Chapter Text
Another day at Spooky Academy, a chaotic, jumbled mess of a school where nobody really cares about ‘learning’ anything. Maybe only besides, Vicky Schmidt, an ace in her class, a top student. She took great pride in this, never bragged but was delighted in knowing that she was the no. 1 student in this school. (Vera technically ruled over the top as the 0th placer, and you can’t get one over on the Oberlins.)
That was until, listening intently in her class on Monster Math,
“Alright.” The teacher spoke in a low, unbothered tone. “Who can tell me what the answer to the second problem is?” Vicky’s hand rose up.
…
‘Right, let’s let someone else answer, teach. I’ll just wait until you’ll call me.’ Vicky’s thought process went. But, this was the first time they hadn’t called on her. In turn, the one who rose up with their robotic frame and answered the equation, was none other than a new student of this class, Calculester.
“The answer is -300 degrees.” Cal wrote on the board, as everyone looked in his direction like he was a genius for it.
---
‘That’s super cool, somebody who cares about school as much as I do.’ Vicky gathered her books, a smug smile tugging at her lips. It was the end of that class. ‘That question wasn’t even that hard, so I’m still the smartest around.’ She headed to where she excelled the most, being part of the robotics club. But, she couldn’t believe he’d be there too…
“Vicky, meet the new president of the robotics club.” The student showed Vicky to a crowd of members gathered asking questions about his programming, features, and mechanics and Calculester sat in the middle, calmly answering their queries . “We sorta figured since he’s a sentient robot, it’s only logical. Who knows robots better than a guy who is one?”
“B-But, I thought I was going to be president this year.” Vicky pointed to the consecutive trophies awarded to her for Outstanding Club Member in Robotics. "What about my couple years of service to this club?”
“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger!” The student held his hands up, backing away slowly. “You could try asking the president, yourself?”
“Hello, again, you must be Vicky.” Calculester stepped forward, to meet face-to-face as he satiated the curiosity of the club, for now.
“Hello, Calculester…” She smiled with the politeness of an employee to her boss.
“I am impressed at your accomplishments for this club. It is very lucky to meet someone who is as well-versed in technology as I.”
“Likewise,” Vicky uttered through her forced smile.
“May I call you, Friend Vicky?”
“I guess?”
“It will be nice working with you, Friend Vicky.”
“It sure will be.”
---
‘Okay, in class that was fine. In my favorite club, sure, why not? At least, there is no way he’ll be there at lunch… OH C’MON! THREE TIMES IS PUSHING IT!’
In her inner circle of friends, her ol’ reliables, the Color Squad. Composed of Oz, Brian, Amira, now seated at the table, Calculester intrudes over Vicky’s social life as well. Without a moment of hesitation, she stomps right over to gauge the situation at hand.
As they take notice of Vicky, Oz (and Calculester) waves at her while Amira is too busy laughing at something Calculester said. Brian nods at her, until she takes a seat at the table.
“There is no fucking way, you thought Polly died after getting hit with that WEAK AS FUCK ax.” Amira exclaims, holding her sides.
“As the weapon struck her and she lay lifeless, it is only logical to assume she was murdered in cold-blood.” Cal answers in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Yeah, but I doubt the school would allow a public execution to be shown towards an audience. Unless, the Merkingdom was present.” Oz added.
“That being said, Friend Oz, it appears that the school has a lax enforcement of any rules.” Everyone turns to Damien setting the cafeteria table next to them on fire.
“What are you NOOBS looking at?!” His work here is done and saunters off, after running back to kick over the arson-permitted cafeteria table.
“Q.E.D.: The rules serve no purpose.” Cal continues the conversation.
“This guy is a RIOT! You gettin’ any of this, Vic?” Amira looked back at Vicky's serious expression. “Guess she is not gettin’ any of this.”
Vicky leaned in on the cafeteria table, to create a sidebar across from Brian and he acquiesced.
“What’s up, Vic?”
“Don’t give me that, what’s he doing here?” She eyes the robot elephant in the room.
“Wow, didn’t take you for a robo-racist Vic, gotta be honest.”
“Again, not helping. How is Calculester just at our table now?”
“He said something about wanting to meet Vicky’s friends and since he’s new here, we decided to show him the ropes and let him in.”
“But, how did he know you guys were my friends?”
“We all still have the friendship bracelets you forced us to wear because you worked really hard on them and infused them with magic or something.” Brian shows off the bracelet that both Oz and Amira have plainly on their wrist.
“Oh… right.” She nervously scratched her scalp, wondering how she had forgotten that as both of them reentered the general conversation between all five of them.
Where Oz is trying to do the secret-cool handshake Amira had taught Calculester. Unsurprisingly, Cal is able to replicate the gesture with ease, Oz, on the other hand? Still struggling with the grab and twist or the shuffle and soar, pretty much the entire handshake.
They never had a cool handshake before and he gets one on his first day here? Vicky has HAD IT. She needed to prove that whatever Cal could do, she could do better. Conveniently, the perfect showdown had unveiled itself, a science project. A battle of wits, whichever who could come out on top, would be the better nerd! A silent vow was made and a battle-ready expression, she would beat Calculester. All of her own, no freebies, handouts, just her sharp mind. Cooped up in her apartment, tinkering, that was where she was in her element…
Or, so she thought…