School With out you 2

Mari was sat upon her desk with her science book out as she listens intently to Mr. Oliver's lesson. "Now The Paleozoic Era is divided into the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, and Carboniferous periods, each with characteristic groups of fossils. The Cambrian Period saw the explosion of new kinds of invertebrate animals in the oceans, including trilobites, primitive kinds of shellfish, including brachiopods and mollusks, and other groups of invertebrates that

failed to survive the end of this period."

But unfortunately, the bell rang as it signals that it is lunchtime. Mr. Oliver then sighed as he mumbled something about the schedule as he turned towards the class with a mildly disappointed face. "I want you all to read the Mesozoic Era and the Cenozoic Era, tomorrow we will have a test and I want you all to be prepared. Enjoy your lunch." Mr. Oliver then gave out a sigh as he watched the students exit his classroom as some said goodbye to him to which he only nodded, his eyes landed on Mari as she saw him Mr. Oliver then just gave a knowing nod as he mouthed the words 'remember, make friends' as he then sat back down on his chair with another book in hand.

Mari now walking in the busy school halls then went towards her locker and placed her bag and books inside. As she then walked towards the cafeteria yet again, she noticed Vicky talking to Cassandra as Cassandra was busy in her own locker. She was a great distance from them but she saw Vicky make eye contact with her as she whispers to Cassandra something which made her look to Mari too. Ignoring this, Mari quickened her pace towards the cafeteria and waited in line. Mari then gave a glance towards the line and noticed its long length just silently groaned and cursed to herself as her hunger started to grow. To ignore this, Mari took out her phone and listened to her music. She put them on as they played some Jakubi, making her drown out the noise around her and take away her focus from her hunger. The line was now slowly moving as Mari slowly moved her head still grooving to the music. As Mari started to move her head from side to side while tapping her finger on her jeans, she then felt quick taps in her shoulder as she took off her earphones. It was an annoyed student who pointed to her left as she now noticed she was now in front of the serving booth. She was flustered as she quickly took a tray and walked away flustered.

She now sat upon her usual spot as Joshua was already sitting in front of her. "Hey! you really came! People usually just leave me hanging so I guess this is new." Joshua said as he munched down on a chicken salad.

"Well, you are sitting in my usual spot, plus I keep my promises," Mari said as she sipped some of the bottles of milk. His meal was a rice bowl with pork chops and a mochi. "So my lady, you in any clubs?" Joshua said with a small smile as Mari ate a slice. "What's with the My Lady thing anyway? And yes I'm in clubs."

Joshua stuttered for a moment as he replied. "I-I mean, it is a pretty sly and classy thing to say. And well what clubs?." Joshua said as he leaned forwards to Mari.

Mari seeing this slightly pulled back from Joshua as he sees his eagerness. Mari upon meeting Joshua was because of what Mr. Oliver said but at the moment and she really found him a very interesting guy, but at the moment, Joshua only made her uncomfortable but she still gave him a chance.

"Oh well, I'm in the Boxing and Rock Climbing Club," Mari said she ate another scoop of rice. Joshua then seemed to be in shock as he sat back down giving Mari some room to breathe in. "Woah, that's awesome so you must really be that awesome!." Mari just thanked Joshua with the compliment.

"What about you? What um, is your favorite hobby to do?" Mari asked Joshua who ate his Salad quickly while doing a thinking pose. "Well, I usually just read and write poems on my website, and in the afternoon I just lightly jog around the city. I mean I usually through the park and the flower shops." Joshua said in which made Mari perk up a little. "I like going there as well in my morning runs, The flowers and plants are just a good sight to have while working out."

Mari and Joshua then talked for the entirety of lunch. Mari was first uncomfortable with was now connecting with Joshua as Mari now had her cheerful demeanor return to her. The bell rang as Mari now stood up and got out of the seat. "I gotta go, Math is the next subject and I don't wanna be late for a second." Mari starts to walk away and out of the cafeteria.

"It was nice knowing you Mari, see ya later friend." Mari upon hearing this stopped for a moment with a small smile appearing upon her face. Mari just simply gave Joshua a wave and exit the Cafeteria. Mari now in her locker, taking her math book and notebook. But as she did, she had a small smile on her face as she finally had someone she could talk to or be comfortable with. 'I guess Mr. Oliver was right.'

*

The school bell rang signaling the end of the school day. Mari stretched as she got up from her desk and walked out towards the hallway. The hallway is now filled with students but unlike this morning, it has fewer students as some were still in class taking and some were excused early for their clubs. The hallways were now cast with the golden light by the sun as she took her books from her locker and decided to go to her club room. Mari now walking through the hallways as the number of students starts to decrease as she kept walking. Mari now finally arrived at the school's garden.

Mari nonchalantly sighed as she continued through the garden. The garden was the size of 4 basketball courts, but even with its large size, it is in fact mostly barren. The garden was expected to be the prime gem of the school, but in the end, the project wasn't continued resulting in most of the garden ground being damp empty soil areas. But as Mari walked through the garden she started to arrive at the center, the barren ground now slowly started to have some green on them. Even when the school stopped their progress on the garden, the student council and all of the students all decided to donate or grow their own plants upon the garden. The ground now had luscious grass as flowers start to appear and now different plant species and in the middle of it, all stood a tree. This tree was named the Golden Ember, it was planted when the school was built in the past. And now the old tree despite its age stood tall with its forever golden leaves encapturing the golden rays of the sun. The rays of light engulf the tree as it cast the illusion of the tree emanating a golden light.

Mari still awestruck by the tree no matter how many times she has seen it kept walking without noticing a root. She tripped face-first on the green grass as she silently cursed to herself as she pulled herself up.

"You alright?" A voice said, she looked up to see a student holding out their hand.

"Thanks," Mari said as she accepted the student's gesture as the student pulled her up. The student was a part of the gardening club by the gloves and the trowel he held. "Don't mention it, you just gotta be more careful next time. And maybe walk on the sides next time." The student said as he carried a sack of fertilizer towards some plants. "Ok, I'll...remember that," Mari said as she quickly walked away but not before giving a wave towards the student who returned the gesture.

Mari now finally arrived at the School Club Buildings. The buildings were located at the very back of the school as it is a combination of 3 buildings with an open front yard with plants donated by students. Mari arrived upon the east building in front of two large doors with a large sign on the top saying: "The Boxing and Rock Climbing Club." Mari then pushed open the two heavy doors.

The club room was a large spacious room containing various equipment and many students practicing their respective hobbies. On the right side was a large boxing room with two fighters sparring with each other as other club members practiced with various equipment, while on the left side was a collection of large rocks that stretched towards the ceiling with many members climbing as some were now crawling upon the ceiling.

Mari then just placed her bag on a bench and took off her uniform and started changing to her gym clothes. Mari wore a black sports bra with matching black shorts and white shoes as she was placing her Kumpur on her hands. She then approached a punching bag and started landing punches on it.

Each punch that Mari delivered knocked the dummy back in a steady tempo. each jab was quicker than the other as now hear punches are starting to pick up. And after a few minutes of increasing tempo, with a punch, the bag got knocked back in a great distance as it detached from its chain and now fell to the ground.

The bag landed with an audible thump upon the grey floor which attracted the attention of the Boxing Club and some Rock Climbers on the other side. Mari was now out of breath as she breathes heavily. Her body is hunched as intense sweat dripped down her body as she then tried to lift the large bag.

As Mari struggled to lift the bag, another club member quickly approached her and said that he would do it instead as he towers over. Mari thanks the member as he easily plays the bag back to its chain, as she drank some water from a bottle, her body was now completely soaked with sweat as she had a satisfied face with the bottle of water.

"Mari! Get in here." The Club President, Ronald Ulysses called Mari to the boxing ring. Mari had a tired look on her face but it quickly disappeared as she placed the empty bottle down and got into the ring.

"Ok, Mari, You'll be subbing for Jean's match with Lance. You can go to the corner as the match will begin." Mari then went to the corner as Ronald started the match.

Both fighters slowly walking towards each other, and in a moment Lance took the lead of the match. His quick jabs and punches are slowly pushing Mari back to the edge of the ring. He may not be as strong as Mari but his agility and speed counter his weakness. Jab after Jab, Lance is pummeling Mari as he denies a window for Mari to counter his attack.

But Mari, even though she is backed her defense is still strong as she quickly analyzed for a plan and an opportunity to fight back.

And now, there it is, her golden opportunity. Lance brought back his right arm for a powerful punch giving Mari a small opening. Mari then quickly ducked as Lance's fist wheezed by her head by an inch. And as she crouches down, she used the momentum to rise and hit Lance's jaw with an uppercut with all of the strength she had left. Lance didn't react fast enough as a moment later there was a huge impact below his jaw.

Lance staggered back as he was stunned by the hit, Mari then started her offense. Mari then started hitting Lance with slow yet powerful punches. Her punches were slow since her body has been sore by Lance's punches. Due to being stunned, Lance couldn't fully bring up his arms as he barely blocked Mari's hits. But after a few hits, Mari starts to slow down as her punches start to weaken, and Lance is regaining his senses. Lance now back to his fighting stance and Mari now breathing very heavily brought his hand up as Lance is now getting ready to attack yet again. Lance now dashed forward to Mari as he brought back his fist for a very powerful punch. Mari, now in panic brought her hand up hoping to block it. But before the punch can land, Ronald ended the match.

"Enough!." Lance's fist stopped by an inch in front of Mari.

"Congrats Lance, you won the match." Ronald then clapped his hands as the other club members did as well. Mari then collapsed to the ring's ropes, as she held the ropes while breathing heavily. Lance then approached Mari and helped her out of the ring. He helped Mari to a bench as he gave her another bottle of water. "Good Match," Lance said as he patted her at the back to which she nodded at Lance and gave him a thumbs up.

"See you Ron I gotta go now. Goodbye everyone, see you tomorrow." Lance said as he was now in another shirt and with his bag on his right shoulder. Mari now after resting for a few minutes now stood back up and went towards the punching bag and started punching again.

*

Mari was now walking in the evening streets of the city. The dark streets were now illuminated with the night lanterns. She was now walking silently as she is listening to her songs. But as she walked towards her home, her mind was filled with many thoughts.

'I can't believe Club Pres asked me to have a match with Lance, even when he clearly saw that I was already tired." Mari just sighed as she rubs her arms from the hits she blocked. ' But I might be able to talk to Aiden tonight, I just hope he's free tonight.' And with this thought, she then suddenly ran hoping to get home even more quickly. After running for a few minutes and with some sweat, Mari finally arrived at her apartment. She stood in front of her small apartment beside the lamp post and under the light. She then walked up the stairs while holding the black metal railing and walking past the front garden and pressed the doorbell.

There were audible steps on the other side and stopped for a second, and afterward, the green door opened by Mari's mom with a large smile on her face. "Hey Honey, welcome home." Mari's mom then hugged her as Mari tried to back away. "Hey, Mom! Uh you shouldn't hug me at the moment, mom, I was at the club and I'm pretty sweaty and stinky at the moment." Mari said as she removed her mom's arms around her neck.

"Yeah, good point." Her mom said with a slightly disgusted face which then went back to her smile. "I'm almost done making dinner."

"Is it spaghetti?" Mari asked as she was talking off her shoes. "Wow good guess, well wash up and we can then eat dinner." Mari's mom said as she went back to the kitchen. Mari then took off her clothes and placed them on a basket in front of the bathroom and was now taking a shower..

Mari then emerged from the shower, her hair was soaking wet as she was drying it with a small towel as a large white towel was wrapped around her body. She then went up the apartment stairs and into the second floor. She then walked through a door and entered her room.

Mari's room was of a hexagonal structure on the opposite side of the door were three windows on each wall that had a good view of the city. She had a grey carpet with a second floor that had her bed. She then went into her closet and pulled out a white t-shirt and black shorts. Mari then walked towards her computer under her bed, she threw the small towel onto her couch and turned her computer on as she then opened her discord.

And to her excitement, she sees Aiden online as she then video called him. It took a few moments until Aiden picked up. Aiden was wearing a black tank top as it seemed that he just got out of the shower as well.

"Hey, Aiden!" Mari said with excitement in her voice as Aiden had a large smile as well. "Hey, Mari." Mari now was very happy that she got to talk to Aiden again. And with this, she started to ramble and talk to Aiden who instead of getting annoyed just listened as he was excited to talk to her as well. Both kids talked for hours through the night as Mari had a smile the whole time.