[ Chapter V (5): "NEW ME, NEW FAMILY" ]
[ "Hey bud, I'm sorry for... everything." ] Axl, the rebel, lazy no-gooder slacker of the Heck Family apologized without needing the reminder of his mother to do so. [ "So... we are still friends, right? I mean, I don't want to lose you, you're a cool friend to have." ]
Michael and Axl at the moment are standing out in the hallway, the nurse office behind them closed as Mrs. Heck, Mrs. Vanderbilt, and the school nurse are talking to one another.
Which is a positive in Michael's eyes, as him getting kicked out gave him plenty of time to socialize with kids his age— even though this one is two heads taller than him, and is outgoing in comparison to his reserve self.
[ "Yeah," ] He glanced at the guilty-looking kid besides him and nodded his head, smiling as to not appear rude or avoidant. [ "I believe we are still friends." ]
He doesn't have the memories of this version of him, how long may that be, he doesn't know. But what he does know is that, from what little amount of time he spent with this child; he didn't feel like punching him to the face at all, a great sign Michael believes.
Especially because that's an indicator that he honed inside him, whenever someone could be trusted or not, growing up surrounded by rich and pompous people after all. You would be surprised how manipulative some children grow up to be, using "friendship" as a weapon.
[ "That's-that's actually awesome," ] Relieved, Axl slumped on the ground, laying his head back on the wall as he flashes a goofy smile to Michael. [ "So, are you still up for that hotdog offer or not? My treat, you know." ]
[ "..." ] For a second Michael stared at the goofy face of his newly acquired friend, and perhaps something inside him was already regretting accepting the friend request he gave him. [ "I have amnesia, Axl. I don't remember anything before I woke up." ]
[ "Really?!" ] He asked in both shock and disbelief, before then frowning as he thought about it clearly. Hand under his chin. [ "Wow, amnesia sure sucks. I don't want to have amnesia, that sounds horrible." ]
[ "Yeah." ] Michael agreed, the concept of amnesia felt absurd. Thankfully he really doesn't have amnesia, he is just playing the part. So he really doesn't know how it feels to live with one, or to experience it first-hand.
But luckily he is an avid lover of books, a reader of anything available. So he knows to some extent how to act like someone who genuinely has amnesia; or close to that.
The Maze Runner, The Bourne Identity, Before I Go to Sleep, plus other more books either old or new literature, or novels written by someone on the web. He read it all.
[ "Hey, am I 10 years old?" ] He asked, seemingly out of nowhere. But Michael really wanted to know, his curiosity eating at him.
[ "Yeah." ] Axl answered, still sitting on the floor as he tries to think of what he'll eat later. Instantly stopping when he remembered something, about lasagna. [ "Oh no- wait. No. Buddy, you're 11-year-old, just had your birthday a few days back." ]
[ "August 20?" ]
[ "I think, I don't-I don't remember the day today to be honest. But you did have your birthday some time ago, Mrs. Vanderbilt gave us lasagna that time, so yeah, I could remember that." ] Axle said, his thoughts drifting back to lasagna and wanting to eat one again— one as so tasty and cooked by Mrs. Vanderbilt.
[ "We're neighbors?" ] asked Michael, curious.
[ "Yup!" ]
[ "Oh..." ]
Michael kept asking questions, Axl kept answering questions as best as he could; even though he couldn't remember details exactly as is, he was still a good source of information for Michael. And in that, he appreciated the gesture. So the back and forth continued.
[ "-o yeah, I was talking about my sister right? She's the same grade as you," ] Axl pointed at Michael, looking into his eyes as he continued. [ "Anyways, shes an absolute nerd. So you should stay away from her as fa-" ]
[ "Axl!" ] Mrs. Heck opened the door and came out, which made her hear most of what his son said. Beside her was Michael's mother.
Axl noticed his mother's stern gaze, quickly changed tone without a beat, and continued talking as he puffs out his chest. [ "Like I was saying, she's an angel. So you should definitely be near her side at all times." ]
[ "..." ] Michael was entertained by this sudden change up, he had just asked where the local Library is; the kid answered where, but him suddenly listing bad habits of his younger sister out of nowhere was fun. So he didn't dare interrupt, instead listening letting him talk to his heart's content. [ "Sure..." ]
[ "I see you're already making friends." ] Lanna, his mother seems to have noticed his grin and asked. Make-up still ruined by tears, most of the part cleaned off by her inside the office while talking to the nurse.
[ "Yeah, Axl is... a nice guy." ] He noticed the sadness in her eyes, but also the hope in them. As she was on the verge of sobbing again, ugly tears. So he added, [ "Mom, can I go to class?" ]
Michael sees the bag in her hands, which is small. Something that should belonging to him, a blue backpack. Earlier he hadn't noticed it, but his mother through some witchcraft was able to find it, and now it's in her grasp.
In hearing what her son said, she immediately became defensive. [ "Absolutely not." ] Not for herself, but for the safety of her son; [ "I've already talked to the school nurse, she advised that you should get some rest after what you've experienced. So no school for a week." ]
[ "Lucky..." ] He heard Axle mumble under his breath, before then getting pinched by the ear by his mother who heard it.
[ "Okay." ] Michael who didn't want to experience school again, elementary or otherwise merely nodded his head. He followed along his mother's trail as they went out of the school, Mrs. Heck on the lead.
[ "Alright team let's go." ] Axl was supposed to step out of school first, but stopped when he was grabbed by his mother on the back of his head; causing him to pause mid-step.
[ "And where do you think you're going young man?" ] Mrs. Heck said, threateningly. [ "You aren't going anywhere. Back to class." ]
[ "Fine..." ] For a moment Axl stood there, but he then begrudgingly did what he was told as he went in the other direction; presumably to class, but that's highly unlikely.
Apparently Mrs. Heck would give him and his mother a free ride, a sign of apology from what her son did; Axl apparently having told the original Michael something relating to a birthday invite if he climbed a tree, and weirdly enough, he was gullible enough to believe that. Which led to the accident, thus the amnesia.
And also because from what is told to him, and the chatter he's hearing at the moment. His family and the Heck Family are neighbors, go figure.
[ "This is the car...?" ] He was about to continue walking further, but paused when they stopped in front of a beaten up blue sedan. Something that isn't long for this world, paints peeling off.
Mrs. Heck seeing his confused and surprised expression spoke up, in a cheery tone, before then ruffling his hair. [ "Beautiful isn't she?" ]
[ "..." ] Yeah...?
[ "Let's get in, Mikey." ] His mother pulled him out of his stupor, as she opened the door to the passenger seat of the car and went in. Handing Michael his school bag before doing so.
And when he noticed Mrs. Heck go to the driver seat, he doesn't know if he should be laugh or pray. But nevertheless, he followed suit as well, as he went and sat on the back of the car; alone. Which is great, it gives time for him to think. [ "Ready gang? Alrighty, let's go." ]
Funnily enough, at first Michael didn't get in the car. Waiting for an imaginary driver to open the door for him, but after a while of waiting, no one opened it; as he then remembered the fact that this is a different life.
And when he realized that simple fact, a smile was immediately plastered onto his face as he happily opened the door for himself for the first time in years, ironically enough.
[ "I could get used to this..." ] Michael thought to himself, as he then waited for the car to start. Already liking this life, especially because there's no more chauffeur that'll abandon ship whenever there's an accident. [ "I could really get used to this..." ]
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[ FUN FACT: "Humans share roughly 60% of their DNA with bananas." ]
[ 11/24/2025 ]
[ 11/25/2025 ]