FPE Impetus AU: Grading

The other students arrive at class. Riley still glances at Oliver/K with an expression made up of admiration and fear for a few moments before RUBY stops her. Oliver/K is grinning at that.   Petunia: Cubbie? *Cubbie turns around. * You should sit with us. *Cubbie moves to Lizzy and Petunia’s table. * Lizzy: We found Kevin’s phone last week. Do you know his passcode? *Cubbie shakes his head to say “no.” * SHIT! Cubbie (On Notepad): His mom might know. I could ask her. Lizzy: Sure. Tell her that we’re sorry about her loss. *Cubbie nods. * Petunia: Why did you leave school? Cubbie (On Notepad): I didn’t want to stay without Kevin. His mom convinced me to keep going. Lizzy: What did she even say? Cubbie (On Notepad): If I left, they’d win. And Kevin would’ve wanted me to go back. Lizzy: No, he wouldn’t. *Cubbie looks directly into Lizzy’s eyes when she says that. * He’s not someone who’d put you in danger for no reason. Cubbie (On Notepad): His mom said that he would. Lizzy: Then she’s lying. Cubbie (On Notepad): Why would she lie? Lizzy: I don’t know why. Petunia: Cubbie, I don’t think that Kevin’s mom lied, but she might not know about what Kevin actually thought. Do YOU believe that Kevin would want you to be in danger? Cubbie (On Notepad): No. Even if he wouldn’t want me to stay, I still need to help you two. Petunia: *heh. * I guess. Speaking of that, Miss Circle mentioned that test on Thursday. Could you help us study? Cubbie (On Notepad): Sure. *Oliver/K and Zip rewatch the video of Riley being burned by the Bunsen burner. They laugh as it plays. Connor isn’t amused but isn’t that upset. They still remember what happened last Friday. The thought of what ∆lice said to them still hurts. *   *“They were so much happier!” He thinks. * Edward: Hey, traffic sign? Connor: What? Edward: You don’t have to be so defensive. I just wanted to talk. Connor: I don’t know anything about you. What would we even talk about? Edward: I just wanna know about how that scarf works. Connor: Just look it up on the internet. My species isn’t hiding how it works. Edward: Oliver/K said that they and ∆lice were university graduates. Are you one? Connor: Yeah! Edward: Which college did you all go to? I’m thinking of touring some before I make a decision. Connor: Well, I actually went to a different one than ∆lice and Oliver/K went to. Edward: Why? Connor: They just needed some time away from me. If you want to know why, ask them. *Miss Circle enters the class and begins teaching. The rest of the classes for the day go normally until break. RUBY and Riley stay at the library alongside Petunia, Lizzy, and Cubbie. The last three sit at a different table. RUBY and Riley study for their classes. * RUBY: You mentioned something important on the phone. Riley: *ummm. * I - I had a note on my door. The place I’m staying at is getting demolished in 5 months. RUBY: Do you have anywhere else to go? Riley: no. RUBY: … One moment. *RUBY walks over to the other student’s table. * Petunia: Hi, RUBY. What do you need? RUBY: Are you still mad at me for being friends with Riley? Petunia: Not that much.      Lizzy: Yes! RUBY: Well, do any of you have some extra space at your homes? Petunia: You want to have a sleep over? RUBY: NO! *Silence. * Riley needs a place to stay since her home’s getting torn down. I just wanted to know whether any of you could house her for a while. Lizzy: *Scoff. * After everything she’s done? I don’t even think the orphanage would take her in. Petunia: My parents might be okay with that for a day, but I don’t think that someone as violent as her should stay with me.  Cubbie (On Notecard): I could try asking Mrs. Amina if she could allow her to stay. Lizzy: Who’s Mrs. Amina? Cubbie (On Notecard): Kevin’s mom. Lizzy: Would you really want to live with someone who said that’s glad that Kevin’s dead? *Cubbie looks at RUBY for an answer. * Riley told me and Petunia that we should be glad that Kevin is dead. RUBY never told you! RUBY: Yes, I didn’t tell you, but they apologized to Lizzy and Petunia. They won’t say that sort of thing to you. Lizzy: “to you?” So they’d still think and say that, but not to us? RUBY: I- *Cubbie raises his paw, prompting the others to stay silent. * Cubbie (On Notepad): RUBY, I’ll ask Mrs. Amina let Riley stay, and I won’t tell her about that comment if you can help me unlock Kevin’s phone. RUBY: Of course! *Cubbie hands Kevin’s phone to RUBY and she walks back to her table. * Riley: What did you do? RUBY: I was just trying to help you have somewhere to stay. Riley: Thank you. I still have 5 months though. RUBY: I think that it’d be better if you left that kitchen as soon as you can.  Riley: Are you implying that my home isn’t good enough? RUBY: Riley, it’s been broken down for years. It’s unsanitary. I know you have a lot of memories there, but I don’t think you should stay there. How about I visit? Riley: What? You just said that it was unsanitary. RUBY: I just want to know what you’ve been living in. I want to know the atmosphere so Cubbie can make sure you’re comfortable in whatever room you're in if he can actually convince Mrs. Amina and if I can unlock this phone. Riley: Why do you need to unlock his phone? RUBY: Lizzy brought up that comment you made towards Kevin, so. This is why you shouldn't say things like that. *Riley frowns. * *As the break for the students happens, -* *Lilly sits at the table. She’s still drawing, but she’s alone. Chip is still at the pool on the pirate ship. And -  “June?” She thinks. Lilly thinks about asking Mister Compass, but she’s too afraid, so she asks the other kindergarteners. They say that they don’t know. The last time she saw June was yesterday. She was going to Miss Circle’s room … “No. nonono. No. NO! June!” “Please be okay.” Lilly thinks. *