The Earth After Rebirth

The dean was left thinking as they walked out of his office. He wondered where their confidence came from, maybe it was because this time they didn't lose someone within their friend group.

"Aren't they too conceited?" James asked.

"They're fine, they're young and they've done amazing." The dean answered longingly, hoping they had been bold enough to do what they did.

Kiro couldn't wait to sleep, he practically jumped to hug his bed and pillow. The fatigue from the past days was catching up to him, he was falling in and out of consciousness when he heard a knock on his door. He groaned, not getting up immediately until the fifth knock.

He shuffled his feet towards the door, he was surprised to see Hiro on the other end. Smiling awkwardly and looking all nervous. He didn't say anything and waited for him to talk.

"Can I, can I sleep here tonight?" His expression was pained, as if asking this embarrassed him greatly.

Kiro got out of the way without saying anything and gestured for him to come in. He didn't need to ask why, he could tell the pain from his voice and he reckoned the memories must be haunting him.

"I'll take the sofa." He suggested, thinking maybe something comfortable will ease his nightmares.

"I couldn't do that to you, I'll—"

But Kiro was already on the sofa and fell asleep as soon as he hit it. Hiro smiled sadly, feeling waves of guilt taking the comfort away from his friend. He took a blanket and pulled it over him and just his friend, he fell asleep quickly too.

The night was a long one for Hiro as he couldn't escape his thoughts, they followed him to his dreams. He woke up twice in the night, sweating and shaking. But every time, he managed to go back to sleep.

The next time he opened his eyes he was greeted with breakfast on the table. Just a sandwich and a drinking yoghurt, he looked around and there was no one in the room.

"Sh*t, I'm late for class! Ki, you idiot you should've woken me up."

Kiro saw his friend sleeping peacefully after very rough days and decided to let him rest, he thought classes could wait, he needed time to adjust and get his mind right.

He scrambled and got into the shower and got out two minutes later. He was feeling very hungry, so he was grateful for the sandwich and yoghurt, he ate while getting ready.

Just then the door swung open, Kiro was with Isla and Saanvi.

"Dammit Ki, why didn't you wake me up?" He complained having difficulties to swallow everything he was chewing.

"You were sleeping so soundly," he looked at him and chuckled. "You know, even if you were ready in time, you wouldn't have been able to open my door?"

He gave him an annoyed side eye.

"Don't torture him, classes have been suspended. They're preparing for the sport festival." Saanvi tore through Kiro making her to Hiro's side.

He started laughing and falling back into the bed, forgetting he still had food in his mouth he was choking. Saanvi panicked, she was hitting his back. Kiro stood back laughing.

"You're the idiot, you should swallow first."

"Look who's laughing, didn't even wish Isla her 18th yesterday!" Saanvi shot back, shutting him up immediately.

"I-What, uhm, I didn't, why didn't you tell me?" He turned to her.

Isla gave him a shy smile. She wasn't someone who liked her birthday, mostly because her family would throw these huge events but nobody asked her what she really wanted. So without even meaning to, she preferred hiding it.

She tiptoed and looked over Kiro's shoulder giving Saanvi an icy look, "you know I don't care about these things, stop trying to make him feel guilty."

Kiro searched her face, he wasn't sure he knew anyone who didn't like their birthday. But shrugged it off, he was supposed to take her out on that weekend anyway, he could spoil her then.

'January 30th? I better remember next time.' He made the mental note.

"Why did you come back anyway?" Hiro asked still seating on the bed.

"Coach Smith wants us to go for practice, we signed up for cricket remember."

They walked to the field, the snow had completely melted, so the ground was good to go. The sun peeked out of the clouds a little. They all went their separate ways.

They quickly changed to their gym clothes and joined their teammates, the coach was absolutely ruthless. Eden Academy had been champions for the longest time, beating every neighbouring academy.

"You lot are the worst I've ever coached, you better give it two hundred percent." He screamed, even though they were spreadout, they could hear him well.

Some were catching the balls, some were hitting them. Coach Smith rolled his eyes when he saw how Ursa was using her bat. He walked up close to her.

"Why did you choose this sport?" He asked her.

"Because I had to sign up for something?" She answered annoyed, coming face to face with the Coach she saw how unhappy he was with the answer.

"Well, it's the truth. What do you want me to say? Rich folks don't bother with these things."

He couldn't refute. She was right. Something he'd fought for, for years. He at least wanted to coach people who knew the basics, it was a pain starting from scratch. But he was rejected, that didn't stop him from submitting the request every year.

"Look, kid. This is how you hold a cricket bat. Your dominant hand should be at the bottom of the handle, your knees should bend just a little. No, not like that, your legs shouldn't be stuck together!"

He was still fixing her, when he saw someone else bowling like this was baseball.

"Hey, that ball can do damage, that's not how you do it, you don't throw it!"

In the past he'd taught them different types of bowlers, it seemed like that information came in one ear and out the other. It had always been the kids from the slums who did better on these things.

"Kiro, Hiro, you'll be my little helpers." He shouted, seeing them bowling to each other.