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— September 1st, 2025 —Lunch—
Ao’nung believed that he was a good person, he believed that there was good in everyone, but there he was, the first day of senior year, he looked around at the kids he'd known all his life, and he wondered, what happened?
As Ao’nung walked down the hallway, the first thing he heard was a fight breaking out.
They were so tiny, happy, and shiny, playing tag, getting chased, laughing, napping, eating cookies, and getting paste.
Then they got bigger, that was the trigger, like the Huns invading Rome. This ain't no high school, this is the Thunderdome. Ao’nung would hold his breath because they graduated in June. Ao’nung believed that if they changed before, they could change once more, they could be beautiful.
Ao’nung flinches back as a boy is pushed out in front of him. The boy grabs his baggy band tee as he falls, “Hey, are you ok?” Ao’nung asked, “Get away, nerd.” The boy who had just been pushed scoffed back.” Oh, ok.” Ao’nung said, confused.
As he walked into the cafeteria, he grabbed a lunch tray, then suddenly he was shoved by none other than Veayu, “Watch it.”Veayu spat out, as Ao’nung had to fight the urge to set this dump ablaze, ignoring Veayu, until Veayu slapped the lunch tray out of his hands, causing Ao’nung to whisper under his breathe “Veayu, third year of linebacker and eighth year of smacking lunch trays and being a huge dick. “What did you say to me, skank?” the taller urged, getting into Ao’nung’s face. “Ah, nothing,” the younger one stuttered out.
Ao’nung walked past Veayu to the lunch line, where he jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.” Agh, hey Rotxo.” The taller one greeted his close friend, “Hey.”Rotxo repeated back.
He and Rotxo had been best friends since diapers.
“Ready for movie night? “The shorter asked.
“Yeah, you're on Jiffy pop detail, “Ao'nung said, smiling,” I rented the Tsahìk bride. “The younger bounced on his feet. Ao’nung chuckled, “Again? Don't you have it memorized by now?” he asked. “What can I say, I'm a sucker for a happy ending,” Rotxo replied
“ROTXO, THE FISH KISSER!” an annoying voice yelled out as he slapped Rotxo’s tray out of his hand. It was Koro, quarterback. He is the smartest guy on the football team, which is kind of like being the tallest dwarf. “Hey, pick that up right now,” Ao’nung demanded, and Koro turned to him, having the nerve to look offended. “I’m sorry, are you actually talking to me?” he spat, his voice obnoxious, getting in Ao'nung's face. “Yes, I am, I wanna know what gives you the reason to pick on my friend. You're a high school has-been waiting to happen. A future gas station attendant,” Ao’nung said, defending his friend. Koro stood in front of Ao’nung for a few seconds before he said,” You have a zit right there.” The small group they had gathered around them laughed until chanting was heard from the other side of the cafeteria as three figures entered, chatting away among themselves. "Spider, Eythrel, and Ail’yen.” It was the Metkay, they floated above it all.”I love Spider, Eythrel, and Ail’yen. I hate Ail’yen, Eythrel, and Spider.” The three of them walked over to the table that they claimed, ignoring it all.
Spider Socorro, the only boy, was wearing a white long-sleeve shirt under a black t-shirt, and baggy jorts. He is the soccer team captain, his dad is loaded, he works for the government.
“I want Spider, Eythrel, and Ail’yen,” the crowd continued to chant.
Eythrel Tunniu’waik, the girl with long braids the color of Neapolitan ice cream, wore a blue jacket over her Hello Kitty t-shirt and a white skirt. She runs the yearbook committee. No discernible personality, but her mom did pay for implants.
“I need Spider, Eythrel,-” the crowd is cut off as Ail’yen Walanieka, with her black and white braids tied in a messy bun, stands up, allowing her red jacket to fall off her shoulders, revealing her white tank top that ends right above her shorts. She is a mythic bitch. They're solid Teflon, never bothered, never harassed. Ao’nung would give anything to be like that.
As Ail’yen walks past other tables to a vending machine, people whisper, “I’d like to be their boyfriend,” which comes from a boy at the hipster table. A stoner girl spoke up, “If I sat at their table, guys would notice me.” Ao’nung and Rotxo sat down at a table in a corner. Rotxo looked over with his eyes following Ail’yen for a few seconds before he turned back to Ao’nung and whispered,” I’d like for them to be nicer,” Ao’nung chuckled out “that would be beautiful,” as Ail’yen walked back a guy at a table with a bunch of weebs, who said “I'd like to kidnap a Heather and photograph her naked in an abandoned warehouse and leave her tied up for the rats” loud enough for half the cafeteria to hear. The entire cafeteria goes quiet just before Koro and Veayu start throwing food at each other, prompting others to join in.
—3rd period, hallway, outside bathroom—
Spider’s inside the bathroom, throwing up, with both Ail’yen and Eythrel standing outside.
“Grow up, Spider. COVID is so 2020.” Ail’yen scoffed out while rolling her eyes. “Maybe you should go see a doctor, Spider.” Eythrel recommended, ” Yeah Eythrel, maybe I should.” Spider yelled back the response. Ail’yen just rolls her eyes at the two scrolling on her food.
Ail’yen only looks up when she hears loud clicks of heels, to see Ms.Augustine, the counselor, who wears a white trench coat over her light blue polo and brown dress pants.”Ah, Ail’yen, and Eythrel.” Ms.Augustine states, before adding “And Spider,” as Spider can be heard vomiting. Perhaps you didn't hear the bell over all the vomiting, you're late.” Ms.Augustine reprimands.”Spider wasn’t feeling good, so we’re helping him.” Ail’yen quickly made an excuse.” Not without a hall pass, you’re not, weeks detention.” Ms.Augustine tries to shut Ail’yen down. Just as Ao’nung comes out of the bathroom with a piece of paper,” Um, actually, Ms.Augustine, all four of us are out on a hall pass, yearbook committee,” he stuttered out. Ms.Augustine takes the piece of paper, looking it over.” I see you’re all listed, go ahead and get where you’re going,” she sighs, handing the paper back to the boy, walking down the hall to her office.
Ail’yen squints at the taller, snatching the paper back out of his hand. This is an excellent forgery. Who are you?” she asked as if they hadn’t been going to the same schools since they were 5 years old. ” Um, Ao’nung Tonowari, I crave a boon,” he replied. What boon?” the girl flicks her hair behind her shoulder, just as Spider walks out of the bathroom to go stand next to Eythrel.” Um, let me sit at your table at lunch. Just once, no talking necessary. If people think that you guys tolerate me, then they'll leave me alone,” the boy's response pulled a laugh from all three of the Metkays, making the tan boy nervously add,” Before you answer, I also do report cards, permission slips, and absence notes.” “What about prescriptions?” Spider questioned.” Shut up, Spider.” Ail’yen snapped at the small boy.” sorry Ail’yen.” The girl rolled her eyes.
Ail’yen grabs Ao’nung’s face and examines it. “For a gressy little no one, you do have good bone structure,” the short girl remarks,” And a symmetrical face. If I took a meat cleaver down the center of your skull, I'd have matching halves. That's very important.” The Neapolitan hair girl chimed in.” Of course, you could stand to lose a few pounds.”Spider added.” And you know? This could be beautiful, Mascara, maybe some lip gloss, and we're on our way. Get this boy some blush, and Eyhtrel, I need your brush. Let's make him beautiful.” Ail’yen said for her two goonies to agree.” Okay?” asked the smaller. “okay” Ao’nung accepted
— Hallway —
Students watched as the Metkays walked down the hallway with a fourth person, causing a student to call out. “Who's that with Ail’yen?” The crowd started up, they’re chanting again.” Spider, Eythrel, Ail’yen,” a girl in a banana republican shirt added,” and someone.”” Spider, Eythrel, Ail’yen,” they repeated, “ And a babe.” Two guys standing to the side said,” Spider, Eythrel, Ail’yen.” The crowd started up again,” Ao’nung?” Rotxo's voice was picked up in the crowd as they recited, “ Ao’nung, Ao’nung, Ao'nung!" The boy walked behind the shortest of the Metkays and the only other boy, smiling, with his nose scrunched up happily, while the crowd sang out,” Spider, Eythrel, Ail’yen, Ao’nung. Spider, Eythrel, Ail’yen, Ao’nung, Ao’nung, Ao’nung.” Ao’nung thought that this was what being beautiful was.