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Wemmbu was exhausted. The teacher was talking about power control and identification, and he could feel the stares already.
He kept his head down, not listening at all. I mean, why would he? He doesn't want this power. He doesn't want to be a hero, or a villain, or a vigilante.
"...bu."
He doesn't understand why he has a power. Why him? Why not someone willing, determined, and responsible?
"....mmbu."
Why did his power bloom late? Was it because of how often he skipped meals, didn't drink water and skipped out on sleep? It's not like he'd change that lifestyle. He wouldn't. Not for something he never wanted in the first place.
"Wemmbu!"
"...yes, sir?"
"Can you answer this question here?"
obviously. Its common sense.
"No."
"Then why are you sleeping in my class?"
Why not?
"I don't like your class."
A few students giggled.
"Why not?"
"It's useless to me."
"This is one of the most important classes in the school, Wemmbu."
"...and?"
The teacher rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Whatever. Focus here."
Wemmbu did not, in fact, focus here.
He began sleeping again, his head resting on his arms.
The teacher noticed. He didn't say anything this time. It began to be clear that Wemmbu was just a lost cause.
-
"Wemmbu?" Spoke called out, shaking his shoulders, before pausing. Then, he began ruffling Wemmbu's hair. "It's surprisingly soft... ge takes care of his hair significantly more than anyone other part of himself, huh?"
"Oh my God, Spoke, stop." Squiddo chastised as she swatted his hand away, before crouching down to the short, seated boy. "Wemmbu? You awake?"
Wemmbu stirred. "...hm?" He raised his head, noticing how he was the only ones here, save for a few members of The Vortex. "...oh." He got up and carried his bag.
"Why did that work?! Why do you only respond to Squiddo?!" Spoke whined as Parrot chuckled behind him.
"You, as one person, have the same amount of decibels per word as an entire class of students, and one teacher."
A beat.
Flame, Parrot, Squiddo and Ashswagg began muffling their laughs—scratch that, Squiddo and Ash were openly laughing.
"Wow! I'm hurt, Wemmy..."
Wemmbu squinted at him slightly.
"...who is Wemmy?"
The laughing got louder.
-
Wemmbu didn't usually regret not eating during break time.
However, pinned against the wall, in front of everyone, feeling like he's about to pass out... he has some regrets.
"So, let's see what the Vortext sees in you, hm?" The student chuckled, before using one hand to open their claws and drag the nails across Wemmbu's skin.
Wemmbu didn't move. Didn't react other than flinching slightly. Forced himself to keep his cool.
Because when he didn't, someone else got hurt.
"Interesting..." they laughed, wiping away at the blood near the shorter boys shoulder. They suddenly summoned their fire , burning Wemmbu's skin when he expected it least.
He grunted, closing his eyes as tears pricked his eyes.
Apparently that was enough.
The student cursed loudly, flinching back as they touched their face. Flame decided then was the convenient time to show up. He watched the student retreat, before dragging Wemmbu away.
Or... maybe he spoke to him before? Wemmbu isn't sure. All he knows is that he hurt someone. Badly.
He didn't want to do that.
That was unintentional. Why couldn't he just control it? Why did it come so naturally to everyone but him?
"...I'm sorry..." Was all he could muster.
"Don't apologize, they started it." Flame responded, grip firm. Wemmbu leaned towards him, vision blurring, which made Flame stop.
"Wemmbu?"
"...mbu—!"
And his vision went dark.
----
Spoke cursed. "He just... passed out? Like that? No warning..?" He asked Flame, his leg bouncing as he watched the unconscious boy on the nurses bed.
"Yeah. He just... leaned against me, then fell. It's probably because of how much he refused to eat. Or sleep. Probably both."
"I'm here. Is he okay?" Parrot asked as he opened the door. His gaze went from Spoke and Flame, to Wemmbu. "Oh dear..."
"Yeah. We're waiting for a nurse to check his vitals." Spoke muttered.
"Wait, what? He passed out!"
"...yeah.."
"This is serious— do they know what could happen if they delay treatment for too long? Especially in his state..! Usually, he would be passed out for a minute, maybe two, but.. I've seen them treat things like emergencies when it's much less necessary...!"
"They always do that when someone's considered weak. They're almost as bad as the students." Flame spat, gaze never leaving the unconscious body.
-
It wasn't too long before a nurse came. She touched his wrist, right where the heartbeat is, and closed her eyes. Her power granted her the ability to check anyone's vitals as long as she had access to their heartbeat or something.
"...so?" Spoke mumbled.
"37 BPM... 35° Celsius. About 6-10 breaths per minute. Hm... he seems severely malnutritioned. Has he eaten? When?"
"...not recently." Parrot answered.
"..hm."
-
"...h...huh...?" Wemmbu mumbled as he sat up carefully. "...where am I..?" He looked around. His vision was blurry, but this isn't his room.
"Wemmy! You're awake!" Spoke rushed to his side.
"Are you feeling okay? You should eat something. Anything light. Do you want soup?" Parrot walked over, calmer but visibly concerned.
"What... happened?"
"You passed out in the middle of school." Flame responded.
"...what time is it?"
"About eight PM. We told your roommate beforehand." Spoke said. "Are you hungry? We made soup!"
"I made soup. You two did absolutely nothing." Flame pointed out.
The two continued bickering.
"Guys. Stop." Parrot tried.
Didn't work.
He tried again. And again. And again.
Getting increasingly more irritated by the other two.
Parrot continued trying to stop them.
Eventually, he joined in on the bickering, and the rooftop got louder, filling with screams and blaming others.
Wemmbu watched from the bed, a darkly colored gaze following the trio.
He doesn't know who's room this is.
Or what happened before he passed out.
but...
he can enjoy this for now... right?
he smiled once. Warm, and gentle.
Just this once.