Code

“It’s a great song, but it also isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Just don’t ever ask me to play music for you. It’ll most likely be Korean.” She confessed with a laugh, shaking her head at herself. “Were you trying to fly? Or did you just want to see how far you could jump?” She grinned. “You think? I mean, I just feel that way because I’m awkward and nice and not nearly as exciting as some of the people here.” She said honestly. Of course, she liked herself, but she knew she wasn’t anything like most of the students. “I went swimming a lot and spent so much time in the water, that I was convinced I was gonna turn into a prune. I had my first mojito and then had more because I liked them so much. I tried water skiing and loved it. Um… That’s about it. What’d you do?” 

calliope felt nothing put pressure to pick a future, as if it was that easy, it wasn’t like shopping through a catalog, shopping for a future, her mother referenced it as wasting your life away, “pathology” she repeated, “looking to save lives or find cures?” a question her dad constantly prompted her brothers, they were surgeons so the answer was both, always both. callie hadn’t decided on a path, let alone a career, “i don’t know, what do you think i should be?”

“I suppose at some point, I’d be doing both....” He paused for a moment, as he moved closer, finding a place to sit. “But I’m mostly interested in autopsies..... I guess.” The way he said, sounded more like something he was settling for, rather than interested in. Being a forensic pathologist was one of the career paths he’d most thought about, but he figured he’d wait to decide on the exact branch of pathology. Another long pause happened, as he watched the girl with a tilted head. “An intelligence agent for the CIA... or a florist.” 

Leo had been trying to think of different ways to use a paperclip, but the entire time,  Clark was just info-dumping on everyone. At this point, his patience had just about run out. Honestly, it was a miracle that he had gone this long without completely giving up, though. “No one’s getting pegged,” Leo answered Code as he dropped the paper clip back on the table and sat down. “Unless  Clark doesn’t shut up for five fucking seconds.” And after exactly five seconds, Clark then replied. “It’s been five seconds.”

"Why does he get to have all the fun?” Code questioned, laying against whatever surface was nearest. He wondered if other teams were having the same struggles completing the activities. It could be so much easier if Clark would just shut up. Taking a breath, he spoke again. “Clark needs to be gagged, not pegged.” An idea that brought the smallest excitement. If they could silence the kid, Code and Leo could finally have some peace and get these activities done. 

By now, Code had learned to just tune out the nerd brat. It wasn’t too hard, since it was how he usually functioned, specially when one of the other Armanis decided to be a brat themselves. He was exhausted, however, from having to put forth all this energy. After today, he was probably going to go hide out and sleep for three days. Maybe go on a bender, for fun. It was the weekend, so he could really do anything he wanted. His mind wandered away from this competition, which he wasn’t even that invested in to begin with. The only ‘team’ he cared about was The Armanis. Skipping a final would be nice… but was it worth all this nonsense with Clark? …. Not really. Still, he wasn’t going to leave his team hanging, so he continued. “Who’s gonna get pegged?” The word snapping him out of his previous thoughts, and suddenly very interested in the conversation. @thexcowardlyxleo​

“Gladly.” Dom said with a nod as he started to ignore Clark. “Why are you still hung up on seeing my body? you into me or something” Dom said winking at Code. “I’m just messing with you.” he added on. “So I’m serious, drinks on me.” He said with a smile as the weird kid returned. “Okay.” Dom said taking his stance and pushing against the crow bar.

Code nodded, in reply to the ‘messing with you’ line, giving the other what seemed like a brief smile. “It’s just that ... when you say drinks are on you. I imagine them ... on you.” He mentioned with a shrug. Though sounding like he was into the other, that wasn’t necessarily the case. Code would still do things to him, if Dom asked, but he wasn’t constantly thinking about that when around him, or anything. He stepped on the lever thing, which easily lift the vending machine and with little effort let the brats tilt it the rest of the way back. Clark proudly went on and on and on about his intelligence. “We should probably take this back to ... whom ever.” Code told mostly Dom, while lifting the crowbar thing. “and show these kids the new science labs.” He gestured away. Clark replied that he’d sent the seven mini drones he’d modified, to do a virtual tour of the school that morning and had seen everything. Code ignored him and led the way. 

Dom stood with a confused look on his face as Clark talked about how to lift the machine. “I didn’t understand that one…” He said with a shrug before turning to Code. “All because I didn’t want to take my shirt off doesn’t mean I want to get you drinks. He said looking at him. 

“Don’t worry, he’s got it. Just tune him out when he starts gloating” Code warned, since he knew it was coming. A task that wasn’t too difficult for him since bragging was one of Armani and Diamonds’ special skills, or so felt like that. “Oh, that’s what you meant...” He paused, before Clark interrupted. Coming back with what looked like big crowbar, explaining that he borrowed it from a janitor, or something, and how he better get some recognition for his efforts. Using the crowbar and a large cement block, he created a first-class lever and then instructed Code and Dom to put their weight on the opposite end of the lever. 

“I need a drink.” Dom exhaled. “This kid is a nightmare.” Dom said shaking his head. “Help me get this vending machine off the floor?” HE questioned. “Drinks on me next party.”

Another, shorter, pause. “Me too.” Mostly because he was not used to being sober for this long. Did Code have a bit of a drinking problem? Maybe... but not so bad where he couldn’t function properly. “Oh... I thought that was always ... like that.” He looked to the nerd. “Clark, what’s the most efficient way to lift this vending machine?” To which Clark quickly brought in physics and Al-Haytham’s theory of space and weight. All in what seemed like a single breath, while also expressing that he was indeed the smartest person in the room. 

All Code had to do was give the impression that he didn’t believe him, for Clark to start looking for the tools to get the job done. Taking a breath, Code looked to Dom. “Really? Because if I remember correctly, last time you didn’t want to take your shirt off.” 

“That sounds like a good plan to me,” Leo answered without much hesitation. He wasn’t sure why the school decided to start with something so personal. However Clark was clearly apprehensive about the idea. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, Leo jumped in before he could go on one of his long rambles that no one asked for. “Look, the majority of people here get by with doing the least possible, so you should get used to people cutting corners if you’re thinking about going here.” 

Code nodded for a moment. “If anyone asks, we each talked about ... our parents ... which statistically speaking is the source of most adolescence’s negative experiences.” He breathed in, thought he didn’t actually know the if that were statistically true. It was true for him, for the most part. “And since we have to be together all day, and you...” His head dropped in Clark’s direction. “have been talking for a while. I say we let Leo choose what we do.” 

Clark sighed heavily as Code admitted he didn’t understand. “Of course you don’t understand.” He said with an eye roll. “And this school is supposed to be so prestigious,” He muttered bitterly, growing annoyed by the students apparent incompetence. “Well, We are each supposed to recall an instance in our past that we view as negative. Then the two other people within this group will try to find the silver lining of said instance, and the initial person will then speak about the instance while only focussed on the positives. Have I explained it simply enough for you to comprehend?”

“Code! Ah thank god for your beautiful face.” Dom said with a smile. “I missed your qurky ass and those gloves.” He said hoping over to him. “Help me” Dom begged. Dom turned to clark. “Hey thats Lani, go make a friend. They will love to talk your ear off.” Dom said nudging him to go over.”

CLARK SOMETHING | 14 | he/him | NERD BRAT


Background: Coming from an upper middle-class family, Clark’s parents are hoping to send him to Luxor Academy as a Regular student. His mother is a dentist and his father, a scientist, and it’s no wonder that Clark, himself, is so smart.


Description: Clark is abrasive, nosy, and has an inflated sense of his knowledge in almost every situation. If you think you know something, anything, Clark will jump at the chance to correct you. Know a topic pretty well? Clark will be sure to let you know how much better he knows it. Poor grammar, incorrect statistical facts… nothing gets past him. 

Things that make him act out include: being wrong about something, inconsistencies in arguments, having to take part in things that are for fun and not solely for learning.


She took a step back, giving him plenty of room to get up. She couldn’t help herself from reaching over, brushing dust and dirt from the back of his shirt. “You weren’t exactly talking about fucking the alien, but I figured I would put two and two together,” she explained with a smile. “I don’t really talk in my sleep much. Unless I’m having the weird smurf dream, but they are usually trying to cook and eat me and that is definitely not one of my kinks,” she said, making a face at the very idea. “The sound of water or nature. Minecraft music is pretty soothing too.”

“I guess Leo has been giving me some problems, especially after that fight. Sutton probably hates me, they punched me.” She said with a shrug. “Hot and cold. That sounds like a lot of fun.” She said with a smile. “There is? Thats cool. I’m into it.”