University of Console Heroics: The End

Finals were over. The quad is filled with students enjoying the onset of summer. Sanders and Bannister exit the Hall of 2D studies together. Bannister is carrying a small box of trinkets from his office. Sanders stops and turns around to look back at the building. Bannister copies him. “So, you aren’t going to miss this? Not even a little?” Sanders asked.

Bannister shook his head. “Maybe someday down the line. But right now I feel like I’m being reborn.” He explained as he turned away from the building.

Sanders nodded. And continued walking with Bannister. “Oh, thanks for keeping me in the class.” He said spotting his friends sitting under Thompson’s big tree further down the quad.

Bannister nodded. “It’s didn’t seem fair to let you screw yourself over.” He admitted.

Sanders nodded. “You’re going to be at dad’s tonight for dinner?” He confirmed. Bannister nodded and Sanders took a step towards the tree. “I’ll see you later then.” He waved as he took off toward the tree. Joining Cynthia, Foster, and Thompson.

Thompson kicked at Foster with a barefoot. “Well Foster, you made it to the end of your first semester of college. How do you feel?” He asked.

Foster sighed. “A bit like I’m witnessing the end of the world.” He admitted.

“Ok explain.” Sanders demanded.

Foster shrugged. “It’s never going to be like this again. Next semester will be infinitely different than this one.”

Thompson nodded. “And yet, creepily enough, almost exactly the same.” He confirmed.

Foster pulled his knees up to his chin and used them to rest his head. “It’s like we build the same sand castle at low tide just to see what changes from version to version.” He sighed again.

Cynthia rolled her eyes. “Could you two just be happy for one moment?” She asked.

Clay, Faith, and Lacey joined the circle, sitting in the shade of the tree. “Evidence shows they are both capable.” Clay replied.

Sanders shook his head. “Yeah but chicks dig moody guys.” He joked.

Cynthia noticed Lacey’s outfit. “Oh my god I love your shirt, did you get that at Forever Ten Two?” She asked.

Lacey nodded. “I did. We should go shopping soon.” She offered.

Cynthia smiled. “That would be awesome.” She confirmed

Porter walked up with four drinks in a carrier. Clay looked up at him shielding his eyes from the sun. “Which of those is coffee?” He asked.

Faith slapped his shoulder. “They are all coffee dork.” She said.

Porter shook his head. “No, these two are epic poems.” He said as he handed the girls their drinks. “These two, are coffee.” He said as Clay reached up to grab his drink. They clinked their cheap paper cups together.

Lacey puts her cup down and sees a very nice car parking in the distance. She slaps faith’s shoulder. “That’s it, that’s the car the lady from nationals drove. I want one of those so bad, It’s my dream car.” She said wishfully.

Porter’s ears perked up and he took note of the car she was pointing out. “Color preference?” He asked.

She seemed taken aback for a second. “Um, in a perfect world? They come in a shade called Midnight Lust. IT’s like a little darker than blood red.” She explained as Porter nodded.

Foster kicked at the empty drink carrier with his shoe. “Thanks for brining drinks only for yourselves, definitely feeling the love over here.” He playfully complained.

Clay held up his coffee as if he were toasting Foster. “S’what friends are for noob. Letting you know where you’re wanted.” He said as Foster playfully flipped him off.

They spent the rest of the day visiting together under that tree. Trying to make the last of the semester last as long as possible before they all went back to their homes, their ‘normal’ lives. Their separate worlds, it was easy work, spending time together, making the most of every moment at the University of Console Heroics.

University of Console Heroics: Chapter 27

Foster was sitting alone in the intro to energy room. He had been sitting in the same spot, eyes closed,  counting the same beats, breathing in and out, feeling nothing but pressure.

One, two, three, Breathe out

One, two, three, breathe in

One, two, three, almost killed your friend

One, two, three, who are you?

One, two, three, what are you becoming?

One, two, three, four, five, breathe out

One, two, three, four, five, breathe in

One, two, three, four, five, breathe out

One, two, three, four, five, six, Breathe in

As he pulled air into his lungs papers on the wall pulled slightly toward him. When he let the air out of his lungs the papers pressed against the wall. He opened his eyes to see Cynthia standing in the doorway of the classroom.

She stepped into the room completely. “That was nice.” She said sitting in front of him.

Foster relaxed his legs. “Hey Cynthia.”

She smiled. “For someone who just passed intro to energy you don’t seem very excited.” She pointed out.

Foster shrugged. “I’m not sure I deserve to pass the class.” He admitted.

Cynthia cocked her head in confusion. “Why?” she asked.

Foster laid on his back. “Because I tried to kill Thompson, I was so afraid of failing that I turned to something in me that I am now desperately afraid of. I made a lot of mistakes this semester.” He was almost shouting at the ceiling.

Cynthia moves to lay down close to him but at an odd angle. “Look I know the college industry has everyone believing that’s what this is all about, attaining enough “success” to earn and alphabetical pat on the head. But that’s not what learning is Foster. What did you LEARN this semester?” She asked him.

Foster and Cynthia laid on the floor of the dark room while he thought the question over. Finally he spoke. “A good friend will go so far as to beat the crap out of you to keep you from making a life altering mistake. A good teacher will help you learn form the ones they cannot stop you from making. Control is more important than strength. Understanding is more important than control.” He stopped there.

Cynthia nodded as he spoke. “And would you have learned any of that if you had never gone through this semester the way you did?” She asked. He shook his head. “You didn’t fail Foster.” She continued. “You walked a hard road and didn’t quit. Make no mistake, no one who’s ever changed the world, did It because the world did it because it was the easy way out.” She concluded.

Foster rolled his head to the side to look at Cynthia. “ So why don’t I feel like I accomplished anything?” he asked.

Cynthia shrugged. “You are young, and this is just one moment in your life. You passed intro to energy, take that for what it is.”  She advised.

Silence in the room as he thought about what she was saying. “Ok then, what is it?” he asked her.

She sat up and folded herself in half, stretching out her back. “The first step in the long walk of your adult life.” She offered.

Foster sat up and scratched the back of his head. “So, is every class going to be like this?” he asked.

Cynthia got to her feet. “Nope” She decreed. “Only the really good ones.” Foster smiled and got to his feet as well.

She headed for the door and he followed her. “Modest much?” He asked as they left the room. 

University of Console Heroics: Chapter 25

Clay exited the building having finished his final. He had forgotten how sunny it was outside and used his hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight. With the light out of his eyes he quickly spotted Faith waiting for him. They exchanged awkward glances. Clay walked up to her, she opened her mouth but he interrupted her. “I’m sorry” he spat.

It threw faith off and she was silent a moment longer. Finally finding her voice again. “Why, are you apologizing?” She asked.

“Because I lied to you.” Clay started. “I love being a thug studies major. I love stealing and drinking and breaking the law. This whole semester  I’ve been trying to “grow up” because I thought that’s what adults did. And when you left I turned back into the worst version of myself.” Clay explained.

Faith shook her head. “That’s nothing to be sorry about. I’m the one who should be apologizing. I fed you all that crap about how I didn’t care about all the social rules in my sorority and when it came time to put my heart where was mouth was, I chickened out and betrayed us both.”

Clay couldn’t help but smile at her. “So we are both immature terrible people who can’t be trusted to do the right thing.” He concluded.

She laughed. “Way to make us sound awesome.” She held out her hand.

He held her hand. “I call it like I see it.”

They headed toward the quad together. “If it helps at all, you make me want to be a better person.” She offered.

Clay kissed her hand. “You are a better person dear.” He assured her.

She looked slightly surprised. “what about all that stuff you just said?” She asked.

Clay shrugged his shoulders. “I’m a hardened criminal, you can’t take anything I say at face value.” He admitted.

Faith nodded at this. “So, you forgive me?” She asked genuinely concerned.

Clay nodded. “I kinda have to. I’ma screw up eventually and I want to set a good example for you.” He gave her a kiss.

She separated from him. “Just give me flowers and chocolate and I think we’ll be all right.” She said.

He nodded. “Can I steal them or does that ruin the sentiment?” He asked.

She laughed. “You are who you are.” She replied. They sat under the big tree in the center of the quad where Thompson had been reading his book at the beginning of the year. “How was your final?” She asked him as they got situated against the tree.

Clay shrugged. “Other than the pervasive desire to vomit everywhere I think it went well.”

She laid her head on his shoulder as she replied. “Well, you got that going for you at least.” She wormed her hand into his and they sat in the shade together.

University of Console Heroics: Chapter 24

Thompson and Cynthia had never been to Cafe Atebit. They were college students and it was one of the more expensive trendy restaurants in the area. The waiter led to them to their table where Professor Banister and William were waiting. They stood to greet them as they approached.

“Thank you for meeting with us.” William said as they all sat down after greeting each other.

Cynthia was all smiles even though the bruise was already starting to darken her jawline. “Our Pleasure, what’s to occasion?” She asked.

Banister was caught in the middle of drinking water, finished his sip and set his glass down. “I’m retiring from teaching for a start.” He said. “It seems like a good time to move on, and work on a new project.” He explained.

Thompson nodded. “Which is?” He asked.

William couldn’t hold back any longer. “We’re starting our own independent production company. We used to talk about making off the wall, original games, and we’re both finally in a place where we can actually do that.” He explained.

The four of them shared lunch, talking about the school, their favorite games, and the things they missed seeing in emerging and finished projects. Toward the end of Lunch Cynthia asked the question that had been on her mind the entire time. “We’re both still graduate students, there’s nothing bankable about us, and we’re completely green, are you really going to start off your company by hiring at best background fill in actors?” She asked with all seriousness.

Bannister shook his head. “No usually in these situations you lock down your staring talent. The people you want to work with to build a brand and an expected level of quality that people rarely ever see. We’re not interested in selling millions of copies, we’re interested in creating engaging, well balanced, narrative experiences, and we want the overall experience to be the star.”

William picked up the conversation. “We don’t want you to get the wrong idea, we want you because you’re both fresh and eager to work, you’re both perfectionists, and we hope that you are both ready to take this chance with us.” He explained.

Thompson and Cynthia looked at each other.  Thompson picked up his water glass nervously. “Well what do you think? He asked Cynthia.

She tapped her fingers on the table for a second. “I’m interested. Do we need to give you an answer right away?” She asked.

Banister shook his head. “Not at all. We haven’t even begun to put this thing together but when we saw you at the showcase we knew we had found people we wanted to work with from concept to completed project. Please take your time.”

The alarm on Cynthia’s phone went off letting her know she needed to administer her intro to energy final in fifteen minutes. “It was fantastic meeting both of you, I have a final to administer but I’m fairly certain we will be giving you a call back sooner rather than later.” She stood and the rest of them stood with her. They all shook hands before She and Thomson headed back to campus.

University of Console Heroics: Chapter 23

Ten thirty am on the Wednesday of finals week. The Rho Sigma Gamma house has been throwing its nightly ‘end of finals’ week party since the Saturday. Lacey was frozen out in the front yard. She had seen the kind of girls that went to these parties, and heard what the guys said about them in the days after. She had promised herself she would NEVER step foot near the house, much less go inside voluntarily, and if she hadn’t made a promise to Faith she never would have. She walked up the front steps and covered her mouth and nose with her hand as she passed a pledge who was covered in vomit and asleep in a bush near the front door.

The inside of the house wasn’t much better. There were students and brothers passed out in what seemed like every corner of every room. Every piece of furniture seemed to have at least one person drunkenly passed out on it. She found clay passed out on the floor in one of the bedrooms the brothers had converted to a room for beer pong. His mouth was wide open and he was snoring around a ping pong ball. She carefully made her way around the room, avoiding trash and piles of empty beer cans to reach Clay.

The first time she lightly shook his shoulder and limited herself to a whispered. “Wake up Clay.”. Which got her nothing. She shook him more violently the second time.

He snored around the ball again in response. She slapped him lightly on the cheek. His eyes opened in a flash. He spit the ping pong ball out as he sat up, looking around the room, everything filtering through his hang over. “Wha?” He looked at Lacey in confusion and rubbed his eyes. ‘What are you doing here?” He asked her.

Lacy rolled up the sleeves of her cardigan. “ I’m checking up on your sorry butt.” She explained. She tried to get Clay up on his feet but he just folded himself over with his head between his knees.

“I think I’ma puke.” He warned.

Lacey rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Ok lets get you into the bathroom.” She said putting everything she had in getting Clay to his feet.

In the hallway they ran into Porter who was coming out of his own room. He saw Lacey and immediately dove under Clay’s free arm. “Here let me help you.” He offered as he took most of Clay’s weight.

Lacey struggled to give him a polite smile from under Clay’s other arm. “Thanks.” She offered. The pair of them dragged Clay to the bathroom and got him to the toilet. Lacey had just turned away from him before he started emptying his stomach into the toilet. She stepped out into the hall and Porter followed her, closing the bathroom door behind them. “He’s a mess.” She gestured to Clay.

Porter nodded. “A five day bender will do that.” He explained.

Lacey was shocked. “You let him stay drunk for a week!” She almost shouted.

Porter nodded and waved his hand in a motion for her to quiet down.  “I’m not his mother, I did what I could but he is hurting pretty bad right now. Personally I would rather have sloppy drunken Clay instead of angry smash things Clay.” He explained.

Lacey nodded at this explanation. Inside the bathroom Clay sat hard against the wall and sighed heavily. “I feel way better now.” They heard him say.

Lacey checked her watch and then looked at Porter. “Do you know if he has any finals today?” She asked.

Porter shrugged his shoulders and knocked on the bathroom door. “Clay buddy, you got any finals today?” He asked.

There was the sound of frantic movement from inside the bathroom. “Oh my god is it finals week?” They heard him say as he got up off the floor and stumbling out of the bathroom when he tripped over his own two feet, hit the opposite wall and then the floor. Lacy and Porter look down at him on the floor. “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” Clay burst into laughter at his own joke.

Lacey checked her watch. “I’ll get us some coffee. You try and figure out when and where his finals might be.” She instructed. Porter nodded and watched her walk down the hall and into the kitchen.

Forty minutes later Porter had gotten Clay to a bench outside the building his psychology final was in. Clay looks worse for wear, he is more hung over than he has ever been in his life. Lacey walked up with a bottle of water and a tiny travel bottle of pain pills. She handed them to Clay. “Here, these should help. Your final starts in fifteen minutes.” She said pointing at the building behind the bench.

Clay looked up at her. “I don’t wanna be rude by why all the assistance today? I thought I was to be shunned?” he asked.

Lacey shook her head. “I‘m here because you haven’t answered your phone in a week, I’m here because Faith and I quit the sorority, but mostly I’m here because Faith was worried if she showed up you wouldn’t talk to her.” She wasn’t trying to make him feel bad but he did look worse than he had thirty seconds ago.

“Who’s got two thumbs and feels like an asshole?” he pointed his thumbs at himself. “This guy.” He gave a halfhearted laugh.

Lacey suppressed a smile. “You should go and get a good seat for your final.”

Clay nodded and headed toward the building. He stopped and turned back around.  “Lacey!” he called after her. She turned back toward the building. “Thanks, for everything.” He said. She nodded and turned back to the student union. Clay went inside to take his final.

University of Console Heroics: Chapter 22

Thompson looked himself over in the mirror. He was alone, uncomfortable, moving his body trying to remember how he ever felt comfortable in a gi. He pulled his belt apart for the third time and tied it back up again. Rolled his shoulders trying to find the room for them to sit naturally, everything about this felt awkward and un-natural. He checked the wall clock and tried to figure out if he had enough time to run before Cynthia caught him.

The knock at the door answered that question for him. She entered the room cautiously until she saw him full dressed, she closed the door behind her and walked over to stand behind him. He looked at her through the mirror, she smiled at him and made a few slight adjustments to his top and belt, instantly causing everything to sit right again. She ran her hands down his shoulders. “You look good.” She complimented him as she stepped back.

He turned around to face her. “Well I feel terrible.” He admitted.

She nodded, her smile lost a bit of its luster. “If it means anything I really, really appreciate this. You could have turned me down.” She said taking a step away from him.

He followed her and grabbed her wrist, pulling her close. There was no mirror between them now. “I could never turn you down.’ He assured her.

Their kiss was short but relaxed them both. She lowered away from him reluctantly. “You ready?” She asked.

Thompson shook his head in the negative. “No. But let’s do it any way.” They exited the green room hand in hand.

The Gym had been built for basketball games. There were bleachers on the walls that could be extended out with a crank mechanism giving spectators a place to sit and watch the games. Today the hoops were up and the Combat studies post grads were giving their semester presentations to their advisers. Foster had grabbed himself a spot in the front row. Sanders along with his father and professor Bannister entered the gym. Foster and Sanders waved at each other, Foster stood up to greet them when they got close.

“Foster, this is my dad.” Sanders said as Foster and William shook hands.

“And this is Professor Bannister.” Foster shook his hand.

“Nice to meet you both. Would you care to join me?” Foster asked, gesturing to the largely empty front row. The trio nodded and they took their seats. “So what’s your interest in the graduate showcase?” He asked.

William and Professor Bannister looked at each other, paused for a moment and then Professor Bannister shrugged. “Starting to look for new talent.” He admitted.

Foster nodded. “I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.” He offered.

Thompson and Cynthia entered the gym and walked to the mat in the center of the room. Thomson moved to his side of the mat white Cynthia faced the audience of about twenty people. “Thank you all for coming to my graduate showcase. My name is Cynthia, and this is my showcase.” She moves to her side of the mat as the audience claps.

The referee for the match preps Cynthia and Thompson for their fight. They face each other and bow, square off and each drop into their own stances. The fight Thompson had with Foster was short, brutal, and ugly. There was no finesse, neither of them were interested in showing off. Each had and end goal and no interest in dragging things out. This presentation was a different situation entirely. Thompson and Cynthia had a long history of sparing with each other but they had never gone full out against each other in a competitive exhibition. Thomson had no desire to show Cynthia up and fully expected to lose. Cynthia was looking to show off. She was chaining together combinations of moves that was forcing Thompson to legitimately pay attention in order to stay on his feet. She knew he favored solid stances and was deliberately attacking his base forcing him to stay mobile and never allowing him to set into a position he could find immovable footing. Thompson realized quickly that while this was an exhibition match, she was fighting to win. The Referee called point after point in her favor. The exhibition was best of three first to five point matches. And while he had every intention of making Cynthia look good, the tiny ember of fire in his chest had different plans. As more and more of his concentration was drawn into the actual fight he could feel the fire gathering power in his chest. In what felt like the blink of an eye he realized he had Cynthia in a choke hold which she quickly turned against him, hip throwing him off the mat. He was back on his feet before he had consciously processed the throw. He charged Cynthia and the ref stepped in his way only to catch and explosive blue flaming foot to the chest knocking him to the ground out cold. Foster took a step off the bench but Cynthia held her hand out to stop him, waved at the unconscious ref and moved around the mat keeping Thompson’s flaming blue eyes on her as Foster and Sanders dragged the referee away from the fight.

Thompson charged Cynthia in a blinding blue streak of screaming flame. She sidestepped and took his feet out from under him, catching him in the small of the back with her elbow and drove him into the ground hard enough to know the wind out of his lungs and dissipate the fire everywhere except his eyes. The pair got to their feet slowly. There was nothing beautiful about the next few blows, no artistry, no craft. Thompson started off by bringing the full force of his elbow to Cynthia’s jaw, He carried the shot through and when he righted himself she was still on her feet. Her body awash in emerald green flame. She wiggled her jaw back and forth knowing it was going to be a new world of pain when the adrenaline wore off but not caring in the moment. The Blue fire took his body over again as Thompson was on guard for everything, except the lightning fast kick to the nuts that brought him to his knees and put stars in his eyes. He never saw the uppercut that took him off his knees. As he few through the air the blue flame separated from him, keeping his body shape for a second before the fire dissipated into thin air. When he opened his eyes again, they were clear.

Cynthia was standing on the far side of the mat facing away from him. The green flame rising up her body in calm, even waves. Thompson got to his knees first, shook off the upper cut and shot to the nuts and then got to his feet. Cynthia turned around to face him and saw that he had chosen a more fluid stance. She charges him and he uses her own style against her, tripping her up, and catching her as she rotates to strike back at him, He grabs her wrist as she tries to strike him, they hit the mat together and he uses his free hand to tap out. Her flame disappears. Both of them are bruised, bloody and going to be in a lot of pain very soon. None of which stops Thompson from kissing Cynthia before be breaks away with a smile. “You win.” He congratulates her as they pick each other off the map to the applause of the crowd. 

University of Console Herorics: Chapter 21

Faith was laid on Lacey’s bed, using her legs as a pillow of sorts. She had been crying, evidenced by the obscenely large pile of used tissues on the bed. Her eyes were red and its doubtful that she’s gotten any decent sleep in the last few days. Lacey was running her hand through Faith’s hair as she continued to cry. The Alarm on Lacey’s phone went off, sending her phone into a noisy fit. She grabbed it and quickly silenced it. “Ok, one hour till meeting, into the shower with you.” Lacy commanded.

Faith rotates and gave Lacey a comical pout. “I can’t just skip it?” She asked.

Lacey looked down at her friend. “The shower or the meeting? Because at this point I honestly wouldn’t recommend skipping either of them.” She couldn’t help the smile from showing. Faith stuck her tongue out. “Well that’s mature. Look, you and I both know that if you don’t do this now it’s going to eat you up inside for a very long time.” She was trying to sound as matter of fact as possible.

Faith rolled over to face the crappy romance on the TV again. “Or I could just move as far away from this school, my family, and boys, as possible.” She grumbled.

Lacey started to poke at her friend in an attempt to get her to move. “Uh huh, and when you find this mythical island of Amazon’s, what do you plan on doing there?” She asked sarcastically.

Faith held out her hands and made a wave motion with her right hand. “Weave baskets. Pretty ones, with shiny shells threaded in them.” She explained.

Lacy moved her legs out from under Faith plopping her on the bed by herself. “Well then, shall we take a basket weaving class first or you do you just wanna pack and jet?” She asked.

Faith sat up grumbling. “No, I can’t run away from my problems for the rest of my life. I’m a big girl, I’m getting in the shower.” She got up and grabbed her towel and stopped near the bathroom door to turn back to her friend. “You’re making me adult, I’m never going to forgive you for this.” She said with a smile.

Lacey pointed at the bathroom. “SHOWER, NOW!” She was trying not to laugh.

Faith opened the bathroom door. “RUDE!” She said as she walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

Forty five minutes later Lacey and Faith were standing outside the Nu Tau Delta house. Faith had really cleaned up. Her makeup was perfect, she had her favorite Nu Tau Delta letter shirt on, her shoes matched the letters in the shirt. Sisters passed the pair and headed into the house. Faith watched as the last of the sisters headed into the house. She looked at Lacey to her left. “Whatever happens in there, we’re still friends, right?” She asked.

Lacey nodded and they headed into the house together.

In order to be a sister in good standing with the sorority you only had to attend ten hours of sorority functions a month, including weekly meetings. There were rules and regulations from their own organization as well as school that kept them from demanding a larger mandatory time commitment. The result was that these weekly meetings were often only ever attended by the girls who lived in the house, or were trying to become more involved in sorority politics. Tonight however the house was standing room only. Every active sister had arrived no less than five minutes early. Faith knew instantly that her sister had leveraged some very serious threats to get the entire sisterhood to be in the same place at the same time, and that it was supposed to embarrass and humiliate her.

Tanya and the other five girls on the sorority council were sitting at the only table in the room. Set right in front of the fireplace. Tanya rapt her gavel three times before she spoke. “I call this meeting to order. Before we get on with our official business we have a sister who would like to address the chapter.” She said with a smile on the verge of predatory.  Some of the girls turned to look at Faith, others were polite or reserved enough to wait for her to reach the front of the room, crawling over and stepping in between the girls filling every available space in the gigantic living room. Once she reached the front of the room there was no denying that every set of eyes was on her, many staring angry laser beams into various areas of her body, attempting to turn their mental judgement of her crimes into physical punishment by way of their eyes.  Faith looked around the room and realized that she couldn’t name even ten girls in the room. She cleared her throat. “Sisters of the Beta Sigma chapter of Nu Tau Delta. I come before you tonight to ask forgiveness. I come before you to clear my conscience. I come before you tonight, to admit my faults and failures.” Her opening did little to lessen the intensity of the stares she was receiving. Never the less she persisted. “Some of us thrive in this, class based society. Where it’s not what you do, it’s the image of yourself you present to the outside world. It’s not about the quality of your life, it’s the size of your bank account. It’s not how you make other people feel it’s all about how many people worship you.” A few of the glares had softened. Many soured and she could feel the silent wave of acidic rage washing over her from behind. “I am here to apologize because I thought I was immune to the realities of that system. You see, I had friends and a life before I became this, person.” She pulled the pins out of her hair, letting it fall messily to her shoulders. “I let my Sister warp and distort how I saw myself. They say you can become a brand new person in College and I was so afraid of who I might become that I somehow convinced myself to become the person I hate most.” She lifted her feet one by one and pulled her shoes off tossing them gently to the floor. “I’m not saying this world is wrong for everyone, or that it’s a horrible reality that destroys more decent human beings than it creates. Many of you will go on to become outstanding and exceptional people. But for me it means becoming a carbon copy of my sister. “She pulled off her Nu Tau Delta Shirt revealing a plain black tank top underneath. “And honestly I’d rather die.” She turned and tossed the shirt at her sister. Her fist picked it out of the air like a bear trap snapping shut. “So, Tanya, I quit.” She spun toward the door and stepped her way out of the room. Girls practically diving out her way this time.

Tanya stood up, barely controlled fury in her eyes. “You walk out of this house, I tell our parents everything. “ She threatened.

Faith threw up the middle finger on both hands still heading for the door. “I dare you, lets see who comes out of that info dump on top.” She said as she opened the door and headed out into the night. Lacey scampered out of the room and snuck through the door before it closed. The room was dead silent for a moment. Then the front door opened again and Lacey tossed her own letter shirt on the floor and closed the door again. For a split second Tanya lost control and tossed her gavel at the nearest window, shattering it. A majority of the room got up and filed toward the door, murmuring as they left the house. None of the girls picked up the abandoned shirt.

University of Console Heroics: Chapter 20

The Intro to Energy classroom lights were off. Foster was sitting in the middle of the room, alone. Rigid in his meditation pose, his eyes closed in tight frustration. Arctic blue flames washed off him in erratic waves. He was still trying to force his way to some sense of even calm breathing pattern, the clockwork three second in and out cycle of breathing feeling and sounding as unnatural as ever. There is a knock on the door frame. Foster opens his eyes. Thompson was leaning in the doorway hands  in the pockets of his hoodie.

“So, this is why I haven’t seen or heard from you in over a month?” He asked as he stepped into the room and flipped the light switch. “I honestly don’t know why you’re here right now, if you couldn’t meditate before you certainly won’t be able to now, what you’ve chosen is the furthest away from peace of mind you’re ever going to get kid.” Thompson slowly paced the front of the room.

Foster choked his fire out completely and relaxed his posture.  “Don’t get mad at me for exploring an option you gave me.” He replied.

Thompson glared at Foster. “I was trying to warn you about how awful this option really is.” He growled.

Foster shot to his feet. “Oh sure,  right, a ‘warning’ that’s what that was. Warn the freshman away from limitless power, by telling him exactly how to reach out and take it, great plan Thompson.” Foster spat.

Thompson shook his head. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, In hoping you would learn from mine it appears I have done nothing more than make another.” He admitted sadly.

Foster stepped back, a smile on his face. “Mistake? How can you call this feeling, this power, a mistake?” he asked, blue flame building up his arms and legs.

Thompson held Fosters gaze without flinching. “Because I earned it , you haven’t. You’re just floating around in the shallow end right now. If you want to stay in the pool you have to dive in.” He explained.

“What makes you think I haven’t?” Foster asked as the blue flame brightened.

Thompson shook his head. “Because when you look into the darkness, it looks into you, and it’s not in you yet.” He said, dropping into his fighting stance.

Foster looked at him wearily. “I won’t hold back.” Foster said as he readied himself for what was coming.

Thompson was calmer than he expected to be. “Everything comes with a price Foster.  Daigo paid, I paid, so will you.” Thompson launched himself at Foster who had no way of conceiving what the fight was going to be like. Foster pushed himself to his absolute limits just to protect himself from the onslaught that Thompson was laying down.  He was five steps ahead of anything Foster tried, he blocked ever strike, side stepped ever trip, and replied with multiple blows to every attack Foster made. He was so rattled by Thompson’s ferocity that he was making strings of poor moves and bad mistakes. Thompson practically walked him into overextending himself, throwing him off balance finally and catching him in a choke phone. Thompson slowly lowered him to the ground as he gasped for air, his fire still burning brightly. “Let it die Foster, don’t force me to make this choice.”

Foster feebly scrambles to pull Thompson's arm away from his neck. “You, couldn’t!” Foster gasped, still fighting for air. “To, many, questions.” He grunted, his struggles were getting weaker.

Thompson smiled slightly. “I fought and murdered a professor in this room and stand before you a free man,  and students disappear far more often than professors.” There was the smallest flicker of flame in Thompsons eyes as Fosters fire began to wither and fade. Foster dug deep and gave one last push to escape the headlock. Thompson shut him down with ease. “You or the fire Foster, one dies in the next five seconds.”  The fire in Thompson’s eyes gets brighter. Foster is now struggling for his life, the fear has set in and Thompson holds steady like a professional bull rider. “Being an adult is all about making choices.” Fosters fire flickers erratically Foster vision starts to go dark around the edges. The flame gives a few final flicks of life and then is snuffed out completely, then smoke rises from Fosters body as if he were a doused campfire.  Thompson lets him go and he flops onto the floor of the classroom on his back, Taking huge gulps of air. Thompson stands up, the fire in his eyes is raging now, fighting to get loose. His hands are shaking a little bit. He turns away from Foster, counting to ten and then laid down on the floor close to Foster who was trying to get his breathing back under control. When Thompson opened his eyes the fire was gone.

“You were right.” Foster said between deep breaths.

Thompson nodded. “You should have listened to me in the first place, you don’t want this burden.” He said finally.

Foster shook his head. “No, I mean t you were right about the breathing. It’s a lot harder to control it when you’re beat to hell.” He laughed at himself which sent him into a tiny coughing fit.

Thompson laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “Can’t breathe, can’t fight.” He said with a smile.

Foster nodded. “No kidding.” He said.

The pair laid in the room in silence for a moment. Foster had gotten his breathing back under control and it was clear that while he would be fine, his neck would be sore for a few days.

Foster stopped investigating his neck for a moment. “Hey Thompson?” He asked.

Thompson opened his eyes. “yeah?” He asked.

Foster put his hands on the floor again. “You know you have to help Cynthia in her showcase now right? I  was supposed it, as the student with the highest score but without the fire I’m not nearly good enough and she needs someone who can match her for her exhibition.” He explained. Thompson stared silently at the ceiling. Foster continued. “I mean I appreciate what you did for me, but now you need to help her.” He finished.

Thompson was staring a hole into the corner of a ceiling tile as he listened to Foster. “I don’t want to hurt her.” He replied.

Foster sighed heavily. “I don’t know if you noticed, she may bruise when you hit her, but she dies inside when you ignore her.” Foster offered.

Thompson closed his eyes. “So what happens if I lose control?” He asked.

Foster shrugged his shoulders. “So far you’ve fought an old man that was ready to die, and a complete unskilled freshman. You’re good but it’s entirely possible that she’s better.” Foster said.

“And what makes you think that?” Thompson asked.

Foster thought about it for a moment. “Because she loves brighter than you burn.” He said after sitting up.

Thompson looks over at Foster in mild surprised. “I know we just tried to kill each other, but Thomas Foster.” He said sitting up and holding out his hand.  “It has been an honor to be your friend.” 

They shook hands and Foster smiled which made him wince in pain. “Same here, just don’t, ever, try to ‘help’ me again.” He demanded.

Thompson laughed. “Deal.” He agreed.

University of Console Heroics: Chapter 19

Tuesday was not normally an active night for the boys of Rho Sigma Gamma house. Which is how Clay and Porter were able to use the hundred and one inch big screen TV in the main living room. They had started an “I’d Steal it” marathon earlier in the afternoon and were now half a pizza and a dozen beers into arguing over which cars they thought were more valuable as the over produced British car show droned on about the latest batch of cars.

The ad for the high priced luxury car finished and Porter leaned forward and grabbed the remote. “Look Clay, as much as I’ve been missing you this semester and everything, you’ve been crashing at the house for the last four days. Don’t you have classes this week?” He asked gently, turning the audio down.

Clay grabbed a now cool slice of pizza and dropped the skinny end into his mouth. “Don’t care.” He decreed with a mouthful of cheese.

Porter put the remote down. “Excuse me? Who are you and what have you done with Clay?” He asked opening another beer.

Clay laid himself out on the couch. “Seriously, I don’t care. C’s get degrees right?” He shoved the rest of his pizza in his mouth.

Porter shook his head. “Look, I’m all about respecting your wishes but is this girl really worth pissing away all the work you did this semester?” He asked. Clay Glared at Porter until Porter threw up his hands. “My bad, forget I ever said anything.” Clay grabbed another slice and a beer from the coffee table. Porter sighed heavily and got up from his chair and went out into the back yard.  Clay listened as the door to the backyard shut. He looked at the slice of pizza in his hand, sighed heavily and set it back in the box and went out to the backyard.

Porter was taking shots at the basketball hoop close to the small swimming pool. The ball rebounded wildly after a shot and Clay picked it up, bouncing it a few times. “I’m sorry, it’s just, a crappy situation.” He held the ball up. “You up for a little one on one?” He asked as he tossed the ball to porter.

Porter caught the ball and bounced it a few times. “First to 11?” He asked.

Clay nodded. “Every point is half a beer.” He said.

Porter shook his head. “You can barely stand up as it is, maybe we should just relax a bit on the drinking.

Clay shook his head. “This coming from the guy who carries a flask with him at all times.”

Porter bounced the ball to Clay. “All right, but when I win, you’re telling me what the hell happened with you this semester. Horse blinders and all.”

The game didn’t last long. Porter scored the first four points in less than a minute. The more he moved the more Clay realized just how drunk he really was. He had stopped the game to finish off his second beer. He put the empty can on the ground, went to smash it flat with his foot and missed completely, lost his balance and fell flat on his back laughing hysterically.

Porter set the ball down and sat next to Clay. “I win.”

Clay nodded. “Just because I can’t stand up right now doesn’t mean you won the game.” Clay waved a hand in Porters face.

Porter held the ball out for Clay to take. “Prove it.”

Clay took the ball and leaned his head back until he could see the basket upside down. He threw the ball which flew wild and went through a window in the house. Clay relaxed and looked up at the sky “Fine, you win.” He said. “Hey what did you mean when you said ‘horse blinders and all?’” He asked.

Porter leaned back on his hands. “It’s the way you get into stuff. When you pledged the fraternity you were 110% in. Everything else fell by the wayside. When you found out that you had to take a psych class two weeks before the semester started you bought the books and started studying like crazy and not just for that class either, You’re life became academics. Then you met this girl and you disappeared, which I can’t blame you, she’s fine. But she became the thing you defined your life by. You hyper focus on whatever you’re doing. Like you got horse blinders on.” He explained.

Clay thought about this for a moment in the silence of the backyard. “I met her in the Library, a few weeks into the semester, but that wasn’t the first time I saw her. I saw her the first day of school and that’s when I, got horse blinders, I guess.” He started. Porter nodded and listened as Clay laid out every detail of his semester.

The University of Console Heroics: Chapter 18

Sanders was slowly but surely hammering his way through an essay final for one of his other classes. He had headphones on and had fairly effectively shut out the rest of the world, so it was no surprise that he didn't hear the knock at the door. The knock came again, louder this time and he pulled his headphones off his head just in time to hear the third knock. He scrambled to his feet and opened the door to reveal his father, Sanders was nearly a carbon copy of his father, except that William was three decades older. Sanders moved out of the way, still in shock. "Dad! What are you doing here?" He asked.

William moved into the dorm room. "I came to see you, obviously. The last time we talked it sounded like you could use some parental guidance." He explained.

Sanders shook his head. "We haven't talked in almost two months Dad" he replied.

William sighed heavily and sat in one of the empty chairs. "Rodger Bannister called me." He admitted.

Sanders looked a little disappointed. "Professor Bannister called you?" He asked.

William nodded. "He was worried about you. Apparently you are having more trouble with the divorce than you admitted to your mother and I." William explained.

Sanders threw his hands up. "Of course I am Dad!" He snapped. "What were you expecting? Did you really think you could just let me know a relationship older than me was just 'over', I'd nod, smile, go 'ho-hum' and be on about my day?" He almost shouted.

William looked concerned. "Not at all. We told you so you could ask us any questions you had or say anything you felt like you needed to say. Apparently we needed to give you more time to process and that's our fault." He admitted.

Sanders shook his head. "No it's really not. Regardless of me being your kid, your relationship status is between the two of you. I'm grown and out of the house, I appreciate the courtesy and I'm sorry I acted like a child." Sanders apologized.

William shook his head. "No one is ever ready for something like their parents splitting up. It doesn't matter how old you are." He said.

Sanders nodded. "So there's no chance the two of you are going to get back together?" He asked.

William shook his head. "There are a number of reasons that won't be happening, the least of which is that your mother's boyfriend would be very disappointed." William said with a smile.

Sanders was stunned. "Mom's dating someone already?" He asked in shock.

William nodded. "Oh yes, she met him st work and they seem to have hit it off quite nicely. We've had dinner a few times, I think you'll like him." He explained.

Sanders shook his head. "I think it will take me a while to get used to the idea of mom having a boyfriend." He started. "While we're on the subject though, what about you and professor Bannister?" He asked.

William smiled sadly. "Both of us are far too old to go digging up feelings that have been buried for so long." He said.

Sanders rolled his eyes. "Well that's bullshit." He spat.

William looked shocked. "Language son." He chided.

Sanders shook his head. "I'm an adult now, get used to it." He decreed.

William nodded. "All right then why is it 'bullshit?" He asked.

Sanders smiled. "Loving someone liberates the lover as well as the beloved. And that kind of love comes with age." He quipped.

William smiled. "Excuse me?" He asked again.

Sanders shook his head. "You freed yourself, and in a roundabout weird way, freed the love of your life. We are so rarely free to be who we are, don't turn your back on that freedom over something stupid like the fact that you were young and attractive a really long time ago."

"Hey!" William snapped. "It wasn't that long ago." He protested.

Sanders smiled. "That's the idea." He said.

University of Console Heroics: Chapter 17

Thompson and Cynthia are sitting in Thompson’s apartment having breakfast for dinner. Pancakes, eggs, toast and orange juice. Cynthia had ended up at his apartment every night in the last week and while their conversations often took them to coffee shops and all night diners they had stayed in most nights and breakfast food was all he had left.

Cynthia smiled at him as she dunked her toast into her over easy egg. “We should go shopping tomorrow.” She said. Biting her eggy toast.

Thompson raised an eyebrow. “We?” He asked.

She nodded finishing her toast. “You fed me, the least I can do is help refill your fridge.” She smiled.

“I think you severely overestimate the everyday functionality of my kitchen.” He said with a mouthful of pancakes.

Cynthia laughed. “Lemmie guess, what were eating now consists of all the actual food that was in there. Currently there is a jar with one pickle left in it, a half a bottle of ketchup and a two beers.” She counted the items off on her fingers.

Thompson scoffed. “Wrong! It’s actually three beers.” He mumbled eating more pancakes.

Cynthia got quiet all of a sudden and picked at her own pancakes. “Dean?” She asked quietly.

Dean set his fork down. “Yeah?”

She looked him in the eye. “What did you tell Foster?” She asked bluntly.

Thompson shrugged. “Just that he didn’t want my help.” He swirled the orange juice in his cup.

Cynthia nervously poked her pancakes with her fork again. “He burns like you do.”

Thompson almost spilled his glass. “Son of a bitch!”

He shot out of his chair. Shocking Cynthia. “I didn’t know how to tell you at first and then things just kept on like you never disappeared and I didn’t want to ruin it.” She admitted sadly. “I’m sorry.”

Thompson turned around and knelt at her feet grabbed her hands and looked her in the eyes. “This isn’t your fault and whatever happens between me and Foster won’t ruin this, I can promise you that.” He said.

She shook her head. “You can’t promise that. Because whatever this is, is the same thing between you and Daigo. You were different then, Foster is different now. He’s completely green but if he wasn’t he’d be scary.” She said as Foster paced the living room. “What’s wrong?” She asked.

Thompson nibbled at his thumb as he paced. “I made a huge mistake.” He said.

Cynthia shook her head. “I don’t think so, he passed his midterm with flying colors. He was the first person to sign up for my end of semester showcase. If he wasn’t such a dick, I’d say whatever you said was totally successful.” She admitted.

Thompson stopped pacing. “Cynthia you really don’t understand.”

Cynthia got up and moved closer to Thompson. “Then explain it to me.” She demanded.

Thompson looked into her eyes and nodded. He sat on the floor and she joined him. “Fine, but promise me you won’t say anything until I tell you the whole story.” He said getting situated.

University of Console Heroics: Chapter 16

It wasn’t quite time for students to be panicking over their finals so the library is lightly attended by its usual full semester residents. Most at their own tables where they have been all semester, claiming their space in preparation for the rest of the student body to realize the campus library is a genuinely useful resource. Clay and faith were sitting together at a large table. Their books and study materials had long since intertwined and become quite the mess. Clay had spent most of his evening reading from the last chapter of his psychology text, taking notes and highlighting important passages. Faith had her book open but was flipping through flash cards, testing herself on the contents of the previous chapter. Clay finished highlighting a sentence and looked over at Faith as she flipped through card after card. Reading them silently to herself, then flipping each to check her answer and moving the card to the back of the pile. Almost without thinking he reached over and drew a neon yellow line on her arm. Causing her to glance at him over her the top of her cards. He is trying not to smile and failing miserably and before he registers her movement she has her own pink highlighter out and they are locked in a silly game of highlighter tag.

Clay got a hold of both her wrists and tried to give her a stern look. “We should be studying young lady.” He said in his deepest ‘adult’ voice. She twisted her wrist and drew a long pink line on his hand. Their battle began again.

Their table wasn’t far from the fiction section of the library, Where Tanya had been wandering the stacks looking for the library intern from her analysis paralysis class. She found them instead. Her mind immediately started counting broken rules she was witnessing and she felt herself getting angry until she saw the Rho Sigma Gamma patch on his backpack and her field of vision went red.

Faith and Clay were still playing with each other, and the fight had gotten ridiculous as attempted tickling had gotten involved. The temperature at the table dropped five degrees when Tanya approached. “Faith?” She asked with mock surprise.

Faith looked at her and dropped the game as if she had touched a hot burner. “Tanya, Um, Hi, What’s up?” She asked feigning ignorance.

Tanya’s facial expression fit like a cheap Halloween mask. Her smile was painted on and didn’t match the rage in her eyes. She shot Faith a look that landed somewhere between psycho murderer and Stepford Wife. “I’m not, interrupting anything, am I?” She asked with all the intensity of a grease fire that’s just hit a second burner.

Faith put her highlighter down on the table and shook her head. “No, no of course not, not at all Tanya.” She said, moving her chair away from Clay.

Faith repainted her smile which only made her look crazier and looked at Clay. “Can I steal her for just a second then?” It was structured like a question but sounded like a rattle snake warning him off. “Just need to chat with you for a moment dear.” She said looking back at Faith.

Faith quickly grabbed her purse and stood up. “I’ll be right back.” She said without breaking the gaze Tanya had her locked into.

Tanya held the glare and piggybacked on Faith’s comment. “Won’t steal her for more than a minute or two.”

The girls quickly and quietly disappeared into the fiction section. Clay was left, sitting awkwardly by himself. In front of studying he no longer had any interest in.

The second the girls were out of ear shot Tanya spun on Faith. “What the Hell was that Faith?” She spat.

Faith was no longer hiding her annoyance. “None of your business Tanya.” She fired back.

The shred of composure that Tanya had was beginning to fade. “When it comes to the sisterhood everything is my business.” She hissed.

Fury was boiling behind Faith’s eyes now. “You never wanted anything to do with me before we came to college, what makes you think that being in the same sorority would create a stronger bond than the biological one you’ve turned your nose up at.” She spat.

The judgement slid off Tanya like she was coated in Teflon. “As a member of Nu Tau Delta every sister, including you, has the responsibility of maintaining our image on this campus. I don’t know why mom thought the sorority would somehow make you care about how the world sees you when you have never, not once cared about your personal image. Faith that person is not a part of the Nu Tau Delta lifestyle. You may not care in the least about that lifestyle but as long as I am president of the sorority you will abide by the guidelines of the sisterhood. You aren’t just damaging your own reputation here.”

Faith was barely keeping her rage in check during Tanya’s speech. “Really Tanya?” She replied. “I’m the one putting our precious reputation in danger?” She continued. “Then please tell me why I keep hearing that Nu Tau Delta means Never Turn Down a guy, because it sounds more like I’m pulling us out of the mud.” The slap was like lightening. Faith knew it was coming and was still shocked when it hit her cheek. By the time she registered the pain her face was turned to the side.

Tanya leaned in to whisper in Faith’s ear. “Unless you want me to call mom and have her yank your spoiled, judgmental ass out of this school I’d watch that mouth of yours. No one speaks negatively about Nu Tau Delta, nobody.” Her voice had the same tone as a revving table saw and it made Faith flinch. She nodded quickly. Having finally made her point Tanya collected herself. “Now, as your big sister I am willing to forget what I just heard, if, you are willing to go before the chapter to apologies and recommit yourself to the sisterhood.”

Faith slowly turned back to face Tanya, she wiped a tear off her cheek and smeared her mascara slightly. Tanya clicked her tongue. “Oh honey, we need to get you cleaned up. Come on, let’s go say goodbye to your friend and we’ll get some ice on that cheek also.

Faith was more intimidated by the now sickeningly sweetness Tanya was exuding than she was by her fury. She followed behind her sister quickly and quietly as they headed back to the table. When they got back to the table she immediately began to pack her bag.

Clay instantly saw the redness on her cheek, as well as the sadness in her eyes. “Are you ok?” He asked softly while moving closer to her. She moved away from him and shook her head at the same time. Clay looked to Tanya who flashed him a poisonously sweet smile. Clay ignored her and turned back to Faith. “Faith what’s going on?” He asked, trying to look in her eyes. She avoided his gaze and zipped up her bag and slid it over her shoulders. Walked over and stood a step behind and step to the right of Tanya, wanting desperately to leave the library.

Tanya didn’t move. “Say it.” She hissed at her sister.

Faith’s shoulders slumped and she reluctantly made eye contact with Clay. “I, I don’t want to see you again Clay. It’s, not working out between us. Please just, leave me alone.” Her voice was barely above a whisper and wavered like she could cry at any second.

Clay nodded dumbly and sat back down for no other reason than the air conditioning pushed him off his feet.

Pleased with the exchange Tanya made her way out of the library and Faith followed one step behind and to the right.

University of Console Heroics: Chapter 15

Bannister’s office had changed, or more accurately his office was reflecting the changes that had begun to show in him. His desk was still covered with a castle walls worth of essays, but on top of one of the corner stacks sat an old faded picture of two young men. One wearing denim overalls on top of a red shirt, the other wearing denim overalls over a green shirt. Bannister is writing an excessive amount of notes on the paper he is grading. There was a knock at his door and it broke his concentration. His hand froze, the tip of the pen hovered in midair, another knock at the door. He put the pen down, his train of thought long gone. “Come in.” He said. The door opened and Sanders walked into the office and sat in his usual chair after shutting the door. “Well this is a twist on the established pattern.” Banister remarked.

Sanders nodded silently and sunk into the chair. “I couldn’t wait until after class.” He explained.

Bannister gave a concerned look. “Are you ok? What’s wrong?” He asked.

Sanders shook his head. “I’ve been better, I’m dropping your class.” He admitted.

Bannister shook his head. “Not this close to finals you’re not.

Sanders stared at the wall of the desk, avoiding Banisters eye line. “It’s already done.”

Banister almost threw his pen. “Why would you do that to yourself?” He shouted.

Sanders burned holes in the wall of the desk. “Because I should never have signed up for this class in the first place. I just…I’m sorry. I’ve been a horrible person and horrible student this semester. It was wrong of me to pry into your life.” He confessed.

Bannister set his pen on the desk and sat back in his chair. “You done vilifying yourself?” He asked sarcastically.

Sanders eyes left the desk to look in surprise at Bannister. “What?” He asked.

Bannister sat forward and picked his pen up and tapped it a few times on the essay he was grading. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions. SO maybe the road to heaven is paved with bad ones.” He offered.

Sanders was lost. “What the hell does that mean?” He asked.

Bannister looked at the photo on his desk. “You may have been a pushy, attitudinal prick but you helped me more than you know.” He admitted.

Sanders looked at the photo. “So who’s important enough in your life to be immortalized on your desk?” He asked, picking up the photo and looking at it.

Bannister smiled. “It’s a friend of mine from my college days.” Bannister noticed that Sanders was frozen on the photo. “You sure you’re really ok?” He asked again.

Sanders broke away from the photo and nodded quickly. “Yeah, Yeah I’m fine.” He confirmed while still holding the photo. He cleared his throat and looked at it again. “You know my dad went here too.” Sanders started. Banister nodded. “He was an Adventure Studies Major. Ended up as a background spectator in a bunch of fighting games.” Sanders continued.

Bannister nodded. “That’s good, steady work.” He offered.

Sanders nodded. “Oh sure. But it’s not what he wanted to do with his life, not, who he was.” Sanders chose his words carefully. “He was so, happy, the day I got my acceptance letter from UCH. He pulled this big box of all his old university stuff.” For the first time Bannister realizes he is listening to Sanders and not the other way around. He quietly leans forward a little bit. “Sweatshirts and hoodies, all kinds of sports memorabilia.” Sanders reached out and put the photo back on the desk, the picture facing Bannister. “Photos.” He said looking at Bannister. Bannister looked at his photo knowing that the other print of it was in that box. “My parents got divorced this summer. Dad swears that he never meant to hurt us, and I’m know that he loves us, but he said that he couldn’t keep lying to himself. He spent his whole career doing work he hated, he married a woman he desperately wanted to love but never quite could. His whole life, my, our, whole life was one giant lie.” Bannister sat back quietly. “That’s when I First found out about you, the other guy in the photo. Dad’s “friend” from college. For the rest of the summer it burned inside of me, I didn’t know if I should be hurt, happy, mad, or sad. So I signed up for your class. Because I had to meet the man who knew who my father actually was.” Bannister scrunched up his chin for a second and chose not to speak. “Imagine my surprise when you turned out to be so bitter and broken that I thought maybe you were the wrong guy.” Bannister was trying not to cry now. “And so, here I sit. Unreasonably angry at my father, a man who has been reborn and is living the life he denied himself for decades, asking my friend and my professor to forgive me for deceiving him and doing more harm to him than my father could have ever done to me.” Sanders got up out of the chair and walked over to the door. “That’s why I should never have taken your class.” He opened the door and walked out of the office. “Good luck with finals professor.” His voice echoing down the hall as the door closed behind him.

Bannister tapped his pen and stared silently at his office door for a long time.