Written with permission by Azurini
Our Hero in a nutshell: He's Sexy and He's Homeless.
I take a seat at the back of the diner hoping I could avoid the many looks I've gotten on the walk here. I drop my bags under the table as the waitress sets down a menu and pulls out a notepad. I could notice her trying her best to not look at me nor my general direction.
"Good evening, my name is Sapphire. I will be your waitress. What drinks would you like?" I smirk as an idea sprung in my head, I look at her in the eye and wink. She turns the brightest shade of red I could barely contain my laughter.
"I'll just have water." She begins to walk off. I lean back in the seat and sigh at a job well done. It was a good thing that I opted to sit back here, not getting all these awkward looks as often. My little celebration comes to an end when a girl with pastel blue hair sits across from me. My eyes widen as she places one of her legs on the table. I look behind her to see of a group of girls looking at our direction. She grins the second I glance at her leg. I growl under my breath and reach for my wallet.
"Hey there, stud! What are you doing alone on a Friday night?" I cringe with my wallet in still in hand. I could throw this at her, no. Too easy. Her voice could shatter glass, now that I think of it. Luckily, that waitress from earlier returns to my table. I don't bother to speak as I pull out a twenty and slam it on the table. I get up from my seat, grab my bag, and walk off. I'm stopped by a what seems to be a man talking to me.
"Well that wasn't very well mannered was it now was it? Did your parents not teach you well?" I turn to look at the man, he wore a suit with his menu still held up. I look to the person sitting across from him to find a girl that looked about my age giving me looks. The strange thing about her, and what stood out the most was her rainbow colored hair.
"Did you not hear me? I asked you a question. Care to answer it?" He says with a stern voice, I didn’t waste any time.
"Being the fifth one to try to feel me up this past thirty minutes, it was no surprise." I take a seat next to the rainbow-haired girl, ignoring the fact that she was grinding against my side, I carry on. "As for my parents, well…" I rub my chin to try and remember what memory remains of them. "I haven't seen them since I was born." He puts the menu down and looks me dead in the eye. He sighs heavily as an apologetic look starts to form on his face.
"Terribly sorry, I should've asked-"
"It's alright. Not that I knew them long enough." I look at man to see him thinking. I look to my left towards the girl. I might as well start a conversation.
"Uhh… Hi. What's your name?" It barely came to me that she was clinging onto my arm. I ignore it when she speaks.
"You can call me Rainbow Dash. Or Dashie, whichever." I look back at the man across from me as looks like he has a light bulb lit up on his head. He leans in as grin starts to form on his face.
"Boy, what if I told you I know someone who can get you in one of the best schools around this area?" I raise a brow at this sudden question. I lean back and think for moment.
"Why bother? I haven't set foot in one of those places in years." I wave a hand and a look of shock came over his face. I smirk as I continue. "Doesn't mean I can't try new things, right?" He puts on a smile and reaches for his phone and walks out the diner. I look back at the girl next to me to see a bit a drool leaking out of her mouth.
"So, Rainbow Dash is it?" I put my elbow on the table and rest my head on my hand.
"Huh?" She wipes the drool as she's now sitting up.
"What's this school is this that he's talking about? Is it as good as he says it is?"
"It's called Red Thrush Private School. I happen to going there, too."
Our conversation stops as the he returns and sits across form us with a smile on his face. "I just talked to him. We'll put you in system the first thing in the morning. You can start after tomorrow! But first I have to know," He pauses and leans in. "What's your name?"
"Gary. Gary Osborne." We shake hands.
"I suppose you've spoken to my daughter while I was away?" He looks at Rainbow and she nods. I look at my watch and see it's 5:55. I excuse myself from the table and begin to walk out the door. I turn around toward the man.
"You know my name. So what's yours?"
"Jay Jefferson. Or Mr. Jefferson when I see you around school." I nod respectfully and head outside. Once again, the late afternoon breeze relinquishes whatever tension I had with Jay. I begin to walk out of the parking lot only to be hit by a boy who seemed to be my age with a suit on.
"I'm so sorry. But I'm in a rush see?" He stops to regain his composure. "Do you by any chance know someone named Rainbow Dash? I'm supposed to meet her here with her father."
"Yeah, I was just talking to them about going to some school. Her dad somehow enrolled me into it just now."
"Wait, what school is it called?"
"I don't recall. I think was Red Flush or something?"
"You're going to Red Thrush too? Sweet. What's your name?"
"Gary Osborne. Yours?"
"Oh! It's uhh…" He checks his phone before running off. "I'll tell you later!"
"Wait! Where's the school?!"
"Over there!" He points towards a forest on the other side of town. I try to respond but he's already inside the diner. I look up at the sign to read it's name: Kevin's Kitchen. So that's what it was called. I thought this was iHop. Oh well. I begin to walk towards the direction he pointed only to notice a white limo. I walk towards the driver's window to find the driver taking a nap. I shake my head and begin to walk the direction the boy before pointed.
I check my watch to see it's been about thirty minutes since I left the diner and see that I haven't so much have cleared this urban jungle. My ears perk up as I hear a honking noise. I turn around and see a limousine with its headlights on me. The back door opens and reveals the boy from before and walks towards me.
"Since you're heading to Red Thrush, want a ride?" He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. I look behind him to see the girl with rainbow hair form before inside the limo.
"Sure. Why not?" I follow him and enter the limo. "So, why am I here again?"
"You don't have a place to stay that's why." Dash says annoyed, "And you're cute too." I smile at the compliment and
notice the boy she's clinging onto is clenching his hand into fists. Do I detect a hint of jealousy? I try and change the subject by asking about his suit.
"This?" He points at his suit. "A girl named Rarity made gave for me." Rarity? Why does that name sound so familiar?
We arrive at the school and I couldn't help myself to admit that this was rather a beautiful sight. Some students still linger around the campus, most of them hung around the fountain. I notice the girl with purple hair sitting on the edge of the fountain, reading a book.
"So, since I haven't been assigned a dorm yet, where am I sleeping?" I rub the back of neck and look at ground like it was the most interesting thing ever.
"You'll sleep in our dorm. You get my bed." The boy looks at me with a genuine smile.
"So what am I supposed to call you? Since you couldn't tell your name before?" He tells me his name and I nod.
"How about I just call you Anon. You know, save myself the time?" He nods as well and we enter a building with endless hallways. I look around and ask where their room was.
"Follow us." Rainbow gives me a wink and Anon scowls at her. This could be fun. Just seeing how he gets pissed so easily at Rainbows antics.
We reach the door to their dorm with the number 24 on it. Anon opens the door and Dash and I walk in. The beds were on either wall with a TV and an Xbox in front of a rainbow colored bed. Anon points the bed opposite of the rainbow one.
"You'll have that one. I'll sleep on the floor."
"No way. You're sleeping with me!" Dash pins Anon to her bed. I chuckle at how oblivious he is. I set down my bag and sit on the edge of the bed.
"You guys got a bathroom? I need to wash up."
"Just look for the bathroom sign. You won't miss it." Anon says pointing at the door. I pick up my bag and head in the direction he pointed.
He wasn't lying, the sign was the only thing in this hallway. I enter the room to see lockers in rows along the large room. Or course, the girls here stop what they're doing while the guys glared at me. I shrug this off and looked for nearest open shower. When I enter the small room, I looked at myself in the mirror and noted my appearance. Black hair, tan skin, fit build. Not something to go crazy over. But those looks… I shudder a bit at the thought and began to shower.
I step out of the stall and reach for my bag. I pull out a white t-shirt and basketball shorts. Still not something to go crazy over. I think to myself as I take out a pair of socks as well as a pair of sandals. I pick up my bag and head back to the dorm room.
"FUCK YEAH! UAV MOTHERFUCKERS!" Dash screams in joy and flails her arms around. I flinch at how loud she was. I take seat next to Anon on her bed and watch her play. Wait a minute, 'Iron Bowlcut'? I know that name! Is that who I think is!? I think to myself before going to lay on Anon's bed. I turn to face the wall and drift off to sleep.
"And, PUSH!" Mrs. Osborne give one last scream before giving off a sigh of relief. The doctors quickly grab her newborn baby and wraps it in towels. And man puts a hand on her shoulder.
"You did it, honey."
"No, we did."
A nurse comes back holding the newborn in towels. "It's a boy. What would you like to name him?"
"Gary." Both the man and woman say in unison. The nurse nods and places him in woman's hands. She smiles at him and the man holds them both in a tight embrace.
"You know, Judy, this moment, with this child of ours, makes me appreciate my choice to stay."
"Oh, shut up, Richard." She chuckles. "You'll have to go sometime or later. And I'll-no, we'll be waiting." Their chat is disrupted by a taller man in army uniform and whispers in Richard's ear.
"What? Now? Are you sure it can’t wait? My kid just got here!"
"I am sorry, Captain Osborne. But your platoon is being deployed in three hours."
He sighs, "Give me a moment, I'll be there in two hours." The soldier nods and leaves the room. He turn to Judy. "I'm sorry, I have to go." She nods and share one last kiss before he leaves the room as well. She smiles as he leaves only to scream in pain. Nearby doctors and nurses gather around to see the situation.
"Twins!?" She manages to say through her gasps.
"Quick!" A nurse calls out. "Get towels ready!" She turn to Judy, still in pain. "Alright. Deep breaths."
A few moments pass before a doctor come back holding another newborn in towels too. The baby looked very similar to Gary. From hair color to skin tone.
"His name?" The doctor said, handing her the newborn.
"Joseph." Judy's eyes widen before she screams in pain once more. The doctor from before runs and puts a hand on her.
"Quick get her stabilized before this cardiac arrest kills her!"
They were too late.
I wake up feeling…. pink. After rubbing my eyes it came to me that my whole vision was covered by pink hair. Being sure not to wake it up, I slither my way out of the covers and stand in the corner of the room. I look to see Rainbow snuggling up against Anon. It only came to me that the girl sleeping with was a girl. I glance at the clock to find it saying, 7:30 am, I figured since the administration off would be open around this hour, I might as well go there. I wanted to be sure so I began to wake up Dash.
"Hey, Dashie, get up. Is the office open?" I whisper in her ear. She simply yawns and tightens her grip around Anon. Might as well try waking him up. I think to myself as I walk to his side.
"Anon, wake-"
"Get. Her. Off. Me." He whispers through his gritted teeth. I nod and come back to other side.
"You're going to have to make me do this, Dash." I say aloud before slipping my arm under her side as well as my other arm over her side. I pick her up and hold her bridal style.
"Wha-huh!? Put me down!" She begins to kick with her eyes closed. I nod at Anon and toss her at him, he successfully catches her and ask him if the office is open.
"Yeah, just keep going straight. It's the huge building with sign that says, Red-"
"Okay." I say before closing the door behind me. I barely noticed I was still in my t-shirt and basketball shorts. But god dammit, this is pretty comfortable.
Parenthesis are author's notes . In case you don't what the fuck those are, they are these: ( ) and italics are the back-story. Moreover, I'd like to address the whole "unoriginal story is unoriginal" thing. I will agree that I did use some elements from Azurini's original, I just wanted to view this form a different POV and this is what I came up with. Oh! If you didn't read Return to Sender, then you won't get the references I've placed in this chapter.
Final Note: After returning from my camping trip with my chess buds I've been playing nothing but Modern Warfare 3 for the past 12 hours. If you have an Xbox with LIVE, feel free to add me: I like Rarity OR Iron Bowlcut, mainly because when you're screaming at your television, you tend to feel pretty lonely. Also, if anyone would like to edit and tear my horrible engrish apart, PM me. My body is ready. Any mistakes POINT THEM OUT TO ME.
Dear Azurini,
I am still going to strap you down to your bed, wear a rainbow wig, and cuddle the SHIT out of you. No homo.
I enter the office to be greeted by a familiar face carrying stacks of paper. "Gary! How was last night with Dash and Anon?"
"Pink." I say with bored expression. "So, where can I get my-"
"You can pick up your schedule and dorm number over there" He points to the door with a sign that said 'Mr. Hixon'. "Well, I better get this paperwork sorted out, see you around, Gary."
"Thanks, Jay-"
"Mr. Jefferson." He says before walking off. Man, he really likes cutting me off. I open the door in the office to find a stern looking man looking through papers. I slowly shut the door and take a seat in the chair in front of his desk. He slides off the packets and begins clicking and typing on his computer.
"Gary Osborne, I assume?" He says with a flat tone, obviously focused on something else.
"Yes. How did you know?"
"Mr. Jefferson told me about you via phone call."
"Ah, so my classes and dorm?"
"Well, tell me some things about you." I rub my chin and hum to myself.
"I'd like a challenge, I guess. I'm sloppy with numbers and my english could use some refining as well." Why the FUCK would I say that!? I should have sounded dumber to get the easy classes! He nods while typing on his keyboard and looks to me. I hear a whirring noise as he turns around and pulls out two papers from a printer.
"It said on your profile that you have quite the bond saved for you, so no need to worry about tuition."
"What? How?" Oh yeah, the will.
"Not my business." He hands me the papers. "Here, now go on. You'll start tomorrow." I nod and walk out the building.
I see the fountain and decide to sit down and look at my schedule. I pull out the two papers from my pocket, unfold them, and began to read.
Class Schedule
Period 1 - English H
Period 2 - Algebra
Period 3 - Free Period
Period 4 - AP Biology
Period 5 - Pointless Elective
Period 6 - Some History Class
Period 7 - Pointless Elective
I look at my paper as if it was trying to eat my face off. I shake my head stuff it back in my pocket and pull out the other paper.
Room 50 Building C, I look further down to see a note.
I hope you'll like your roommate! He's one of the best students when it comes to biology and numbers! He's also good english as well. I'd watch his temper, though.
-Jay Jefferson
I smile and place the paper back in my pocket and began to walk to Anon's dorm.
I stop in front of the door and knocked several times. The door opens and I walk in to see Dash sitting on the edge of her bed and Anon holding the door.
"So, how was Mr. Hixon?" Anon asks as he closes the door.
"It went well. Took no longer than a few moments." I say while packing my things I left out into my bag.
"Where are you going?" Dash walks up to us and sits on Anon's bed.
"Well, my new dorm. Speaking of which, you guys know where room 50 is?" I see Rainbow facepalm and point behind me. "Oh, well I guess I'll see you guys later." I pick up my bag and walk out the room and shut the door behind me. I knock on the door only to hear muffled screaming. A few moments pass before the door unlocks and swings open. My eyes go wide at my roommate.
"John!? Is that you!?" I throw my bags on the floor to greet him. He doesn't appear to be paying attention. I look across from him to see a monitor and an Xbox.
"Shut the fuck up, bitch! Go fuck a toaster and feel something you never felt before you fucking piece of shit! Alright? I fuck toasters every night! Especially my wooden one! Enjoy your fucking Call Of Duty you fucking virgin piece of shit! FUCKING BLOW ME!!!" I jump at the volume and gently close the door and lock it. Somehow, he heard me and placed his headset down. He beams at the sight of me.
"Gary! Long time no see."
"Yeah, almost three years. How's it been?" I sit on the edge of the bed.
'Well, one of my friends back at my hometown disappeared off the face of the earth for almost a year now. But what I don't get is, how are you here? I thought you and Joseph-" I put a hand up interrupt him.
"Some other time, alright?" I look around the room for a bit to get my off of the topic. "So where am I sleeping?" Almost instantly, John began separating the beds.
"You get the one on the left." He motions to bed that somehow ended on the other side of the room. I look around the room again but this time, I noted several things. One of which was the computer setup in the corner of the room. He must've been here for more than a year if he were to shove a computer in this room. I walk over to the hanging bookshelf in the corner of the room and read some titles: The Amateur's Mind: Turning Chess Misconceptions Into Chess Mastery by Jeremy Silman, How to Reassess You Chess: Fourth Edition by Jeremy Silman, and The Tao Of Chess: 200 Principles to Transform Your Game and Your Life by Peter Kurzdorfer. I pick up my bag from the floor and set by the nightstand to find a chess set with a book The Illustrated Art of War next to it.
"I see you like to play chess." Well no-
"Well no fucking shit." He looks at me with a shocked expression. I chuckle a bit and begin to unpack. "Hey, Gary," I pull out everything I have in my bag and set it on my bed.
"What?" I turn to face him.
"Catch." I quickly grab the object in mid-air and examine it. It felt like glass, no, it looks like glass as well. I flip it around and read the back. Blah, blah iPhone, blah blah Apple blah blah. I look to John with a brow raised.
"Aren't these extremely expensive?" I try and hand it back to him but he pushes it back.
"Yes, but why would I have two of the same thing? Especially if I have the newest one?" He pulls out a square shaped piece of glass. "Consider it a welcome back gift. And relax, the bill's covered." John says as I shrug and place it on my nightstand. I walk over the closet while holding my clothes form my bag to find two sets of drawers and several more books on war and chess. I pull open the top drawer form the left to see it empty, I quickly organize my things and close the closet behind me. I look to see John sitting on a leather chair playing on the Xbox. He had a large pair of headphones with a microphone sticking out the left side. There are to upside down L's that are mirrored to one another that produced an orange light. He notices me and takes it off.
"What's up? Kind of in the middle of a kill streak here."
"Nice headset, bro." I look at them as they were a replay button of a really good song.
"Thanks, they're called Trittons."
"Why not use those?" I points at a box next to the desk that held up the monitor and Xbox which had similar looking headset protruding from the other kink knacks inside.
"Pfft Astro's are too mainstream." He waves it off and puts his head set back on. I grab the remote form his nightstand and turn up the speaker volume. I sit on the edge of his bed and notice he's playing some Call of Duty game. I recognize this by the familiar graphics, I jump as I heard a beeping noise.
*"M.O.A.B, ready for your go!"* A man with a Russian accent calls out form the monitor.
"Fuck yeah! M.O.A.B motherfuckers!" I hear several more beeping as there was a little bomb icon on the corner of screen counting to zero. When it finally hit zero, the screen suddenly became red as did everything the game. The game ends and I hear a familiar voice over the monitor speakers.
"HOW THE FUCK DID YOU GET A M.O.A.B!? YOU FUCKING HACKER!!" Rainbow Dash? Is that you?
"Now now, it's only game." John says with a smug look on his face.
"Hey, John, let me see your headset." He nods and hands it to me. I put it on and began speaking.
"Rainbow Dash? This is Gary."
*"Gary!? How the fuck!?"*
"I'm in the dorm across from yours." I hear her drop the microphone as the door to our dorm was kicked in. Dash heaving with sweat dripping from her brow looking around the room. She locks her gaze on John, who was the floor dying of laughter. She cracks her knuckles and storms her way towards John, who was tearing up. I tackle Dash and pin her to the nearest wall.
"Now Dashie, it's just game." I say teasingly as she tries to kick my crotch. I gently press my knee against her stomach.
"Let me go!" She squirms as a blush starts to form on her cheeks. I lean it to whisper into her ear.
"We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. You can walk out of here with your legs still attached, or." I pause and remove my knee from her chest as her legs instantly lock around my waist. "Anon will feel like a hot dog down a hallway when I'm done with you. Your choice." I hear John now coughing and gasping trying to regain his breath. Dash grip around my waist tightens.
"The hard! The hard way!" I release my grip on her and lay on my bed rolling a piece of cloth in my hand.
"Sorry, Dashie. That's why you have Anon." She stomps her foot on the floor and growls as she storms out the room, slamming the door shut. I look over to John clinging on his chair wheezing. After a few seconds, he takes a deep breath and begins to talk.
"Dude," He takes gasps once more. "You are one crazy motherfucker."
"Managed to snatch her panties, though." I show him a rainbow colored pair of panties as we both share a laugh. After nearly dying due to lack of oxygen, John tosses me an Xbox controller and the headset from the box earlier. I see him pull out a spare Xbox and monitor from the drawers in the closet. He also throws me a green plastic case that says, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
"It's been years since I've touched a video game, John." I say while organizing all the stuff he threw at me.
"Call of Duty only requires the usage of four fingers, and two of them aren't even fingers. They're thumbs so you shouldn’t have any issues."
"Fucking ACR camping virgin bitch!" I yell as John does the same. He checks his phone and turns off his Xbox.
"Well, I gotta go to the mall buy some shit." John says while stretching.
"Come on, the next game is about to start."
"We've been playing for six hours. Maybe later." He puts on a second shirt, grabs his keys, and walks out the dorm.
After what seems to feel like thirty minutes pass by, I hear a knocking on the door with a familiar voice.
"John? Are you in there, dear?" I run up to the door and swing it open to see a beautiful girl who came up to my hairline. Her magnificent purple hair rang a bell.
"Rarity! It's been so long- AUGH!" I collapse to the ground clutching my stomach at the stinging pain. I hear her crack her knuckles, I scramble backwards and she advances on me. Jeez, what has gotten into her!? Is three years a long time!? OW! I fly back into bed, feeling my cheek swelling up. I also feel a bit of blood run down my face as well.
"DON'T YOU 'HI RARITY' ME, JOSEPH, YOU SLY BASTARD SON OF A BITCH!!" She swings at my side, I luckily block with my arm, only to feel as though something as cut through it. I push myself back more only for my head to hit against the wall. I look at Rarity through blurry eyes to see her wearing rings on most of her fingers. Some now covered in my blood. With her legs now on either side of my waist, she begins to swing furiously at my face. I quickly bring my arms up to help defend against the barrage. I feel my arms slowly grow numb as I see blood starting to flow down them.
"WHY!? WHY!? HOW!?" Were the only things I could hear through her sobs. A few seconds of this keeps up, until I feel something sink in the bed on either side of my head. I move my arms apart slightly to see Rarity openly crying above me. I can feel her tears hitting against my forehead. I didn't waste any time, I wrap my arms around her neck, and my legs lock around her waist.
"WHAT!? LET ME GO YOU-YOU DUMPING PILE OF SHIT!!" As much as her words hurt, I pushed on regardless.
"Rarity," I managed to say through my cries. "Is three years a long time?" I hear her gasp into my chest.
"N-no… It can't be. G-Gary? Is it really you? I-I thought you left-" I tighten my embrace around her.
"I'm so sorry." She rolls us over until we're on our sides. I try to stand up but only to have her wrap her arms around me.
"Don't leave. Not again. Not ever." She looks up at me with teary eyes. I lay next to her and drift off to unconsciousness.
The final bell of the school day starts ringing as all the children ran to their parent's cars to go home. Except for one. He was sitting on a bench next to bus stop sign looking at the ground with a blue gym bag at his feet.
"Gary!" A boy calls out. "You comin' home or not?" He stayed silent. "You can’t do that to me forever. Come on, what's the matter?"
"It's just," Gary takes a deep breath. "I feel like there's nothing for me here." He looks up and see his twin brother, Joseph with an arm around a pale girl with purple hair. "Oh, hey Rarity."
"Hi, Gary." She brushes some strands of hair off her face and smiles.
"What do you mean 'nothing for you here'? Is it because we have yet to get adopted? the foster home is nice." He lets go of Rarity and sits next him. Gary stayed silent. Joseph nods and smiles wholeheartedly. "I knew this day would come." Gary looks to him. Joseph stands up and reaches into his back pocket and hands it to him. "Take this, it's what's left of Dad." Gary opens his hand to find a pair of dog tags.
"Richard Osborne…" He says aloud to himself. A single tear running down his cheek.
"Take this too, I've saved up for this day." Joseph pull out a small bag filled to the brim with money.
"But, you earned it, bro."
"Take it, before the bus gets here." Gary takes the bag hesitantly before placing it in his bag. A few moments pass until a city bus pulls up.
"So where are you going?" Joseph says as he picks up Gary's bag.
"Where ever the road takes me, back home." He gives Rarity one final hug along with Joseph. He walks in the bus looking back one more time. The doors close and Gary takes a seat at the back of the bus.
"Where to?" The driver calls out.
"North."
