//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8: Pep Rally 
// Story: High School Shenanigans 
// by Melancholy Angel 
//------------------------------//

Bzzt...Bzzt...Bzzt

"Dixon, it's time to get up." I heard someone spoke from the depth of my slumber.

"Five more minutes mom..." I groaned.

"Are you having your dreams about me again?!" The voice replied with a shocked tone.

That's when it hit me that the one speaking to me was not my mom but was someone else instead. Immediately, I got up as fast as I could, almost hitting Luna's head and impaling myself on her horn as I did so..

"Of course not! I Pinkie Promised!" I said, waving my arms around trying to make a point. "Last night's dream has nothing to do with you!"

It was true. Last night, I had this very crazy dream about fighting elves who were apprentices of the dark arts of dressing like crap. Lots of spells, magics, other fantasy shit and stuffs. Why do I even have that dream anyway? I don't even play any fantasy games or MMOs.

"Are you speaking the truth?" Luna said, half believing me.

"Luna, I Pinkie Promised. Now come on, we need to get ready for the day." I said as I got up and walked towards the bathroom.

"Umm...when I mean we, I mostly meant me as...you know."I scratched my head when I realized that Luna had followed me to the bathroom.

"Oh, I understand. I shall wait in your chambers." She said before walking out.

When I was done with my morning rituals and walked down the stairs for breakfast, I realized that today's breakfast might create a problem.

It's bacon and eggs... all are meat products...how could Luna eat this?

"You okay son?" My dad asked. "You're not touching your food."

"Oh, I'm fine! Just realized that I forgot something upstairs."

"Well for the past few days, you have been behaving strangely. You took your breakfast upstairs about everyday which is unlike you." He said, scratching his chin and looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "Are you hiding something from me?"

"Oh! Err...Can't I just eat and study at the same time?" I replied nervously.

"I suppose you can, but your mom said not to make a mess in your room."

Luckily, eggs weren't such a problem after all. They put them in cakes, bread, and baked goods. But she wasn't too thrilled to realize that humans ate meat.

"YOU ATE WHAT?!" 

"Shhsh! Shhsh! Be quite!" I held my finger to my mouth, darting my eyes to look at the door for a second before looking back at Luna.

"You're sickening me, Dixon."

"Pfft," I rolled my eyes. "My sharp canines and teeth aren't clear enough to see that I eat meat?"

"I never had a chance to look at your teeth clearly, not that I wanted to anyway." She added quickly.

"Well, at least you eat eggs. As in, come on! You put them in breads, cakes, cupcakes, all kinds of baked goods! Now eat up before it goes cold. And I hate cold food."

"I am not touching the part where your meat has made contact with my eggs."

"That's what she said." I looked in one corner of my eyes, smiling.

"What?"

"Nothing."

A few minutes later at school...

Homeroom

Mr. Lawrence is here, thankfully. Unlike some of the teachers here, Mr. Lawrence actually acts like a teacher. He takes no craps, no nonsense and no dick jokes(I'm looking at Brandon for that one). He takes his job as a teacher very seriously. If I remember, most of the time when Brandon gets a detention slip, it's usually from Mr. Lawrence. 

"Tidus...Sally...Rick...Dixon...Rachel...and"He stopped for a while before sighing. "Brandon. Okay, looks like everyone's here. That's good."

"Alright class!" Mr. Lawrence suddenly boomed. "There will be a pep rally today after school today, Remember to walk to the field and sit in the bleachers appropriately. And please cut down on those genitals jokes for a while okay Brandon? Brandon?"

"That's when I posted that she looks ugly. And then, suddenly I got a whole load of butthurts shoved down my throat, and I was like "Seriously?" Because it's very dumb if you look at it from my point of view."

"Ahem, Brandon. What did I just say?"

"Umm what, Teach?" Brandon turned around immediately.

"I said you should try to cut down on your so-called jokes. I wouldn't want a repeat of last month again."

"Whatever you say teach!" Brandon said. But if I know him, he would only stop for like, at most 5 minutes, before reverting back to his old ways again. A leopard never change his spots.


"What is a... pep rally?" Luna asked.


“It's a sort of gathering before a sports event to encourage the school spirit and to support members of the team.”

It was easier to communicate to Luna via thought, after all, she COULD read minds. I could 'talk' to her as much as I want to. But I shouldn't get to carried away of else the teacher might notice.

Attendance taken, announcements given and correspondence distributed. Pretty soon, the bell for the second period was about to ring. I gathered my stuff and wait patiently.

RING!!!

The first to rush out of the classroom was the kid who sits closest to the door, but this may vary to either him or Brandon. Which is pretty impressive considering that he's sitting close to the back of the class. But still, Brandon ran out immediately after him as if someone have spiked his 'energy drink' (It's chocolate milk by the way) with ten dose of laxative and all the doors to the restrooms are locked. Or maybe he was running as if a tiger was eating him.

"I do believe that you meant 'chasing him' Dixon. If he was being eaten by a tiger, then he wouldn't be able to run." Luna corrected.

"Oh yeah...my mistake."

History

"The Industrial Revolution was an increase in production brought about by the use of machines and blah blah blah...It began in England in 1712, when Thomas Newcomen-"

"Psst! Guys! Come! Teacher said the C word!" Brandon whispered. This was accompanied by a few sniggers and small laughs that made it's way to the teacher's ears. She stopped and turned around to look at who is making the noise. Immediately, Brandon and a few other who were laughing together with him stopped.

"As I was saying..." She stopped for a second to look at Brandon. " Thomas Newcomen built the Newcomen steam engine that was later improved by James Watt which we now know today as the Watt steam engine. The improved steam engine allowed for blah blah blah..."

"Steam engine...Thomas Newcomen...Watt...Zzzzz..." My eyelids were getting heavier and heavier, I'm having trouble trying to keep them open. I should be paying attention to the lessonzzzzzzzz...

"Dixon! Wake up!" Luna yelled, waking me up immediately. I almost dozed off during class.

"Is it really that boring, Dixon?Luna asked. "I find your history very interesting.

"I'm more of a science guy myself...and also, thanks for waking me up. If you didn't, the teacher would havezzzzz...."

"WAKE UP!"

Gah! Goddamn it, I should really try and stay awake! If the lessons weren't so boring, maybe I would have a much easier time staying awake.

"We are now going to watch a documentary about the Industrial Revolution. While watching, remember to take down notes of what I had just taught you that appears in the video." The teacher instructed.

For some reason after hearing that we're doing something other than listening to the teacher, the weight that was dragging my eyelids suddenly disappeared. It was as if my brain have decided to stop supplying me with melatonin. And that was a good thing, at last I could stay awake! Now if I can make this last for the rest of the school hour...

Lunch

I snuck around the gym block for a while, I was looking to see if the area was clear from any people around...and especially Alvin. To make sure, I even stuck a branch in the bushes to flush out anyone hiding.

"No one so far, that good."

Seeing that the coast is clear, I went ahead and sat down by the wall. Taking out the paper bag I brought from home, I took out a grilled cheese sandwich(which I gave half to Luna), an apple and a small juice box. 

Before I could take a bite from my half, I suddenly realized something. Why do we have to go for pep rally? Can't it be optional? Why must I go to an event that's characterized by loud, slutty cheerleaders with huge racks yelling at us to support our school's team. At the same time, a bunch of jocks, who looked like they had steroids for breakfast, went around acting like assholes yelling to the whole school about how they'll kick the other team's ass when in the end they get their asses handed to them on a silver plate, accompanied by loud and eardrum-rupturing techno or pop music that has been outdated since the 80s. 

CLICK!

Suddenly, a bright flash came from the corner of my eye. No, it wasn't Luna turning back into a cap. When I looked in the direction where the flash came from, I saw a figure running away. From this distance, it was impossible to tell who the person was, but that person's redhead made it very easy to guess who.

"Alvin..." I clenched my teeths.

"What was that?" Luna asked.

"It's Alvin...that mother a-hole..." I replied, still staring at the redheaded figure running away.

Later...

The clock was a few minutes close to three. I was hoping that today there would be a rain and pep rally would be cancelled, but no such luck. Even if it did rain, pep rally would only be held at a different location.

"Attention, all students and teachers report to the bleachers outside on the field."  The PA boomed.

"Well you heard your principal. Get going!" The teacher said.

When I got to the school field, I could see that almost everybody was here. There's the freshmen, there's the WoW playing nerds, the steroid powered jocks and the hotties. Everybody was here, even the Three Stooges. Oh, and there's also some overused rock music playing in the background too.

"Hey guys! You want to skip this week's pep rally?" Brandon suggested.

"Sure."

"Yeah."

"Fo'sho."

"Yes." I said.

"Dixon!" Luna shouted.

Suddenly, Mr. Reeve walked over to us.

"I hope you boys aren't planning on skipping this week's pep rally. Because there will be hall monitors guarding the exits." He said.

"Oh shucks.

"You don't see me skipping pep rallies, don't you, Mr. Reeve?" I said.

"Well yes, I suppose. So I hope that you'll-HEY! STOP THAT IMMEDIATELY!" He suddenly exclaimed and rushed off to where a bunch of jocks were giving wedgies to a few unfortunate nerds who somehow got with them.

"OKAY! The coast is clear! Let's get the hell outta here!" Brandon exclaimed.

"What in the name of Jesus do you think your going!" The gym coach suddenly appeared and yelled at us before we could even take a step.

"Nooothing?"

"If you have nothing to do, you better sit down. So sit down. DOWN!" The gym teacher barked, to which we had no choice but to do so. Grumbling, we went to the bleachers and sat down.

"Hey guys, did anyone see where Brandon went?" A kid asked a few minutes later.

That's when I realized that Brandon wasn't at his seat.

"If he's escaping and leaving us here. Who wants to visit the Christian cult at the back of our school?" A kid said.

Xavier and a few others raised their hands up.

"Hey guys! Down here!" We suddenly heard the voice of Brandon from below us. ""I found a secret path that can lead us outside!"

"Alright, let's get out of here while we still can." I said.

"Dixon!" Luna tried to protest.

“Listen, pep rally is going to take up one hour of both our lifes. In one hour, you could either be stuck at a pep rally, or…”

"Or what?"

"We could be playing Grand Theft Auto 5 together." I gave her a sly smile.

"I would not be that easily swayed by your video games."

"How about being first to play?."

"Hey faggolas! What are you waiting for? Christmas? Come on! Let's get out of here before the hall monitor finds us!"

When we followed Brandon to his "secret path", we found out that it was just a hole in the fence the leads out of the field, not the school compound. It still does its job of leading us out from the prying eyes of the teachers and some of the hall monitors around. Within minutes, we found ourselves in the middle of the empty school corridor.

"Where should we go next?" Brandon asked.

"Gee, and I thought you know how to get out of here." I remarked.

"The main door has hall monitors, Dick. You think we can just waltz outta here from the main door?"

"Hall monitor 12 o'clock!" Xavier exclaimed, pointing in front of us.

"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!" 

"RUN!" I yelled, bolting to the left. Brandon went to the right while Xavier and a few others ran back the way they came from. Luckily, the hall monitor didn't went after me but instead went for Brandon. Good thing too, I'm not so good at running for an extended period of time.

After a few twists and turns and up and down some stairs, I somehow managed to get out of the school building and ended up at the back of the school where the only thing separating us from our freedom is the fence surrounding the school compound.

"Whoa, you're here sooner than I am. That's a first." Xavier ran up to me.

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"Some got caught while others chickened out. One *huff*, even ran to the toilet and hide there." He said, trying to catch his breath.

"By the way, whesh Brandon?"

"I don't know, the hall monitor went after him so he might get caught."


"Caught, my ass!" Brandon suddenly called out, appearing from behind the tree on the other side of the fence.

"How the..."

"I'm faster than you slowpokes. Come on! Climb over this fence and we are outta here!"

A few minutes later, the three of us were on the other side of the fence and out of the school compound. I can't believe it, we actually managed to sneak out of pep rally!

"Hey Brandon, don't you have detention to serve?"

"That? Who cares? I'm not wasting my Friday afternoon in some lame ass detention!"

"Isn't that why you're serving detention?"

But before we could move another step, someone jumped out from behind a bush and pointed at the three of us. It was Alvin, with a white baldric slung over his shoulders that says "HALL MONITOR".

"AHA! GOTCHA NOW! Now you three have some detention to serve! AND YOU!" He yelled, stepping pointing at me. " I HAVE YOU NOW!" He proceed to take out his phone and showed everyone the picture he had taken at lunch.

"Dude, seriously?" Brandon responded. "I know he's a ponyfag, but isn't it crazy to actually try and convince us that he's hiding a pony?"

"Hey! Thatsh Princessh Moonbutt right there!" Xavier said immediately. "Shesh from My Little Pony!"

"MOONBUTT?! How dare he..."

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Chill! Luna! Chill!”

"How dare he address the princess with a name like this!”

"XAVIER'S A PONY FAG!!!!" Brandon immediately exclaimed.

"No I was not!" Xavier said. "I heard it from Dishon!"(I never told him about that)

"If your picture shows a fictional character, it's fake!"

"NO IT IS NOT! DON'T DENY IT LIKE LAST TIME! I TOOK IT TODAY DURING LUNCH!"

"Character from a show, ish fake." Xavier agreed.

"PHOTOSHOPPED!" Brandon yelled. "FAKE AND GAAAAAAAAY!"

"But....but..."

"Wait a minutes." I suddenly realized. "If we're not allowed outside school property, then why are you here?"

When Alvin dazed out to think about what I said just now, the three of us used this brief moment to get away, fast.
"SEE YA SUCKERS!" The three of us laughed as we ran on the pavement, out of sight from Alvin.

When we got home, I was still trying not to laugh at what had happened.

"Wow, that was fun." I laughed as I took out my keys to the front door.

"I still couldn't believe that you avoided attending your ceremony just so you can play your video games." Luna said disapprovingly.

"You're the one who said you want to play!" I replied as I opened the door.

That's funny, there's no one in the house when I came home. The lights were off, curtains were drawn and windows were closed. That could only mean one thing...

"Looks like my mom's not around again..." I smiled. "And you know what that means? Hmm?" I gave a sly smile to Luna.

"GAME TIME!" I yelled as I threw my bag on the couch. I practically flew up the stairs with Luna right behind me. However, just before I could switch on the power to the console, I heard the doorbell rang. Immediately, I told Luna to stay put in the game room while I go check out who was at the door.

Now who could that be? I wondered, I hope that it's not one of those Jehovah's Witnesses again.

I was expecting to either see my mother, a lost pizza guy, another Jehovah's Witness or the mailman. But when I opened the door, I was immediately greeted by the sight of two people. Both of them were wearing a white shirt and jeans and had one of those very short hair cuts. The two were much tanner and had packed on more muscles since the last time I've seen them, which was a year ago. 

"Little bro!" The younger brother, (but still older than me) crushed me in a huge bear hug.

"Ow ow ow! Watch the ribs Carl!" I cried.

"Oh sorry, it's been a year since the both of us last seen you. And look at you!" Adam said, ruffling my hair, much to my annoyance. "You've grown taller!"

"Cut it out Carl." The eldest brother, Adrian, said. "I thought you knew better than to tease our little brother. So what's up Dixs? How long has it been? 1 year?" He held out a fist to which I fist bumped him back. But then he opened up his palm sides way as if he wanted to shake hands.

"Umm...What?" I asked, to which he facepalmed himself.

"You forgotten already? Okay, it goes like this. Fistbump, slip slap, dap dap.."

" Oh! Now I remember!" I said as I did the secret handshake that Adrian, Carl and I shared together.

"Okay, enough of the family-catch-up and stuff! Why don't we go play some Grand Theft Auto 5? My fingers can't wait to hold on to a controller!" Carl broke us up and said.

"You go do that, I have to put my stuff away first." Adrian said as he began walking up the stairs, followed closely by Carl quickly.

"NO WAIT! AHhhh, shit!" I put both hands on each side of my face as I began the countdown to the inevitable . If I remembered correctly, it takes about 10 seconds to reach the game room from the bottom of the stairs. And 5 seconds has already passed.

"5...4...3...2...1!" I bit my nails as I got to one, bracing myself for a scream or a shout or something.

Then I heard two screams, one female and one male.

"SWEET MOTHER OF GOD! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" 


"I'm fucked"