Chapter 155

Zairiel

“Again?” Said Mr. Higgles, admittedly my favorite human. His wife was my first blessing. They had an 11.3 pound girl…. One day I will apologize for my enthusiasm. 

How is *she* related to this man?!

“They bothered me.” I huffed.

“You can’t lash out because they bother you. But I get it… it’s Hard.” He said leaning back. “When I was a kid, I used to be so mad, but when I graduated, I went to the Army. I saw the world… and I learned somethin’. I learned that when you’re that mad, the only one who’s missing out is *you*.” He said as I was handed my classwork. “I also learned from the cafeteria footage, that they did come over first, but you still gotta control that temper.”

I had biology after lunch. This stuff was hard to read and figure out on my own, while *they* were treated like princesses because I have a record. I would have to fill out this period’s work on my own. Shit.

“I know…” I huffed, resigning myself to my fate. “I thought I was being ‘cool’ but now I’m going to probably miss grandpa’s barn raising.” I grumbled. Shit.

“Really?” 

“Yeah, he’s got some more cows, and the old barn’s kinda the second family house now, so he needed somewhere for the animals come winter.” I said casually. 

Jentucky’s a Country state. This is the biggest town in it, and most else is farm. He perked Right up on hearing it, since his family’s got a farm too. 

“What a shame.”

“I’m sure that’s canceled for me anyway.” I got up as the bell rang.

“There’re consequences. Next time… maybe pause. You don’t have to win every battle, but if they’re messing with you, tell me. If I see it, nobody might not believe you, but I will.” 

I nodded. I think he thinks I’m a troubled youth…

I went to my next class, math, and I was confused the entire time. I have to figure out the human concept as a human… and feel the dread of my father’s arrival.

Damn it, he’s at work too. I’m going to be grounded for this. Mom is going to be disappointed… the way they will weave that story is as if *I’m* the problem child.

There’s footage but no audio. Their word, versus the word of a ‘known troublemaker’.

But like… I guess I might be? I do kind of what I want, but I try not to be disruptive. I sit quietly but I still forget to ask to go to the bathroom, or submit to humans… That’s the hard one…

I hate that.

She better be fucking glad I’m not a narc. I knew because of my sisters that there’s going to be weed and booze, but like… that stuff doesn’t work on us.

It becomes Just air and Just water until we turn 18. It isn’t fair!!!

I can buy a planet, age its sun, and fix its orbit, Reap entire planets, but I can’t drink! 

But if it means my sisters still have their shit friends, I’ll be the scapegoat. Why not? If I tell them, they’re going to lose their shit.

The bells rang…. 

School was over and I was called to the office. Father in officer uniform… his glare made me almost bow my head. 

We sat in her office, and I hated how proud she looked. Like my admonishment was a trophy for the day…

Well… I mean it Is. The Lord of Obliteration laid low for an unarmed human.

“I came when I saw I got a missed call.” father said looking at me sternly. “What happened.”

Father is Literally a mortal bedtime story. He’s a threat in the night for naughty mortals… who do nightly things…. In this form I feel *why*.  I bet he thinks that I’m being a jackass… I bet he’s going to believe everyone else, because …well… most other times I’ve Earned his visit.

“His disrespectful attitude, and he’s been bullying other students.” Said Dr. Newman seriously.

What.

“Oh? May I know details?” Said father like the king he was. 

“Of course, Officer Nox.” She didn’t notice, but he summoned his coffee cup from his office. The Cindi the Blue nosed Reindeer one…  “He seems to be trying to live up to that last name lately.”

It boiled in his hand as he took a sip, but she still didn’t notice.

Oh…. He’s *Actually* Mad.

I’m gonna get my magic taken away… or worse… my console. Likely all of them. This is Some Bullshit!

“He’s been calling the cheerleaders profanities. Some of them are expressing their concern for his sisters being on the team.”

“What!” I stood. “I Don’t Talk To Anyone! I was Sitting By Myself when *They* came to bully *me!*”

“Be that as it may, I Saw *you* and your behavior, and how upset you made them. They’re well mannered, but this behavior is getting repetitive.” She said firmly. “Then there was the incident where you got in a fight with Carlos.”

*Carlos can eat my ass.* His stupid girlfriend too. I didn’t hit on Beta Bitch! Ray holds his arm down the hall. If she’s not cheating on him, she’s with him. As a nobody I saw, and She Knows I Saw her with Tony.

But I won’t say that to the principal… I know it’ll make it worse.

“Ray told Carlos that I tried asking her out to the party. The One I’m Not Invited to.”

“You didn’t say that last Monday.”

I did. 

I even put in writing when they give those stupid incident reports. I am Mortal in this body, but I do train myself… oddly enough when I started, I noticed my divinity increase by a lot.

But I lost that fight. Mostly on purpose…. Sort of. If I won against a popular kid, then my emo loner build would be ruined.

I work out at the condo’s gym in flesh, and as a god I train with grandfather himself most Saturdays.

But losing makes me more a loser.

“So That’s their plan.” I mumbled. “They want my sisters off the team because Coach Sandy said she was going to redo the roster before homecoming.”

Zulliba is going to replace Ray as Co-Captain… and Zohlliba really did earn first spot.

“I don’t believe that.” She said playing favorites.

“It doesn’t have to be a big, grand reason other than jealousy. My sisters work *hard*… they come home tired… They take gymnastics 3 days a week. I can’t remember the last time they even *looked* at me. I Want to be a loser; for it I am forgotten about….yet *now* All Of A Sudden, *Before Homecoming*, Everyone has a problem with the kid who Never Speaks With Anyone who Just so happens to have no friends to back him up, and he’s related to the competition.”

I said it so plain, so Simple even a toddler could understand…. But I was pissed. If I left this building I’d shift and torch this whole fucking town if they break their hearts.

“I believe him.” Said father. It helps he’s in uniform.

“I’ll look into it.” She said flustered.

“I would like an apology.” Said father calmly. “For the disruption in my work, and the disruption of my son’s learning time.” Is he still mad?

“No, that’s fair.” She sighed. “A good leader knows when to admit they’re wrong. And I may be.”

Half assed apology, but the slice of humble pie tasted good.

“I got to get back to work.” Dad stretched. “The Boulevard Butcher still hasn’t been caught. You pulled me from The most high profile case in the state for *this*.”

Oh he’s mad. I better not get grounded for this!!! For ONCE I didn’t DO anything!

He loves his work…. At work he likes being mortal, and solving crimes with Jerold instead of scanning the planet, knowing who did it, teleporting, and solving the problem.

I don’t know why, but I kinda get it. It’s why we all like video games.

“Oh I didn’t know.” She apologized for real now.

“You didn’t ask. Come on boy.” He said with a scoff, and I silently followed. The moment we walked out the door, I was given my godhood early. “You’re not in trouble.”

A sigh of relief.

… Saturday!!!!!!

My sisters were excited and oblivious in the car. “Dad don’t tell them. They’re so happy.”

“What happens in this building is between you three.” He said firmly. “One day, they must be women and judge evil mortals who have done awful things, and are awful people. They must learn to find out who should be in their circle as mortals… and you as a mortal have learned temperance. I’m proud of you. You’ve had your godhood since I felt your anger this morning.” He grinned. “You may now be unrestricted, though if you lapse now, you will be held accountable.”

“…Thank you father.” I didn’t even know what to say.

“No problem son. You earned it.”