Chapter Text
It was a beautiful morning. The sky was painted in soft shades of gold, the sun just high enough to cast warmth across the streets. Birds sang from telephone wires and rooftops, and the flowers that lined neighborhood fences and yards swayed gently with the breeze. To most people, days like this meant another routine morning of school books in hand, chatter with friends, lessons to endure.
But for the students of Paper School, mornings weren’t so comforting. Paper School wasn’t just a place of learning it was a place that could chew you up and spit you out if you weren’t careful. Bad grades didn’t simply mean detention; they were more like a death sentence. Every student who entered its doors knew the risk.
Among those students was Engel.
The boy stirred awake to the shrill screech of his alarm clock, groaning in protest as he rubbed his face. Summer had ended just a month ago, and the transition back into Paper School felt like being dragged into a pit. He sat up sluggishly, hair tousled, then finally forced himself out of bed.
Engel dressed as he always did long-sleeved shirt tucked neatly under black overalls, the fabric slightly faded from use. He pulled on his socks and slipped into his shoes, which had a faint heel to them. Some people teased him for wearing them, but he didn’t care. They suited his look, and that was all that mattered.
Glancing at the clock, he cursed under his breath and rushed downstairs. Breakfast was quick just something light he could grab before tossing his bag over his shoulder and stepping out the door. The air outside was crisp, filling his lungs as he walked the familiar path that led to his friend Claire’s house.
She was already waiting for him on the porch, waving cheerfully with that bright smile of hers. Claire had a way of radiating optimism even on mornings Engel could barely keep his eyes open. She bounded down the steps to meet him, the bow in her hair bobbing with each step.
The two fell into stride together, heading toward school as they always did.
“Never going to let that bow go, huh?” Engel teased, snorting lightly.
Claire arched a brow and shot back without missing a beat. “Says the guy with feathers hanging off half his head as accessories.”
He put a hand dramatically to his chest, feigning offense. “How dare you insult my impeccable fashion sense?”
She only rolled her eyes and nudged his shoulder, though a smile tugged at her lips. The teasing was routine by now, almost comforting in its familiarity.
By the time the school’s looming building came into view, Engel’s stomach sank. “Great…” he muttered through clenched teeth.
Claire gave him a look but didn’t press. She could tell his mood had shifted. Inside, the familiar smells hit them instantly chalk dust, paper, and that faint sting of cleaning solution. It was a smell they’d both come to loathe.
Claire noticed Engel’s distracted expression and touched his back gently. “You okay?”
He straightened up quickly, forcing a smile. “Oh! Yeah, yeah. Just… keeping an eye out for Lana and the others.”
Before Claire could respond, a shout echoed down the hallway.
“Oliver, let it go!!”
Both Engel and Claire snapped their heads toward the sound.
“Lana, come on we can always make another—!” another voice pleaded desperately.
The two didn’t hesitate. They bolted down the hall, skidding to a stop at one of the classrooms. Inside, the scene made Engel’s jaw tighten.
There was Lana and Abbie, both struggling. Oliver, Zip, and Edward the most annoying trio of bullies were at it again. Oliver held one of Lana’s beloved sock puppets high above her reach, dangling it with a cruel laugh. Each time she jumped to grab it, he jerked it higher, mocking her.
Edward sneered, crossing his arms. “You’re pathetic, Abbie. Always letting her handle things. Why don’t you man up and show your little girlfriend what you can actually do?”
Oliver’s grin widened. He tossed the sock puppet to Zip and shoved Abbie hard against the wall, gripping him by the collar.
“ABBIE!” Lana cried, rushing forward to pull Oliver away.
But Zip stuck out a foot and tripped her. She hit the floor, only to feel Edward’s heavy boot press against her back, pinning her down.
“Ah, ah, ah… Not so fast.” Zip purred, her dragon-like tail swishing with delight. “For someone named Abbie, I can’t help but wonder… would you taste like one too?”
Oliver’s teeth gleamed sharp as his grin spread.
Then, suddenly—
WHAM.
Oliver crashed to the floor, blindsided. Abbie dropped down as well, coughing for breath.
“Shouldn’t you have graduated by now?” Engel’s voice cut through the chaos like steel, his eyes narrowed and irritated as he glared down at Oliver.
Oliver spat dust from his mouth and got back to his feet, smirking darkly. “Well, well. Look who finally decided to play hero. Took you long enough.”
Engel didn’t rise to the bait. His gaze shifted to Edward and Zip, still holding Lana down. His voice dropped lower, colder. “Off. Of. Her.”
The two glanced at Oliver, waiting for his cue. But Oliver’s temper flared. He shoved Engel hard, knocking him to the floor, then stepped back into the classroom. Engel rose again, eyes burning with determination.
Meanwhile, Claire darted forward and snatched the sock puppet out of Zip’s hand before he could react. Edward growled but pulled his boot from Lana’s back, retreating as Oliver called them off.
As the bullies left, Edward’s grip tightened on the doorframe, his knuckles white. His glare lingered on Engel and Claire as they helped Lana and Abbie back to their feet.
“They’re always together,” Edward muttered bitterly.
“Think they’re dating?” Zip hissed, tail lashing.
“If they are…” Edward’s lips curled into a cruel grin. “We’ll change that.”
Zip’s own smile stretched at the thought, and the two followed Oliver down the hall.
Back inside, Engel’s voice softened. “Did they do anything else to you?” He helped Lana steady herself, brushing dust off her sleeves.
“N-No,” Abbie answered quickly, though Claire was already fussing over him for injuries.
“Thank goodness you showed up when you did,” Lana sighed with relief.
“It’s no big deal,” Claire said lightly, though her relief showed in her eyes.
But Abbie suddenly stiffened, eyes widening. “BUBBLES!”
Lana gasped. “They locked her in the janitor’s closet!”
Engel glanced at the clock and swore. “Come on, we’ve got to hurry Miss Circle’s class starts any minute!”
The four bolted from the room, sprinting down the hallway.
“No running in the halls.”
The chilling voice froze them in place.
There stood Principal Miss Grace, a stack of folders in her arms, her sharp eyes narrowing at them.
“M-Miss Grace…” Engel stammered, swallowing hard. The others quickly ducked behind him, knowing better than to test her patience.
Grace’s glare lingered, heavy and suffocating. Then, after a long pause, she said evenly, “Lucky for you four… I’m not that hungry today. Get to class before I change my mind.”
Her steps echoed down the hall as she passed, heels clicking against the floor. The group let out a collective breath of relief.
“Way to throw me under the bus,” Engel muttered over his shoulder.
“It’s Miss Grace. She’s merciful if you don’t get on her nerves,” Claire replied, trying to keep the mood light.
They rushed to the nearest closet, throwing open the door. Inside, Bubbles was slumped against the wall, worn out from trying to force it open. She looked up at them with exhaustion in her eyes then fury.
“What took you so long?!” she snapped, fists trembling. The bubbles she was made out of began popping as it boiled.
“It’s almost first period,” Abbie mumbled weakly.
Everyone froze in realization. Engel didn’t hesitate he grabbed Bubbles by the hand and yanked her along as they all sprinted toward Miss Circle’s class.
The bell rang just as they tumbled inside, panting for breath.
Miss Circle looked up from her desk, claws tapping against the wood. “Ha! Five more minutes and I wouldn’t have needed to buy lunch.” Her grin was sharp, almost predatory. “Now sit down. Quickly. My appetite is growing.”
The four scrambled into their seats as her clawed fingers left long scratches across the desk, a silent warning.
As the lesson began and notebooks opened, Engel leaned over to Claire. “How’s Moemoe?” he whispered while jotting down notes.
Claire glanced up at him, lips parting. “He’s been—”
Her words were cut off by the soft smack of a paper ball hitting her shoulder.
Both she and Engel turned.
At the back of the class, Oliver was smirking, pointing at them while Edward and Zip snickered.
Whatever this day had in store… it wasn’t going to be easy.