DIFFERENT FONT STYLES USED:
"STORYLINE" "'SPECIAL SKILLS OR MOVES'" "SPEAKER" "SPEECH" "THOUGHT"
SCENE: Welstar Middle School. (few years prior)
DIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The school bell rings as the students go to their various classes and take their seats. In one of these particular classrooms, a teacher tries to regulate the class and settle the kids down.
Ms. Thebeth: (does some short claps) Alright. Settle down children, settle down. (the students all take their seats) Now. Everyone we have a new student with us today. (waves her hands towards the door) Please welcome…Angelie.
The teacher – Caline Thebeth – is a pretty attractive woman of a average height for a middle-aged adult. Has long, black hair with streaks of highlights worn back, tied with red hairband and hazel eyes. She dresses professionally in a black dress suit over a white dress shirt complete with a pair of black frame glasses. The tweens all towards the door to see the door open, in walks a very pretty, young girl walk in. All the kids look on with expressions of admiration at her. The girl – about the same age as them – her long, wavy ginger hair flows in the breeze as she walks. Her brilliant-purple eyes shine in the light like a pair of amethyst gems, her skin looking soft and smooth like butter, her cute smile piercing through their hearts like a love arrow. She wears a white, short-sleeved shirt under a black, frilly, sleeveless, knee-length dress with white knee-length socks and black school shoes. She stands in front of the class and waves at them with her cute, shy smile.
Angelie: (speaking coyly) Hello everyone. I'm Angelie Chante. (bows to them) Nice to meet you all. (the whole class practically cheers)
Girl #1: Wow! She's so pretty.
Girl #2: Is she a model.
Kenji: Haha. We finally got pretty girl in our class.
Everyone fawns over the new girl; well not everyone. Four kids didn't react at the girl's presence like they won lotteries. One being a stern-looking girl with short, fluffy, blonde hair who just looked annoyed at the attention she received, another a girl with long, pink hair just smiles at the scene in ignorant bliss; not understanding what was happening. The third a boy with short, black hair just smiles with disinterest at the news, more interested with what's on his phone, and the last an attractive-looking boy with short, neatly combed, golden-blonde hair with natural highlights and bluebell eyes, wearing a black polo under a white jacket and blue jeans just stares out the window next to his seat; complete and utter apathy for the situation plastered on his very being.
Laz: Geez. You'd think they've never seen a girl in class before.
Later after class, all the kids huddle around Angelie, fawning over her as the chat with and compliment.
Girl: Your hair's so pretty.
Boy: You really are pretty.
Angelie: (giggles cutely) Thank you.
Chloe: (scowls at the scene and scoffs) What simps. Acting like she's some angel or something.
The girl, Chloe is of average height for a middle schooler with smooth skin, fluffy, blonde hair and hard, serious, silver eyes. She wears a sunlight-yellow blouse on top of a pair of black capris pants and white shoes.
Iris: (puts a confused finger to her lips) Angel?
Iris, a cute, petite girl, a head shorter than her female friend. Her hair, back-length and bubblegum pink with mint eyes. She wears a hot-pink t-shirt, a pale-pink, knee-length skirt, black tights and matching slip-ons.
Kane: (scrolling through his innegram; not looking up) What's wrong Chloe? Jealous? Well it is not everyday a pretty, innocent-looking girl arrives in class. (Chloe scoffs angrily at him)
Kane, a young boy standing about a few inches above Chloe, having a short black hair and blue eyes. He wears a black jacket over a white t-shirt with gray jeans and black shoes.
Laz: (amused) Awe…is the school's queen feeling threatened by the new girl?
Chloe: (growls angrily at him) You say something brat?!
Laz: (feigning ignorance) Did I?
Laz has neatly combed back blonde her and bluebell eyes, standing about at equal height with Kane. He wears a white t-shirt under a purple sleeveless jacket with black sleeves, blue jeans, white sneakers and a white, wide-brim hat.
Kenji: (laughs) You're just bitter. (Chloe growls in even more anger)
Kenji, a boy tall and fit for middle school, stands about a head taller than Laz and Kane, with short, spiky reddish-orange hair and brown eyes. He wears a pale orange t-shirt with green horizontal stripes with ash jeans and white sneakers.
Laz: (leans back in his seat, crossing his feet on his table and his arms behind his head) I get what you mean though. I've never seen anyone simp so hard over a pretty face they literally just met.
Kane: You say that, but you're probably curious about her as well.
Laz: Sure. Tell yourself that. (smirks) But it is pretty petty to get jealous over a someone else's 15 minutes of fame.
Chloe: (gets up quickly, her chair skidding as she points a hateful index and middle finger at him; glowing with white light) You wanna go you brat?!
DIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ms. Thebeth: (walks back into the class) Alright students. Get back to your seats. (everyone quietly rushes to their seats; including Chloe, who still grumbles hatefully)
TIME: Two weeks later.
One afternoon, some of the students carry out cleaning duty; Angelie included. The ginger-haired girl cleans the windows but struggles to reach a high spot; a taller male classmate comes to her aid.
Boy:I'll help you. (takes the rag from her and gets to work)
Angelie: Thank you.
Ms. Thebeth: (chuckles) Wow. You sure are popular. It's hard to believe you've only being around a couple of weeks.
Angelie: (giggles cutely with a warm, grateful smile) I'm glad. To be honest, my family travels a lot, so I naturally have to follow them. I never stayed in a school for too long, so I never got keep any friends I made; soon I stopped trying at all. But we're finally able settle down somewhere and no longer have to travel anymore. I can finally make friends, but after so long of not making friends, I'm not so confident anymore; so I'm really happy to be accepted by everyone.
Ms. Thebeth: I'm you're finally having a proper school experience. (as the two talk, some students begin moving desks out of the way to sweep the floors; one of them carries a desk to move it, when a compact mirror fell out unto the floor)
Girl #1: (notices) Huh?
Girl #2: What is it?
Girl #1: Something fell out Lazarus' desk. (picks it up) It's Angelie's.
TIME: The next day.
Ms. Thebeth interrogates Laz in the middle of the class, or should I say in front of the class; right in front of the other students.
Ms. Thebeth: I'm not angry with you, Lazarus. But you should know that stealing from others is wrong. If you be honest and just apologize, I'll overlook it. (turns to Angelie, who's standing right next to her) What do you say, Angelie?
Angelie: (a bit flustered) I-I'm not mad. I'm sure it's was all an accident. If he's sorry then--
Laz: There's nothing to apologize about. (this statement surprises everyone; he looks up at the two with a straight and unamused face, speaking as calmly as if he was being interrogated for sneaking cookies out of the jar) Apologizing would mean accepting that I stole it, but I didn't take anything.
Ms. Thebeth: (getting annoyed; clearly not believing him) Then why was it found in your desk?
Laz: (tilts his head to the side ever so slightly) Who knows. Maybe someone planted it.
Ms. Thebeth: (now speaking more sternly; close to yelling) Lazarus! This kind of thing constitutes as theft; which is a crime! Just tell me the truth--!
Laz: What truth? The truth that actually happened? Or the truth you want?
Ms. Thebeth: (stunned) …
Angelie: (frantically gets in between them) W-wait! Wait!! Please don't fight. (turns to Ms. Thebeth) Maybe you should properly explain it to him.
Laz: Say what you want; it wasn't me.
Ms. Thebeth: Lazarus! If you don't tell the truth, I'll call your parents!
Laz: Do as you wish. Only a fool would own up to crime they don't even know anything about.
Ms. Thebeth: What a troublesome child. He really doesn't understand that what he did was wrong. He probably just stole it because he was curious about Angelie; but I need to make the students understand the difference between right and wrong. I'll do it you know, I'll contact your parents.
Laz: You're so persistent it's annoying. I already said "do whatever you want".
Angelie: (frantically tries to keep the peace) M-Ms. Thebeth, there's no need to take it that far.
Ms. Thebeth: (yells at her) If I can't get through to him, I'll have to let his parents scold him! What he did is against the law! If I overlook it, this might repeat itself! I have to harden my heart for his sake.
Angelie: (shakily) B-but…
Laz: (raises a hand slightly) Sorry, are we done here? I'm tired of standing. Plus, my friends are waiting for me, my chauffeur's not picking me up today.
Ms. Thebeth: (yelling again) Were not done yet!
Kenji: He's a thief! A freaking thief!
Boy: Just apologize already!
Chloe: I can't believe he stole a girl's mirror; how gross.
Ms. Thebeth: (flinches at this statement and watches the students begin to gossip; realizing her mistake)Oh no. This is bad. I should have addressed it privately after everyone had left. I'm sure this is hurting him too. If everyone now thinks Lazarus is a thief…
TIME: Later, after the interrogation.
Lazarus exits the building to meet three kids who seem to be waiting for him. The only boy among them – with a vertical electric-blue streak down the front of his hair and matching eyes, wearing a dark-gray t-shirt, blue jeans and black slip-ons; wearing a khaki backpack – is first to notice him.
Neil: 'bout time Laz. What took you so long? (the other two – two girls – also turn to see him)
Laz: Sorry I kept you guys waiting. (one girl – with burnt-orange hair tied up in high, twin tails with pink scrunchies and green eyes; she wears a white, button-up shirt alongside a pink, knee-length skirt, with white socks and red shoes – notices Laz looks a little solemn)
Candy: (tilts her head in concern) What's wrong Laz? You look upset. (Laz spends two minutes explaining what had happened; she gets mad, angrily shaking her hands) Are you kidding me?! Who does that?! (the other girl – one with short, combed-back, strawberry-blonde hair and brown eyes; her outfit consisting of pink sweats over a white t-shirt and brown sandals – also expresses total rage)
Mavy: She's right! How could they accuse you of stealing?! You'd never take anything that isn't yours! Those guys are awful!
Laz: You believe me?
Candy: (speaks with angry, childish energy) Yeah! I know for a fact you wouldn't do bad things.
Neil: (expresses no visible emotion) … I don't know about that. But I do know that what they're accusing you of isn't just wrong, it's absolutely impossible. You were with us immediately after school ended yesterday; not unless cloning's one of your skills there's no way you could have stolen anything.
Mavy: Yeah! We all played in the park and had ice cream.
Laz: Thanks guys. (the girls laugh while Neil just nods expressionlessly) Still though. I don't understand how that ended up in my desk.
Neil: (puts a hand to his chin in thought, rest the elbow on the other hand) That's true. I wonder who put it there? Mirrors don't just move on their own.
Mavy: Could someone had mistaken it for yours?
Laz: It was a girl's compact mirror.
Neil: You say the girl said it went missing yesterday after school, right? If someone planted it in your desk, then they would have had to have still been in school even after they was over.
Candy: "Planted"? You mean--? (Neil shrugs in uncertainty)
Laz: Why would someone try to frame me though?
Neil: Why do people what they do?
SCENE: La rose Mansion.
RRRRRUUUUUUUUUU. RRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.
Nathaniel: Hello? La rose residence. (distinct mechanical speech) Oh? Ms. Thebeth? (distinct mechanical speech) You sound upset, what's wrong? (distinct mechanical speech; he looks shocked) What?!
In the dining room, Laz seats at the table, doing his homework; Emilia standing next to him. Nathaniel – a tall pale-skinned, stern-looking man, with short, brushed-back, blue-black hair, decorated with highlights and a thin lock down either side of his forehead over his purple eyes; his outfit consisting of a dark-blue, button-up dress jacket buttoned over a purple V-neck and dark-blue dress pants and black shoes – walks into room, looking concerned.
Laz: (tapping his light pen on his holoscreen booklet, trying figure out the polynomial questions on the screen) Hmmm. So, that's 4P7 + 4--
Nathaniel: Uh, Master Lazarus?
Laz: (turns to face him…) Hmmm?
Nathaniel: I just got a call from your homeroom teacher; did you really steal from your classmate?
Emilia: (shocked) What?
Laz: (clearly annoyed at the second round of intimidation) No! I didn't!
Nathaniel: Are you sure? Your teacher sounded really concerned--
Laz: So it's my word against hers, is it?
Nathaniel: (getting a little annoyed, himself) This isn't about he said, she said; if there's a problem then say it, if you need something then let us know. There's no need to ste--
Emilia: Nathaniel!
Laz: (now angry) Ah, I see. So you don't believe me either then. (the older man flinches at this as Laz packs his things and leaves the room) As I figured, I can only rely on myself. (the two adults turn to watch him leave, worried expressions on their faces; he stops for a moment…) Sorry for inconveniencing you. I didn't take anything and there's no point in stealing from an outsider when the only I actually want in this house can't only be given to those whose live here. But again, I'm sorry, I deal with it
as soon as possible.
Emilia: W-wait! Master Lazarus! We do believe you!
Laz: (unconvinced) Oh…really? Thank you.
Nathaniel: (feels guilty, like he just made a mistake) …
SCENE: Welstar Middle School. (the next day)
Laz arrives at school and walks to his desk only to find it vandalized. He finds it thrashed, as in literally covered in thrash, the face filled with crudely written words: liar, thief, criminal, disgusting.e.t.c. His books totally destroyed. He turns to the student – a pale-skinned girl with pink hair and blue eyes – sitting next to him.
Laz: (points to his desk) Hey, do you know who did this to my desk.
Hannabel: (hugs her desk protectively) Stealing other peoples stuff is disgusting! don't you dare touch my stuff! (everyone begins talking about him again, gossiping about him with him there)
Student #1: Stupid.
Student #2: Ugh! It's the thief.
Student #3: I'm scared. What if he steals my stuff? (throughout all of this, Angelie watched the situation, feeling bad for him but intervene since she also believe he's the thief)
Ms. Thebeth: (walks into the room) Good morning, students.
Laz: (walks up to her) Ms. Thebeth.
Ms. Thebeth: Hmm? What is it?
Laz: My desk was vandalized.
Ms. Thebeth: (shocked) What?! (looks at his desk and sees the damage)Oh no! how awful! The bullying has already started! (looks down in guilt) Not good! It's because I recklessly accused him in front of everyone. (looks up to the class in anger) Who did this to Lazarus' desk?!
Kane: Isn't it just karma? That's what he gets for being a thief.
Kenji: Thieves are also liars; don't you think he's just lying?
Ms. Thebeth: (watches them smirk without any remorse) This is terrible. The notion takes hold that he's someone they can bully without any guilt. (grits her teeth) Bullying is a major issue no proper teacher should turn a blind eye to. I can't let this continue. (speaks out firmly) Everyone--
Laz: I'll give you all a week; fix this, all I'll make you regret. (this shocks Ms. Thebeth and Angelie; he glares at them with unshaking resolve and something else, something dangerous) I'll say it again, a week!
Kane: (mockingly) What? You gonna steal something too?
Girl: Aren't you just trying to cover-up the fact that you're a thief?
Iris: (giggles) He's the worst.
Laz: (his glare intensifies and he smiles internally; the kind of predatorial smile that looks like a wild animal stalking a wound prey practically begging it to finish it off) Very well. Since you're all in this together; no one will be spared.(they laugh in mockery)
Boy #1: (feigning concern) Oh…I'm so scared.
Kenji: Bring it on, criminal!
Ms. Thebeth: We'll-we'll do some self-study today. Lazarus, meet me afterschool.
TIME: Later after the first few classes.
Laz walks down the school halls, but everyone stares at him, whispering. It seems the transgression of his classroom had spread throughout the school and now everyone knows; no doubt Kane's doing. He walks too his locker but gets shoved into a row of lockers at his side. Everyone laughs; Laz looks up to see Kenji grinning cruelly at him.
Laz: (glares at him) Hmmmm.
Kenji: (laughs mockingly) Oh sorry crook. Didn't see you there. (his group of sycophants laugh after him)
Boy: Good one Kenji. (the boys continue to laugh as Laz gets back up with a murderous glare at them, grips his fist tightly as bolts of electricity dance through it; but before he could do anything…)
Kenji: What?! What you gonna do thi-- (…gets a foot to the face that sends him flying straight down the hall like a bullet; this shocks everyone, but what really shocks them is the sight of the perpetrator)
Neil: (speaks with a stoic, but clearly pissed expression) You must all be tired of living. (silence fills the corridor as everyone watches in disbelief at someone defending Laz who visibly calms down)
Boy: Hey Matrix! Don't you know you're defending a thief?! (Neil shoots him a death glare that feels like it's more death than glare, literally as he releases his bloodlust; causing the boy's legs to shake like leaves in the wind before collapsing on his rump)
Neil: (turns to face the rest) Get lost, now! (not needing to be told twice, they all scurry away)
Kenji: (gets back up, rubbing his cheek with a growl) You little brat, YOU'RE DEAD! (turns into a red-coated bull and charges at him)
Neil lunges forward and flips forward, grabbing him by his horns and uses his own momentum to flip him into the air and throws him out the hallway window. The bull-boy turns back to just boy as he screams in shock as he touches earth; not dead, not injured, but definitely very hurt. He groans as he struggles to get back up; grabbing his side.
Neil: (turns back to Laz) 'kay?
Laz: (nods) Yeah. Thanks.
Neil: For what? Jumping in to save you? Or jumping in before you had to save yourself?
Laz: Both. I was this close… (presses his thumb and index finger barely an inch apart) …from snapping had you not shown up when you did.
Neil: (puts his hands into his pockets) As I figured, you're playing your mind games again, aren't you?
Laz: (shoots him his toothy, predatorial smile; the kind of smile that makes you realizes too late that you're not the hunter, you're the prey and you've just fallen into a trap) I can't help it. You know how I am.
Neil: … This story will surely have quite the ending.
TIME: Later in his homeroom after school.
Laz, Angelie and their homeroom teacher stand alone together in the empty classroom.
Ms. Thebeth: Lazarus, are you alright?
Laz: (tilts his head to the side in confusion) Hmmm?
Ms. Thebeth: (knees in front of him, putting her hands on his shoulders comfortingly) It's okay Lazarus. I'll be sure to protect you. After we finish talking, we'll fix your desk together, okay?
Laz: There's no need for that.
Ms. Thebeth: Rather than being stubborn, you should put your trust in your teacher.
Laz: Trust is a two-way street. How can I trust you if don't trust me?
Ms. Thebeth: Lazarus!
Laz: (ignores her and turns to the classmate standing by their side) Angelie…
Angelie: (caught off-guard by suddenly being called) ?!
Laz: …when did you first notice your mirror was gone?
Angelie: (gets nervous as she frantically racks her brain to think of the answer) Ah…um!
Ms. Thebeth: Is that why he requested she be here as well? To interrogate her?
Angelie: I think…it was after school, the day before yesterday.
Laz: The day before yesterday? After school? Are you sure?
Angelie: I-I don't think I'm mistaken.
Laz: Hmmm. If that's the case, then that's definitely strange because I left school as soon as it ended for the day. I instructed my driver not to pick me up so that I could go home with hang out with my friends after school. There's absolutely no way I could have possibly stolen anything from you.
Angelie: (surprised) Eh…? I-is that so? Then maybe it was after sixth period.
Laz: You literally just said it was after school. Now you're saying it was after sixth period?
Angelie: (stutters in panic…) I-I… (…panic that Laz instantly picks up on)
Laz: Are you lying, Angelie?
Angelie: (frantic and panicking) I…I didn't lie?! I--
Ms. Thebeth: (grips his shoulders tightly) Lazarus, you're still going on about that?! I admit I was wrong to blame you in front of everyone like that; but listen, it's just your teacher here. If you apologize properly, I can become your ally and help you. I'll properly scold those kids who bullied you.
Angelie: Listen Lazarus, I'm not mad, and Ms. Thebeth is your ally too. If you're interested in me, that makes me happy; but you know it's wrong to take something that isn't yours, right.
Laz: I already told you; I'm never apologizing for something I never did. (the two women look like they're about to retort, but he cuts them off) Besides, I don't need an ally; I just need you two to listen. (summons a rolled-up piece of paper and unrolls it to shows a detailed documentation of the past events) Both of you, look at this. Angelie, I'll ask again: "when did your belongings go missing?"
Ms. Thebeth: (finally loses her last shred of patience…) ENOUGH ALREADY! (…and slaps the documentation on the floor, causing it to be ripped up while the force of the attack causes a startled Laz to stumble backwards)
Angelie: Lazarus! (tries to reach out to catch him, but misses and he collapses to the floor; Ms. Thebeth's eyes widen in shock and disbelief at her own actions)
Laz: (sighs in acceptance and speaks in a cold, detached tone) Wow…and I put a lot of effort into that as well. Now I get it, it was my fault, wasn't it?
Ms. Thebeth: (apologetic) L-Lazarus, I'm sorry. I got carried away with my emo--
Laz: Neither of you care about the truth at all, do you? If that's the case, you should have just said from the start that it would being problematic if I wasn't at fault. Not, not problematic, inconvenient. (gets back up and briefly crouches down again to pick up the piece of face and begin tearing it up) I feel like an idiot for even making this. Of course, I should've known words alone would be useless in a world where people only really care about looking for someone to antagonize rather than acknowledging the truth. (turns to them, facing his teacher…) My real mistake was expecting you to act like a proper teacher…
Ms. Thebeth: !!
Laz: (…then Angelie) …and expecting you to act like a decent classmate.
Angelie: … (both look at with expressions of pure guilt)
Laz: (shoots them both an icy-cold glare) As it turns out, I can't count on anyone but myself in this class.
After this…confrontation, Laz exits the room and then the school. In the class, Ms. Thebeth stares out with window, a guilty expression on her face. Behind her, Angelie collapses to the floor with a devastated look on her face.
Angelie: Why? Why did it end up like this? Just a few days ago, things were going well, everything was perfect. I finally got to attend school properly, made friends, it all went well.
After a while, she makes her way to the school entrance to leave when she notices something out of the corner of her eye; she walks up to a trash can, where she finds crumbled up paper ball. She notices the crude scribbles of writing on it and gasps in instant realization at what it is: the piece of paper Laz had tried to show them earlier. The next few days that follow are what anyone would refer to as – in no uncertain terms – a living hell for Laz. He gets bullied by his classmates, in particular Chloe, Iris, Kenji and Kane; or to be more precise, Chloe and Kenji – along with his little band of misfits – actually do the bullying, Kane records it all and posts it on the school group chat, while Iris just plays chaotic-neutral supporter.
Mavy and Candy watch this with solemn looks on their faces, wanting to help but being forced not to, not because they don't want to get involved, but Neil had already told them beforehand not to intervene, and to trust Laz for now; stating that he knows what he's doing and they would just get in his way by intervening. Being fully aware of Laz's antics and personality, they understand the best way to help him is to just grit their teeth and bear it. Meanwhile, Angelie spends the entire week piecing back together the paper Laz had thrown away; finally finished, she takes a good look at it in shock as realizes what it is.
Angelie: This is…Oh no!
TIME: The next day; just before the first period.
Angelie arrives early to school to meet the homeroom teacher in the teacher's lounge and show it to her.
Ms. Thebeth: (surprised) Angelie? You're early today.
Angelie: Ms. Thebeth, you need to see this. (shows it to her)
Ms. Thebeth: (takes it from her and reads it) This… (realizes in horror what it is) …is Lazarus' schedule of that day? What? But that's…
"After the last period at the end of the school day by 4:00 PM. I prepared tomorrow's morning duty and then met up with Neil, Mavy and Candy; I couldn't really bring myself to care enough for it but whatever. On the way out, we walked pass Principal Vindico and greeted him. Afterwards we went to the park and bought ice cream."
Ms. Thebeth: He memorized and documented every bit of that day?
Angelie: It…it wasn't Lazarus? If so, then who…? E-Everything I said to him, everything I did.
Ms. Thebeth: Angelie, please calm down. Look at this part here… (grabs her hand leads her out of the room) …let's go confirm this with the principal.
In the principal's office, they arrive in the office and find him in there; doing some paperwork. They ask him about Laz, even showing a picture of him in the yearbook. Principal Vindico – an even older male with short graying hair and copper eyes – examines the photo.
Principal: Oh, this boy? Yes, I remember him. He's a good kid who always greeted me properly and spoke with respect to me. I met him as he walking home with three other kids that day, he was holding hands with one of the girls; the one with brown hair, I think. They greeted as they left. It was right before the last end-of-school bell…so about just after 4, I believe.
Angelie: (feels with horror as realization dawns on her, she bursts into tears as she collapses to her knees) Oh no! What have I done?!
Principal: (surprised) What's going?! What's wrong?!
Angelie: Everything…all of it was a mistake.
Ms. Thebeth: (puts her hands to her shoulders to comfort her)This is all my fault.He was right about everything from the very beginning. Why didn't I believe him? Why didn't I just try to hear him out? I refused to believe him, regardless of what he said, or did. Oh my god?
Angelie: I can't believe what I did to him. Even if I feel remorse now, it's too late now.
During this time, back in class. The other students – like housewives in the marketplace – begin gossiping about Laz, who sits in his sit, trying to exist in his own space.
Student #1:Poor Hannabel, having to sit next to a thief.
Student #2: It's gross having to see that thief's face first thing in the morning.
Student #3: Get lost thief.
Laz: (having had enough, he sighs calmly…)Alright. (…gets up abruptly; startling everyone)Time for beginning of the end. Times up! (the startled reactions only last a second and quickly dissipates and they begin mocking him again)
Student #1: Oh no, he's mad.
Student #2: This is bad, he might kill us.
Student #3: (chuckles) So he's not just a thief, he is also murderer?
Laz: (ignores them)You know, I really hated being alone; but I would prefer being alone to having enemies. But I guess it can't be helped. (leaves the room)
Kane: Where's he going?
Kenji: Who cares.
Chloe: (scoffs) Even if he throws a fit, what's he gonna do all by himself? (Iris chuckles; after a while, Ms. Thebeth and Angelie finally return to the room, but Laz never did)
After the first few classes, the students head to their class locker room to get their gym clothes but find they're all gone.
Kenji: Huh? What gives? My gym clothes are gone.
Boy #1: Eh? Really?
Girl #1: My gym clothes are gone too. (someone had informed Ms. Thebeth and the teacher comes running into the room)
Ms. Thebeth: Students, what…?!
Boy #2: Our gym clothes are gone?
Ms. Thebeth: (surprised) What?
Girl #2: Everyone's searching, but we can't find them anywhere.
Boy #3: Hey, they're in the garden!
Boy #4: What?! (they all run out to the school garden and sure enough their clothes were soaking in a pond, bundled together)
Student #1: That's so cruel.
Student #2: Ugh! Who would do this?
Kenji: (growls) It was Lazarus! Who else?!
Student #3: (gets mad as well) You're right! After all, he's only one who left early. (this catches both Ms. Thebeth and Angelie off-guard; the kids all get angry now)
Student #4: That's right! It has to be Lazarus!
Chloe: …! That asshole! Doing this kind of thing just because he can't win?
Kenji: I'm beating that piece of crap to a pulp!
Student #5: What a total coward! Doesn't he have any shame?!
Angelie: There's no doubt he did it, but…this is our fault. We made him out to guilty for something he never did.
Ms. Thebeth: Everyone calm down! Let's first talk to him, before jumping to conclusions.
Angelie: … (the students of course don't calm down; they rush to the classroom, the two follow after them and run into the room to find Kenji and three other boys beating Laz up)
Kenji: (kicking him) Die you bastard! You still have the balls to come to school!
Student: You're the one who did that, aren't you?! (Ms. Thebeth and Angelie watch in shock and horror at the scene)
Laz: (curls into a ball) Stop! Please stop! I didn't do anything!
Ms. Thebeth: (rushes towards them) Stop it. What're you doing?!
Kane: (videoing it all) He deserves it. He's the one at fault, after all.
Angelie: This is bad. They've passed the point of self-control; they won't stop, they can't be stopped. (the other kids cheer at the sight)
Iris: (clapping at the scene) Keep it up! Keep it up!!
Hannabel: Beat him to a pulp!
Ms. Thebeth: They're not stopping. This is their instinct. Deep down, everyone wants to trip up and pommel someone if they get a chance. This…this… (she gets cut off as she notices Laz's expression change from pain and misery to one of cold, icy emptiness) Eh?
Laz: And now it's time for the climax.
Before anyone could react, Kenji is suddenly sent flying into a wall hard enough to leave cracks; an attack so fast it looks like the larger boy had gone flying backwards on his own. Everyone present in the room is suddenly left stunned silence. Laz grabs the wrist the boy who had grabbed him by the collar and breaks it in two in one swift move; forcing a scream from the boy's mouth.
Second Boy: Wha…! Hey! What do you think you're--?
Both he and the last boy rush at Laz at once, but Laz sidesteps the first boy and delivers a hard knee to his stomach before slamming a fist into his back; forcing blood out of him. He then effortlessly catches the other boy's punch with one hand and slams the fist of his other hand into his elbow; breaking the bone instantly before performing a spin-kick to the face that sends him flying through the teacher's desk and into the glass-screen board.
Kenji: (gets back up) Shit! F*ck you! (turns into a bull and charges at Laz)
Laz just slaps his head to the side as it enters Laz's arm-range and delivers a critical punch to the chest that forces Kenji back to normal; breathing hard. Laz then grabs him by the hair slams his face into a wall before delivering a series of punches into it; blood splattering here and there.
Laz: (speaking in a cold, angry, dangerous tone) By the way Kenji, do you know what happened to my gym clothes?
Kenji: What? What are you trying to--? (another fist to the face)
Laz: You and your lackeys bullied me, and you expect me to believe they just vanished? (tone switches to a more deathly one) You know where they are, don't you? (roughly throws him to the ground and he runs away) You have a minute to get them or you're dead.
Everyone just stares silently at the scene, only for Laz to suddenly flashstep out of sight and slam his foot into Kane's face; Kane collapses to the floor, he tries to get up and sees Laz's foot crush his phone. He looks up to Laz's empty but furious expression as grabs and holds him up the neck before electrocuting the boy into oblivion.
Chloe: (gets mad) Why you as*hole! (fires a beam of electrical energy, but Laz flashsteps out of the way, dropping Kane and grabbing her by the throat as well)
Ms. Thebeth: Lazarus wait! That's enough!
Laz ignores her and slams her face into his knee, before headbutting her; she flies back but gets back on her feet to continue fighting. She fires another beam but Laz just effortlessly dodges it as he dashes straight towards her, panicked she tries to lean in for a punch, only for him slap her fist away and plant his own in her face; causing her to fall backwards. But he then snatches her mid-fall by the throat before stabbing his fingers into Chloe's guts with one strike, shocking everyone to the core, he retracts his hand and choke-slams her into the floor. Laz then turns to Iris who squeaks in horror, knowing what's about to happen. She tries to run but she gets a harsh kick to the back of her head that literally sends her flying through the wall in front of her. Once all of them were taken care of, he then turns to Hannabel, who starts to shit bricks.
Laz: (slowly walks up to her menacingly) Hannabel Akarin, what was that you said earlier? Beat him to pulp, was it?
Hannabel: (shedding tears of terror) No, I…
Laz: (grabs her by the collar) If that's the case, then can't I hit you too?
Ms. Thebeth: (grabs his free hand as it raises back into a fist) Lazarus, that's enough! No more violence!
Laz: (not even turning to face her) She's just as guilty. They all beat me up unanimously, and she egged it on. Aren't you aware that's also violence? I mean you saw it, didn't you?
Angelie: (eyes widen in realization) So…even though he could repel all this time, he let them hurt him, so that everyone could see it, and there's no mistake…everyone is equally guilty.
Laz: (lets her go and rips his arm from Ms. Thebeth's grip) Alright, here's what'll happen: I'm going to beat these guys up into bloody pulps. (the kids all panic, afraid for their lives)
Ms. Thebeth: No! No more violence!
Laz: Both my books and the bag my maid made for me are destroyed, isn't that also violence? You want an out? Call their parents now, you called mine even when I did nothing, didn't you? They actually did something, so call them or your next class will be in the emergency ward.
Ms. Thebeth: (drops to hands and knees) I see. His demand is basically…for me to apologize by letting their guardians know how stupid I've been. O-Okay. I'll do that. This time I'll properly listen better--
Principal: (barges into the room) What's going on here?!
Ms. Thebeth: P-Principal?
Laz: (briefly smiles in triumph) Right on time, Neil. I've waiting for you, principal.
Principal: (sees Laz and recognizes him) You're…
Laz: Would you mind going over what we talked about yesterday, sir? More specifically, what happened here in class?
Principal: I understand.
Laz: Like you said sir, you passed by our classroom a week ago, doing your rounds.
Principal: (nods) Yes.
Laz: Please tell us what time that was.
Principal: I think it was almost an hour after four, so close to five.
Laz: Was there anyone around in class at the time?
Principal: Yes. There was one boy, I spoke with him so I remember well.
Ms. Thebeth: Classes end at four everyday, for a student to still be there at that hour…
Laz: Do tell, who was that boy?
Principal: Hmmm. Let's see. (scans the classroom and points at a trembling in terror, pink-haired boy with purple eyes) Ah yes, it was that boy.
Laz: For my last question, where was he at the time?
Principal: (points to Laz's desk) He was sitting there, getting his thigs ready.
Laz: As expected of the smart, good-looking and respectable principal.
Principal: (chuckles nervously) T-That was unexpected. So what happ-- (Laz just silently strides to boy and delivers a powerful fist to his face; sending flying through a bunch of desks and chairs) Hey! Stop! What are you--?
Laz: The place where he was packing up, was my desk.
Principal: (surprised) What?
Laz: Broven! What were doing at my desk?! (Broven begins crying) What did you take from my desk? No, what did you put in it?
Broven: No, you're wrong! I just--
Laz: (grabs him by the collar) You're the one who stole the girl's stuff, aren't you?! You put it there, didn't you?!
Angelie: Ah! I see. This is…
…RETRIBUTION
Principal: Can someone please explain to me what's going on?
Laz: It's nothing complicated. Basically, they all conspired to frame me.
Principal: What?
Laz: Thank you for help principal, I mean it.
Principal: (sighs in exhaustion) Just what is going on? Ms. Thebeth, how did things escalate like this?
Ms. Thebeth: That's…
Angelie: There were many chances where we could have considered the situation properly, Lazarus gave us those chances, and even with the evidence he gave us; but we never believed him.
Laz: They falsely accused me, and started hitting me for no reason, so I fought back. There's no way I'd have just sat there and taken it.
Angelie: That's a lie. But I can't blame him since I, the whole school saw him get bullied. As long as he doesn't acknowledge it being a lie, it will never be overturned.
Laz: (turns to his teacher) You've always told us countless times, that we do something wrong, we should apologize. But no one's apologizing to me, not Chloe and her sycophants, not Kenji and his crew, not the jerks in the class, not that thieving bastard… (coldly glares at her) …not even you. You're the liar here, not me.
The following days since become nothing short of a living hell. For days, all the school does is damage control, offering apologies to parents and guardians; in class, it's like a prison yard. Students begin warily reading one another's expressions; they had to repay for every book and belonging they destroyed. Kenji and his group who slashed his bag, got another malicious beaten.
Hannabel: T-Treating Lazarus like a criminal. That guy's the worst, huh?
Laz: (not even turning to face her) Talk to me again and you'll regret it, you irritation. (she shrinks back)
The worst off is the fates of Chloe, Iris, Kane and Kenji. Laz makes sure to pay them back in full – plus interest – every bit of pain they gave him; publicly tormenting and humiliating them with a cruel smile on his face for days on end. Word about the truth – about Laz's false accusation and cruel treatment – had already been spread throughout the school; also courtesy of Neil's assistance. With the truth revealed, everyone knows that they have no ground to oppose him; should anyone try to, they'd share in the four's fate. Staff and student alike are powerless to confront him as they all saw him, being tormented and know he's justified. Chloe sits pitifully on the floor, totally drenched as a tray of lunch is thrown on her; in front of her, Laz looks down with a wicked grin.
Laz: What a pitiful sight. Oh how far the queen has fallen.
Chloe: (growls in hatred and lunges for him…) You damn b*stard! You'll pay for this-- (Laz just grabs her wrist and flips her unto her back before twisting her arm)
Laz: (grins cruelly) Pay? How? Will you accuse me of stealing from another classmate?
Chloe: (grits her teeth) …
Laz: What do you think? That any of these b*stards will waist their strength to help a girl who bullied and innocent kid? Please. Look around, you're not the school's queen anymore. (whispers into her ear) If you hate it so much, then leave the school. A useless girl like you is good for nothing more than warming someone's bed, anyway. (he walks away, the girl can't help from bursting into tears)
This torment continues on for several more days, until the four finally drop-out to escape him. Broven – who is the root cause of it all – for his own fate, isn't tormented by Laz, but he doesn't need to be. He becomes an outcast of the entire school and eventually transfers school later on as well; at the end all that's left is fractured class in a school that now sees Laz as an object of fear. Neil walks past the teacher'slounge one day, overhearing them discuss Laz and his actions; some wondering why he had to drive his classmates away, another thinking he may not see his actions as bad after what he suffered.
Neil: Wrong. He knows alright. He's well aware of how bad his actions are, he just justifies them by only going after people who've done much worst to him first. That's why he plays a helpless victim at the start; so that no one can question him when tables turn. He just uses mind games to make himself look like the lesser evil. And…it works.
Angelie: (sitting alone in her room) I can't take any more of this. This is all because of me, now so many people got hurt and Ms. Thebeth is now stuck teaching a broken class. I've had enough.
TIME: The next day.
Ms. Thebeth: We're parting today with Angelie, please say your farewells. (total graveyard silence)
Angelie: (downcast) Perhaps I should no one is saying it outright, "It would have better if you hadn't come". Goodbye everyone, thanks for everything. Also… (walks over to Laz's desks as he finishes up packing to leave for the day) Lazarus. (he looks up to her; she bows) I'm truly sorry! …for everything that happened to you because of me. I should've trusted you and heard you out; I understand saying sorry isn't enough, but please let me apologize. (presents him a letter) I wrote this express my feelings, please read it when you get home. (but rather than accept it…)
Laz: (…abruptly gets up to leave) Goodbye.
Ms. Thebeth: Lazarus wait, you can't just let things end like that.
Laz: (retorts rudely) I have no interest talking anything out with her just so she can get closure, you hear?!
Ms. Thebeth: (shocked by his tone) T-That…that's not how you talk to you teacher.
Laz: Really? (gives her a brief, cold side-eye over his shoulder) You really still believe you deserve to call yourself that? (she flinches in shock, finally understanding, in his eyes she's no longer his teacher; Angelie drops to the floor in sobs)
The scene fades to black as the chapter ends.
STORY CONTINUES IN CHAPTER: 27 (THE MYSTERY OF LAZARUS LA ROSE)
Author's Note: Sorry the chapter's longer than usual, once I started writing I couldn't stop till it was done and by the time I realized it, I've already gone past the quota; my bad.
Stat Bonus:
Kenji's stats:
Skill(s): Bovine
Level: 4.1
Str: 50 Mob: 45 Int: 30 Atk: 60 Def: 40 Rcy: 20
Chloe's stats:
Skill(s): Lightning Beam
Level: 4.3
Str: 40 Mob: 45 Int: 50 Atk: 52 Def: 30 Rcy: 40