Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tip tap tip tap

It was raining when Branzy stepped foot at the entrance of his school, the moment he stepped foot in the place he could feel that something is odd. The guards were suspiciously silent of his late arrival, not to mention the lack of tidiness with his attire. Normally they would've scolded and took his ID away for grounding, but they didn't. And that was the first oddities Branzy had seen.

Regardless he took that as a win as he dried his wet shoes and ran off to his classroom. He didn't question the surprisingly tidy hallways, afterall the other classrooms seem to be making their usual noises just fine. But he knew better than to just ignore the clean hallways, not when there's always a piece of paper lying around. This time there's none, maybe the janitors had a field day with their paychecks.

He folds his umbrella back to its original shape when he reaches a familiar corridor. He can't help but peak into the unusually silent atmosphere when he opens the door with a slow creak. He smiles when heads turned to look at him and his late appearance but none of them made a loud call out on it.

Rek was first to move, being seated at the first row, quickly ushered Branzy to start moving. "Dude, go to your seat." He whisper yelled, pointing to an area where he doesn't actually sit on. He doesn't mention the unfamiliar faces or the elephant in the room, but he'd counted enough oddities to not ask questions this time.

'Why is everyone so quiet?' He wonders as he placed his bag next to what he assumes is a new student.. transferee perhaps? He kind of took his window seat but Branzy wasn't going to make a fuss about it, not when the atmosphere is too awkward to even breathe in.

He tried to keep put in his new seat but the whispers around the air we're nagging at him ever since he sat down next to the transferee. He opted to hug his bag to his chest, hoping to drown out the whispers going around the room.

"Isn't it unusual? Like just look at them, a literal contrast! Financially wise I mean."

"You think he'd make a fuss that ClownPierce is on his seat?"

"No? Branzy's too kind hearted for that anyway. It's not like he knows how to land a punch either!"

"Poor him."

The sounds of light tapping caught Branzy's attention, he shifts his eyes to the person sitting next to him. ClownPierce was it? 'What an odd name.' He thought as he stares at the man's impatient finger, the whispers hadn't dried out yet. And it's not like Branzy's getting a wee step of freedom when there's quite literally a student who-everyone-apparently-knows is beside him.

He pulls out his sketchbook and pencil when he decides that the mental pressure is enough. Maybe this would momentarily distract him from the disturbance that was his classmates. Thankfully he had a reference saved in his phone a while back, he smiled with relief.

As the sounds of his pencil scratching against paper fills the air, Branzy hears the tapping stop. He doesn't pay much attention to it at first, but when a shadow hovers over him and doesn't move, he has half a mind to be annoyed until he looks up. He finds his teacher looking down on him with a disappointed stare.

"What did I say about keeping the silence? Goodness, all of you just don't learn!" Ms. Camelly thunders and yanked his sketchbook out of his desk. Branzy flinched at the harsh action, about to reach out for his item but ultimately held back. It wasn't worth it, he decided, he looked dejected as Ms. Camelly discarded it in her drawer with a non committal throw. 'Damn atleast be careful with it.' He thought, that sketchbook costed him a lot.

On the sidelines he could feel people's looks on him. They weren't harsh stares but definitely out of pity, Branzy doesn't give them a reason to be harsh on him anyway. But it all hurt the same. He goes back to hugging his bag with a sad sigh.

Branzy doesn't know how much time had passed, he has his chin propped on his bag and staring into the empty board and occasionally towards Ms. Camelly's desk, finding her deep engraved into her laptop and signing papers. He lets out a grumble and turns to the window.

Although his eyes immediately met porcelain and he can't help the tiny yelp that he let out. He ignores Ms. Camelly's look towards him and the small snicker from his friends in favor of looking at this ClownPierce guy who'se mask is quite right up at his face. Branzy quickly looks away, feeling embarrassed and spooked at the moment.

'Gosh.. what the hell was that?!' He thought, stealing a few glances at the transferee beside him. Seeing that ClownPierce was looking out the window again, he decided to bury his face into his bag and stare at him that way. Even if his hair would get in the way, atleast it would provide a tiny bit of secrecy and a strand of his own dignity.

At this angle, he could properly see ClownPierce. With the sun's rays Branzy could say that he's devilishly handsome behind that mask. Devilishly because he had black hair styled professionally to what appears to be a business man and some strands of his hair make up to be a.. well.. Branzy could say is the 10% of the back of a wolf cut. It doesn't make the man less handsome though.

The more Branzy stares at the man, the more he thinks this ClownPierce guy doesn't really belong in this school. What type of guy wears a suit jacket with slacks and tic tacs into school?! Not to mention the damn briefcase he has under their shared desk! 'Is he secretly a CEO who got dropped back to HighSchool?' Branzy internally whined. No wonder people we're whispering about him and this guy.

He looked like a homeless man compared to this man. Compared to the transferee's lavish attire, Branzy's literally just wearing a plain and wrinkled purple t-shirt and loose black pants and a worn out white converse. He'd probably think he's not wearing any socks under that too! 

The moment Branzy tears his eyes away from ClownPierce is where the bell finally chimes. He lets out a sigh of relief, seeing as everyone's tense shoulders relax a little he wonders what he missed in the few minutes he was not here. Maybe he should ask Rek later.

"Branzy, meet me in the detention office after your second semester." Ms. Camelly said, waving his sketchbook around before tidying up her desk and leaving. There was beat, and another, then people erupted in cheers. They we're cheering about something Brany doesn't have the full context to, but when he saw Rek running to his seat he had a guess he'll be filled up on it.

"Uhm.. Branzy?" Rek calls out, his eyes darting to something.. someone perhaps. Branzy fully turns his head to his friend, finding his expression a little mortified until he realizes that there's a shadow looming over him. "Excuse me." ClownPierce said, his porcelain meeting a frightened purple.

Branzy immediately bolted out of his seat and stepped away to give the man some space, ClownPierce took it and walked out of the room. That gave Rek enough time to push him back down on his seat and making himself welcome on top of his desk. "Okay.. okay. Did you hear about what's happening today?" Rek asked.

"I don't think I know anything Rek! Who was that? He seems like.. a figure that's for sure." Meeting the surprised face of his friend, he felt even more confused.

"You're seated with ClownPierce bro! ClownPierce- The ClownPierce, did you actually not know?!" Rek exclaimed, taking a hold of Branzy's shoulders and shaking him as if he were stupid. Which he is, but he wouldn't say that out loud.

"I don't know what you're talking about dude! You know I'm not caught up with new stuff!" 

"Okay yeah. That's true. But to be fair you still could've heard about him or his family right?"

"No? Like literally nothing at all. Don't look at me like that, I'm actually being real with you."

"Fine! We'll talk about this later yeah?" Rek finally lets go of his shoulders with a smile; though it still had a hint of disbelief in them. He massages the sore area with a grumble, punching Rek's kneecap lightly as retaliation. 

"What about the.. you know, the literal weird atmosphere from earlier? What happened?" Branzy finally asks the elephant in the room, to which he finds the usually noisy classroom suddenly being dead silent was a miracle to come across. But it's more concerning than actual doing good. He hears Rek sigh.

"Yeah it's about the transferees. Mostly it's about ClownPierce yeah? He introduced himself while you we're gone and dude- if you saw his dad watching from behind him, you'd shit your pants." Rek says, Branzy would've not taken him seriously if not for the actual sincerity on his face. He brings himself to hum before replying,

"Is- are they that bad? Like legitimately?"

"Mhm. They own many strands in terms of business bro, they're literally filthy rich. Powerful too." 

"So you mean I'm literally seated next to the next Elon Musk?" Branzy gapped, shock seeping through his expression. "No wonder why people we're comparing me to him!" He whines.

"I mean.. no shit. His dad probably scared everyone into silence, hell, I bet Ms. Camelly almost fainted when he asked her to have a talk with him. We don't know what they talked about though." Rek explained, a flippant shrug soon followed. But his expression remained wary.

"That makes sense.. I think. I guess I have to see for myself then!" 

"Dude. You've already fucked it up with Ms. Camelly earlier, what more can you possibly do?"

"In my defense I was bored okay? Who wouldn't be bored just sitting in an unusually silent room that's usually always so loud?"

"Fair."

"Exactly!" Branzy flails his arms around leaned into his seat, groaning. The mention of his sketchbook kept him in a bitter state, it was the first he had gotten his sketchbook taken away. He didn't think he'd seen the day Ms. Camelly would get enough of his loud antics.

He redirect his attention from the ceiling and over to Rek, who's already out of his desk and standing away. He wonders why for a moment until a porcelain mask looks down at him, spooked, Branzy abruptly sat up. His head made contact with the transferee's mask, creating a loud thud in the usually loud classroom.

However everything fell silent after that. ClownPierce cradled his mask after stumbling a step from Branzy's abrupt action. The latter ignored his throbbing head and immediately stood up to try to de-escalate things, but he doesn't know if he can move with the weight of everyone's shocked stares. "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-" Branzy stammers, his hands we're stuck mid air as if he was about to calm the transferee down.

"Oh he's done for."

"What led him to do that? Is he stupid?"

"Imagine the mask cracked."

"Are you serious? A single crack is worth his entire savings!"

Branzy winced at the harsh whispers, if the mask did crack then perhaps he'll just lay himself on a silver platter. They're right, he doesn't think any of his life savings can prepare himself from paying even the tinest crack on ClownPierce's mask. An item that probably costed more than all of his tuition combined.

"A-ah.. maybe there has been a misunderstanding-" Rek moved forward, trying to shield Branzy from Clown's penetrative gaze. His fingers were shaking and he wasn't making a good and confident impression to the other, but Branzy appreciates the effort regardless.

An anxious beat passed, then another. Clown pats down any imaginary dust he has on his suit before replying in a flat tone, ".. It's fine." He said. The blunt reply caused Rek to stumble back in disbelief, clearly it wasn't the reply he was thinking about. And he repeatedly stole glances at Branzy before smiling, although wobbly.

"You.. you wouldn't do anything to Branzy.. right?" He asked, ClownPierce tilted his head at the question as if it was most meaningless thing he heard. Despite the mask, Branzy can feel the weight of the man's eyes on him, making him feel smaller than he should've.

"No. Why should I? It's just an accident afterall." ClownPierce hummed and didn't wait for an answer and began to move, merely pushing Rek aside and ending up infront of Branzy. He raises his hand and the albino closes his eyes, readying himself for any sort of attack, slap, punch..

But instead he could only feel the gentle caress of the man's fingers tucking strands of his hair behind his ear and finding the man leaning towards him. In midst of his shock, ClownPierce gently brushed past him and sat in their shared seat once again. Ignoring the shocked gazes of everyone in favor of opening his laptop.

.. What?

Branzy quietly seeped back into his seat after a moment, his face is burning as he puts in more distance than he did when he first sat next to ClownPierce. The recent events had him reeling internally, even if he sees everyone with their mouths shut, he knows better than to hope it will remain that way. Afterall, he knows that the room will erupt into chaos the moment ClownPierce steps out of the room. And chances are, he'll be bombarded with questions and accusations as if they we're the fucking paparazzi. Which is something he really doesn't need right now.

Rek gave him a sympathetic look before going back to his seat. Branzy didn't know what he looked like to the people at the moment, but he could only assume that he's a blushing mess who's at the edge of breaking into tears. Either from terror or relief, he doesn't know which one.

He waits until their next teacher walks in, they don't question on why he was late. Nor did he question why the atmosphere in this room was oddly suffocating and tense. Their teacher continued his lessons but Branzy could hardly pay attention, not when he's still conflicted about everything.

He steals ClownPierce one last glance before forcing himself to look elsewhere. This wouldn't work out, he decides.

How conflicting.

Chapter Text

"So.. do you plan on joining the gaming club soon?" Rek asked, sounding excited at the idea of his friend finally joining the gaming club after hundreds of attempts to sway him. It hadn't worked until now, where Branzy's too tired to even say anything back.

He had yanked Rek out of his seat the moment their teacher walked out of the classroom. He wasn't wasting his entire recess getting interrogated by a group of wanna be paparazzis just to juice him out of the events that transpired an hour ago. Even he doesn't know why the transferee did it, so what answers can he possibly give them?

"If you keep pestering me about it, I might just join to shut you up." Branzy replies in an exasperated tone before chugging down a water bottle. He originally dragged Rek out of the room to catch up with his detention, knowing that if he was atleast 2 minutes late his bitch of a teacher would increase his grounding time (and he does NOT want that extra 10 minutes, thank you). Only to find the damn place devoid of literally anything.

There was even a fresh note attached to it saying: "Detention Room under breakdown because-" yada yada yada, Branzy couldn't give a careless about what they did to that room. What he cares about is his god forsaken sketchbook.

'I swear if she opens a single page in that thing I'll personally burn her documents.' Branzy internally seethed, the thought of his sketchbook getting the slightest touch of violation from someone else puts him in a bitter state. It's never a good sign.

"You might wanna loosen your grip buddy." Rek teases with a hint of concern as he watched Branzy grip his empty water bottle in silent fury. The albino doesn't even notice that he'd grumbling under his breath until Rek spoke up, he lets out a deep exhale and looked away.

"Yeah, yeah. It's just- what if something happens to my sketchbook you know? I can't have it getting ruined." Branzy mutters and begin to walk lazily across the corridors. They're yet to arrive in the cafeteria, but then again the place would be bustling with too much activities and a ridiculous amount of people lining up for even just an apple. 

"Relax, I'm sure she wouldn't do anything to it." Rek tries to reassure him with a smile, it doesn't help.

"Yeah right."

///

It took them three minutes to arrive in cafeteria, the place already buzzing with activity as they push the doors open. All the tables are occupied, but that wasn't their main concern at the moment. "Have you spotted Parrot yet?" Branzy asked, searching through the swarm of people.

"Not yet.. this place is more crowded recently, did they finally make fresh pizza?" Rek joked as he grabbed Branzy's arm and began walking. "Standing won't cut it. Not with these people in the way." He grunts, squeezing through some people until they finally find their table.

"If they did sell fresh pizza today, would you sneak into the kitchen like last time.. again?" Rek lets out a sheepish chuckle at that, it was a silly memory. One that he doesn't mind doing it again.. if Branzy wasn't opposed to it to doing it with him of course. "Oh shut it. You enjoyed that five slices and you know it!" Rek retorts.

"I do know it! If only they sold Hawaiian though.." Branzy sighs, dejected. Rek gives him a look but didn't say anything. "Dude, that's basically saying pancakes are better than waffles." He exclaimed, a deadpan look on his face.

"I'm not doing this conversation with you again."

"It's the truth though."

"Okay you do you.. I wouldn't say anything to that."

"You don't need to, you already betrayed me by saying pancakes are better than waffles a long time ago!"

"I was pressured okay!" Branzy blurts out with an exasperated groan, making Rek hurl into giggles. It was a moment Branzy doesn't want to go back to, well, at least Rek didn't slammed his head against his desk when he said it.. but he thinks it's probably because Chief was there.

"You know, I could've slammed your head on your desk before." Okay, thoughts answered. Branzy gives him a glare.

The two continued walking through the ocean of people until they reached a secluded spot no one seemed to intrude on. "Oh hey, what's that over there?" Branzy asked, trying to see what's the occasion on the certain area, it looked occupied, but it's like everyone suddenly avoided that spot like it's cancerous.

"Oh that? Uh.. that looks like.. it's ClownPierce." Rek says, being the taller of the two, tried peaking out with obvious success. "And he has a group with him." He finishes and looked at Branzy in question. "Why?"

"I thought it's just weird. You know 'cause it's like everyone's avoiding them like they have Covid or something." He shrugs, he doesn't bother asking who the group is. They're probably rich snobs in their class, well, even if Branzy couldn't see them, the mention of ClownPierce is enough to deter why the hell people wouldn't approach them.

"Mhm. They're an odd trio. I'm surprised Leo and Minute even walked into this canteen anyway." Rek says and continued dragging him again, he lets out a non committal hum. He really doesn't know what his friend is talking about at the moment, but Rek seemed to be very knowledgeable of these people. Unlike Branzy..

"You don't know what I'm talking about dont you?" He gives a smile, Rek lets out a sigh.

"You really gotta be up to date man."

"It's not my fault okay? I'm busy!"

"Yeah well you have to lay off the books once in a while!"

"No thanks!"

"Yo Rek! Branzy!" A familiar voice shouted through the crowd, it made Rek smile, relieved that they finally found their people. "Parrot! Are you guys still eating?" Rek shouts back, his pace gradually increasing the more Parrot's face comes into view.

If they felt eyes watching them from behind, Branzy doesn't mention it. 

"Dude! What's up?" Parrot greets, shaking Rek's hand firmly. "Nothing new. You guys still up for grabs?" The latter replied, sitting down on a reserved seat that Parrot probably protected for any randoms that wanted to intrude in their spot. Oh and he included Branzy too! How sweet.

"In the gaming club sense or the hungry sense?" Mapicc chimes in, his face stuffed with burgers. Branzy makes a face at the messiness and went to hand him some tissues from his pocket, to which Mapicc happily took with greasy hands. He tries not to recoil at the wet sensation as their hands touched. 

"Geez Mape, can you eat a little cleaner? You're turning Branzy into a germaphobe." Parrot grumbles, disgust featuring his expression before shaking it off to humble Rek again. "The gaming club has been going strong so far, we're still looking for members if you're asking." The man looks past Rek's shoulder and towards Branzy.

"Yeah yeah, I'll join alright? Just reserve me a spot." Branzy shrugs and opened his lunchbox, revealing ham and cheese sandwiches and a side of grapes. It wasn't much, but who was he to complain really? Besides, they're his favorite.

"And when will that take place?" Parrot mutters and shamelessly grabs a grape from his lunchbox and eating it with a crunch. "Maybe tomorrow? I think I'm free." Branzy replied as he takes a bite of his sandwich.

"Don't you have the Robotics Club?" Mapicc asked, his face now clean after Branzy handed him tissues after tissues. Branzy looks around the table, finding his other friends engaged in conversations and whatnot. Nonetheless he gives Mapicc a nod of agreement and took another bite of his sandwich.

"Yeah. I might be a little late to the meeting." He turns to Parrot, "You think you can make time for me?" 

"I'll see what I can do, bud. But if the members start to get impatient don't blame me if we started ahead of you." Parrot replies, taking a bite of his already bitten apple.

"Yeah okay, that's good. I'll try to be on time."

"Mhm.. You do that bro." Mapicc says, stuffing his mouth full of food again. Why did he get all of that food? Branzy doesn't know. But what he does know is that he probably bought it at the canteen with his wallet full of money.

"Damn.. they're really cooking something good for once?" Rek exclaims, looking at Mapicc devouring his food like there's no tomorrow. He looks horrified, but honestly Branzy couldn't blame him.

"Yeah bro, you're missing out." Mapicc says with a smile as he pops a fry into his already full mouth. 

"You need to take a trip to the bathroom after this." Parrot, who can't hide the disgust in his face anymore, says with a gag.

"What? Why?"

"'Cause your mouth stinks!"

///

"You'd think after everything I did to get that 100%, he just lowered my score to a 95! Like are you serious?!" Rek groans, ever since they left the canteen and bid their goodbyes to Parrot, Rek had been going on and on about how much of a maniac his History teacher was.

"Is it still because you snuck a pin in his coffee?" Branzy guesses as he opened the door to their classroom, it wasn't the first that Rek had slipped some questionable things to people's drinks out of spite. He didn't get caught, but Branzy knows that there comes a day he would.

"Maybe? But come on! That was a month ago! He couldn't possibly be that petty-" Rek stops in his tracks when he sees their teacher looking at them with her legs crossed.

"Both of you are late again." Mrs. Rouy scolded, scanning both of their figures judgementally before letting out a disappointed mumble. "What to do with you two, you're always late to my class!"

'Maybe if you didn't enter our classrooms 10 minutes before the bell rung, maybe we wouldn't be late at all.' Branzy thought, he diverts his eyes to the empty desks that are yet to be occupied. As always, Mrs. Rouy would find a way to lecture late comers into her class. 

"And you, Mr. Rekrap, still hanging on that dangerous habit of yours huh? Meet me at my office." She bellowed and pointed to their seats.

Branzy casted his friend a sympathetic look as he walked to his seat. Rek wasn't at all in a greatest of moods now, the man is literally left grumbling as he looked at the figurines displayed on the shelves. 'Maybe your stealth streak has finally come to an end, my friend.' Branzy thought with a silent giggle, sympathy momentarily forgotten.

As he reached his desk, he is met with his sketchbook. He stares at it, it stares back at him. 'What? Did Ms. Camelly return it so soon?' Branzy thought and silently sat down, he backtracked to the closed detention room. How could it possibly spawn on his desk? Regardless, he's not complaining in the slightest.

'Must've grown a pair of legs or something..' He lets out a small giggle at that and stashed his sketchbook in his bag, he doesn't want it to get taken away again. If Ms. Camelly did return it then it would be just a miracle, but he doesn't want to test his luck regardless.

His eyes soon landed on ClownPierce who seemed to be unbothered with the commotion in their class. Merely typing away on his computer like he doesn't have a care in the world, 'Maybe he doesn't. With all the rumors about how powerful he and his family are, I don't think Mrs. Rouy would even bat an eye even if he blasts disco music on the max.' The thought made him sulk a little in jealousy.

He looks at the guy again and huffs. 'Yeah right. As if he's the guy to do that, with the suit get up and everything.. I don't think he even likes clubs and parties.' He internally nodded at that, surely this guy isn't a massive party guy. He's probably just a rich snob who doesn't want even the slightest bit of stain on his suit.

The thought made him shiver. Geez, if that we're to be true then he doesn't think this ClownPierce guy even tolerates his presence. He could probably smell the poorness radiating off him or something, but that's fine, Branzy could tolerate him just as much. He lets out a huff again, this time he crosses his arms and looked down at his stomach.

In his peripheral he could see ClownPierce's mask slightly turned toward him. He seemed to catch up with his sulky behavior but didn't say anything about it and looked back at his laptop with an awkward cough, letting the albino sulk and pout all he wants. 

'I hate arrogant people.' 

Chapter Text

Branzy woke up with a start, well, it's not exactly a start, it was more of a nap than anything. He groggily massaged his sore arm, finding it beet red after getting sandwiched by his head and his desk, he is met with opened notebooks and half hazardly organized books. Right, he was studying.

Until he suddenly fell asleep, which felt more of a blessing than another frustrating excuse. 'Maybe Rek is right, I should lay off the books every once in a while.' He thought, his eyes landed on the miniature white board hanging on his wall. It's a constant reminder of his fucked up sleeping schedule.

He doesn't even know why he still kept it, he only writes his supposedly "time to sleep!" reminders. All of which he just walked past and dive into his books and pull an all nighter after a long day. Gosh, for a teenager he already felt like a workaholic. He throws his head back, feeling his neck crack after slouching for what seemed like hours.

He doesn't want to go to school today, but he doesn't want all the all-nighters that he pulled to be just a wasted fraction of his memory. Not going to school now is basically saying he got 0 on every single quiz that would transpire today, and he really doesn't want that to happen. 'All a while some people out there can just pay to get higher grades.' He tsks.

He continues to stare at the ceiling until he realized he was going to be late for school. 'Right. School.'

///

"So what did you get?" Rek leans in with his left hand to check his paper, his free hand holding his test paper. 

"Score? Or like.. the numbers?" Branzy asked, looking at the 28 over 30 written on top of his paper in bold letters. He expected something higher, maybe a perfect score would've satisfied him after a whole night of studying. 'Atleast it's not a 29 though..' He thought with a disappointed sigh. 'I would've gone ballistic.'

"What're you sighing for?" Rek gives him a look, he probably had an idea in mind of why. Branzy always liked his scores above average, and even with that rating he still isn't satisfied until he gets that perfect score. "Are you seriously sulking over that 28? Dude, I got a 16!" 

"I could do better than 28 though!" Branzy whines, slamming his paper down his desk and pouts. He knew the answer to all of the questions but it's just that he's overthinking it too much, and that led to his sneaky peaks on other papers. Which all led to be his complete downfall. 'Gosh.. why am I like this?!' He slumps in defeat.

"You're unbelievable." Rek grumbles at his slouched figure until his eyes met ClownPierce who has his paper placed neatly on the side. Normally some would've already thrown their papers aside or shove it in their bags, but the man's paper is completely out in the open, not even facing down or anything.

And yet, Rek has a feeling to still ask: "What did you get?" Branzy opens his eyes at Rek's question, he opens his mouth to say a sarcastic remark but he notices that his friend isn't looking at him. Instead he was looking at ClownPierce, who's still typing on his goddamn laptop. 

Now curious, Branzy shifts his body to look at ClownPierce who in turn, looked back upon hearing Rek's question. He probably didn't expect the sudden attention considering how he immediately started tapping his fingers on their shared desk. "I got a perfect score." He muttered before looking away.

'What?' Branzy can't help but peak on his seat mate's paper, he just wants a look. Not to yank it or anything, just a teeny tiny peek- 'Isn't number nine Van Gogh?' He thought, looking at the answers ClownPierce seemed to write on number 9 his answer: Starry Night, and it's objectively wrong; it's actually Van Gogh.

Deciding to stay silent, he doesn't realize that he already leaned his entire body to look at the other's paper. Earning a stare from both Rek and ClownPierce, "..yeah uhm. Yeah I see why you're perfect." Branzy nervously fumbled with his shirt as he leans back. 'How awkward..' He internally groaned.

///

"Pff. What a charmer." Rek teases the moment they step out of their classroom, it was another day to go to the Cafeteria. 

"What?" Branzy asks, his confused gaze landing on Rek's smug expression. He furrowed his brows, what could he possibly said that made Rek think like that? When the latter stayed silent, Branzy punched him in the shoulder. "Tell me!"

"Okay okay! Geez, I forget you hit the gym sometimes.." Rek muttered and cradled his arm, upon seeing Branzy's glare he immediately redirects himself, "You said something horrible there man. Like.. what you said to ClownPierce is honestly a little crazy."

"What I said to ClownPierce? I didn't say anything!"

"Yes you did! Did you know how bad you worded it out when you did? You said he's perfect!" 

"What? I did say it because he quote unquote got a perfect score! What else do you want me to say to him? That he's handsome?" Branzy exclaimed, seeing as Rek whine about his "failed" grammar, he suddenly has the urge to just defenestrate him to the nearest window.

"It's literally perfect grammar! I don't understand what you're implying okay!" He says.

In midst of their argument, they don't notice a group of three people walking behind them. "He got a perfect score- so what then?! What are you even seeing right now-" Branzy gets cutted off when he feels a hand on his shoulder, the sudden action causes him to shriek, earning a few looks from the people walking by.

"Hey, you're Branzy right?" A low voice rings in his ears, when Branzy looks up, he is met with a white veil and a bush of gray like hair and a black suit with a yellow necktie. The sight immediately lights a bulb, he knows who this is!

"Yes? Uhm.. you're Leowook right? A friend of Parrot?" Branzy manages to choke out, standing infront of him is a figure that's ridiculously well-known in the Club gatherings and especially the meetings. His slight albino hair and black suit is impossible to miss in the crowd, he's also one of Parrot's friends! Though he rarely mentions him at their table.

"You can just call me Leo, and I guess you could say I'm one of Parrot's friends." Leo replies and stuck out his hand in means of a handshake, he reluctantly accepts it. Leo chuckles at the slow shake of their hands, it felt more uncertain and confused more than being confident and firm. He could tell Leo isn't gonna say a thing about it.

When they parted hands, Branzy watches as Leo is promptly pushed to the side the moment he opens his mouth again. A field of black and red then swarms his vision, the sight of a very distinguishable jester mask makes himself known as ClownPierce; although his attention wasn't directed at him.

"Leo. What are you doing." ClownPierce whisper yelled as he gently pushed Leo's shoulder before turning to the pair apologetically, "..I apologize for his behavior." He says stoically. (Whatever it was, Branzy has a firm believe that if you don't sound and look sorry, maybe you're just not sorry at all!)

Rek, who was silent up until now, had nothing to say. But seeing Branzy be just as speechless with furrowed brows is not helping their situation whatsoever and the way he has this urge to entertain the poor man, who looks like he's gonna explode with the way he's playing with the ends of his suit felt like a sign. "Leo didn't say anything bad so it's fine. Right Branzy?" He nudged the albino with a chuckle that says "play along".

"Huh? Oh yeah, it's fine really, it's not like he slapped me or something." Branzy giggles nervously, catching on the hint immediately as it went but he can't deny that it's almost as if ClownPierce's nervousness seem to rub off on him too, because the albino is also caught fumbling with the end his tee.

"That's.. that's good. We'll be going then, isn't that right, Leo?" ClownPierce says menacingly, Branzy doesn't even realize that the man had his hand plastered on Leo's mouth until now (nor did he realize the subtle change of gentleness to the man's tone when speaking to him). And now that he thinks about it, no wonder the other man was so silent; ClownPierce's hand was literally gripping his mouth shut.

When Leo breaks out of ClownPierce's grip with a glare, Branzy thinks he's gonna blow off or something. But he is met with an awkward cough and adjustment to his tie. "Yes, yes! We have Minute waiting in the Canteen. You guys probably have somewhere to go as well so don't let us hinder you any further, yeah?" Leo says, his voice honey sweet.

Although Branzy already has a knack on why that is, if not for the fact that ClownPierce is literally breathing on the guy's neck with an aura that just tells him to behave. 'Unless he wants to lose a few teeth then..' He immediately cuts off that thought, the sight of violence is something he really doesn't wanna see.

As soon as Leo's goodbye us delivered, Rek immediately jumps on the opportunity to bid their goodbyes as well. "Oh sure, I- we completely understand that! Don't let us hinder you as well uhm.. we'll we going now!" Rek grabs his arm and speed walks out of the hallway, Rek is not really the type of person who ends a conversation so abruptly, but it seemed like he really doesn't like the pair at all. 'But who am I to complain?'

The last thing Branzy heard from the other pair was something along the lines of making a friend- something like that.

///

"What the hell was that about?" Was the first thing Rek said as they took a seat with Parrot, trays placed as people walked past them to get in their own tables.

He was probably talking about the encounter with Leo. 'I can't lie, the encounter is weird.' He thought and took a bite of his sandwich, he doesn't go for the trays nor does he want to eat canteen food again. So he protected their table that fortunately has 3 seats. (It was actually 4 but Branzy gave the other seat to some student because he felt bad.)

"The thing with Leo? It was pretty weird." He replies, he watches Parrot take a sip of his orange juice, wearing a face of curiosity at the mention of Leo. "Leo? Did he do something to you guys?" He asked, his face immediately contorting to that of concern.

"He didn't. He just went up to us and striked a conversation, but it was really awkward and I felt like I was alternating into a new person." Rek sighs and takes a bite of his waffle.

"By alternating.. would that make you a pancakes person then?"

"What? Never!"

"Okay, okay. We're straying off topic," Parrot eases, he seemed to be unnerved about something. Judging from the way his eyes narrowed at Rek's little storytime, "He talked to you? Like did he asked something like a favor or what?"

"No but he did introduce himself to Branzy, then he got toppled down by ClownPierce." Rek shrugs nonchalantly as if it was a normal occurrence, it was hard to imagine this was the same guy who almost (and abruptly) ran out of the scene just minutes ago with Branzy in hand like he was some well renowned athlete.

"Really? You guys should be careful then." Parrot mutters, the man's behavior isn't unusual, but with their current predicament it's almost as if something bad is gonna happen. "Leo doesn't just talk to people unless he has plans for them, I'm just warning you in advance." He sighs and places his juice box down.

"And to think ClownPierce is in the mix too, you really shouldn't be reckless— oh and Branzy you're seated next to him right?" Parrot adds, his eyes diverting to the albino who's lazily picking at his food.

"Yeah I am seated next to Clown." He replies, it felt as if there's a heavy weight in his heart that he couldn't describe when Parrot said that, and he's probably expecting more input but he doesn't even look at the colorful guy when he's busy playing with his fruits. "Is it more of a reason to be wary of him?" He asked, looking away.

"What kind of question is that? Of course! Me and Leo are in the same classroom are we not? I've seen first hand how he treats people, not exactly the best experience. Atleast for his targets." Branzy fought back a wince, he'd always known that the higher ranking students were always a little.. messy. That's why he fought to balance his intelligence and stupidity in terms of grades as if his life depended on it.

"Be careful around that ClownPierce guy, he might be planning something for you too. You'll never know." The way Parrot says it sounds so confident Branzy wanted to just believe him without thinking much about it, and maybe he should. Judging from the way people are always on their toes the moment a single speck of the guy comes into view— it's already enough to tell Branzy when to go back and turn a blind eye.

"Oh I'll be careful around Clown alright."

..When did he start calling him Clown?

Chapter Text

He can't find Rek.

The bell had already chimed after recess, and Rek told him he had to meet up with Parrot to talk about something in the gaming club so like the best friend that Branzy is, he let his friend run off with a reassuring smile on his face. Totally oblivious to the turmoil he'll face later on.

Because you see.. He's not the best gps.

As smart as he is, no matter how high he pledged in the leaderboard for the most spectacular robotics and coding, he's also the same fool that would find himself lost in the school's hallways that always seemed so endless and vast for his liking.

So to say that Rek still hadn't arrived on their usual spot after 30 minutes, he should've left something for the albino to play with as he waited. Because the edge of his tee wasn't cutting his undeniable plea to just move.. to do anything, really. So you can't exactly blame him when he goes walking to somewhere new! It's not like anyone's gonna stop him.

Gosh, he wished someone did.

"Gods.. where am I?" He mutters under his breath, his eyes landing on foreign signs written in old english perched above the doors Branzy doesn't even know the context of. He'd reached a concerning area of the campus he didn't even know existed before, and honestly he felt a little bummed out.

Compared to their campus this was.. new. The signs had golden plating, cleaner floors, and it was a peaceful and tranquil area to be in. It almost felt like he just entered an anomaly of an area, seeing how everything looked more expensive and well organized than what he and the other students had to work with.

As he ventures deeper into the halls, he finds that it wasn't exactly devoid of any people. He could hear the chatter and the booming voices through the walls to know that there are actually some students learning in this forbidden area. The absurdity of it all caused his curiosity to spike and before he knew it, he's already peaking through the glass window of one of the classroom's door.

"Wow.." He lets out a breath as he looked at the neatly dressed students through the window. They all seem to wear almost the same uniform, but he couldn't deny the clean and crispiness of it all. It's certainly better than what the students at their campus wore, excessively short crop tops, shorts, sweatpants — and they probably don't wear any underwear under that!

When his eyes suddenly meets the teacher, he flinches. The narrowing of their eyes was the last thing Branzy processed before he's bolting through the halls, his ragged and dirty shoes scraping through the pristine floor and almost making him slip. But as he caught his balance, he saw the teacher through his peripheral with a calculated stare.

'He would probably recognize me by my hair..' He thinks, wincing internally as he rounds the corner to take a breather. Since the guy wasn't actively chasing him, he slumped against one of the lockers to catch his breath. He didn't think he'd get caught so easily, is his stealth that bad?

'..I was basically ogling them with my big head.. maybe that's why.' He thought with a groan, no wonder why the teacher catched on to him so quicky, he probably looked like a poor fool who just saw a pile of gold. Well actually, maybe he is! 'I might as well be just standing infront of the door for all I care.' He gulps and gathered his bearings.

Clearly, this was a floor for the rich kids. If the intricate signs and expensive champagne waved at him in the air, Branzy stood out like a sore thumb with his rundown clothes. But even then, Branzy had seen his own share of spoiled kids back in the normal campus, so why was this any different?

He catches the voices of another group when he decides to sneak through the men's bathroom to wet his face with cold water. "Did you hear? Clownpierce and his squad is going to be transferred here." One of the students exclaimed from the entrance, from there Branzy steps into one of the stalls in a hurry.

"So I've heard. I'm surprised they haven't sent them here already, what was the delay?"

"They said it wasn't actually delayed, but there was someone that one of the squad actually took a liking to." Branzy's hands flew to his mouth when the sounds of a faucet being turned echoed through the bathroom.

"Seriously? To catch the attention of a well renowned freak is.. something alright."

"It's a crazy gossip from the lower campus. Whatever happens there must be filthy." The sound of the water stopped as the students snickered, their footsteps resounding in the room before it fades into nothing but white noise. Branzy stepped out then, a furrow on his eyebrows.

'Lower campus.. did they mean us?' He thought before stepping out of the bathroom, no wonder this area looked so pristine. It wasn't theirs, not to begin with, obviously he'd taken the signs early into the hallways, but to think their personalities would be a little nice wasn't in his checkbook.

Not like he even had any to begin with. With that thought in mind Branzy continued traversing through the halls, trying to remember where he last came from. As he did so, he can't stop the beating of his heart the longer he thought about the previous conversation the two students had. His mind raced, trying to comprehend what they meant.

'Clown's transferring campus? With his squad? And it was delayed because of someone?' He bristled, his glare catching the floor. He doesn't even know why he's so affected by this — he doesn't understand why his heart is beating so fast it's going to explode, he hates the man. He hates his crisp suit, his nonchalance, his aura of arrogance — the way he places cute things on his desk before he returned,—

Okay, no. Branzy really needs to find the exit.

///

It didn't long until Branzy found the exit, well, horribly so. He had been spotted by multiple teachers and students when their bell rang for recess. Turns out, they had a totally different schedule from theirs. Which is to be expected, but to be scrutinized by so many people all at once almost felt suffocating if not overwhelming enough that he barely noticed the way they dragged him back to their old campus and you guessed it, detention.

But hey, atleast he can take a breather now. He finds that writing "I will never disturb the higher campus ever again." In bold letters in 5 pages was oddly therapeutic, even if he just started his expedition. But really, he really wished Rek was with him right now, it'll make this entire thing less boring and he really doesn't mind —

"Detention is over, Branzy Craft. Turn in your paper." The teacher suddenly said, the albino stopped midway into writing another sentence to look up at him. "What? I haven't even started-"

"Someone bailed you out." The teacher cuts him off with an exasperated expression. "Now get out before I send a notice to your adviser."

Just like that, he was out of the detention office. For what reason? He doesn't even know, Rek wasn't even around to pick him up so it surely wasn't him. But then again, maybe its a student he helped from a week ago. He hears the door open behind him, meeting the face of the teacher once again, it occured to the albino he was holding an envelope.

"Someone said to give this to you."

"..Oh thanks." Branzy awkwardly took the letter and walked away, but perhaps from the volume of his steps he might as well be running. 

Chapter Text

Branzy didn't know where to continue from here. He had placed the letter between the pages of his notebook and left it to be tomorrow's problem, not bothering to open it until he entered the campus just to see Clown gone. Normally it wouldn't be a big issue, it's not like the man left anything that signified his presence in being his seatmate. But it still hurt knowing that he doesn't have competition anymore.

Because as petty as he is, he doesn't have anyone to copy answers from when he feels too lazy to study. As he learned that Clown doesn't care if he takes continuous glances at his paper during quizes and activities. Maybe that's why Branzy had thawed to his person. But now that he's gone the albino felt lost.

'Maybe that's what I get for being too dependent.' He sighs eternally.

He didn't tell Rek what he did in the higher campus. Although Rek did know about it at some point, he just gives him vague responses. He guesses that with whatever that happened in the other campus doesn't seem to correlate him, he decides it's best if he just keeps his mouth shut. Fortunately though, Rek isn't a pushy guy.

What's unfortunate though, is Parrot. Parrot looked cozy for once. Which is unusual considering that the avian has been complaining about Leo everyday. How he'd manage class president, how the guy just seemed to block Parrot at every turn and in summary: he's basically just a massive jerk. Rek had alot to say about that but Branzy didn't, he's not aware of any social circles to know what they're talking about.

But to see Rek so engaged in these dramas are starting to hit a realization. Of course, Branzy would never admit it to anyone but the principle of it is definitely clear; Rek's popular. Down to the yellow prince with his purple apprentice to the battles that took place in the higher campus, he tries not to let his suspicions show. 

Was Rek lying about his status this entire time? Branzy immediately shook the thought away. No, he'd been to Rek's house too many times to see it wasn't a luxurious mansion like those displayed in the television. And besides, Parrot is probably feeding Rek alot of intel about the higher campus since.. he wasn't the most subtle.

A little complain there and some gossip there would probably take the cake, honestly. But he could barely connect the dots until Rek suddenly responds like he'd know all along, and he doesn't really know how to feel about that. Still, he trusts his best friend not to lie about such a thing. Afterall, they'd pinky promised it.

"Helloo? Earth to Branzy?" Parrot's annoyed voice snapped him out of his daze, he lifts his eyes to meet the avian's, taking note of the impatience that colored it. "You we're dozing off like a man hooked on drugs. Don't tell me you're actually pouring some effort in the next exam?" Parrot says, clicking his tongue. 

"What exam?" Branzy asks, realizing that he'd dozed far too long for his friends comfort. "History exam, duh." The avian replied, taking a bite out of his apple.

"Oh right, no.. I was thinking about something else."

"Is it Clown?" Rek chimes in with a playful shove.

"What? No!" A beat of silence. "..Maybe, but it's just that I don't have someone to copy answers out of anymore."

"Sure buddy." Rek turns to Parrot, "Speaking of Clown.. do you happen to see him in the err.. higher campus?" He prodded.

"Yeah I did. I saw him with Leo and Minute in the fencing club, I think they're practicing for the uh.. match? Fencing match I suppose." Parrot replied, taking another bite of his apple as he let the news sink in. There was only few clubs in the lower campus, they we're mostly academics and other habitual clubs like gaming. However in the upper campus they have all the clubs they could need, including those from the lower.

What the lower doesn't have, the higher has. Such as the fencing, theater and music club. Atleast, that's what Branzy heard from word of mouth. It was then bought to his attention that the robotics club — that orginally belonged to the lower campus — was recently transferred to the higher campus. Resulting to his as well as other club members' termination. It also resulted Branzy in desperately looking for another club now, which was generously offered by Parrot-

"-and you know how performances from the upper is hidden from the lower? The secondary officers wanted to strike a meeting with the principal so that everyone can watch." Wait what? He snaps his head toward Parrot's chill face.

"What? You mean we can just sneak into the upper's campus and watch them do their thing?"

"I think so. It isn't confirmed though." Parrot says with a shrug. Branzy looks over at Rek who looked at ease yet tense at the same time, he chalks it up to the oddity of the suggestion. Afterall, history is blood.. whatever their advisor said. "But they'll battle it out someday." The avian adds.

"I thought they'd keep up the tradition, what's with the change of heart?" Rek questions, the bitterness in his tone is unmistakable. Once again, Branzy weighs his options on whether or not he should engage. Rek's been in this school longer than Branzy has, but that doesn't mean he isn't naive. He clears his throat, "I'm on Rek with this one. What's with the sudden change? Did they finally realize how unfair the system is?" Branzy chimes in.

"I don't know either. The news just came out okay? Perhaps they'll cancel it.. or not. That's not really my decision." Parrot sighs.

That answer seemed to lift the tension off Rek's shoulders as he gave a nod to the avian. The news was definitely shocking, since the whole 'leaving out the lower campus' had been a running tradition for a while now, as Rek had put it. For them to change the system after all these years felt like it's too late. However Branzy can't bring himself to sulk about it, he still has a long way to go from here.

"..okay." Rek mutters as the bell rang.

///

Branzy still hadn't mentioned the letter he'd received from the teacher. He doesn't think Rek would react strongly to it but he'd definitely be curious on what it's about. Regardless, he waves goodbye to his best friend as they parted ways to their respective houses.

He doesn't bother taking off his shoes as he entered his house. His mom and dad had taken the initiative to book a vacation in some resort, they'd originally plan to invite Branzy with them, but the albino refused so he could study for the coming exams. He remembers his mom's disappointed reaction and he felt bad, they'd only spend so little time planning for potential vacations. But then again, he reminds himself that his parents still need quality time together without worrying about him for once; that's what he told them.

So now, with a fridge packed with frozen meals, all he needs to do is to reheat them. Sometimes he feels a little giddy being alone, maybe it's the fact his mom always fusses about basic necessities and slave away at the kitchen so he could eat something while they're gone. Which ends up a little too much but the albino isn't complaining, it's better safe than sorry.

He's still in his casual wear when he places down his lasagna. He lets the ceiling fan cool his meal as he shuffled through his bag, eventually pulling out a letter. 

"Gods, I've been getting so many surprises lately." He mumbled to himself as he tore off the wax stamp, revealing the card the anonymous sender had sent him. 'Maybe this wouldn't be as bad.' With a sigh, he gently opens the letter, immediately frowning when he sees the fancy handwriting.

It is with great pleasure to have you read this letter, Branzy Craft. 

I suppose you're already familiar with the constants around the school lately. Word of mouth, gossip and obvious mock. But I assure you that you wouldn't worry about that anymore. Did you like the flowers I sent you? I personally picked those myself, as I heard you like jasmines and peonies in a bundle. I added some white to it too, although I wasn't the one who picked it, more like my mother, if you may. 

Nonetheless, I heard you snuck into the higher campus today. Even though that's strictly forbidden and could land you a severe punishment, worry not for I have told the office to give you detention instead. Although I am sorry that you had to sit there for one-fourth of the hour. Anyway, why did I do this? Letting you off easy? I know that you didn't snuck in on purpose, I suppose that's what happens when people don't educate their peers about the unknown. But that's fine, you have me anyway.

Branzy stops mid chew as he stares at the letter. The piping hot lasagna suddenly felt cold as he takes in the implications of the paper. 'Severe punishment? Letting me off scotch free? What does that mean?' He thought, goosebumps prickling his skin and a sense of cold washing over him as he read the letter over and over again. Hoping the contents wasn't like the first time he read it.

However it remained the same. Branzy's eyes slowly went to the end of the letter, his breath catching in his throat.

About the bouquet. I suppose there's always some delusional fans out there who take anything that's NOT theirs, for granted. If you're upset about it, I'll whip up a new bouquet, fresh and grand, just for you. :))

Since—

And there was a rip on the side of the letter, he guesses it must be the sender's name or god forbid their initial. He swallows the cold lasagna and fought the urge to gag it back out, his mind still reeling from the contents of the letter. He sets the paper down, not wanting to read it again. The letter mentioned something about a bouquet but Branzy didn't find any on his desk, and judging from the rushed writing on the bottom, one of this guy's so called fans took the bouquet specifically made for him. Which wasn't a surprise, really.

Besides, he wouldn't just accept a damn bouquet out of no where. But he can't ignore the churn in his stomach as he glances at the letter again. Noticing how there's a slight lift in the material. He shrugs it off despite the pounding in his heart and focuses on his meal, trying to ignore the way his hands started to tremble.

"This isn't good." 

Branzy realizes this might be the start of something crazy.

Chapter Text

"Are you ready?" Was the first question Rek asked him when they reached the school campus. Branzy had his head down since meeting up with Rek, his mind still plagued from last night. "The gaming club? Yeah I'm ready." He mumbled.

Their walk to the gaming club was short. Rek didn't bother talking, his usual bravado slipping whenever he glanced at Branzy's direction. His face dropping into concern whenever he sees the albino's stressed expression. The silence felt overbearing to a certain extent since Branzy didn't really contributed to their conversation, which he thought was kind of unusual. 

"Dude. You look so.. I don't know, distressed? What's up with you lately?" Rek cleared his throat, attempting to mask the worry in his tone. "No it's the uh.. someone gave me a little surprise." Branzy replies, a dejected smile crossing his lips as he thought about the sleepless night he'd gotten.

"Must be up to no good if it got you yawning every 30 seconds." 

"I didn't sleep okay?" He retorted. Which wasn't exactly a lie.

"What, did you study all night ot something?"

"Yeah." No he didn't. But he wasn't going to tell Rek that.

They stopped just at the door of the gaming club. Noticing the lack of chatter in the otherwise noisy room, Rek took the initiative to slide the door open to see the absence of the club's members and even ordinary students that would frequent the place every now and then. "There's no one." Rek points out.

"You think?" Branzy slaps the other's shoulder as he looked past and to the table at the front. Seeing a note and a folder trampled down with a pencil holder. "Where's Parrot anyway?" He takes a step inside. 

The room surprisingly didn't reek of sweat and other grimy odors. People take their hobbies seriously, and Branzy had come to realize that majority of that percentage is gaming. "How am I supposed to know? Maybe he left something for you." Rek grumbled

"He did. He left a letter."

"Really? Let me see." Rek runs over and watches Branzy unravel the paper.

hey Hey Branzy im sorry i couldnt give you a tour and introduce my people leo had to close club performances so i cant really help you on this one but i left a folder for you if you get lost but i dont think thats gonna be of any help if you bought rek with you you can just ask him whatever 

But if you want clarity ill just leave it for you and ik i said leo shut off club perhormances performances and all that stuff but i dont really care what he says so thats why i left the door open for you the rest of the clubs are locked and after you read this just lock the club room as well the keys are in the pencil holder it has a minecraft keychain 

and just a sade side note just do your thing inside INSIDE the club room and put it inside your folder yes it's yours now and ill review it during recess by tomorrow yes im absent today dont ask why just do it

thanks 

"That gave me a headache." Rek mutters as he runs over the lack of commas from Parrot's letter. Branzy places down the letter with a laugh, "you're just getting old, you nerd." 

"How am I the nerd when you have straight A's?"

"You're a nerd in your own way." Branzy shrugs as he opened the folder, seeing a blank sheet with questionaires. He plucks off a pen from the pencil holder and maneuvered himself to sit down in a chair.

"Oh wow we have teacher Branzy over here!" Rek teases, dodging the eraser the albino threw at him.

"Stop the nagging and help me over here!" Branzy shrieks.

"You're smart! That's all situational anyway!"

"Oh yeah you're right. Anyway! First question.. what's your favorite game and why?" Branzy says, his pen tapping against the cool surface of the table. He thought for a while, mentally raking over countless of games that he had taken a liking to. They're mostly a bundle of educational games, ones that Branzy can invent random things and experiment variants. But he never really poured actual passion to it. Except..

"Minecraft." He writes down his answer and the sole reason why he plays it. For one, redstone. When he first played Minecraft he was immediately smitten toward a certain necessity in the game: machinery. And often times than not he'd find himself experimenting with many concepts, the next one better than the last. He had also grown to be fond in building, realizing that redstone, without a proper hide, just looked hideous and began watching youtube tutorials.

It wasn't until Rek joined did they click and play Minecraft together. Rek being the miner and Branzy being the builder, their progress soon blossomed into something bigger. Until Branzy used his skills to prank his online friends and banded an SMP they called their own. EchoCraft. Which in turn became one of his favorite memories with his friends.

"I think that's enough." Branzy says as he puts the pen back in the pencil holder. He hadn't realized he finished his paper, seeing that his own train of thought was the answers he needed in the following questions. He breathed a sigh of relief as he stood up from his seat, placing the paper between the pages of the folder he looked up to see Rek gone. However the door remained open.

"Rek?" Branzy calls out as he walked out of the gaming club with his folder in hand. In the distance, he could hear faint voices engaged in a conversation. It didn't take long for him to see Leo and Rek talking in the hallway.

At Branzy's call the man turned his head to face the albino with a smile. "Branzy! Perfect timing. I was talking with Leo about the whole.. club thing." He trails off, his eyes darting to the club president who had his hand lazily perched on his hip.

"Right so. You must be the reason why the gaming club was left open right?" Leo starts, his tone just a balance of firm and polite.

"Who, me? 'Cause Parrot left me a letter about it." Branzy replied, trying not to squirm under Leo's scrutinizing gaze. 'Dang what the hell is up with this guy? What's with the intense stare?' He silently complained. "..Is there something wrong about it? I-I can give you the letter if you want." 

As if sensing Branzy's overflowing anxiety, Leo's eyes soften as he diverted his attention toward Rek who was already looking right at him. "No. I just found it alarming that the club is open, do you happen to have the keys to that room?" He says, his gaze unwavering.

"Oh yeah it's in the club room. I uh.. forgot to lock.. it." The albino trails off as he watched the silent stare off between the two infront of him, Leo wasn't even looking at him when he responded and Branzy hated to admit the pit of unease he felt. 'Do they have something against each other? Am I third wheeling?' He eternally screamed to himself.

"How about you lock the club room first and come back," Rek suggests, breaking his intense eye contact with Leo in favor of looking at the albino with a smile. It looked too sweet, too honeyed. Branzy could've smiled back if not for the heavy tension that pressed onto them like an hydraulic press.

"Yeah sure!" Branzy had already backed away 3 steps before bolting out of the scene. Whatever unresolved tension that the two had going on was something Branzy would not take a part of. The last thing he wants is his parents coming back from vacation to console his sorry ass.

As Branzy turns the corner, he stops for a brief moment. Opting to catch some scraps of what Leo and Rek are talking about, did it include him? Why did they look so tense? 

"—You want us to join?"

"Yeah."

"...I'll talk to him about it."

"..Just don't be pushy next time." Rek added.

"Oh lose the temper, Rek. You know he would want to see him. You cant keep this secret forever."

"..Whatever. Just get out."

"Fine. But know this, whatever that's gonna happen to you in the long run isn't my problem."

Branzy peels himself from the wall when he hears footsteps echoing out of the hallway. He doesn't bother tuning in any further as he fumbled with the key, 'I'm glad I made up a lie that easily. Gods I'm so smart!' He silently cheered as he locks the door to the gaming club.

"Hey, you done?" Rek's voice stopped him from his stupor. He looked up to meet the man's face with a smile, letting his hand drop the lock as he jogged over. "I finished locking it. It was kinda jammy but I did it so.."

"Where's Leo?" He asked after a beat. He didn't know what Leo and Rek had been talking about, but after eavesdropping on them he had a feeling they we're talking about him specifically. 'Honestly, who goes out of their way to leave their best friend alone in a room to talk with someone?' 

But a sensible part of Branzy hoped Rek would tell him the truth. Of what ever Leo had sprouted from his mouth, that his good friend would actually give him a heads up for something — or someone — in the long run. But to his utter disappointment, Rek merely shook his head. "He said he has a meeting with the rest of the err.. secondary officers."

"It's nothing really." Nothing? Branzy held his tongue.

'Can't be too irrational now..' Branzy thought as he watched Rek's face for any indication of whether or not he's lying. 'I can't believe he's hiding it from me. For what?' He hums and looks ahead. He doesn't even realize they're already walking.

"..Did you finish Ms. Campbell's assignment?" Rek mumbled, his eyes finally landing on Branzy. 

"Yeah I did. What about you?"

"I'm halfway there."

He doesn't mention the paper in the trashbin.

Chapter Text

The rest of the week flew by quickly, with the looming threat of their exams Branzy finds himself staring at the pile of study sheets he prepared for each semester over the past quarter in one saddening sunday afternoon. Things hadn't changed, he realized, 'Maybe it did. It's not like Rek's here to confirm it though.' 

His thoughts wandered over to his good friend Rek, who started to look progressively tense in the following days. He never told Branzy what was going in his head, but the albino had a pretty good idea on what it was about. Leo. And from there, Rek never strayed from his side ever since. It felt suffocating at times, how the man would glance over his shoulder and glare at every suspicious corner. It was starting to creep him out.

Branzy thought a sleepover at his house would relieve the tension weighing his friend. But he didn't expect Rek to carry those manners even inside his home, so what should've been a moment of laughter and pillow fighting turned into small talk and awkward silence. He doesn't understand what's wrong with Rek.

He doesn't know anything, that's why he's so angry about it. Rek doesn't want him to know anything- something that could potentially change his view of things. And he can't pinpoint his own emotions to justify that observation, should he continue patting down clues or outright ask Rek what he's been hiding from him all along?

He shook his head and placed down a study sheet. Ever since Rek's secrecy, Branzy couldn't focus on his studies; that's been a low blow for him. Especially when his parents are a week away from returning home, having heard of an extension from his not so close relatives on the phone, they'd surely be disappointed if he gets distracted and fail his studies. He really wishes he wasn't so alone this time, but it wasn't like he could invite Rek over either. He fears it's going to be another failed attempt in tranquility. He definitely does not want to face that right now, not when he's struggling.

Not when he's stressed out. Either from their trust or friendship, he thinks it's both. He shakes off the ache in his chest and instead dove back into his books. He could think about it later, maybe Rek would slowly open up to him. Like the times they first met, he always knew Rek was unbelievably paranoid; as their first encounter as kids.

He thinks he's got him all soft, that he's figured him out by now. But he's —

Branzy groaned and slammed his head on his table. Think about it later, 'Think! Think! Remember your exams are more important..' He tries to convince himself that that's the case.

//

By tomorrow, Branzy looked haggard to even look presentable. Feeling too heavy to even lift an eyelid, his study session became more of a mental breakdown than concentration. Regardless, he feels a little confident checking himself out in the exams despite his throbbing headache. Heartache? Too? He pays it no mind.

At the very least, he has half a mind to do basic hygiene and grab atleast two sandwiches he made last night before heading out the door. The weight of his books felt heavier for some odd reason, Branzy shrugs it off as exam days, of course subjects would pile over one another. And so would his textbooks.

Rek wasn't in the bus station they'd usually meet up at.

//

The day goes by, the exams weighing everyone down. Branzy realizes there was no Rek today, and so was the gaming club; as every club. He tries to not feel sour about his friend's absence, but he knows, deep in his heart that Rek would never miss a day as important as this. He'd fumble and shake Branzy for tutoring, his eyes would glare holes into his study sheets to memorize every detail. Without his nagging Branzy felt out of place, all in the worst corners.

He still feels like he's in the center. Some of his classmates would ask him about stuff, and some would even comment on his loneliness. He would wave it off with a smile, hoping to hide the way it's pulling every bit of skin he has to show it. And for once in his life, Branzy sees corners as something to be scared of.

He ignores the way his heart hammered when the bell rang. He focuses on the door opening, and the start of the exams. A little too much.

//

Parrot wasn't in the cafeteria either. Mapicc was, but he didn't have his usual slobbering mess of a tray with him. They talked for a bit, and Branzy seemed to get a read on the black haired guy, he learns that Mapicc steals Spoke's jackets and throws them in the trash near the bathroom as a prank. "Who's Spoke?" He'd asked, and Mapicc shook it off with a boisterous laugh. "Just some guy in the upper level. He's really easy to joke and piss off I guess."

After that he just left. With a wave of course, but it lacked its usual enthusiasm. It was when he was about to stand up from his seat did he see a crumpled note on the seat Mapicc had sat on, he would've just left it alone, but there was a pull to it that he couldn't shake off. He examined it for a bit, realizing that Mapicc's devil drawing — one that he always leaves at the bottom right corner of his letters and notes — finally compelled him to unravel the paper. It was his number.

hey branzyy so i just realized that we haven't rlly talked in like online as i do w parrot and rek and other ppl so i figured why not just add ya in my contacts! if you want ofc im not focricng forcing you to, just a lil buddy fir u to talk w!

As compelled he was to open the paper. He also felt compelled to crumble it again, but a rational part of him persisted and pocketed it. This time, he left his tray on the table and headed back to his classroom. Ignoring the way his fingers twitch over his other pocket where his phone was hidden.

The bell rang just as he opened the door to his class. The curtains were drawn.

//

Branzy had finished his exam first. But if he were to be honest he felt like he was moving on autopilot the entire time, one blink he was sitting on his desk writing down formulas and explainations, but with one blink he's already half way to reaching his house. He slouched a bit, his tired hands fishing for his phone, only to feel a rough and bumpy texture. Oh right, it was Mapicc's letter.

For a moment, his eyes lit up and patted his other pocket for the device. He'd completely forgotten about Mapicc. With a swift swipe, he opened his contacts, there, he already finds Mapicc's barrage of messages on his screen. He scrolls to the very first, sent exactly when Mapicc had left the cafeteria with a wave.

9:50AM — Mapicc

Hey man! You don't mind having my contact in ur contact right?

I keep forgetting to ask you for your number so yk i just had to do it by myself

Had a whole alarm and schedule ab it

This is definitely not a cry for help

Or like yk definitely not a cry for help about the err exams amirite

And the rest was a enrage of mispellings and random facts about elephants Branzy already knew a handful of. He figures that since he didn't set his contact to private, he might as well figure a response. 

4:56PM — BranzyCraft

"Or like yk definitely not a cry for help about the err exams amirite"

— A cry for help? Are you sure it's not a cry for getting answers on a quiz or exam?

He leaves the conversation there and accepted Mapicc's contact. Now, at the porch of his house, he throws the crumpled paper on the trash bin and headed inside for a good cup of coffee. If the way he throws his bag on the couch and flung his shoes to god knows where, he could say he really needs that boost of caffeine.

//

At the earliest of days, Branzy thinks about Rek again. He hadn't heard from his parents yet, and when he visited, the place looked gloomy, the curtains were always drawn and their lawn wasn't as neat as it did before. It was like no one's home for a long time, like no one returned. 

Branzy didn't know what to do with this growing pit of unease in his stomach. He thought he'd already figured it out in the past, but he should've dragged it in the future.

— he's wrong.

He thinks back to that tense conversation with Rek and Leo with clenched fists. If this continues, Branzy probably couldn't brace himself for this unknown hurt he's already facing. He's sure that with the gaming club's abysmal incompetence,

He's sure that paper is still in the trash.

Chapter Text

Branzy entered the campus feeling down. Their exams was over and there was still no sign of Rek. He had checked their house, still no one in the already dull place, he walked through various locations where he knew Rek would go to when there's too much on his mind. He knew because he was always the shoulder the man would cry to, but that man is gone at the moment and Branzy is still feeling conflicted.

He's growing more worried per hour that passes by. In retrospect he should've seen this coming, but he pushed it in the back of his head. Now, he's marching over to the gaming club. Hoping that there's no one to witness the stunt he's about to pull in the trash bin.

He carried the folder Parrot had dropped off a week ago. Since Parrot's absence was extended, so was Branzy's hope diminishing every time he enters the club to find the table devoid of its leader. However, the man did promise he'll be present not in the club but in the higher campus. "Just leave the folder inside his drawer. He'll look through it later." Mapicc messaged him when he was eating in the cafeteria, alone, because Mapicc himself was not around.

Stopping at the big sign displaying the club's name, he enters the room to stash the folder in the drawer Mapicc had told him. He didn't have the keys to lock the door, so he just stepped out and looked for the trash bin; the entire reason why he went to school so early in the day to avoid the embarrassment of getting caught with his entire body slumped against it. He'd probably looked like a mentally ill patient shifting through garbage.

It was stupid, Branzy eternally grumbled. He should've done this a while ago, doing this now after 2 weeks was honestly a no brainer move on his part, and deep inside he knew the garbage had already been disposed of long ago. The gaming club, although not active at the moment, still had some concerning amounts of trash which consisted of energy drinks and junk food, so the thought of looking for the paper in that sort of garbage made him recoil from the trash bin. He decides that his searching was all for naught. 

He also decides to leave the place, feeling utterly defeated.

//

He thought, more like relied, on the fact that the gaming club wouldn't just throw waste. He relied on Parrot when the man put "no trash" in the rule board, but he should've known better than to trust strangers and their incompetence to follow the rules. Because of that, he just had to reap what he sow, but it wasn't all that bad actually. He still remembers the insides of the letter, it's just that he forgot who sent it, who could be the potential suspect to his previous lie.

He hadn't told Rek about his constant eavesdropping. And for many of those sneak peaks Branzy had wondered if the man had suspect him of doing so, being all paranoid and all of that stuff. So to say he had grown quite stealthy in his newfound hobby was an understatement. Of course, the many reasons on why that is came from his conversation with Leo all those weeks ago.

He had received the missing letter from an anonymous person. Tucked neatly in the folder that Branzy was about to answer, only covered by the bondpaper that contains his questionaires. Perhaps he was too concentrated to notice the way Rek slithered off his side and tread somewhere else. Somewhere where eyes were watching them the entire time because when Branzy had noticed the note, he already had a sinking feeling pooling in his stomach.

Make a lie, the keys are in the pencil holder. Don't let him know we're here.

Was the note. And honestly, Branzy still doesn't understand the meaning of it. He did keep the keys to himself and lied to Leo about forgetting to lock the door to the gaming club, but the fact that it wasn't just them in the tense space was something Branzy wasn't ready to accept yet. Not only did a student supposedly bail him out of detention and bought him flowers that was also stolen by some randos, but someone is throwing crumbs at him and watched him try to connect it into one biscuit.

Which undeniably, is starting to piss him off. The note was plural, that's for sure. And if the letter he got from the person that bailed him out was associated with the person that wrote the note that helped him during Leo's and Rek's stand off was something of importance, then he wasn't sure if he could crack the code to this overlapping mystery, he was never a detective at heart. That was Rek's job.

And Rek... He still hadn't showed up. The thump in Branzy's heart became louder and the ache was starting to bleed through his head, he's still so confused about everything. Did something happen to Rek? Why is he gone? Did he go on vacation? Why didn't he tell me? 

He digs his nails in his forearm. Everyday felt like a challenge now, he wasn't the most sociable. He wasn't like Rek who can throw a conversation as smooth as a pitcher, he wasn't popular and he certainly does not have a title for himself. He could and couldn't live off the attention like the others, and somehow that makes him feel like he's just white noise in the background.

He enters the library, hoping to quell the shouting in his ears. It helped somewhat, the place wasn't too crowded this time but at the same time he could feel the presence of many people in different corners. He doesn't mind that much, he wasn't here to study, he'd already grew past that point after studying his ass off in the last few nights for their exams.

He sits on a loveseat, the softness brought him comfort as he melts into the soft fabric. The library was one of the places Branzy loved to be in, but it was also the worst place he would rent at. But the latter is only applied whenever he and Rek would bicker at the corner, facetiming their other friends on his phone and trying to keep it discreet from the teacher guarding it. They've been caught, once, twice, he couldn't remember. But he could remember the memories.

'Why am I like this.. it's not like Rek's dead. It's been 2 days without him and I'm out here thinking of the worst.' Branzy sighed to himself. His clinginess scares him sometimes, but then he thinks of Wifies holding onto Parrot's leg and pleading not to leave him — which was a joke Parrot made — in the middle of the hallway that's packed with students and suddenly he feels much better about himself.

He doesn't realize he's been scrolling through his phone until he got a message from Mapicc. Quickly, he opens his icon.

2:47PM — Mapicc

Hey dude!

You aint in the canteen? 

2:49PM — BranzyCraft

Oh hi

"You aint in the canteen?"

—No I'm inside the library 

Why?

Mapicc's reply was instant.

2:49PM — Mapicc

Thought you'd be up to eat yk

Parrot's coming 

Morelike returned cus of the higher cmapus.. yk schedule 

vro barely has time for himself but ig he's missing the chicken tenders

2:50PM — BranzyCraft

"Morelike returned cus of the higher cmapus.. yk schedule"

— They do have tight schedules i guess

I guess that's just another charm to being more privileged or something 

Isn't rlly our issue tho 

"vro barely has time for himself but ig he's missing the chicken tenders"

— They're reselling chicken tenders again? What for? 

2:51PM — Mapicc

"I guess that's just another charm to being more privileged or something"

— Yeah man it's kinda sad if u think ab it 

But it's weird at the same time

"They're reselling chicken tenders now? What for?"

— not rlly sure that's why im askin ya if ur in the canteen

wanna ball?

2:53PM — BranzyCraft

"But it's weird at the same time"

— What's weird?

"not rlly sure that's why im askin ya if ur in the canteen"

— I mean yeah I guess I can go..

I'm in

2:53PM — Mapicc

"What's weird?"

— I'll tell ya when u get there

And yea I'm alr walkin ober there btw

"I'm in"

— great !! I'll see u there brb

2:54PM — BranzyCraft

"I'll tell ya when u get there"

— Okayy..

"great !! I'll see u there brb"

— yea ill see u there

Branzy pocketed his phone as he peels himself off the loveseat. He really didn't want to go but since Parrot was coming, he figures he can strike a conversation with the guy. Maybe get some answers, Parrot's sure as hell has his head filled with it anyway. 

His phone rings again. This time Branzy doesn't check.

Chapter Text

"They are selling chicken tenders today, how cute."

Branzy remained silent as he watched Mapicc fawn over the freshly fried chicken tenders through the glass wall. The servers looked creeped out by Mapicc's blatant display of which had his head and both of his hands squished on top of the glass to visibly ogle the food but didn't try to stop him. Meanwhile the albino's feeling a little bit embarrassed to stand beside the red hoodied man. 

He prodded at Mapicc's side, snickering when the man flinched back. "Ticklish much?" He teases and contined to poke at him, "Are you not? Stop poking me!" Mapicc shrieks, attracting the attention of other students lounging on their tables, their stares immediately reminded Branzy of their situation and pushed Mapicc toward their own table — they we're heading to the left, which was odd because they always go to the right. But Mapicc didn't bat an eye to it.

"Dude you're embarrassing us." Branzy sighs and ran a hand through his hair, now seated at the corner of the cafeteria with Mapicc who, was still ogling the chicken tenders from a distance. "What's so special about those chicken tenders anyway? They taste plain." He said, lowering his voice so that the servers wouldn't hear them. Not like it mattered but Branzy couldn't take any risk.

"Yeah they are plain, but Parrot always brings like.. alot of sauces and seasoning for it." Mapicc on the other hand, didn't care about his volume. If the man notices Branzy's mortified expression and the way the servers turned to glare at them, he didn't say a thing. The albino shook it off and tried to play it cool, "Who does that?" He asked. 

"What? Bringing extra seasoning and sauces? That's just a Parrot thing." He shrugged it off like it's an everyday thing. Branzy doesn't know if he should be concerned or continue to play, he decides to go with the probably irrelevant option: both.

"You say it like it's an everyday thing, is he actually that strict with himself or?" He drawls.

"Yes he is that strict about himself." A voice penetrated their conversation. Mapicc directs his attention behind the albino, his eyes crinkling at the man infront of him. Branzy didn't have to turn around to know who it is, just the loud thud of that neon green lunch box was all the confirmation he needed to know that it was Parrot.

"Parrot! Perfect timing!" Mapicc greets with a smile too wide for Branzy's comfort. The man extended a hand, but Parrot gave no more than a dismissive flick of his own and dove into his bag, eventually fishing out his utensils.

"What were you guys talking about? Something to do with me?" Parrot redirected the focus.

"Just some chicken tenders on the foil." Mapicc supplies with a knowing glint in his eyes, his index finger taps on the table like a countdown. As if he'd know when Parrot would tick and inevitably stood up to get a piece or two. And like clockwork, the man in question raised an eyebrow and turned his head to examine the food at a distance.

"You didn't know?" Branzy chimes in, staring at Parrot's reaction, he probably didn't, if him beelining for toward them was any indication. Parrot followed that assumption with a nod of his own. "Yep. It's a good thing I bought extra sauces today, could've been a waste." The man said, standing up from his seat to get a piece.

Mapicc snickered once Parrot was out of earshot. He then turned to Branzy, "While he's out there getting his food. Want to hear something cool?" He said, his eyes shining a michevious glint. "..What is it?" He continues,

"Parrot is actually a parrot."

"What?" Wait what?

"Yeah, I thought it was obvious. Having the name Parrot out of all things, you seriously didn't notice?" The man stretched in his seat, his tone carrying a hint of nonchalance. Smirking at Branzy's terrified expression. "What? You scared of parrots?" He prodded.

"Well, no. Not really. I just thought it was peculiar."

"Really? How so?"

"A parrot.. so he's a hybrid? How does that make sense?"

"Many. It's a bunch of fucked up nonsense but," Mapicc's eyes darted to Parrot's returning form. "It'll make sense later." He trampled on the opportunity as he faced Parrot like he didn't just drop what is probably an atomic bomb of knowledge on Branzy.

"They had plenty. I only took 2 though." Parrot said as he dropped his tray of chicken tenders on the table, Mapicc then ripped off a piece, flashing Parrot a smile when he glared at him. Regardless, he began preparing his meal, however the parrot hybrid can't help but land a jab, "You could've just told me you wanted some. You brokie." 

//

4:11PM — BranzyCraft

You still hadn't told me what's weird though.

//

Branzy's walk to his class was uneventful. So much to the point he started imagining people as random shapes and colors, his vision bordering on insane with the amount of cartoons he replaced on the fabric of reality. Maybe he is going insane, he just needs more evidence to prove it.

By the time he opened the door, he finds it empty. There was not a single bag in sight except for his, and letter was stuck on the teacher's desk. It seemed everyone left early today, it wasn't much of a surprise since they're still at the grand afterglow of their exams. He walks over to his desk he once shared with Clown.

Oh and Clown.. he was replaced with a girl, Amy was her name. She was nice, she lets Branzy copy off of her when he wasn't feeling like einstein's disciple. And because of that he returns the favor even if she didn't look like she was struggling. Still, Branzy felt bad and wanted to help. But his nostalgia weighed more than that guilt, sure Amy was nice. But the albino missed the ever stoic man that used to sit beside him and type random letters on his keyboard just to annoy the albino.

He missed the guy who would crack jokes with a flat voice, he missed the feeling of hatred when Clown would correct his mistakes by mocking his voice — once he bought those index finger wands to emphasize a point Branzy had made a mistake on and somehow became a running joke in the classroom for days —. He never took it to heart, knowing he can't just sue the man for bullying. What can a broke student like him do to a well influenced man? That's basically a bodybuilder and a baby getting betted off to a fighting ring.

Still, now that Amy filled the void that Clown once occupied, now that she changed the already fading presence of the man with her sunshine personality, Branzy still longed for their.. can it even be called friendship? He can't point it out, but can't he atleast grief a handsome man properly?

In midst of his thoughts he sees two rectangles. Not just rectangles, they're made of paper, not just any paper though, it felt silky and smooth. It took Branzy a moment to realize these are carnival tickets, it also took the albino a moment to realize they are pink plated too — so it's literally a beyond first class experience. 

"Am I seeing this right?" He asked to no one in particular. The tickets felt heavy in his hands, the feel of it felt too artificial than it already is. Branzy's eyes would've already shoot out at the gold plated ones: where all rides are free except for dining. But this was different, this was a whole thing altogether.

He feels the tickets one more time. It felt solid, too solid. Or was it just him? He'd always dreamt of catching a ride at a Carnival — specifically the Carnival of Fools — since he was a kid, he practically went on his knees for it, but his parents always turned him down because of their financial struggles. He understood why, but it never quelled the envy in his heart whenever he'd see other kids running inside the park with wide smiles.

To this day, it's still crowded. Just as his mind's just as crowded as the quantity of kids he imagined will be going in there, enjoying what is probably their best childhood memories.

It's pink plated: free rides and dining. Those words echoed through his head, this was beyond a luxury even for himself. But he can't deny the smile that tugged at his lips, the child in him jumping in joy as he clutched the tickets in his hands. He was sure that these were meant for him — this time — so why should he stop himself from appearing so childishly happy?

He picks up his bag with trembling hands and opened the cache to store the tickets in between the pages of his sketchbook. He was buzzing with excitement, so much that he barely missed the note at the teacher's desk. When he did notice it, he could instantly recognize who's it from. 

Hello Branzy, the class had already scattered off and I noticed you're not around when it happened. Can you be a dear and close the door for me? You can leave the keys at the teacher's lounge, thank you.

— Ms. Campbell.

And so he did. He locked the door and dropped the keys at the teacher's lounge. At one point one of the teacher's noticed his grin and asked why he looked so happy, he smiled it off as he getting his portrait accepted by a close friend during their birthday party. They didn't prod any more after that.

His smile never wavered when he reached a familiar corner leading to his house. But he paused when he felt something vibrate in his pocket. Quickly, he fishes his phone to swipe over to his contacts, he sees Mapicc's fresh response hovering over his other dead contacts. His fingers loomed at the icon before stopping, his eyes landed on the red circle dotted on his archives.

So instead of replying to Mapicc right away, he decides on pressing the red dot because what if it's an emergency? What if his teachers finally got the guts to add friend him to remind him about his 'missing' projects again? There was only one way to find out. There, he sees a message from an unknown person.

2:56PM — Unknown Contact.

Hi, Branzy. :)

This might sound weird but I left some tickets for you, consider it as compensation. 

Please tell me if you got them, I don't want another.. mishap to occur. 

It's okay if you don't reply to this, I just want to let you know. Sorry if it's creepy.

2:58PM— Edited

I guess it is but you know what I mean.

3:00 — Edited

About the tickets, you're welcome in advance.

Branzy clicks on the 'Edit history' of the first edited message. Then the second.

2:57PM

"I guess it is if I say this but I really hope you reply back."

2:58PM 

"You're welcome and thank you in advance."

Chapter Text

5:02PM — Mapicc

"You still hadn't told me what's weird though."

— oh yeah i forgot ab that mb

so basically uh

i told you parrot isn't human right

that he's like an ACYUAL parrot right 

yeah there's alot of fucked up bullshit about that

he was acc subdued to like some illegal shit somewhere idk rlly

but he called it the 'undergound' cus it took place in like some underground stuff it's kinda wrird aint it

he was basically abducted when he was a kid and they did experiments on him it's rlly some fucked up bullshit

but then he got rescued when his parents launched a search party and ig the suspects didn't do a good job in hiding their shit cus they left some evidence 

and they were a widely known organization too so police didn't drop the case in like a few years

when rhey rescued parrot tho he was alr yk a parrot

but they still allowed him to be a kid and cus of governmental shi (and cus his fam is rich as hell) they rewarded parrot with his civil rights back or smfh so he doesn't get chucked back to a lab or smth

they also monitor him 24/7 btw but parrot is like..

idk what he doin but

he does some weird coding thingy where he just dismantles the thing and goes ab his day then does it again to like idk

not get caught ig?? im lowk stupid so 

so yea he's a parrot

but he hides jis mutation under his clothes i mean

why else do you think he wears a massive jacket??

//

Branzy starts his expedition by sneaking through the back alleyway of the campus. The crunch of his boots would already alert any nearby guard of his unwanted presence, but he already planned ahead. He knew the blueprints of this alley but most importantly: it's abandoned. No one would go into this part of the school because of barriers and random trash that blocked the main path to this alley. 

It wasn't out of proportion. It's just that this alleyway was where Branzy and his other friends — Skip and Sand — would stay at whenever they feel like talking face to face. But that was a while ago, when the two were sneaky enough to jump over fences and other shenanigans over at their own school just to visit Branzy. Either to drop him something or to share a discovery, they'd take the risk of suspension just for him.

Soon, they eventually tagged Rek and more of their friends along and created No Name — for this alley was theirs, and they had 'No Name' to call it. — They considered this alleyway as their meetup spot despite the dangers that lurked with it. 

However, they stopped doing visiting. Because Skip and Sand actually got suspended this time and moved to a farther school from Branzy's, a different school where security is much more tighter and the fences are much taller. Because of this, the rest of their group didn't come by in fear of being the next.

And while Rek and Branzy would be out of the clear except for gruelling detention, they understood that their friends aren't. Rek also tugged at Branzy's sleeve in protest whenever the albino mentions going back to the alley, saying that they're already at thin ice by causing enough trouble for the teachers.

But Rek's not here, so who could stop him now?

This time though, Branzy had to be super cautious. While yes he knew this alley by heart, it was recently discovered by some punks that dared to climb up the trash that Branzy and his friends created and saw the clean space that belied it's height. Needless to say, many students go missing to visit this part of the campus to do illegal things. Vape, drugs, gambling, trading- you name it.

Branzy never felt so angry and hurt after seeing it when venturing to the alley himself. And now, seeing the posters and other decorative junk he and his friends placed before everything gave him a sense of sadness. The posters were torn, their junk had disappeared or otherwise broken, and their makeshift table was reserved for some high ranking students inside this alley. 

What was supposed to be a safe place for No Name became a working illegal plane for punks both in the upper and lower campus. It made him sick in the most heinous ways possible. The smell of cigarettes and the sight of discarded drugs makes him scrunch his face in displeasure. He thought they did a great job keeping out students like these into the area, but he was wrong.

And it's not like he can throw them out either. They'd probably think he's a maniac for even trying, and besides, he can't win even against a tiny portion of the school's student count, it's just him and him alone. That's not a fight he could take, and it's also a not a fight he wants to take either. It's a lose lose situation and Branzy just wants to get over it.

He shuffles through pathways created with junk. He has to give it to them, they're really good setting these up. Although they don't keep the floor clean, they somehow made barriers of which Branzy had to duck and borderline crawl under to get through. There's alot of pathways and human sized holes in certain parts of the area, it's probably how other people navigate to this alley. A true trading hall, Branzy doesn't want to know what kind of trash these people are selling other than drugs and other substances.

After what felt like ages travelling through a maze of trash and broken furniture, the albino squeezes through the last barrier of broken desks that are unceremoniously stacked on top of each other. He is then faced with a gate, he can't help the smile that creeped up his face.

If he could remember, the gate isn't locked. Outside and inside. However it is still a pain to crack open. He glided his finger through the surface of the gate, he could tell no one tried opening it from how ashen the result was. The gap is decorated with cobwebs, and Branzy makes a face when dust covers his palm as he tried prying the gate open. Predictably, it didn't budge.

Such a stubborn gate definitely caused one or more students to not attempt ever since. But Branzy has a way to do it, he attempted it with Jay back then, when they were curious on what lies beyond the gate. They tried many ways to pry it open, but it just didn't budge and just as they were feeling hopeless, a very impatient Jay kicked the edge of the structure. At the time, the man craddled his foot after kicking the metal structure, but Branzy saw more than his foolishness.

Or heard, because they heard a rattle and the gate shook just a tiny bit for hope to seep through. Eventually, Branzy and the rest took turns in kicking the same spot Jay did, and the gate slid open. It was a broken and confusing strategy, but the albino still does it despite the pain in his foot. The edges are rusty, provoking either an easy pry or a tedious process.

It seemed to be the latter.

Branzy kicks the gate open after seeing a noticeable bump on it and stepped through. He wipes the sweat off his forehead as he run toward the door in the distance, it was located around the first building on the right. As the further door straight ahead was already open, Branzy soon realized it was the repair area of the campus, where they repair desks and other salvageable furniture. The albino isn't interested in any of those.

So he barges through the other door. It obviously didn't look clean, but Branzy already knew that. He slid past tables and turned over furniture to find what he needs. But first, he gently places himself to double doors leading to the room he was in, trying to feel any presence that might walk past this room. He doesn't want to take any risks. 

He jumps from one drawer to another until he reaches a blocked door, it was sealed off by a massive wardrobe that's also chained. Branzy remembers this chain, he stole multiple of it from the repairman when they dragged his broken desk to the repair station, he stored them inside his bag. When he last visited this area, he blocked this door in particular, chaining other entrances of the room and blocking the actual chained wardrobe so it isn't obvious. From then on, Branzy didn't step foot in this room after doing some.. business.

He pries the wardrobe open and gently placed the loose chains on the ground. He enters the wardrobe and crouches down to a massive hole at the bottom and closes the entrance from behind. Infront is a another door. The albino pushes it open using a key from his pocket.

There, he is met with a slap of cold and dusty air. But the room was dim. He thinks it's the atmosphere, of how long since he visited this room. He brushes his fingers to the light switch. The already broken windows were barricaded with planks and curtains, and a hazardous desk sat at the corner of the room. It was the only thing that's in it or, atleast that's all the things Branzy managed to shuffle inside the room before leaving.

He walks over to the desk and swiped a hand at the dusty surface. He coughed repeatedly against his wrist as the dust particles stilled and a note is exposed in all of its glory.

May 12th, 2024 

6:54PM 

TIME CAPSULE

He pockets the paper and sat down on the chair. He winces at the screech it gave.

He looks down at the drawer plastered underneath the desk and shoved a hand to his other pocket. Taking out a red key, he jams it between the lock's gap and twists. The contents are now revealed to the albino, and he can't help but sigh in relief. "It's here." He muttered to himself as he grabbed the folder and puts it close to his chest. "It's here."

He lets himself bath under the serene atmosphere. While the room is dusty and obviously old, Branzy would never reveal it to anyone in this god forsaken campus. He makes sure of it, and he definitely made sure of it now. Not even Rek or No Name knew about this room, because he already found it before they did.

Before Sand and Skip did.

Before the rest of them filled the void they once did.

This was his room, and he did an amazing job at hiding it.

OPERATION: WEBSITE FOR _________ PURPOSES.

From hiding it from the public.

Branzy stood up from his seat and stretched. He feels like becoming someone new this time around.

..Who was he kidding? His moral compass already fled the moment he grabbed that folder. Branzy inwardly laughs to himself and pushed the seat back to where it belonged. He locks the drawer again and sneaks back to the entrance of the room. 

He resetted all the things that could've been looked upon. After chaining the wardrobe he made his way back to the alley, he swiftly jams the gate back to its original position and makes a run back to where he snuck off to.

In the middle of the night Branzy felt a smile on his face as he took out his phone to check Mapicc's messages again.

2:46AM — BranzyCraft 

"he was basically abducted when he was a kid and they did experiments on him it's rlly some fucked up bullshit"

— i see..

that's actually 

I don't know what to say..

But I'm glad he made it out alive because that sounds horrific to experience 

To him and the rest of those victims because wow

I assume the suspects got sentenced to life? I mean I hope that's not the case I'd rather have them subdued to a death sentence if you know what I mean

Branzy continues typing but pauses and deletes it. He decides to check the message from the unknown person from earlier instead.

2:50AM — BranzyCraft

Hii

"It's okay if you don't reply to this, I just want to let you know. Sorry if it's creepy."

— Oh it's alright I have my fair shares in people messaging me out of the blue

Are you the guy that sent me flowers and the uh.. note??

The same guy that bailed me out of detention because I might not know you but I thank you alot

Like seriously thank you

And about the tickets yeah I mean.. it's really appreciated holy crap

Is this really for me?

Branzy stops. A feeling suddenly lurching up to his heart as he sees the three dots appearing at the corner of his screen.

2:51AM — Unknown Contact 

"Oh it's alright I have my fair shares in people messaging me out of the blue"

— Oh I'm glad you don't think it's weird. I get it alot haha.

"The same guy that bailed me out of detention because I might not know you but I thank you alot"

— It's nothing really I just think it's justified because so many people go over there and don't know what they're getting into. I think people just love to set other people for failures.

I'm glad you appreciate my efforts, it makes me happy to know that.

"Is this really for me?"

— Yes! Yes it's for you. Who do think has the name Branzy in the campus?

Branzy gulps and types out a response,

3:05 — BranzyCraft

"Yes! Yes it's for you. Who do think has the name Branzy in the campus?"

—Could be anyone

Branzy's not exactly a rare name afterall I think it's very.. Americanny if you catch my drift

"Branzy's not exactly a rare name afterall I think it's very.. Americanny if you catch my drift"

— It's funny you think that, but I guess you just forgot the 'Craft' next to it.

Also why are you still awake? Don't you have school?

"Also why are you still awake? Don't you have school?"

— why are YOU awake though? Don't we share the same school too?

That's lowkey hypocritaal

I mean, I'm not going to school today so that's on you really.

I suggest you go back to sleep, I heard people say that people lose braincells the more they ignore sleep.

"I suggest you go back to sleep, I heard people say that people lose braincells the more they ignore sleep."

— And where did you hear THAT from?

My momma.

..Okay.

Branzy looks up from his phone the moment those three dots appear again. He's near his house.

Mothers don't lie, do you know that?

Okay fine I get it 

I'll go to sleep now

Cool, then go to sleep.

We'll talk later?

"We'll talk later?"

— Sure why not, generous stranger 

Haha, real funny. 

Goodnight, Branzy.

Branzy opens the door and closes it behind him before punching a reply back.

Goodnight

Chapter Text

Branzy woke up with a start. He woke up earlier than he'd expected, leaving him to stare at the ceiling with bloodshot eyes. He can't remember what he dreamed about after bee lining for his bed earlier. And he's sure as hell not getting up now, especially when his alarm clock hadn't screamed at his ears yet.

He takes his eyes away from the ceiling and fumbled his hand to the top of his drawer where his phone is charged, careful not to bump the lamp and the alarm clock sitting neatly on the surface too. As he unplugs his phone, he squints his eyes from the blinding light coming from his screen. He has yet to adjust before peaking through his contacts.

Mapicc hadn't replied, and the stranger left him on read. 

He puts down his phone and stood up. Groaning at the crack his joints gave him. 'Gosh, that trip earlier really..' He paused inwardly, glacing at the bottom cavity of his drawer where he kept his folder. Secure and tightly lipped. "-really gave me an exercise. That's what." He sighs and gets off his bed.

He pockets his phone as he went down to the kitchen. His parents have yet to return from their trip, just a couple more days before they could actually restock the fridge because Branzy's been walking on eggshells after the first week. He's been nimbling on the food that began to show signs of absence.

Considerably enough, he'd been cheap with it. He knows eating more and more would eventually deplete his stocks, and he can't really work a job to atleast bless him with an apple when push comes to shove. So he's only eating what's close to expiration and taking small chunks to preserve what little food he has, it's better than starving himself.

As Branzy throws the frozen curry inside the microwave, he places a bowl of cold rice on top of it. He could reheat that after, with a swipe to his eye, the albino sits down on the couch and lazily opening his phone once again.

6:34AM

//

Branzy snaps his eyes open at the sound of his alarm clock screeching upstairs. He grumbles, a little angry having his nap interrupted and stumbled to shut it off. He leaves his phone on the couch.

When he returned to the kitchen, he swaps out the curry with his rice and placed it on the table. The clock on top of their fridge sounded way too loud for his liking, the edges of it were chipped, and the glass had been somewhat broken thanks to Branzy's younger years. Despite that, it was still working like it's brand new. It still doesn't change the fact that Branzy still hates it, it's like a cousin to his alarm clock. But this time, it never seemed to stop.

7:39AM

Branzy checks his phone just as he brings his preheated rice to the table. Instead of silence, his contacts is bombarded from the group chat he shared with his classmates and teachers. He taps on the icon to see that they've actually been talking quite a bit over some news, he scrolls to the first message from his adviser instead.

No classes today, the currents are quite strong so the government shut down school departments; including ours, for a day or two. Our quiz will resume after those days. Thank you.

Branzy placed his phone face down on the table. He's already halfway into finishing his breakfast, but he feels too full to stomach more curry. He tosses it back to the fridge and decided on what he should do with his free time.

'I could study.' The albino pauses before shutting down the idea. There wasn't much he could do right now, with the looming winds that threatened their neighborhood, it was probably hard to find a way to go outside. Even if Branzy didn't know what those dangers might be, he could just assume it would be another thunderstorm.

However, when he scans the living room to the kitchen, his eyes locked on a picture stuck on the fridge door. In it was him and Rek when they were kids, cooking inside Rek's kitchem. He could vaguely remember what they were making in the picture, it was too blurry to recall. But Branzy knew it was some sort of pasta dish, which they obviously failed at doing.

As he stares at the picture a little longer that he'd like to admit, his heart started to squeeze with an unknown hurt. Was it really a mystery why he's feeling like this? Rek's been gone for days that went beyond even to his own character. Once, the man showed up in a wheelchair after trying to parkour his way into buildings. But he still went just so he can see Branzy compete with his opponents in robotics. He never went a day beyond 2 in absence, Branzy was sure of that.

But it has been 4 days hasn't it?

Even now, Branzy had lost count. So much for someone like him; one with great memory.

The clock ticks louder this time. Branzy wishes he can focus on that. But his heart won't stop pounding the longer he sees Rek's smiling face in the picture. It hurts him, for some odd reason. He doesn't know why.

He never knew.

Because Rek never told him anything. He never did, and that somehow makes his heart ache more in his ribcage. The days just kept repeating, but he wasn't going to let it deter him this time.

He never knew why. And he never questioned why.

But he was sure hellbent on finding out.

Silently, he grabs an umbrella and heads out the door.

//

Out of the enclosure of his house, Branzy could finally take a deep breath of fresh air. Inside felt suffocating, like a weight threatening to drown him for something he wasn't sure he did. But it happenened, and all he wanted was a fresh intake of the outside. 

The roads were bustling from the strong wind that penetrated through the tree's leaves. Overshadowing the coldness that was to follow if the albino continues to walk down the neighborhood. He doesn't pay it any mind, it would pass. That is, of course, he doesn't get swept away by the currents.

He passes by the bus stop. — where he and Rek used to meet up at everyday to walk to school together. —

Even then, Branzy still hears the ticking of the clock the further he walks from home. Could feel the currents puffing stronger huffs of air as he neared the other area of the neighborhood. He wasn't sure why he kept walking or why he continued to do so, his instincts wanted to turn back but he feels like he's unable to. 

He can't control his body from taking a familiar corner.

Up until he's faced with a house.

Rek's house.

The one they always cooked in.

The one they cooked their first lasagna together.

The place looked abandoned, more than it did the last time Branzy visited. It hadn't been a week yet and the house already looked lifeless, like there wasn't a family of 3 living happily inside of it. It gave him a sense of dread, as if this wasn't the same house he'd frequented at when he was just a little kid. "How fast time flies by.." He doesn't question why that is, either.

Back when he was a brunette, Rek's and his parents would gather around to watch them play at a distance. Even as those years passed by, the albino truly believed that this would be the neighborhood Rek would live in. Now it's like a bear trap waiting to be stepped onto, and Branzy wasn't sure if he could take that risk.

He wasn't going to break into the dead house. 

No matter how much he itched to just jump over the fence.

He's acutely aware of eyes watching him. It was probably just the neighbors, Branzy didn't call them out on it.

After a while, the albino finally took his leave. With a heavy heart, he retraced his steps in a oddly leisurely stroll.

But he didn't go home.

Internally he hears the clock echoing.

Yet he still stayed by the bus stop and watched as the rain follow.

Chapter Text

8:59AM Yesterday — ParrotX2

Hey Branzy

Are you free tomorrow afternoon?

7:45AM Today — BranzyCraft

dunno

i feel like shit though

Branzy sets down his phone with a choked cough. He then violently pats his chest to relieve the remnants of his fit. Yesterday was a complete meltdown, he reckoned, but under the pouring rain he sat in the bus stop and let the pour drench him. It was only then did it thunder once did he finally run back home. It was a miracle that he didn't get struck on the way.

However, his previous expedition costed him his health. Laying on the comfort of his bed and blanket, he felt too weak to move a muscle. Only mustering just enough to punch in a decent response to Parrot and left at that. He didn't bother setting his alarm this time, he'd probably destroy it at his current state.

Everything is irritable, he's sure.

Sitting up felt like he survived a war that shouldn't be survived. 

And moving his legs somehow made him feel like a paralyzed patient miraculously gaining their will to walk again.

And standing up made him feel like he just got flashbanged by thousands of grenades. 

In summary? He generally feels like shit and is dying.

Dying is an understatement, infact, it's more of a blessing than a curse. It's suffering veiled behind vitality and unfortunately for Branzy, he'd taken the brunt of it.

He sluggishly made his way to the kitchen, each step going down was like an infinite downpour. He fears he'll trip over his own consciousness and left to die under the stairwell, it wasn't like someone would just hear a thud inside. They'd probably not care because they hadn't heard anything.

Branzy wonders what would be his parent's reaction to his rotting body.

How long was it? Their vacation, Branzy lost count as well. He just knew they were arriving soon, if not less than a week away — would he finally greet them with a welcome home hug.

Just not in this state, he's definitely not going hug them with a nose filled to brim with snot. So with this in mind, he yanks open the medicine cabinet and tried looking for the pill that he needed. His vision was blurry, the words mixing sluggishly like afternoon soup. With the way the way the lines bubbled and mixed together he might as well make some.

He didn't know the name of the pills. He just knew they were encased in blue plastic. It wasn't much of a surprise coming from him; weak immune system, always getting sick to the point his parents always had a back up pill to make him feel slightly better until her actually gets better. He doesn't register mauling the plastic and the sensation of water.

No, he definitely felt the water. It felt like heaven after traversing hell. 

After drinking atleast 2 pills — was it 2? He couldn't tell. — he crashed onto the couch. His phone slipping from his grasp as he stared at the rotating ceiling fan. For a family as poor as theirs, Branzy often wondered how they afforded this house; this luxury.

His parents told him the government supported them when his mother gave birth to him; an operation so gruelling even the higher ups had to donate for her safety and obviously their financial costs. At that time, they were dirt poor and his dad only managed to scrounge up money that's barely enough for the full cost of her pregnancy.

If not for those generous people and their continuous donations, they'd probably be at the trenches by now. Their support stretched until they got this house and Branzy's tuiton to LifeSteal, but that didn't mean they weren't struggling. While yes, the government and other people aided them, his parents still struggled making ends meet.

With barely enough expertise and commendations from their colleges and universities, no job wanted his parents. Especially after her mom got him at 21. He's 16 now and about to reach 17 soon, and everyday he yearned for his parents. Even now, he's surprised they hadn't aborted or abused him for their sorrowful lives.

But then again, they're good people. That's why Branzy came to be.

But so little money, and the promise of donations that his father took, the gigs his mom went through to get such luxury . . . It never fails to make his mind race with thoughts.

Donations weren't free. He realized.

But then again, why would they offer gigs for these 'donations'?

His parents never gave him a satisfied response. They told him to be grateful that they even gave this luxury through their hardwork, and of course, he believed them. Because they had a point, what would they do if they end up on the streets? That was a life his mom never wanted him to experience, so he stopped asking.

Maybe he should've. Would that make them hate him?

But he hates being smited.

He doesn't want to see their blood boil, that their rage is directed onto him—

boil

boilboilboil—

He pulls his hand away with a gasp. The sounds of bubbling produced from the pot. The pot? He stares at the orange looking soup at the pot and the flames that started to die under its overdone boil. He blinks and hurriedly stops the stove and placed a lid over the pot. When had he started cooking? He looks over thr counter and his eyes landed on a plastic container labelled 'creamy tomato soup'. Oh.

"What's going on with me?" Branzy groaned, his head was viewing random shapes and colors. He feels lightheaded, like he got drugged out of his mind. Surely he took the right pills, he definitely didn't just swallow drugs from that cabinet. When did his parents stack up on that?- furthermore, why the hell would they have drugs in the first place?

He placed his hands on his head. His own voice echoing like a noise in an empty hallway, by then he could hear a pin drop and he'd think it'd be the sound wave of the earth. Slowly, he brings himself at peace, but the currents of his head still bellowed like a boat traversing through a wild storm. That's what he's experiencing, a nightmare he can actually move in.

He fumbles for his phone, the brightness of the screen burning his glassy eyes, the extra layer did not protect him this time. He hovered over Parrot's text, seeming to be at the top of his contacts next to the unknown person he talked to during his previous heist.

9:58AM — ParrotX2

Really?

What happened?

Against his better judgement and the painful throb of his head, he punches a reply.

10:22AM — BranzyCraft

Soaked from the rain

Im dying 

Parrot doesn't reply back. But Branzy's sure that he will later. So he moves onto the next contact.

8:34AM — Unknown Contact 

It's weird talking to a stranger with your name set as this.

Imagine you're talking to someone and they just address you as 'Unknown Contact', that's a low blow.

10:23AM — BranzyCraft 

"It's weird talking to a stranger with your name set as this."

— You mean your nickname? You can always change it

"Imagine you're talking to someone and they just address you as 'Unknown Contact', that's a low blow."

— why do you sound like you're sulking 😭

To Branzy's relief, the person immediately starts typing back. 

10:23AM — Unknown Contact 

"why do you sound like you're sulking 😭"

— I am! Don't you think it's offensive?

I should change my name.

"I am! Don't you think it's offensive?"

— to me? Not really

Hadnt thought about it until now

"to me? Not really"

— Well to me it is.

Unknown Contact changed their name to 'Jester Penetrate'

???

Jester waht

Jester Penetrate.

Consider it my brand.

Why Jester Penetrate? Out of all names?

Is this a troll

"Is this a troll"

— Can't say, it's better off like this anyway. 

I mean come onn, we've been talking for days and I'm still.. what,

Unknown Contact?

Give me a break. :((

"Give me a break. :(("

— I bet you're really catching a break in your lamborghini huh

Cant relate

" I bet you're really catching a break in your lamborghini huh"

— Why? Want me to buy you one?

Really? What's the catch?

Nothing, I just have money to burn.

"Nothing, I just have money to burn."

— .

That's crazy

You just spend money like that?

"You just spend money like that?"

— I sip it like water.

I eat with carat gold utensils and diamond plates. What can I say?

"I eat with carat gold utensils and diamond plates. What can I say?"

— I'll just.. ignore that.

I bet you're top of the leaderboard in adoption centers

"I bet you're top of the leaderboard in adoption centers"

— Oh definitely. But that goes under my mom's name, she just loves donating to people. She's too kind for her own good.

Okay wait.

Enough about me, what are you up to?

"Enough about me, what are you up to?"

— Just dying, you know, from the plague

Soaked through the rain, got sick

"Just dying, you know, from the plague"

— Really? Do you feel like Victorian child right now?

But seriously did you take your medicine?

"Really? Do you feel like Victorian child right now?"

— ha ha. Real funny jedter pensetrate

but yeah i did take my medicine 

i dont know if i swallowed one or two

feel light headed tho

Are you sure that wasn't drugs that you took? Could be bad.

A pause.

Are you feeling okay now?

 Right now? Yeah i am

I wasn't earlier, i thought i was seeing colors and hearing shaoes

"Right now? Yeah i am"

 — Cool cool. Make sure to take care of yourself.

"I wasn't earlier, i thought i was seeing colors and hearing shaoes"

— That bad huh? I'll pray you have a good recovery.

Im just glad it wasn't like.. during or before my exams

I wouldce crashed out 

"That bad huh? I'll pray you have a good recovery."

— thanks i appreciate it

My mom's calling me to get ready.

I'm sad we have to cut this conversation short. :((

"I'm sad we have to cut this conversation short. :(("

— xheer up man its not the end of the world

"My mom's calling me to get ready."

— what for?

She's taking me on an auction today.

I have to look presentable.

"She's taking me on an auction today."

— Oh wow

Alrighty then

Hope you'll find something good

Thanks. :))

Hope you have a great recovery.

I'll be going now, bye.

Byee

Branzy sighs in disappointment as he watched the green of the person's online icon switch to gray. His only source of entertainment was gone, distracted by an auction. But he wasn't going to stop them. 

He tabs off the person's icon and his eyes landed on Parrot's text. Recent, brand new. He presses on it.

10:58AM — ParrotX2

"Im dying"

— Oh dang..

Me and Mapicc wanted to invite you to a cafe we found near the school

He doesn't want to go if you wouldn't go with

Do you wanna reschedule it until you recover?

"He doesn't want to go if you wouldn't go with"

— That's sweet

"Do you wanna reschedule it until you recover?"

— You can go without me dont worry about it

Dont want to be a hindrance to your time

This time, Parrot immediately replies back.

"You can go without me dont worry about it"

— That's the thing

If Mapicc isn't going then I'm not going

It's awkward okay

We want you with us

Besides, we want to talk about stuff

Errr..

Behind the screen, Branzy furrowed his eyebrows. The lingering pain in his head still persisted, but at the promise of information, for a guy like him, he just had to punch a response against his better judgement.

Okay okay

I'll join

Tell Mapicc yeah

"I'll join"

— Cool! I'll tell Mapicc

4PM today?

"4PM today?"

— Wait right now?

Yeah? We have school tomorrow dummy

Oh yeah, I forgot sorry

"Oh yeah, I forgot sorry"

— Dont be

I'll see you later 

Okay ill see you later

Byee

Chapter Text

So yeah . . . Branzy followed with the schedule, he walked into the packed cafe near their school. It looked new in town, and he might've recalled seeing the place under construction twice or thrice when going somewhere. To see it now, packed with students in their casual wear and onlookers trying out the new place, Branzy thought, why not give it a shot?

-with Parrot and Mapicc of course.

"This is literally a grilled cheese sandwich!" Mapicc screeched, drawing the attention of some people nearby. 

"Lower your voice! And no that is not a grilled sandwich! Do you even see the grill marks?!" Parrot whisper yelled as he smacked the others arm. The scene looked poetic if not parental, somehow, Branzy feels offended his titled had been stolen. But if it spares him the drama itself, then he guesses he wouldn't mind handing it over.

For now. 

Mapicc turns to the albino and gestured to his 'grilled' cheese sandwich with two firm hands like he's proving a point. "Branzy! Look at this and tell me that's not a grilled cheese!" He bellowed, this time his voice much quieter under Parrot's intense gaze.

"I'm not having this battle with you guys." Perhaps he feared the consequences of answering that, perhaps he just cared too much whenever Rek would occasionally ask him the same question regarding pancakes or waffles until he eventually grumbled out the latter.

Because whenever he replied with the former, Rek becomes evil. And evil Rek is a force to be reckoned with, he came terms with the reality and began playing neutral. Much to the other's displeasure, the man nagged at him for his change of heart. How he could have the audacity to change sides even as years passed.

"The audacity for being neutral! You didn't put that up when fooling us as Kevin!" Rek once said.

//

"Me and Branzy were just talking in the cafeteria while you were gone, that's how we became best of friends." Mapicc said with pride, even puffing out his chest as he circled an arm around Branzy like a playful claim in kindergarten games. Parrot raises an eyebrow when Mapicc added, "unlike you."

"Hey so, I wasn't gone for absolutely no reason okay? I had business to attend to." Parrot retorts.

"Like what?" 

"I got promoted to be a part of the secondary officers because they're too incompetent to work by themselves." Parrot says, sounding a little bitter. Branzy thinks it's because of Leo again, being the head chief of the entire group and all. Their rivalry hadn't really settled, had they?

"Wait really? Does this mean-"

"Yes, Mapicc. I have leaks to the entire project."

"Well why don't you humor us then! As compensation of leaving us in the dust, you know?!" Mapicc throws a crumb at Parrot, who scrunched his face in return. Branzy, however, leaned closer to hear what information Parrot would hopefully spill to the table.

"Turns out, the fencing club would actually continue their spar. With the entire campus watching. So you can tone down your bitterness." Parrot says, taking a bite of his croissant, it crunched under his teeth. 

Mapicc looked disappointed, likely expecting more than just plain info he'd already heard a week ago. "Oh wow reaalllyy? Surely you have something new to share, Parrot." He prods, and prods at the shortcake he just got earlier.

"I can't disclose too much information lest I get fired on the spot. That's not exactly a great impression on my reputation." Parrot replied with a scowl, thought it didn't hold any hate. His voice however, sounded exasperated.

"You know how embarrassing that is? Newly hired secondary officer fired on his 4th day because he gossipped all of their assets to a fatass." He continued, waving his hand around dismissively before putting on an act of dramatic tragedy. Mapicc watched blankly as he took a spoonful of his shortcake.

"You suck at this. Don't ever audition in theatrics."

"Hey!"

// 

At the crack of sundown, they waved goodbye to Mapicc who hopped on his bicycle and sped off. With Branzy and Parrot left behind, the albino can't help but wonder why the avian is still lingering around the place. Was he waiting for him to leave first? That wasn't in his job description, mind you.

"Why didn't you-"

"Someone's waiting for you back in the campus, you know." Parrot interrupts. Branzy turns his head at the avian whow as still staring ahead, over to the direction Mapicc left to. Now that Branzy thinks about it, Mapicc and Parrot usually leave together at times like these, when Wifies isn't around to fetch the avian home.

"What? Who?" He asked.

"Just . . . Someone. He wanted me to hand this over to you, said you shouldn't lose it." The avian finally looked at Branzy with an unreadable gaze, a pit formed in the albino's stomach. The warmth of their friendship gradually dropping as the avian presented a black letter to him, it had a gold leaf waxed on the seal. It screamed of wealth,

It screamed of something Branzy shouldn't take.

But he insisted anyway. Albeit with some hesitance, he takes the letter. It felt lighter than it should have. And the paper itself is smooth and flawless, carefully manicured by hand. The albino retraces his steps, how come he didn't see the letter on Parrot's person? Why is it not wrinkled, when he hadn't bought a bag, didn't hold anything except for his wallet and phone that's stashed in his pockets?

"Uh.. thanks? What's this for exactly?" Branzy continues, prodding for answers he hopes he'll get. Parrot then smiles as if the tension didn't just plummet, and forced a laugh.

"It's from Leo. He wants to schedule a meeting with you." He replied and suddenly Branzy felt the world freeze. Leo. He had completely forgotten about that guy, he was like sand, immediately slipping from his fingers when given a chance. And the albino did, indeed, gave Leo a chance. 

Looking at the sleek letter on his hand, it felt heavier than Branzy recently accounted for. 

"—You want us to join?"

"Yeah."

"I'll talk to him about it."

"Just don't be pushy next time." Rek added.

"Oh lose the temper, Rek. You know he would want to see him. You cant keep this secret forever."

"..Whatever. Just get out."

"Fine. But know this, whatever that's gonna happen to you isn't my problem."

Was this it? Was the question ringing in Branzy's head. Was Leo finally making a move? A move Rek hadn't even mentioned to him once, even after his disappearance? He blinks to reality as Parrot's voice began to steady him, "He says you don't have to meet him urgently. However, he does want to see you before the 13th because of his busy schedule." Parrot continued, a hand on his shoulder. As if that could reassure him of his impending doom.

"Though I have to warn you, Branzy. Leo's not a good person, yeah? Just keep that in mind when you do end up talking to him." Parrot adds, and before Branzy could even open his mouth, the avian was already walking to his vehicle. He could only catch a glimpse of Wifies' bandana before the car door closes, leaving Branzy with a letter on his outstretched hand. He definitely looked like a buffoon to the passerbys, but he was too shocked and a little frightened to process it all.

He stumbled on the way home after that.

//

Parrot wasn't replying to his messages after that conversation. Was he mad? How come? Branzy shuddered at the way Parrot looked at him, at one point the albino thought the avian would quite literally gut him alive after giving him the letter. He knew the bad blood that run in Parrot's and Leo's rivalry, he heard snippets and saw it with his very own eyes. 

But he never truly understood what it felt like to be under that gaze. Especially not from someone as cool as Parrot, it made him think he did something wrong until he realized everything. His anger definitely wasn't aimed toward him, Branzy absolutely did not do anything to offend Parrot in any way. In fact, he'd been open about his encounters with Leo!

So what's happening? Branzy wasn't sure if he's ready to bite the bullet, but he knew this was another key to unlock more secrets within the school. Why should he refuse a meeting with the secondary leader of the council? That seemed like a dumbass move. Definitely not on his part.

But he's not going to take that part. Yet. So with a defeated sigh, he abandons prodding at Parrot and focus on newer messages.

His worries lifted a little when he saw a message from Jester Penetrate, not too long ago it seems.

6:12PM — Jester Penetrate 

Guess what I got. :))

6:33PM — BranzyCraft

What?

Well, that ruins the surprise does it not?

Besides, it's a special gift.

"Well, that ruins the surprise does it not?"

— you literally

okay nevermind

what is jt? give me a hintt

"what is jt? give me a hintt"

— Finee finee it's for you. :D

You'll get it tomorrow though.

"You'll get it tomorrow though."

— Aww.. :(

I forget we're in the same school sometimes

I can't wait! :o

Oh and thanks by the eay

In advance

I dont raly know how to 

How to uh accept gifts

So I'm sorry if i dont sound so enthusiastic 

"So I'm sorry if i dont sound so enthusiastic"

— No it's fine. The surprise is better if you're sad, because when you'll get it, you're happy, and if you're happy, you'll smile brighter. 

Get it?

I think I do but im too fried to process it

I feel tired

Something happened and Im scared

"Something happened and Im scared"

Edited

— ...Oh really? Pray tell.

If you want to, I don't wanna force you.

No it's fine, I

dont want to talk about it though

Im tired

Let's talk tomorrow?

Sure, I can wait.

Especially for you. :)

Get a good night's sleep.

Good night.

Good night