Chapter Text
"Alright class that is all for today — make sure you finish the assignment before the due date of the 13th!"
Eugene finally snapped from their tired zoning, the bell ringing repeatedly through their head like an reminder of the sweet relief of lunch. They couldn't wait to catch up an 30 minute of napping in lunchtime unless their friends pushed them to eat again today...
They got a little too excited and quickly stood up, the heaviness from their head spreading through their body in results of their muscles getting weak. Without a doubt, their vision was blurring like the loud blare ringing in their ears.
It made them stand in place for an unfortunate time, trying to blink away everything that was in their way seen as an obstacle. They could hear some voices calling out to them that they couldn't focus, trying to focus on not passing out in spot.
"- gene, Eugene! Hey Eug, you okay??? Earth to Eugeeeneeee -" "I'm alive!"
They blurted out without thinking, looking at the person who was talking — which happens to be Luke — looking at them in concern. Eugene could faintly make out Joy and Oliver behind Luke's back, but they couldn't tell the expressions of their friends.
Oliver immediately spoke up as soon they were out of it, "See, this is why I tell you guys to sleep! But do you listen to me?" "I mean, who would?" "Don't rely us on it."
He made an feigned offended face at Joy and Luke, who answered, immediately retorted in defense as if he'd hadn't binge watch dramatic highschool musicals at two am.
Joy was now bickering with him. But Luke was mainly focused on an certain someone.
"You look...pretty pale there. Have you been eating???" Luke poked their arm, making an unamused face to hide his worry.
Before everything, Eugene would usually try to find a way to end the conversation by this point and quickly run out of the classroom.
They huffed, "Maybe not - but y-you can't say anything, you rely on energy drinks too much..." "Touché."
He placed an arm over them, "Let's get you something alright? It's on me." He grinned, looking...a little too smug. "Seriously Luke, you don't need to -" "Ah ah ah! You don't have a say, it's my money!"
He definitely seems too determined on his choice. They sighed at that.
Luke finally chimed in between the bickering people, "Now will you two stop blabbering and let's actually go to lunch?" "Shut up Luke!" And he was immediately shut down by the two. Eugene sighed again, but tiredly. Then spoke up.
"Guys...please?"
The both immediately stopped, before shrugging while muttering 'sure' 'i guess', which got an annoyed Luke. "Wh - why are you guys listening to them but not me?!?!"
With the usage of they/them for them nowadays, their heart always felt fuzzy no matter the person. But when specifically Luke uses it, they do mental embarrassed backflips. Coming out was the best thing ever.
Now it was Luke's turn to complain on the way to the cafeteria, Joy teasing at Luke for being 'jealous' and Oliver just watching it all go down.
Eugene chuckled out of relief, feeling happy where their life is currently at.
School was finally ending for the day, and Boss had given them few days off due to them apparently overworking too much. Hmph, they don't prioritize work that much....
They were quite already out of breath from walking around the school trying to not be late to their classes, feeling their heart immediately letting go and rapidly beat above 100 beats per minute everytime they sit down to recover themselves with their dizziness.
After being forcefully fed by Luke and the two others, they did feel a bit more better. Not enough to fully recover, but to get through the day. Maybe they do need to eat more?
Nah, being healthy is for the weak.
They were currently walking home from school with Luke, who was yapping about his day and such.
Eugene listened, oddly entranced by his voice and didn't realize they were quite literally just staring at him. He didn't seem to notice though.
Without warning nor realization from Luke, they full on face planted into a streetlight pole maybe a little too hard, immediately stumbling a few steps back before full on collapsing onto the floor.
Everything might've escalated a little too fast?....
They... couldn't hear or see anything... everything was a blur...even the person — two people calling their name?...
Eugene lost their consciousness before they realize they did.
They...woke up behind an counter?
Eugene squinted their eyes as an figure seems to be shocked at something, perhaps them? They seemed to be calling someone over...
Oh. It's Linda.
The woman was an kind person, she helped the both of them and Luke escape from almost getting murdered by that J guy. What was his name? Jason? Jambalaya?
It didn't matter. They slowly sat up, grasping their forehead (and an item against their forehead) as they let out an pained moan. They felt tears welling up in their eyes from the buzzing that was definitely in their head. They weren't sure if it was the lights or that.
And now they see...Luke! He was here!
"Oh my god Eugene - are you okay?!" "He's probably fine, the ice seems to already be taking it's effect on hi- their bruise."
That made them realize what they were holding was an icepack. "I think...I feel okay-ish?..."
Luke let's out an incredibly big sigh of relief at that, "Thanks whatever the gods are out there, I'm sorry I couldn't warn you in time." "Luke, it's fine. You wouldn't be able to warn me in time anyway." "But stiiiill..." Luuuuukee...."
Linda smiled warmly at the two teenagers, "How are you kids holding up? Isn't the court case coming up soon?" Eugene almost exasperatedly groaned at the mention.
"I almost forgot about that." "I didn't, nor did my parents did. They've been.... staying up talking to lawyers and stuff." Eugene raised an eyebrow at that. "Your parents found out?"
He shrugged, "It was on the news, I was planning on telling them soon anyway."
What happened to Tatum and Finely is completely relevant, because Linda is planning to foster the kids soon!!! Although they hadn't seen those two for a while, they're sure the children were in good hands.
"Them I'm assuming they took it well." Linda chimed in, before helping Eugene stand up. "Would you want to stay here for a bit more longer? You did just hit your head quite bad..."
"I-It's okay Miss Linda, I'm sure I can still walk....though m-may I keep the ice pack?.." "Of course you can, dear. You both stay safe okay? Keep out of more trouble please."
"We'll try!"
After that, the both went back to walking home, but Luke stayed around with Eugene considering they had just recovered from an injury that could've gave them an possible concussion.
He kept asking if they were okay, which they had to keep reassuring him that they were thorough the train ride as well until they arrived at Luke's stop.
"You really sure you're okay?"
"Luke...that's like the 15th time you've asked." "W- let me be worried for my friend! alright!?"
They chuckled as his defense, "Yes I am, now go. You'll miss your stop." "Alright, see you tomorrow Eugene!"
"See you tomorrow too..."
They waved at him as he left, letting out an sigh.
Well.... atleast they could sleep properly tonight without work. Though, the bruise will probably take a while to heal.
Nonetheless, they're glad they have people that atleast care about them.