After the morning surprise of realizing they were in the same school, Max, Sierra, and Alex exchanged amused glances and a few quiet chuckles before heading off to their respective classrooms. As it turned out, Alex and Sierra were assigned to the same class, while Max was just a few doors down in a different section.
Homeroom began as expected—slow, formal, and dragging. The students buzzed with quiet conversations and half-hearted attention as the homeroom teacher stood at the front of the class.
"Everyone, settle down," she said, her voice firm but not unfriendly. "We have a new student joining us today. Sierra Monroe, would you please introduce yourself?"
Sierra walked to the front of the room with calm steps. She could feel dozens of eyes on her, but she stood tall.
"Hi," she said simply. "I'm Sierra. Just moved here this week. I like running, reading, and... not public speaking."
A few polite chuckles echoed in the room. The teacher smiled.
"Thank you, Sierra. You can take the seat by the window, next to Alex."
Sierra nodded and walked back down the aisle. Alex gave her a small wave as she sat beside him.
Class began in earnest. Notes. Lectures. Slides. The monotony quickly settled in.
Alex tried to focus, but his thoughts wandered—flashing back to the pod, the symbiote, and the strange calm that had filled his body that morning. Everything felt... heightened. Sharper.
He was mid-daydream when the teacher's voice cut through.
"Mr. Alex Carter?"
He blinked. "Uh... yes?"
"Would you care to answer the question I just asked?"
A beat of silence. Alex hesitated.
"Thought not," the teacher said. "If you have so much time to spare on daydreaming, you might consider donating some to my lecture."
Laughter rippled through the class.
Alex flushed and quickly covered his face with his textbook. Sierra gave him a sympathetic side glance.
Finally, the bell rang for break. Alex turned to Sierra. "Cafeteria?"
"Definitely. Let's find Max."
They walked to the cafeteria together, blending into the stream of hungry students. Inside, Max was already waiting by a table.
"You guys took long enough," Max said, grinning. "I've been guarding this table like it's a throne."
"We were assaulted by academic boredom," Alex replied.
They each took turns grabbing food from the counter. Sierra returned with a tray of salad and fruit, Max with a triple-layer sandwich.
Alex had just gotten his tray when he felt a hard smack on the back. He stumbled, nearly dropping his food—but with surprising reflexes, he managed to catch the tray mid-tilt, keeping everything intact.
He spun around.
Dylan. Smirking.
"Oops," Dylan said insincerely. "Didn't see you there."
Alex clenched his jaw but said nothing. He walked past Dylan and joined Max and Sierra.
"That guy again?" Sierra asked.
Alex nodded. "Just a mosquito in human form."
"Next time, I'll lend you my stun gun," Max offered.
They laughed, lightening the mood as they ate.
"So, we're still on for 3 p.m.?" Max asked, munching on a chip.
"Absolutely," Alex said.
"Don't be late," Sierra warned. "No excuses."
After lunch, they returned to their respective classes. The second half of the day dragged on like molasses. When the final bell rang, Alex felt the relief wash over him.
He walked toward his locker, already dreaming of the meeting spot, when a blur came flying at him.
Instinct kicked in. He ducked.
A stinky, half-rotten gym ball smashed into his locker.
Alex turned, scowling.
Three guys were snickering at the end of the hallway.
"You morons don't have anything better to do than be walking clichés?" Alex snapped.
One of them stepped forward. "Hey, chill. One of our boys just scored a new girl. He's throwing a party. We're inviting you. Consider it... an apology."
"Not interested. Don't bother me again."
He turned to leave—but a hand grabbed his shoulder.
"Bro," one of them said, tone darker. "That wasn't a request."
Alex turned slowly, eyes hard. "Oh really? And what exactly are you going to do if I say no again?"
The hallway had gone silent. Most students were already gone. Only the fluorescent lights buzzed above them.
"Come... or get ready for a beat down," another said, cracking his knuckles.
Alex sighed dramatically. "I'm so sorry. I'd like to take... the third option."
"Third option?"
"Yeah. The 'walk away and let me live in peace' option."
The biggest of the three lunged, trying to grab Alex's collar.
To Alex, it was like the world slowed.
He easily caught the guy's wrist with one hand, pushed with the other—and sent him flying into a row of lockers.
The other two didn't hesitate. They came in swinging.
Alex ducked, jabbed one in the ribs, spun, and landed a clean uppercut on the second.
Within seconds, all three were groaning on the floor.
Alex grabbed his bag and walked off without looking back.
At the end of the hallway, he spotted Sierra leaning against the wall.
"That was... interesting," she said, eyebrow raised.
Alex blinked. "How long were you standing there?"
"Long enough. Do you always fight like that?"
"Not even close. Yesterday, I got jumped and almost lost."
"Yeah, I remember. You weren't exactly Captain America."
"Thanks for the reminder. But today... I don't know. Everything feels sharper. Clearer."
Sierra looked at him closely. "Maybe your body's catching up to your sarcasm."
They both laughed.
As they exited the building, the sun was beginning to dip in the sky. They stood near the front gate.
"So—3 p.m.?" Alex said.
"3 p.m.," Sierra confirmed.
"Let's hope Max isn't waiting there since lunch."
They waved goodbye and split off in different directions, each silently wondering what else this strange new chapter might bring.