(TSF 1 or The Sub-sequent Fate) Hu-mans Path #1

2

    Brenda was eyeing the stoplight; it's been red for a long time. CJ was watching the window, nothing else to do in a traffic jam.

"You excited to go back to school, sweetie?" she asked. She was looking on ahead, awaiting a response. She glanced in CJ's direction.

Silence.

She glanced again, and then spoke.

"Sweetie?" Brenda inquired, CJ squeezed her fists.

"Yep." she replied through gritted teeth, no eye contact was needed for such a statement.

Driving together was Brenda's way of female bonding with her new future stepdaughter. CJ was growing tired of sitting there with her, at this minute; she'd rather be in school. She watched the people, and their reactions to the Rangers. She couldn't stand them, too much fear and secrecy on their part, even for a small town like Madjesko. An hour later, they arrived at their destination.    

   Thorsen Academy Preparatory School, or T.A.P.S. was the best High School in town. Its mission was to mold and prepare the young minds of today, by any means necessary. The return to school was crucial to the students, mostly the girls. The halls were buzzing with holiday details. Girls were gossiping about their vacation activities. Who hooked up, who broke up, who lost or gained weight, and who got what for Christmas. CJ walked quickly to her locker. She wanted to get and out, undetected, her desire was short-lived. She noticed a group of guys smiling at her, she found it creepy, and she ignored them and stared at her docket.

Her first class was Art, it was something she was fairly good at, and it would help with her whole anger thing. Later, she heard a roar, the one of a crowd. She tried to ignore it but soon that crowd was getting cramped. She was pushed away from her own locker, before she could attempt to weed through, the roar had subsided and the cramping, was ceased.

"Oh, that explains everything." she said to herself, she rolled her eyes at what she saw, the girls; the ones who ruled.

The first one was simple, in an exquisite way. Her outfit was like something people saw in media primers. She wore pearls, which matched her bracelets, and her name, was Margo Bruner. She looked to her left at the girl next to her. This girl had a look that made stand-alone. Her outfit was perfect, with a hint of abnormality. She also wore pearls, but hers matched everything, she was Lyndie Masters.

    They casually looked at each other, and then they both glanced to their far left at their leader. She was the most unique, with her heels and red lipstick. She had a face of pouty determination. Her pearls were worn on her neck, but also as an anklet on her right leg, to accent her legs of course. Her curls danced around her face. She made most of the choices, she set the trends, and she was Krystal Gregory.

Together, they were known as the S3s. Sexy, Smart, and Stellar just like their style, and personalities. They were the Council Heads, which put them in control of the student body, and its events, along with Funding Projects. CJ kept her distance, for fear of being recruited as a Councilman or Councilwoman. The scene was getting annoying, at least to her. Watching cheerleaders shake pompoms for them, jocks asking them to the Gala, and their crazy fans. She'd rather be in class, any class would be better than witnessing such a ridiculous ritual.

It still wasn't time for class, but her impatience was screaming at her.

Ring. Ring. RING! She said to herself

 Everyone was startled from the impromptu ringing of the bell; it was seven minutes ahead of schedule.

"Huh. That was...convenient." She pondered to herself and scratched her scapula.

"Ah, itchy." She dispersed with her fellow schoolmates.

    Art classes were there to educate and give birth to creativity and self-expression. In Madjesko, it was the exact opposite, Con-servity wasn't just demanded, but taught. The teacher, Mr. Jenkins was behind in scheduling assignments for his new students, so he tried to simple exercise to break the ice. All that was required of them was to draw an apple. Next, they had to tape it to the board up front, and then wait for someone to choose their drawing, thus striking an introduction. Conversations were never easy for CJ. She wasn't shy, but afraid, not knowing someone's thoughts, dreams, and ideals was terrifying to her. Everyone in her class was practically normal, Con-serve, and boring. Within minutes, everyone finished his or her assignments. CJ went to the board with her class and sat back down. 

   There was silence while people made their selections until a slamming door alerted all. A girl was the cause of it, and she was out of breath.

"Sorry. Lost track. Of. Time." She panted. Mr. Jenkins was irritated, he knew this girl

"Ah, Ms. Pardeux. Your tardiness is what brings you to my class a second time." He said.

"Yeah, won't. Happen. Again. Promise." 

"Hmm. You're in luck, you get to choose the first masterpiece. Step to the board." 

Romy grabbed a smock and tied it around her waist, he continued. "Everyone else, do the same, I'll be back." And with that, he left. The girl lifted the back of the drawing on the board, to see the name. She said it out loud.

"Uh, CJ Dixon?" she said, and looked around. CJ shyly raised her hand.

They walked up to each other. "Hey, I'm Romy."

"CJ." she replied.

"I'm not gonna lie. I thought you were gonna be a boy."

"Yeah, it's a nickname." CJ commented

Romy Pardeux was interesting to say the least. Her hair was jet black, except for her ends, which were colored turquoise green. She wasn't hard to notice. She was in a smock, like all her classmates but her garments were that of a cheerleading uniform. She appeared Con-serve, but mostly Radikal, which was always fine with CJ.

"Love the hair! It's so cute." Romy said

"Really? Thanks. I didn't color mine like you did. It's really pretty by the way." she replied.

Romy flipped her hair boastfully, they laughed at the drama of it.

"So, why'd you choose my drawing?" CJ asked, the girl beamed with excitement

"Are you kidding? It was the only one that stood out! And the bullet made it even sweeter. Oh, and I hate red apples--they are so gross." she said

"I understand completely." CJ replied.

Mr. Jenkins had returned, and began to hover around the class, hoping his exercise was a success. Romy and CJ were so distracted by their new friendship; they didn't notice the teacher behind him.

"What is this!?" he shouted. His sudden roar startled everyone. His glasses had fallen to his nose, and he was furious. "What have you done? Ms. Dixon, Ms. Pardeux explain yourselves!"

"What do you want us to say, Jenkins?" Romy asked, she wasn't taking the situation seriously.

CJ rose from her chair proudly and spoke.

"Romy had nothing to do with it. If you have to send me home, then do so." She was always known for making statements.

Mr. Jenkins interjected "I know of something worse than that."

"Oh no." CJ said to herself