PARA-PLEGIC #CHAPTER 1# ⠀⠀Another September, another year of classes. It’s honestly pretty surprising how quickly it feels like it’s all flown by. Three whole years of coursework, lunchroom talks, and council meetings. Felt like it took ages in the moment, but now… God, it’s all just a blur. Oh, those two look great at the railing. Bringing up my camera, I snap a picture of the two lounging in the Art Wing. The light from the morning sun frames them perfectly, right as Mr Scolibantus was walking into the Sculpting classroom. A perfect shot for the yearbook! ⠀⠀I’d been taking these pictures for the past hour, though most were pretty recent. Most of the other students didn’t come in an hour and a half before first period on the first day of the year, after all - and shots of an empty school aren’t a very good look for the “First Day Back!” section of the yearbook. ⠀⠀…I wouldn’t have either, but these photos need to be taken, and Principal Scaler was insistent that we needed to have a meeting before first period today. She wouldn’t say why in the email, though. It was all pretty strange. ⠀⠀I check my watch as I walk back into the interior hallways. Got about thirty minutes ‘til first period. Descending down the nearby staircase on my way to the Principal’s office, the sound of shouting makes me pause momentarily. It sounds just like lunch. Oh Raptor Jesus, did somebody get into a fight already? My pace quickens. Fortunately, the riot is in the direction of Principal Scaler. ⠀⠀The noise gets louder and louder - I’m close. I can’t make out any of the words, but… it doesn’t sound angry. Mostly just excited. My pace slows again once I realize I won’t have to go get a teacher to break up two boneheads making a scene before school even started again. Though, what could be causing this much rucku- ⠀⠀Rounding the corner, I stop short before I slam into some freshman’s back. Right here in front of me is the source of the commotion - a herd of students, all bunched up, crowded around… something. Should I…? No, no. No way I could push my way through the jungle of limbs with my size. Probably best to just wait it out. ⠀⠀…Which took a little bit longer than expected. My eyebrows raise in surprise as the crowd disperses - a human student! I haven’t seen one since… well, actually, ever! No wonder there was so much excitement - Principal Scaler can wait a couple more minutes, this’d be perfect for the yearbook. ⠀⠀I hear someone talking to him as I set down my bag and grab my DSLR. Sounds like… Kiara? Yeah, I think that’s her. Probably something about fashion, what with the outfit he’s wearing. It looked like Abercrobie and Flint - not many students can afford that kind of stuff. Makes sense she’d be interested. ⠀⠀Once my DSLR is out of the bag, I glance up to check... he’s standing alone, framed right in front of students at their lockers down the hall! Perfect! Just gotta kneel down, line up the shot, and ⠀⠀*Clickclickclick* ⠀⠀“Hey!” ⠀⠀Flinching, I glance up from the picture I just took. The bald, bespectacled human is staring right at me. I take a deep breath as I stand up. Alright, Ben - social time. Get back into character. As I walk forwards, he’s first to speak. ⠀⠀“Sorry about the yell.” ⠀⠀“No, it’s fine. I managed to get the shot I wanted.” Double checking the display, I smile. “Yep, perfect. This’ll be a fine print for the yearbook.” ⠀⠀“Can I see?” ⠀⠀That caught me off-guard. I can feel my smile widen into a small grin. ⠀⠀“Of course, here.” ⠀⠀Turning the camera over to him, I let him take a look at the shot I just took, making sure to watch his face for a reaction. “Pretty good, right?” ⠀⠀He squints at the photo, a slight frown tugging at one cheek. “I think it’s a little out of focus… and dark,” he says as he turns to look back at me through his far-too-expensive shades, “What do you have your f-stop set at?” ⠀⠀I tug the camera back to me, hurriedly checking as my face contorts into a grimace. I forgot to adjust it when I came back indoors! How the hell did I miss that? “Ah, sh-” ⠀⠀Wait. He knew what an f-stop was? ⠀⠀Clamming my mouth shut, I glance back up to his intent gaze. He’s beginning to grin sheepishly. “Yeah, I’m a bit of a photographer myself. I’m taking it as an elective too.” ⠀⠀I feel excitement creep up on me. “With Mr Iadakan?” He freezes for a moment, clearly in thought, before giving a short “Yep.” My grin comes back. ⠀⠀“Oh, snap, cool. We’ll be classmates. Mr Iadakan’s busy, so he just teaches it for one period.” Less than last year, and less than the year before that. He never did tell any of us what’s been dragging him away from teaching. Pushing the ruminations away, I offer him a handshake - one he accepts readily. ⠀⠀“I’m Ben,” I tell him. A single pump of the hand. ⠀⠀“Inco,” he returns. Another pump. ⠀⠀Breaking the handshake, he withdraws a couple steps. I do the same. “I’m actually new here,” he admits somewhat nervously. I suppress the urge to give him a sarcastic look. That’d be mean. “Kinda figured, being the only human student this year and all.” ⠀⠀Wait, that may have been rude. Crap. Just push past it. “St. Hammond isn’t one of the more popular schools, but the staff puts a lot of effort into the Arts programs. Even the campus itself is designed like a ‘living art piece’, so if you ever need help…” I trail off, looking at him expectantly. It takes him a few moments to catch my meaning. ⠀⠀“I wouldn’t say no to a tour.” Well, that’s a little more than I intended. ⠀⠀“A tour you say…” I stop to consider it for a moment. Do I have the time? Scaler did need to speak to me… “Well, I’m only going back to the principal’s office, but I can point out some neat stuff along the way.” My eyebrow raises and I look to the side as I think aloud, “Might be a good idea for you to meet the principal too.” ⠀⠀Turning, I wave for the homo sapiens to follow me as I set off. He wasn’t very chatty along the way, mostly preferring to let me do the talking. Looked pretty surprised when I told him I was the student council president, too - said something about how I was taking photos for the yearbook. The schools (Plural?) he went to previously had clubs that did that stuff - probably larger student bodies. It was actually pretty nice to have him with me for taking the photos, honestly - a second pair of trained eyes makes picking out good shots so much easier. ⠀ ⠀⠀“...which is why we still go by the Feather Tails, even though I think it’s a tad distasteful.” ⠀⠀He shakes his head in… surprise? Amazement? Tiredness? “Dang, you’re pretty good at this. Do you give these tours to all the new students?” ⠀⠀I smile in response. “Ha, not really. Although it’s something I’ve thought about a lot.” I open my mouth to continue talking about the school, before a certain patch of white-and-blue catches my attention. “Oh, hold that thought. Hey, Lunara!” ⠀⠀I half-walk, half jog up to a certain raptor, white-scaled and black-haired, with a daisy on her head and a faded blue dress on her body. She turns from the wall banners she’s hanging up with a toothy smile, revealing the gray stripes along her snout and black band framing her golden eyes. ⠀⠀“Oh, hey Ben! You have a good summer vacation?” ⠀⠀Lunara’s been a pretty good friend since I met her in Sophomore year. Cheerful, upbeat, sociable - a real people person. I… honestly kind of envy her. I smile, trying to match her enthusiasm. ⠀⠀“I did! Great work on the decorations, they look even better than last year’s!” It’s not too difficult - being genuine makes it easier, and I’ve always found it easy to be genuine around her. She bounces a bit at the compliment, her grin widening as she squeaks out an, “Aw, thank you!” ⠀⠀I hear a curious, “What’s all this for?” from Inco behind me. I glance over to him as he steps into the conversation fully. I feel like I’m forgetting something… ⠀⠀“The cultural arts club! We meet up every Thursday after school and look at antique artwork!” She beams happily, gesturing dramatically to the banners she was in the middle of putting up. She turns back to me to say something. Wait. Didn’t she just start getting into historical human stuff back in January? ⠀⠀I connect the dots right as her eyes go wide, her jaw drops, and she whips back to a startled Inco. ⠀⠀“Hey, you’re a human, right?” …Oh boy. Here we go. ⠀⠀She’s practically swaying from side to side, crossing her arms and smiling from tympanum to tympanum as she begins to run away with the conversation. “Oh, that’s a silly question. You should totally join! I just love human culture, there’s this amazing set of ancient masks at my place from ancient Europe, I just adore them!” ⠀⠀Raising his eyebrows, Inco nods slightly. “Wow, that’s impressive. I think you’d make a good curator.” She giggles in response, throwing her head to the side in mock embarrassment. “You know what, I probably would!” ⠀⠀Right, I’m still in the conversation. Gotta say something. “After that club display during Spirit Week last year, I gotta agree.” ⠀⠀She takes a deep breath as she thinks back to her brainchild of a performance. “We spent weeks studying that tribe - and weeks more practicing those dances.” Turning to Inco to gush a little bit more (and to entice him to sign up), she adds, “We also study and paint with those styles, like we’re learning the techniques of the old masters! Hopefully soon we can get into sculpting, like those old Venus statues! We plan on getting one to look at some time this year! What do you think? It’d be great if you could come!” ⠀⠀Picking up on the opportunity to set the fellow photographer up in the school, I turn to him. “Hey, that’d be neat. What say you, Inco?” ⠀⠀For his part, the human puts a hand to his chin and thinks. “Hmm… maybe. I do love culture…” ⠀⠀I hear her bounce behind me as she giggles. “Oh that’s great! Oh, oh, listen, we've had this old chieftain’s dress in storage for ages, we just HAVE to see what it looks on the real thing!” ⠀⠀I go wide eyed as I hear her bring up that nightmare of a stereotype. Thank Raptor Jesus I looked away from her just now. My eyes lock with Inco, pleading with him to say no. He glances between me and her, confusion and discomfort plain on his face. ⠀⠀“Uh… I’ll think about it.” ⠀⠀I feel my entire body sag with relief as he says those words. Composing myself, I check my watch and turn back to Lunara, same chipper smile on my face as before. I need to get him away from Lunara before she shakes another skeleton out of her closet and onto the school newsletter, and I need to get myself to Scaler before she starts getting annoyed. “Well, hey, nice to catch up, Lunara. We got places to be, so take care!” ⠀⠀God, that was a close call. She waves us off as I practically push him away from her… and into another dino. Don’t get annoyed, Ben, just stay normal. ⠀⠀“Hey, Ben!” ⠀⠀“Oh, hey, Michael! Listen, can’t talk now, but I’d love to catch up later, yeah?” ⠀⠀The process repeats itself a few more times as I guide Inco. Got slowed down by having to point out some important locales, too - though, honestly, I don’t really think he’s going to be using the theater much given that he’s a photography guy. Still, helps to make sure he knows his way around the place. Huffing after a brief talk with the particularly chatty Suzhousaurus, Suzi, I apologize to him. “Man, sorry for having to stop so much.” ⠀⠀I’m surprised to see him smiling at me when I look over to him. “No way, I think it’s cool you know everyone.” ⠀⠀I roll my eyes in response. “If only it could be cool without making us late!” …Still, it’s validating to hear that. My efforts haven’t gone to waste, then! ⠀ ⠀⠀“-And this is the gala. All of these pieces have been featured in all kinds of articles and presentations.” I felt a little twinge of pride as I said that. Visits to Scaler are always easier thanks to walking through this hallway. Seeing all that art, knowing that the school is doing right by its students in a way not many other high schools can… it inspires confidence. ⠀⠀“Woah.” Inco seems to agree. ⠀⠀I turn back to him, a smile on my face. It came pretty naturally. “I know, right? One moment,” I say, before knocking on the door next to me. A muffled, “Who is it,” answered me. “It’s me, Principal Scaler,” I answered back. ⠀⠀The oviraptor stepped out to meet us, a mug of coffee in one hand and a tired smile on her face. It looks… a bit more tired than it was Junior year. Her voice droned out an exhausted, “Good Morning, Benjamin.” ⠀⠀I chirped back with a “Good Morning,” before turning to Inco to introduce him. “Inco, this is our esteemed principal.” ⠀⠀Inco mutters out his own greeting while I turn back to Scaler. The lady had been mid sip of her coffee when she noticed him, and the wide-eyed jolt that ran through her body at seeing the human almost spilled it all over her. “Oh, I hadn’t noticed. You would be… Mr Guh Neato, yes?” ⠀⠀“Uh, yes? But my name-” ⠀⠀“How wonderful!” She doesn’t give him a chance to finish, smiling happily at him. Inco Guh Neato. That doesn’t exactly sound right. “I am so happy that you’ve chosen our school for your last year, Mr Neetu.” ⠀⠀Oh. It isn’t right. I should check his actual last name later. ⠀⠀“Ben, be sure to give him the full St. Hammond welcome, okay?” ⠀⠀“Er, I already was-” ⠀⠀She doesn’t give me a chance to finish, either. “If you ever need any assistance, my door is always open, Mr Nehtoo. Not to mention, the Student Council is always available for help - isn’t that right, Ben?” ⠀⠀The smile would have dropped from my face, had it not earlier when she interrupted me. “Y-yes, Principal Scaler.” ⠀⠀Still smiling that artificial smile after Inco thanked her, she turns to me. “Oh, and Ben? A moment please.” My eyes go wide at her hand reaching to my shoulder. ⠀⠀“But-” I barely have time to get that single word out before I’m tugged right into her office, the door slamming shut behind us. Whatever train of thought I had vanished completely when I see the state of her desk. Normally, she likes to keep it pretty clean, though there’s usually a pile - maybe two - of paperwork at the start of the school year. She’s always been something of a caffeine addict, too - her first cup would normally be empty by the time first period begins. ⠀⠀There were two empty mugs already sitting within view. An important detail, ‘within view’, as the desk looked less like a desk, and more like the dumping ground of a filing cabinet. I turn in shock to the principal, who looks as though she’s going to melt into a puddle on the ground the moment she takes off the ‘smile for the cameras’ mask. Empathy stirs somewhere, deep down. Just a bit. ⠀⠀“You’re late, but we still have time. Sit down, Benjamin.” ⠀⠀I shuffle over to the shabby chair in front of her desk as she maneuvers over to her own. “I, ah, Inco asked for a tour, and…” I trail off. I shouldn’t give excuses. Sighing, I tell her, “...Sorry. What did you need to see me about, Principal Scaler?” ⠀⠀She takes another long sip from her coffee mug as she picks a print-out of an email from her desk and hands it to me. Once I’ve read halfway down the page, I cringe. “An audit?” She nods as she sets the mug down on the desk. That explains all the paperwork. ⠀⠀“The auditor - Mr Ferris - is arriving tomorrow. He’s Elizabeth’s uncle.” Her finger taps the name on the paper as she mentions him. Surprised, I match her gaze. “Is this good?” ⠀⠀She shrugs, the corner of her mouth tucking into her cheek. “I’ve spoken to Elizabeth about him. He’s strict, but level headed. More importantly for you,” she says as she points right at me, “is that he likes to talk to the student body.” ⠀⠀The pieces click into place in my mind once she says that. “You want me to make sure he doesn’t hear anything bad?” She nods silently once again, having taken another sip. At this rate, she’ll be on her fourth before long. ⠀⠀“It shouldn’t be too hard. Student surveys were good all last year. So long as everything stays normal, nothing bad will happen and we’ll get an actual budget.” A tired smile tugs at her face at the thought of it. I would’ve liked it to have happened while I was still in school, but better late than never. ⠀⠀“Call up the student council and get a meeting together about all this. I’ll tell your teachers about your absence.” She lifts a folder, checking a document underneath it. “You have… Miss Sizzle in the mornings, correct?” I nod. “Good. That’ll be all, Benjamin,” she grumbles, “I have work to do.” ⠀ ⠀⠀I sigh as I leave the room. Not ideal. Not ideal in the least. I catch sight of Inco staring at the display case once I’m out the door, and suddenly remember that I came here with him. Standing up a little straighter, I walk up. ⠀⠀“Hey, Inco, I’m back.” No response. My brow raises. ⠀⠀“Inco?” Still no response. I’m about to ask a third time when I hear all hell breaking loose down the hall from us. ⠀⠀Hell breaking loose, and tires squealing. ⠀⠀My eyes go wide, and I nudge Inco against the glass with me. ⠀⠀“HEY, WATCH IT, JACKASS!” ⠀⠀“Slow your roll, pink bitch!” ⠀⠀“My leg!” ⠀⠀Soon enough, she rounds the corner, barreling down the hallway. Speeding right towards us. ⠀⠀I only get a split second to get a look at her. ⠀⠀Pink scales, messy bangs, and a faded leather jacket. A parasaur, like me. Her arms are almost a blur. Grab the wheel, tear it backwards, let go, hands forwards, grab the wheel. Tearing past at speeds the wheelchair definitely wasn’t built for. She glances towards us - first Inco, then me - and her pupils lock onto mine. ⠀⠀There’s anger in those blue-on-blue eyes. Real anger. Deep anger. Deeper than I’ve felt in years. Spite and vitriol and mutilating hatred for a thousand leagues below the surface. Hideous, roiling pits of rage towards… me? This school? This world? Who can say? ⠀⠀It’s… harrowing. Like seeing a revenant in the flesh. A vengeful, wailing ghost that wants you dead. To her, this moment is probably an instant. To me, this is a lifetime. ⠀ ⠀⠀And then she’s gone. I hear myself start breathing before I feel myself draw breath. I was holding my breath? ⠀⠀“Who WAS that?” The voice of Inco shakes me out of my reverie. Blink yourself back to your surroundings. Where were you? ⠀⠀“Pardon?” ⠀⠀“That parasaur. She nearly ran us over.” ⠀⠀Recognition strikes me as I fully recover. “Oh, her! That’s… uh,” my eyes squint to the side as I try to think. Who was she again…? ⠀⠀“...Mia.” I know everyone in school. Or, at least, I thought I did. But when I try to recall anything about the pink para, I just draw a blank. I mean, she’s also a Senior, and she’s been here since Freshman year, but beyond that… what did other people say about her? ⠀⠀“She’s, uh. A pretty bitter person. Not fun to hang out wi-” ⠀⠀*DING DONG BING BONG* ⠀⠀*BING BONG DING DONG* ⠀⠀We both freeze at the sound of the first period bell - though I relax soon after I remember that I’ve just been exempt from class this first period. A hand goes up to scratch behind my head sheepishly. “Hah, whups. Sorry to run on like that, you should get going to your first class.” ⠀⠀Inco cocks his head. “Won’t I need a tardy slip or something?” I wave him off. “Nah, it’s the first day, teachers are lenient. I’m fine either way, since, y’know.” ⠀⠀Awkwardly shrugging, we stand there in a moment of silence. He… doesn’t know where his classroom is, does he? “What’s your first period?” ⠀⠀“Physical Education.” ⠀⠀I suck air in through my teeth and tug at my collar. Vivid memories of rubber-induced welts, burning muscles, and broken glasses fill my mind. Should I warn him about Solly? ⠀⠀“...” ⠀⠀…No. He’s already in the dog house, no need to make him panic. “You’ll be fine. Gymnasium’s down thattaway.” I point behind me with my thumb. “Don’t, uh, keep him waiting too long. I need to get going too.” ⠀⠀Inco cocks his eyebrow. “Keep who waitin-” ⠀⠀Sensing where the conversation is heading, I immediately cut him off with a cheery, “Igottagotoo,byeee…” As I run off down the hall. Once I’m around the corner, I sigh, let myself relax, and open up the groupchat for the Student Council. ⠀⠀Important meeting in 10 minutes, Study Hall A in the Library. Principal Scaler is covering for us. ⠀⠀…And, send. It’s gonna be a very stressful semester.