Books and Monsters

Footsteps pitter-pattered as Theo ran across the empty hallways. He rushed past the lockers and rooms standing in rows as he continued. Once again, he was running late, in hopes of catching time and fleeing another unnecessary class. Theo struggled to hold his papers riddled with words in black and white. Just then, a familiar voice called his name. "Hey, Theo!" Theo looked around to see his friend, his brown hair dancing as he looked back behind him. He greeted in return, beads of sweat trickling under his dark hair as his eyes flickered back and forth as he searched for his classroom. Nonetheless, he wasn't the only one in such a condition. Theo's friend, Iori perspired as he ran in rhythm to his friend's footsteps. Assisting his friend as he whipped his head back and forth with his cinnamon brown eyes in search of the classroom. Suddenly, the skidded to a halt, almost slipping because of running so quickly.

Theo put a finger over his lips as he twists open the doorknob and enters the room. The quiet atmosphere was quickly broken when another known voice called for the two late students. "Theo, Iori, over here!" Waved another one of their friends. They hastily climb up the stairs as Iori and Theo were greeted by all their other classmates. "Hello, David, Amber, Hailey, and Skylar," Iori said, inhaling a huge amount of air after pronouncing his friend's names. "Hey!" They greeted in unison. Theo sat by his classmate and friend, Skylar who doodled in her papers as they talked. "Hey, how was the homework?" Skylar asked the two. "It was fine, I guess," Replied Iori who let down his bag underneath his seat. "I see," Said Skylar in return. She fussed with her coffee black hair that kept drooping in front of her chocolate eyes and her paper. Theo pulled out a clip from his bag before clipping Skylar's hair with it. "Thanks, but, where did you get that from?" She asked as her fingers slid onto the clip to fix her hair. 

"I was meaning to give it back to you after we did homework together the other day," Theo explained. "Okay then. Sorry, just a bit tired," Skylar replied. They shrugged their shoulders and went back to work, each class and lecture leading them to noon break. Walking together, they went upstairs to the rooftop. Short breezes blowing the group of students' hair as they sat down on the smooth floor. "I suppose it'll snow soon," Hailey told her friends while laying down her lunchbox and pulling her caramel blonde hair. She wore a pair of round glasses just in front of her emerald green eyes that sat on the bridge of her nose with freckles dotting her cheeks. She ate a piece of apple and took her glasses off for a moment. Hailey's glasses weren't necessary for her sight, but another friend they have, David, did need them. He had peanut brown hair that was usually messy, a small pair of glasses, directly opposite of his dark-colored eyes. David poked on a piece of meat from his lunchbox as he started a conversation. "How is being class president of the year, Skylar?" He asked as he ate a few more hearty bites. 

"Overall, it's almost like another stressor," She said, as a small laughter erupted in the air. "What about you, Amber and Hailey, do you enjoy the perks of--" Skylar was cut off before Iori continued her sentence: "Oh, yeah, I almost forgot about you two being club leaders of--whatever." Although it might have sounded rude, Iori was just very--forgetful. "I'll get you..!" Hailey hollered as she ran after Iori in circles. Amber gave out a long sigh as she tied her crimson red hair back into a ponytail. "It's fine, I suppose," Amber said as she further explained how most of their members were beginners in archery. "Hey, guys, it's my turn by the way," David said as he munched on a few more treats. "On what?" Theo finally asked as he ate his dessert--a chocolate bar. "Sleepover. At my house." David said bluntly as he closed his lunchbox. "I'm coming!" said Hailey who, in the end, caught Iori as they sat down together, panting nonstop. "Okay, what about you, Amber?" David asked, pointing to Amber with his fork from his position. "Not today--again," Amber said as another distressed sigh escaped her lips. "It's okay, girl, we all understand," Skylar said as she nudged her shoulder on Amber's. 

The school bells rang, and they all promised to meet in the library later. "I'll see you there!" Shouted Theo as he ran ahead of the group downstairs and into the hallways once again. They parted ways swiftly in time as they arrived in their next subject. 

*****

Skylar, Hailey, and Amber all walked together outside of the school gates, their day almost ending. Ths sky painted all over with pastel colors, the light-colored clouds hovering above their heads as gusts of wind blew above them. Everything popped with color, the sun shining brightly, causing silver linings on every mist and cloud that flew with the birds up in the air. Autumn-red trees nodded their remaining leaves as groups of foliages dance away to the wind and landing on the floor only to be picked up by another breeze once more. The three friends headed to the library, their concrete sidewalks cluttered with maroon-colored leaves. The small moon was already visible, showing only a part of itself as it stood still in the world around it. "Hey guys, take a look at this leaf," Amber picked it up, a fiery color of red bursting from that one leaf. "Woah, that looks nice!" Skylar pointed at something other than a leaf--it was a bug! Hailey and Amber screamed as Skylar took the little insect and put it in a small jar from her bag. "Hey, Skylar?" Hailey asked for attention. "Yeah?"Skylar asked, her focus still on the little critter in her hand. 

"Why do you have a small jar in your bag that's seemingly just for bugs?" Hailey said in one breath. "Oh, I like collecting them." She said, shrugging her shoulders as she returned the little animal into her bag. They continued their walk as they finally reached the library. The old building seeming as if it was gleaming to the sun's light. "Finally! You're here!" Iori yelled, sweeping away the three girls' attention from the view and onto the three boys who rushed to the library a few moments earlier before them. "Let's head inside then," said David as they all stepped into the library.