It was all coming in like a train. Some popular girl from the Newspaper Club likes him, a bunch of monsters are after him for who knows why, the Dodgeball Club has becoming more and more stressful, homework has been piling up, and he has been chosen to be the Vrontí?

   Callisthenes can only hope that this new week will be less stressful for him.

   Then again, he has to begin vigorous Vrontí training with Renee.

   All of these thoughts were swirling around his head while he was on the 'scenic' sidewalk to school, and it was all very overwhelming. He sighed as cars swiftly drove by next to the sidewalk.

  (All of this is so stressful... How am I going to do all of this...?) He thought worriedly as he walked continuously on the sidewalk.

  (Dodgeball... Literature Club... Nari... Being the Vrontí...) He repeated all of this within his head.

   He knew he needed to think this through carefully and with mindfulness... But his emotions were getting the better of him.

  (Come to think of it, didn't Nari give me her phone number...?) He thought, his mind moving away slightly from his problems.

   While he was thinking of this, he took his phone out from his pocket, and looked at his messages.

((20 missing messages from Renee))

   He rolled his eyes. Although he was overjoyed to see his once dead friend again, he had to admit, she can be... a little annoying. He opened their private chat.

Callisthenes: What is it? I'm walking to school right now.

Renee: Sorry, I just needed to get your attention.

Renee: There's a monster aura nearby. It has your exact power level, but still, be careful.

   So a monster was nearby...? He thought they could only come out during the evening or night, but he just decided to listen to her.

Callisthenes: Alright, I'll be careful. And next time, please don't spam me. Just call me or something.

   He turned off his phone, and looked around warily. As much as he would like to talk with Nari, a monster is something he needed to deal with first.

  That is, if he can defeat him with basic lightning attacks.

  Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice shout out to him from behind.

  "Heeeey!! California!" The voice yelled loudly at him. "Dude, over here!"

   Oh no, he knew who that was.

  "It's me, it's me, Austin!" He said cheerfully, slowing his run to face Callisthenes with a cheeky grin. "Don't tell me you don't remember me?"

   Callisthenes noticed how scruffy and dirty Austin's hair looked, just as dirty as it was yesterday. Which made him question; does he even try to brush his hair?

  Callisthenes shook his head. "Oh no, I remember you, Austin," He responded. "How could I forget you when you introduce yourself to me almost everyday?"

  "Weeell, that is true," Austin admitted cheerfully. "But hey! I'm just makin' sure! After all, I don't want you going amnesiac on me."

   So he was afraid of his friends becoming amnesiac. But that's rather small, isn't it?
Callisthenes laughed at Austin's strange response.

  "Uhh, alright, Austin." He responded back casually.

   The two began to walk to school together cheerfully, talking about many things, such as video games, sports, and homework. Truthfully, Callisthenes enjoyed finally being able to talk with someone who isn't on the phone. Perhaps he'll be able to talk like this with Nari...

  "So Cal, how's Crownzel been treatin' you?" Austin asked brightly.

  "Well, things have been kind off stressful... I wasn't expecting to get so much homework in the first week." Callisthenes nervously admitted.

  Austin shrugged nonchalantly to his response. "Eh, I mean the homework for me is okay..."
He began. "Maybe your just stressin' too much over this?"

  "No, I definitely am not," He responded quickly, shaking his head. "I have two math assignments due this Thursday, a three-page science packet due Wednesday, and a History book report tomorrow. The book is 20 pages, with big paragraphs."

  "Jeez, okay, that is pretty rough," Austin replied, rather surprised. "Why don't you ask your History teacher to put a later due date for you?"

  Callisthenes thought for a long moment before responding. "I could..." He began. "But this is Mrs. Yamero we're talking about."

  "Really?! Aww man, that's really unlucky..." Austin said sympathetically. "Ah, look, we're here!"

   Austin pointed forward happily, making Callisthenes look away from him. It looks to them that they have swiftly arrived to school with no inconveniences.

  "Class starts in an hour, so we're pretty early," Austin said calmly as they reached the entrance to the school. "Make sure to work on your homework, 'kay? Don't wanna be the runt of the class."

  Callisthenes chuckled for a moment and nodded. "Sure, alright. Just make sure to brush your hair!"

  "Who cares about brushing their hair when you have w-" Austin abruptly put his arm in front of Callisthenes, making him stop in confusion.

  "Uhh, what is it?" He asked, raising his eyebrow.

   Austin pointed wordlessly forward with his free arm, and soon, Callisthenes saw what was happening.

   Zoe Atteberry, a member of the Literature Club that both Austin and him were in, was fighting another student in the middle of the goddamn plaza. Not to mention there were a ton of students watching with awe as well.

   Callisthenes groaned and face-palmed, while Austin smiled brightly and became one with the watching audience.

   Ever since Thursday of last week, Zoe has been causing trouble for the entirety of students, in fact, she's known for that. It's a shock that she's still even allowed at school grounds.

  "Shut up! You don't know anything about her! Why are you defending her?!" The angered student yelled, holding his fists up like he was going to fight her.

  Zoe sighed and shook her head. "Yes, I don't know anything about her. But assaulting someone isn't the right thing. I've learned that the hard way." She shot back coldly.

   Now that Callisthenes looked closer, there was a girl who was behind her, but had backed away so she wouldn't interrupt the fight. The girl had shoulder-length puffy hair, and a varsity jacket over her uniform. Something about that girl was familiar though...

   Suddenly, the other student threw his fist at her, only for her to stop it completely by grabbing it. He growled at her and threw another fist at her, only for her to completely block his hit again. The students murmured to each other excitedly, but some were also worried.

   The student attempted to kick her, only to see her jump back, and for him to get face-planted on the plaza concrete. The student cried out in shock and pain, making some of the students laugh. Austin laughed the hardest out of all of them.

   Soon, two teachers ran into the scene, one held down the aggressive student, one announcing for the students to continue their studying and working. A wave of disappointment washed over the crowd of watching students, before they all left to continue whatever it was that they were working on.

   It was nice of Zoe to protect the girl from the aggressive student, (which Callisthenes was also 80% sure that it was the same student who randomly assaulted him in front of the bathrooms,) but that girl... Was that Yanny?

   He wanted to question her, but it was too late. The girl had already fled the scene to who know's where. But, Austin and him could also question Zoe about her...

  The two of them ran over to Zoe, one obviously more optimistic than the other. "Oh, Austin, Cal," Zoe said casually. "Nice to see you. Are you here to interview me and put me on CNN?"

  Austin chuckled at Zoe's vulgar reply. "Haha, of course not! All I wanna say is, is that your dodging was amazing!" He exaggeratedly complimented her.

  "Enough of the compliments," She said sharply, "I have homework to do."

  Callisthenes's eyes widened. He needed to ask her this. "Wait, Zoe," He stopped her.

  Zoe turned her head to look at the both of them with an angered side-eye. It seemed to him that she really didn't want any more attention. "What is it? Make it quick."

  "Who was the girl that you were protecting?" He asked. "If you don't know her name, just say no."

  Zoe paused before raising an eyebrow at him, and then looked away. "Her name was Yanny something. All I know." She then walked away before they could even thank her.

  "Why're you so curious about who she protected anyways," Austin asked him, putting his hands on his hips. "You think she's hot or somethin'?"

  "Not that," Callisthenes began.

  "She was the one who pushed me off the roof yesterday."