Chapter Text
Birthday parties.
A term that Spoke, ever since he joined Unstable academy, has overtime become unfamiliar with. The only “Birthday party” he is familiar with are ones where the big surprise is just people setting you up for a prank and then recording your reaction when you are (rightfully so) pissed.
Spoke crossed the date off the calendar, January 14th, his “birthday”. He huffed, pushing away from the dumb bunch of papers and making his way over to where his bag was sitting on the table. He stuffed in his laptop, being mindful not the rip the paper stickers he glued on there (yes, he stuck paper stickers onto his laptop. He’s too broke to buy from conventions.)
He zipped up his bag after stuffing a few textbooks in there and placed the bag strap onto his shoulder. He winced once he felt how heavy it was. He slipped on the other strap, reaching for he keys that he left on the kitchen counter the night before. He was surprised that Mapicc, his roommate, hadn’t moved them but oh well. Spoke had noticed that Mapicc had been gone for several days, he was extremely worried. Squiddo told him that he was probably visiting someone or something.
God Spoke hoped so…
Spoke snapped back to reality, suddenly realising he was still standing in his kitchen.
He opened his front door, pushing past the snow that had settled there and stepping out into the chilling breeze. Spoke rolled down his shirt sleeves to pass his hands. He shoved the key into the keyhole behind him and turned it, locking his house. He had set a mental reminder to do that everyday due to the one time he forgot and ended up finding some of his stuff stolen and his plant pots shattered.
With the snow crunching below his feet, he began making his way towards the main campus. It hasn’t really felt the same the past few days. Mapicc use to always walk with him. The two would always crack jokes, make niche references that made the people around them furrow their brow in confusion, start randomly singing… just the reminder that Mapicc was nowhere to be seen made Spoke’s heart churn. He let out a shaky sigh, seeing the foggy breath come out of him.
He pushed forward, not letting himself get troubled by these feelings. Mapicc was fine. He was safe and is probably just taking a holiday.
But why wouldn’t he tell Spoke?
No. Stop bringing your mind back to that. He probably just forgot.
Spoke rubbed his hands together, “I should’ve brought gloves…” He sighed. The sight of the campus came into view. He went from walking, to jogging, to running. They were starting to close the doors.
Once he finally reached the school, he was completely out of breath. Taking deep breaths, he pushed through the front door. He ignored the office lady giving him weird looks, he was too out of breath to care really. Walking through the (mostly) empty hallways, it finally occurred to him. He didn’t really know what class he had after homeroom. Mapicc and him had always had classes together (partly because Spoke told the school councillor that he couldn’t function properly without someone he trusted in the classroom, but that’s not the point). Whenever Spoke was lost, he would just follow behind Mapicc like a lost puppy.
He knocked on the door of his homeroom class. After the second bell ring, the teachers close the doors of their classroom.
“It’s a way teachers can shame late students without getting fired.” Mapicc would whisper to Spoke whenever they were late for class. The voidling would always laugh along with the demon, especially when Mapicc would get caught by the teachers who opened the door as soon as he said it and get him scolded for it.
The door opened. His homeroom teacher, Mr MinuteTech, stood there. He took in Spoke’s appearance. The snow from outside had practically fully covered the Voidling. Minute was one of the nicer teachers in Spoke’s mind. Spoke had MinuteTech for one other class, which was science. He never yelled at Spoke for being late, sleeping in class or handing in work late. Just a gentle reminder to “try and get it done before class.”
This time, instead of just letting into the classroom, Minute pulled him aside to the hallway.
“Spoke.” Minute sighed.
Spoke held his breath, had he spoken to soon about Minute not yelling at him?
Minute closed his eyes before looking back at Spoke and smiling, “apologies for the scare, I just wanted to talk to you about something that will happen in the next class.”
Spoke blinked. Oh. Well, in all fairness, he could’ve said his name with a less ominous way! And the sigh? Maybe he was trying to kill Spoke.
MinuteTech’s smile softened when he saw Spoke’s relief, “Again, sorry for the scare.” He chuckled. His expression then turned into more neutral. “As you know, the assessment we have already started working is a partner project.”
Spoke nodded along. He had a feeling that he already knew where this was going. He sighed internally.
MinuteTech cleared his throat, “You were partners with Mapicc… and I’m—ehem—aware of his…” Minute paused, closing his eyes for a moment to choose his words carefully, “disappearance.” He opened his eyes. “Unfortunately, doing this task with a partner is mandatory. I tried to explain your situation to the head of the science department, but they did not listen.”
Spoke’s shoulders slumped, “But everyone else has a partner. Who am I supposed to be with?”
“About that,” Minute smiled, “you will be working with the new student—well… not really new. He simply transferred classes. You should know him, Wemmbu?”
Spoke’s eyes widened. Wemmbu? HIM?
Spoke crossed his arms, “Sir, is there anybody else I could work with?”
“Unfortunately, not,” Minute responded, sighing. “There isn’t anyone else who doesn’t have a partner. Besides, this is a good chance to meet some new faces.” Minute patted Spoke on the shoulder as the sound of the bell echoed through the hallways. Minute walked past Spoke. “Science is next, make sure you grab your stuff.” He said as his figure disappeared.
Amazing. Just amazing. Working with Wemmbu out of all people.
Spoke sighed, following after the teacher to his next class.