, you know. That was scary, but it wasn’t your fault.”

“Alright…” Evy said.

“How about I treat you to dinner at Like a Ski Lodge tonight,” Stella said. 

”That...sounds good, yeah,” Evy said.

”We gotta celebrate too,” Stella said. ”What with it being official and all.”

”Huh?” Evy asked. ”What is?” She visually calculated the options in her mind before her eyes widened. ”Did they finally...?”

”Yup, whoever they get to call families about raids and that sort of thing told me,” Stella said. ”So I haven’t heard it officially officially from someone yet, but...”

”But if the office staff knows it, it’s definitely official!” Evy said, excitedly grabbing Stella by her arms. She then let go, eyes darting around to make sure no one was looking at them potentially looking too together. ”I knew it! I said, right? I heard you were a lock, so I’m glad they got off their asses, and...” She let out a sigh of a laugh. ”That makes me feel a bit better.”

”It should,” Stella said. ”I have another thing that might make you feel better.”

”Oh yeah?”

Stella leaned in to whisper. “How about when things are more settled, I’ll give you big reward tomorrow?”

“I’d…like that a lot.” Evy said.

* * *

For all their troubles, the students got a lot of treats the next day. Kalei could tell it was just the candy they prepped for Fang Moon Web, but the staff still acted like it was something special they were giving for the students getting raided. As her table (really two tables pushed together to fit everyone) worked through plenty of candy, Kalei lamented that she was one of about 13% of the school that actually dressed up for the holiday. But she put too much effort into her Zup costume, she had to wear it for Fang Moon Web, even if Oka was right that the tunic was way too short, even with leggings on.

“Zeta lucked out of the nightmare pods.” Kalei said, distracting herself from her tunic riding up again.

“I think I still saw them, just for less time maybe?” Zeta said. “It was weird. I saw a bunch of like…random things, I guess? Some were pretty scary.”

“I saw things no one should ever see,” Roux said.

“Me too,” Latte said. “A world without coffee…”

“My gamer score, deleted,” Roux said. “My consoles, bricked…”

“The important thing is that the things that were missing in the nightmares are still here,” Iris said, wrapping an arm around Maia’s shoulders and pulling her close. Maia looked startled for a second, but shoved Iris away when she started scratching her ears.

“Quit it,” Maia said. “You alright, Zeta? You’re making a face.”

Zeta looked up from her third empty wrapper of a chocolate peanut butter bunny.

“Oh, I was just thinking…” Zeta said. “Aira and Laenie should be here. And Nikki, and even Rain…”

“You’re here with me,” Oka said. “That’s the most important thing right now.”

“We’ll get em back,” Kalei said, clenching her candy coated fists. “That’s what Zup would do.”

“Oh my god, is that who you’re dressed as?” Maia asked.

“Uh, yeah.” Kalei said. “Is it not obvious?”

“I didn’t notice it until now,” Lillia said. “It is pretty close.”

“Could’ve picked one of Zup’s better armors,” Maia said. “And not the like incredibly short skirt one.”

“Alright, fair, but I don’t see any of you dressing up.” Kalei said.

“I do have a costume, but I didn’t think it’d be in the spirit of the day to wear it,” Zeta said.

“Screw that,” Kalei said. “I challenge all of you who have costumes to a costume-off, right here, right now.”

“What even is a costume-off?” Zeta asked.

“Go get your costume and we’ll find out,” Kalei said.

* * *

Oka was glad she had Zeta to help with her Pajama Lara Buttonfelt costume. Being dressed up made the brief emergency assembly feel a bit more fun, even as Mr. Soleri took the stage.

“Raids are always unfortunate,” Soleri said. “It’s especially unfortunate that such a difficult event could have befallen our school, especially so close to a holiday. But unfortunately, that does not mean that our semester ends early. Classes will resume tomorrow!” He waved a finger. 

Students began to boo. Zeta suppressed a laugh next to her, and Kalei saw it as an opening and tried to get her to laugh more. They were in the back row, and Oka didn’t care as much if Kalei goofed around during Soleri’s speech than if it was Berin or even Penteldtam.

“Oka, why isn’t your dad giving this speech?” Kalei asked. “Soleri’s botching it.”

“He has to make a lot of phone calls today.” Oka said. “And Penteldtam—”

“Your ol’ Principal Penteldtam got the bench.” Penteldtam said, making Zeta jump as he revealed himself behind the back row of seats. He was on the ground next to a oddly placed tiny table for some reason. “First my daughter’s incredibly sad or experiencing some kind of angsty teenage emotion after whatever she went through on the trip, and now this. A speech would make me feel better, you know?”

“Why don’t you go up there then, principal?” Kalei suggested. “Really show Soleri what’s what.”

“You know what?” Penteldtam said, squinting. “That’s a great idea.”

He got up, knocking the tiny table over and ran towards the stage. Penteldtam biffed it a little when he tried to vault the stage in one jump, but he recovered. He dashed to the podium and snatched the mic from a stunned into bafflement Soleri. 

“Uhhh excuse me, but I think it’s time for a better announcement. Instead of having class tomorrow, how about we have none classes tomorrow?” Penteldtam said. 

The students cheered. Kalei looked proud of herself. Zeta was still coming down from the shock of Penteldtam’s surprise entrance and the little table falling over and was more jittery than in the mood to cheer. Oka held her hand in hopes of calming her down. 

“How about this too? Some terrifying nonsense has gone down! How about we…don’t have school the next day either?” Penteldtam asked. 

The students roared. Penteldtam ripped the microphone out of its stand and began to dance. Mr. Soleri kept a stone face, but Oka could tell he was mad as he stormed off stage.

“How about no classes for the rest of the semester! And free Sea Butter! Go have fun!” Penteldtam said. “GET OUT! GO! LEAVE! THE ASSEMBLY IS OVER! GET OUUUT!” 

The lights came back on. As the students all filed out, Penteldtam lost control of his voice and just kept screaming as security guards surrounded him in concern. Oka left the auditorium building with Zeta and Kalei, unsure of where to go next. Penteldtam smashed his microphone on the ground and gave one more mighty scream as he ripped his shirt off. Some were going inside towards the cafeteria, others towards the dorms, a few to the library, and a bit to the beach despite the cold.

It had been a long and weird semester so far for Oka, but one she wouldn’t trade for anything, even with the darkness she faced. Unsure of where to go next, she wandered with Zeta and Kalei and any other friends that stopped by, seeing them all laugh and do their best Penteldtam scream impression. They sat down in the cafeteria next to the big window wall, where snow began to fall.

”Rain yesterday, snow today,” Iris said.

”That’s late fall for you,” Maia said.

“Glad we got candy here at least,” Kalei said. “Then we don’t have to go out in the snow. Plus, bonus vacation from school!”

“I’m pretty sure we’re not getting those days off despite what Penteldtam promised.” Oka said. “That would have to go to the school board. And they’re not big on his brash decisions.”

“Don’t ruin this for me,” Kalei said.

As Kalei started a debate with Roux and Latte about days off, Oka noticed Zeta had grown quiet. She had been through a lot in the last day, and it probably all hadn’t sunk in yet. Oka held her close, and Zeta hugged her back. Neither needed to say anything. 

Even though there were hundreds of people around them, it was like they were alone. They sat together and watched the snow fall. Oka smiled at her girlfriend, knowing that no matter what they faced next, they would make it through, together. And she could tell Zeta felt it too. 

There was hope in her eyes.