<b><h1>Untitled</b></h1>
[[Start]](link: "George?")[George?
(link: "George.")[George.
(link: "Mr. Harlowe?")[Mr. Harlowe?
(link: "Earth to George.")[Earth to George.
(link: "Come in George.")
[Come in [[George]]]]]]][[Five more minutes]]
[[Huh?]]
[[Whats going on?]]"Huh?" you whisper, flipping your head over to get a better view of [[where the sound was coming from->interrupt]].
Still half asleep, you begin the walk of shame from your seat in the back of the class to Principle Dillon's office. The walk helps get your blood flowing again and by the time you reach the school office you feel more alert. The nice office secretary asks you to take a seat and it isn't much longer until Principle Dillon appears from around a doorframe and motions you to [[enter.->Principle Dillon's Office]]You can hear the click clack of high heels getting louder, closer to your bedroom when you realize, this isn't your bedroom.
You pick your head up and remember this is your algebra class and your teacher, Mrs. Andersen (lovingly nicknamed Mrs. Devil), is looming over you, slapping a ruler into one hand threateningly. Her wide rimmed glasses outline her evil green eyes and her abnormally rectangular eyebrows only add to the effect.
She slaps the ruler down on your desk jolting you back to reality. She looks down at you and points towards the door. This is her way of dismissing you from class and theres only one destination from here. [[Principal Dillon]]."Five more minutes" you mutter, as you try to drift back to sleep. You were having the greatest dream where your dog could talk and this person calling your name just had to [[interrupt]] it."Whats going on" you murmur, picking up your head from your desk when a ray of sun hits your eyes through the window. Guarding your face and wiping your eyes you remember you're in the middle of algebra class and [[Mrs. Andersen]] must have been calling your name."How was your beauty sleep Mr. Harlowe?" Mrs. Andersen asks condisendingly. You never had the best relationship with Mrs. Andersen (or Mrs. Devil as you called her) so the two of you exchanged passive aggressive remarks almost on the daily. She didn't seem to like many of her students, but she takes a particular disliking to you. "Perhaps [[Principal Dillon]] would like to hear more about it" she says, pointing to the classroom door."George George George," he starts, lazily flopping into his black leather chair and throwing his feet up onto his desk, knocking over a lamp onto the already scattered desk. The rest of his office doesn't fare well either. Papers and books are scattered everywhere, the floor, the windowsill, even on his computer. The only clean spot surrounds a shining trophy with a man catching a football.
"So did you watch the Bears game this weekend? We had a real shot if our recievers could catch a ball to save their lives. I mean cmon," he says, motioning to his prized high school football trophy, "even I could've caught it."
[[Yea I watched it]]
[[Laugh]]
[[Look down]]"Yea I watched it" you reply, more solemnly than you meant it to sound. For a split second Principle Dillon looked defeated but quickly changed into a look of genuine concern.
"I'm trying to look out for you George," he says "I can keep this one off your permanent record but I need you to work with me here." He stands, signally the end of this [[pointless meeting.]]You say nothing and clasp your hands in your lap, ignoring eye contact with Principle Dillon. You can tell he's trying to connect with you but you'd prefer nothing more than to leave.
"I'm trying to look out for you George," he says "I can keep this one off your permanent record but I need you to work with me here." He stands, signally the end of this [[pointless meeting.]]You fake laugh at his attempt of a joke, not able to tell if he was serious or not. You appreciate Principle Dillon trying to relate to you but you wish he would stop trying to be friendly with you. The sooner you can get away from this prison called school the better and these meetings only make the day feel longer.
"I'm trying to look out for you George," he says "I can keep this one off your permanent record but I need you to work with me here." He stands, signally the end of this [[pointless meeting.]]As you leave Principle Dillon's office, you make eye contact with the secretary sitting behind the desk.
"Dillon really tries with you," she says catching you off guard, "ever since he lost his son he tries to make his students feel like they have someone to go to."
Your stomach drops.
You never knew Principle Dillon's son died, let alone that he had one. You always figured he had everything, the perfect job, the perfect family, the perfect life.
But it all makes sense now. The way he tries to joke with you, the fathering way he talks to you, and the occasional reality check which actually makes you think.
You turn back to the door you just left only to see it close behind you.
<b>(color: blue)[~~Call out to Principle Dillon~~]</b>
[[Leave the office]]The final bell rings as you leave the office and the other students begin to fill the halls. You navigate your way to your locker where you see a poster that reads "PEP RALLY 4:00PM BE THERE" in big obnoxious letters. You rip the poster down when you hear someone call your name.
[[Look for who called]]
[[Hide the poster]]
[[Ignore the voice]]You spin around to see a girl branch off from a group of other students and head in your direction. She waves enthusiastically and hurries across the hallway, dodging other students and whipping some with her blonde ponytail.
You instantly recognize your best friend Megan and turn to face her as she gets closer. You met her almost 10 years ago when you moved from Chicago to Evanston because your mom got layed off. Megan just so happened to be your neighbor and closest friend from that day on. Sometimes you questioned how she, being as popular as she is, ended up staying friends with you.
"Hey Megan," you say as she leans against a nearby locker.
"So? How was Mrs. Devil today?" she asks while you put the rest of your books away. You and Megan both have Mrs. Andersen for algebra but luckily you're in different classes so she doesn't have to watch every time you get sent to the office.
"Same old same old I guess. I fell asleep again and had go to Dillon's.
"That guy creeps me out," she says, "it just seems weird that someones *that* friendly yknow?"
[[Agree]]
[[Disagree]]
~~**(color: blue)[Tell Megan about Principle Dillon's son]**~~"HEY, HARLOSER IM TALKIN TO YOU. HEARD YOU GOT SENT TO DILLON'S AGAIN. AREN'T THEY GOING TO EXPELL YOU YET?" a voice shouts from across the hall. Echoed laughs surround you and you know this only means trouble. Putting your last book away, you turn around to see a tall man blocking your way out.
You recognize the body to be Chad by the putrid breathe and axe body spray combo, the guy who makes going to school a living hell. Ever since you stopped doing his homework for him Chad looks for reasons to make you pay.
[[Run]]
[[Fight]]
[[Talk]]You feel like a criminal trying to hide the evidence as you shove the crumpled poster into your locker. The way your day is going only you would get sent to Principle Dillon's again for something dumb like taking a poster down.
After you shoved the poster as far as you can the voice calls again, this time from right behind you. You jump, slamming your head on your locker with a loud **bang**.
"Oh my god, I didn't mean to scare you!" a familiar voice cries. You turn around, rubbing your head, to see your best friend Megan waiting. She outstretches her hand which does nothing but look like shes trying to magically heal your pounding head. Slowly, as you regain your balance and your ears stop ringing, you manage to squeak out a *Hey*.
"I'm so sorry George, I wanted to see if you had anyone to go to the pep rally with. Some friends and I are going so you can sit with us if you want."
[[Go with Megan]]
[[Make up an excuse]] "Yea it is pretty weird," you reply, deciding not to bring up what you learned about Principle Dillon's son earlier. You'd rather not make things awkward by disagreeing with Megan especially because you were hoping she'd ask you to go the pep rally with her.
As if she had read your mind, she asks if you were going to the pep rally and if you wanted to go with her and her friends. You hate school assemblies but it makes you feel better to know that Megan would be there too so you accept the invitation.
[[Next->Go with Megan]]"I think there might be more to it. Like maybe he has other things going on in his life I dunno." You wince as you hate to disagree with your friends, especially Megan, and after a moment of silence she says,
"You know you're right, I never really thought about that. What would I do without you!" You're relieved she didn't get upset and surprised she complimented you at the same time. You would compliment her back but you couldn't put the worlds together without making it awkward.
An awkward moment passes anyways before Megan breaks the silence.
"Hey are you going to the pep rally later? I'm going with some friends if you want to tag along."
[[Go with Megan]]
[[Make up an excuse]]"Sure it sounds fun," you lie. The mass of people and the noise tend to make you uncomfortable but you don't want to dissapoint Megan. You finish storing your books and follow her to where her friends were bunched together. You had met them in the past in similar circumstances and if you were more social perhaps you'd hang out with them more often. After a few minutes of small talk you all migrate to the school gymnasium, a wide brightly lit room with the faint smell of body odor.
You sit through the dances, games, speeches, and the various students advertising their clubs. The science club, with the highest student injury rate, even over any sports team, the book club that has one member, and the debate team that tried (and was expectatly convincing) to recruit you to their team. As they leave Mrs. Andersen takes the podium in the center of the gym.
The debate team retakes their seats near you which causes the rickity old bleachers to let out a massive *creeeeak*. It's really a shock they haven't collapsed yet but at this school it's only a matter of time until something else goes wrong.
[[Next->Gym]]You're a lot smaller than Chad, maybe you can slip past him if you're fast enough. At the first chance, you try to dart under the massive right arm but it catches you, slamming you against your locker. You hit something metal and you can feel blood running down your back.
"Did you really think it would be that easy Georgey?" he taunts, "I warned you this would happen if you ratted me out."
You can't remember what he's talking about but the sharp pain going down your back doesn't make it any easier.
[[Try to reason with Chad->Talk]]
[[Call for help]]Maybe it was Mrs. Andersen or Principle Dillon, or maybe being tired has shortened your fuse, but you decide enough is enough. The chance of beating Chad are little to none but maybe if you stick up for yourself he'll leave you alone.
Chad takes another step towards you and now is your chance.
[[Punch]]
[[Kick->End2]]"Hey man, I'm not looking for any trouble just let me go and you won't hear from me ever again okay?" He pauses but you can tell words aren't going to get through that thick skull of his.
[[Call for help]]
[[Fight]]"Sorry, I have a really bad headache," you lie, "I think I'm just gonna go home and get some rest"
"Oh. Thats okay," she says sadly, "hope ya feel better."
You feel bad watching Megan walk away but pep rallies were never your scene. You'd rather not be crammed into a gymnasium with a bunch of loud people you don't know.
[[Next->End1]]"Help!" you shout, hoping somebody hears you.
It's pathetic, you know, but it's better than having the crap beaten out of you. You don't have much of a reputation here anyways. No one comes. No knight in shining armor, no guardian angel.
Chad pulls his arm back and you brace as you know your world is about to get rocked. You close your eyes and wince but the blow never connects.
[[Next->Next Fight]]The rest of the night goes by in a blur and the next morning you wake up to hear that school had been canceled for a week. Apparently there had been a commotion at the pep rally which makes you especially glad you decided to go straight home. A part of you wonders what could've happened to cancel school but the side that takes advantage of the day off to play videogames is much stronger.
**End**Balling your fist, you bring it up and into the side of Chad's cheak. Gasps fill the hallways and it goes dead silent. The impact feels like you've broken your hand so surely he must have felt something too.
Chad's look of surprise quickly turns into one of pure anger and you know you've made a mistake. This time Chad pulls his arm back and you brace as you know your world is about to get rocked. You close your eyes and wince but the blow never connects.
[[Next->Next Fight]]With all your might you kick Chad right between the legs as he lets out a whimpering cry. Falling to his knees you can tell he's lost more than just his pride and that its time for you to leave. Shutting your locker you weave through the crowd and to the bus so you can go home and start a new day.
The next morning you wake up to find out school was canceled for the week. You're a little dissapointed that you don't get to see Chad the day after you publicly humilated him but you can use the time off to take a nap and catch up on sleep.
**End**Openning your eyes you find Principle Dillon with Chad's fist in his outstretched hand. You're not sure who is more surprised at this moment you or Chad.
"Chad. My office. Now." Principle Dillon booms as the crowd disperses. Dillon gives you one quick look before walking away which you now understand as you squeak out a "Thank you."
From the dissolving crowd comes Megan, your best friend since you moved to Woodland. A short girl compared to you, she made up for it in spirit and street smarts, things you never had. But you get along nonetheless and shes been your friend for over 10 years.
"I'm guessing you saw that?" you ask her.
"Only the end. That was pretty stupid you know." she teases.
"I know I just... lost my cool."
"How about you come to the pep rally with me, that'll get your mind off of it?" Megan offers.
[[Go with Megan]]
[[Make up an excuse]]"Students of Woodland High!" she booms. "Have you ever wanted to be apart of something bigger than yourselves?!" You joke to Megan that this seems more like a Hitler or Stalin speach but she looks too shaken by Mrs. Andersen's shouting. "Today is the beginning of a new era! And it starts with you!"
As she finishes her sentence a pitch black wave shoots out from her body in every direction!
[[Next->DUCK]][[Duck!]]
(live: 1s)[(goto: "You didn't duck")]You quickly throw yourself into the recession in the bleachers when another body lands on top of you. Megan is inches from your face, holding a finger over her lips telling you to stay quiet. You silently nod and peer through a hole in the bleachers to see Mrs. Andersen in the center of the gym holding a black pitchfork with two red horns now attached to her head.
*You've gotta be fucking kidding me. She really is the devil*.
From your peephole you can tell Mrs. Devil isn't looking in your direction but is instead focused on something on the opposite side of the gymnasium.
(text-style: "smear")["Did you really think you could stop me Dillon?"] she shouts raising one hand. (text-style: "smear")["You were always one step behind!"]
*Dillon? What does he have to do with this?* You're quickly answered as Mrs. Devil shoots a beam of black light and from out of your peephole's view, a beam of bright white light meets it midair. She turns away from the blast and thats when she stares right at you.
[[Next->Duck2]]You didn't move fast enough and the wave quickly engulfs you. Your vision goes black before you stumble over and pass out.
[[Next->End3]]You regain consciousness in the gymnasium, standing in rows with your schoolmates. You try to turn to the left but have no control over your body. You're stuck facing forward where Mrs. Andersen is pacing evilly and cackling, now with two large horns protruding from her head and a golden pitchfork in one hand. *Wow, she really was the devil* you think to yourself *and now I'm her servant*.
**End**(text-style: "smear")["YOU"] she yells, raising her hand to blast you when another white beam hits her leg, vaporizing it and causing the beam to hit the floor next to you. Mrs. Devil screams in agony before a blob emerges from the wound and starts to regenerate her leg.
"Get out of here! Thats an order!" you hear Principle Dillon yell from across the gym. Megan is on here feet, helping you to yours before bolting towards the gymnasium doors. You quickly follow as Mrs. Devil attempts to shoot you again.
With a full view of the battle you can see Principle Dillon now has large white wings coming from his back and he shoots another beam to intercept Mrs. Devil's, saving you. It causes another bright flash of light which disorients you but Megan grabs your arm and leads you out the doors and into the empty hallway. You pull her back for a moment.
[[What the hell is going on?!]]"What the hell is going on?!" you shout at Megan.
"There's no time to explain George," she says quickly.
"You knew?! About that, about him?"
"Not everything, but we have to get our of he..." she starts before Mrs. Devil comes crashing through the wall, spotting you again. Her arms are both regenerating which would give you time to escape. But she might also be vulnerable, whatever she is.
[[Run->End4]]
[[Stay]]"Okay, lets go," you tell Megan as she leads you down another hallway. Answers can wait and you can't get any answers if Mrs. Devil kills you.
**End**"Can you do that, what Dillon did?" you ask Megan.
"No, but you can," she says, placing a glowing hand on your chest. You take a step back but feel your back start to tingle.
"What did you, whats going on?" you ask as like Principle Dillon, you sprout a pair of white wings.
"What the fuck!" you yell while Mrs. Devil picks herself up to one knee, her second arm almost done regenerating.
"Just do what I do" Megan instructs as she holds her arm out with her hand open and her palm facing Mrs. Devil, now on her feet. You copy her movements aiming your hand at the same target but nothing happens.
"Now what?" you stutter.
"You have to think about something that makes you truly happy, anything but it has to been deep from your heart."
[[Next->End5]]You think and think but your mind comes up blank. Everything is moving in slow motion as you search your brain for something, anything like Megan said. You try thinking of your mom, your dog but Mrs. Devil is now raising her arm at you, charging up a black beam of whatever. You try Megan, Principle Dillon but nothing happens.
Then you remember Principle Dillon's son and how rude you were to Dillon anyways. You think about the two shitty jobs you work just to help pay for food. You think about your dad that left 10 years ago and shattered your life. You think about how your math teacher is trying to kill you right now. You think about how you're never happy.
You hate (link: "your jobs")[**your jobs**
(link: "your school")[**your school**
(link: "your life")[**your life**
(link: "yourself.")[**yourself**.
You let out a guttural cry as a thick black ray springs from your hand, consuming Mrs. Devil's blast, hitting and vaporizing her, and knocking you out.
**To be continued**]]]]