It Varies

I bring up my timetable on my watch, yesterday's English and IT weren't much to write home about, maybe PE and Music will fare better. I can dream. Our journey in is a bit more lively since it's later and people are actually here, but sadly, it looks like the mob from yesterday was a one-time deal.

We split up and Rosie and I sit in our form room, waiting for lessons to begin, when I spot something peculiar, causing me to nudge my sister. "Hey, that dude's checking you out." I whisper, causing her to look up from writing in her notebook. I never know what she's writing in there, but I've learned it's better not to ask.

"He can look all he wants, that's free, touching'll cost him his hands." She sighs, returning to her notes. I don't get her, I mean, I'm not into guys, I mean I made out with a couple to give it a shot, but nah, not for me, and even I'd say he's damn good looking.

"Not even going to ask what you're going to do with his hands when you've got them." I joke to no reaction. "Seriously though, don't you think you'd be more lucky in love if you weren't so hostile?"

My sister scowls at my statement. "Maybe I don't want to be lucky, consider that?" She spits at me. Nah, don't buy that, it's gotta be a confidence thing.

"I'm just saying, pretty girl like you, you should have them eating out of your hands, not scared to come near you." I argue, causing a slight smirk on Rosie's face.

"Aww, you think I'm pretty?" She mocks me with a goofy grin on her face. Okay, you don't want to talk about it, sheesh, this is what I get when I try and take an interest in other people. Finally the bell goes, and it's a class I'm actually excited for, Music.

No one else is taking this one, that I know of, so I rely on my map feature on my watch to help me get where I'm going. The crowd seems even more cramped than yesterday. I take deep breaths, gotta try and prevent an attack until it clears out a bit. Thankfully I reach my destination before it becomes uncontrollable.

Various seats are scattered around the room in loose circles, with a few already occupied. I begin to make my way towards a chair when I feel a hand on each shoulder. I turn each way to see Ty and Echo directing me towards a set of chairs towards the opposite end of the room.

"You're with us, Newbie." Ty grunts. I'm not gonna argue with him, besides, what's the harm? They clearly aren't interested in beating me up... Not yet anyway. We sit down in a group of four chairs, with the last remaining empty as more people come in, I guess everyone's too scared to take it.

"You learn that song I gave you?" Echo asks, leaning back in her seat and crossing her arms and legs. If she didn't look like a gang leader already, she sure does now. It does give me a chance to admire her legs though... Damn, it'd almost be worth having her kick my head in just to be closer to them. "Well?"

I stumble back into consciousness "Er, yeah, mostly, rehearsal's tomorrow, right?" I confirm, receiving a nod. "I meant to ask, why me? I mean, there's gotta be people who play guitar here, why go to the effort of researching me and bringing me in?" I ask, giving into my curiosity. A curiosity I instantly regret as Echo looks annoyed at my question.

"We looked you up because you pissed off Ty, finding out you could play was just serendipity. As for why we picked you... Well..." She trails off, looking at the empty seat. Right... I think I get it, everyone's too scared to come near them. I don't know why, but that makes me feel... Really sad.

The room begins to quiet as the teacher raises her hand and begins to speak. Or maybe we're all just speechless. She's a knockout, her navy pantsuit clinging to a svelte body, complimenting her black skin, and natural wavy hair cascading down her shoulders. "Morning class, I hope you're feeling refreshed!" She smiles, before being interrupted by a late arrival.

"I'm so sorry, I got lost, I'm really sorry for being late." I hear a familiar voice apologise.

"Poppy?" I ask out loud, quietly, but clearly loud enough for Echo to hear.

"Friend of yours?" She asks, seemingly amused at my bemusement.

"My sister." I explain. I should clarify, she didn't take music before coming here, I didn't even know she could play an instrument. I was only allowed because I promised to stick to piano. She walks past and towards the only empty seat in the room. The one with us.

The teacher, who I learn is called Miss Heart, sets us our tasks and this gives me the chance to interrogate Poppy.

"Surprise!" She smiles sweetly. Weirdly, she doesn't seem to be concerned about our company... But now that I think about it, she's never met them before.

I attempt to ask what she's doing here, but Echo beats me to the punch. "So, what do you play?" She asks, with a devilish look in her blood red eyes.

"Oh, I play bass, my Mama taught me." She explains... Of course. Mama's one of the most popular classical musicians in the South, a recommendation from her would get Poppy in no problem.

"Mama... So precious." Echo smirks. "It's convenient, we need a bass player, I was gonna learn, but you might just do nicely." Shit, I have to stop this now.

"Leave it Echo, she's not like me, I'm not gonna let you-" I begin before I'm cut off by the one person I least expected to ever do so.

"Oh! You're Echo!" Poppy exclaims, but not with concern, but more with joy. "You're the one who convinces Rufus to start playing again! Honestly, I thought you'd look terrifying, but you don't seem scary at all." Convinced is a bit of an understatement, and I'm not sure what Poppy's definition of scary is, but if Echo isn't it then it needs re-evaluating.

I look to Echo, and for a moment, I swear I can see a faint glimmer of a smile. "So... You're up for the band?" She responds, much more kindly than she's ever spoken to me. Poppy has some kind of superpower.

"Absolutely!" She decides immediately. I don't know why I thought it'd be forcing her, she's clearly enthusiastic already. "So, if you're Echo, that must make you Tyson, right?" She asks the big guy, who's been uncharacteristically motionless this whole time.

"T- Typhon." He finally answers with a stutter. "Not Tyson, Typhon." What's wrong with him? But more importantly, what kind of name is Typhon?

Echo snorts at the confused look on my face. "Our Mum was a mad old bat, decided she would name us after monsters. Hence, Echidna and Typhon." She clarifies. Echidna, huh? I can see why she prefers Echo, but it does have a nice ring to it, I could definitely see myself moaning it one of these days.

Poppy has a different take on the matter. "Ooh, it's like our names! All of our names are red; Poppy, Rosie, and Rufus." She responds excitedly. That's actually true, apparently it's a tradition from Grandma Dani, referring to our red hair. "It's so cool you guys have matching names too."

Wait, that's something I glossed over, these two are siblings? They look nothing alike... Maybe half-siblings? Hard to say. With the introductions sorted we get started on some of the tasks... I say get started, between the four of us it barely takes ten minutes.

This leaves the rest of the time for us to exchange contact information, well, except for Ty, who decides to remain silent. I figure Echo will pass it along, I don't want to push the guy... I've seen how that works out.

Finally the lesson concludes, allowing us to go our separate ways. Or at least, that was the plan. Poppy rushes off to her next class, but I have a free period, meaning I'm left alone with Echo and Ty.

"Your sister's sweet." Echo informs me. "Bring her to rehearsal tomorrow." She adds before beginning to head in a different direction. "And... Thanks." She adds as she leaves, with Ty close behind.

Thanks?

Thanks for what?