Scene 16 - October 31st

Interior Classroom, Early Afternoon

Quinn Kaufman

I slipped into the Metahuman History classroom a few minutes early, as usual, and pulled out my notebook. I had been too busy making my costume to do much art lately, but with it finished it was time to start something new. I leaned back in my chair, considering what to draw, and after a moment I began sketching out the rough shape of a mountain range.

“Hey, nice costume!” I glanced up and saw that Todd Brickler was dressed up as well, in a white bodysuit and red cape. He wore no cowl - the college didn’t allow masks on campus - but he was still identifiable as Canaveral.

“Same to you,” I politely said as he sat next to me. “I considered Canaveral myself, but...” I gestured to my skin, many shades too light.

He chuckled. “It was tough to decide between Canaveral and Vulcan, but I didn’t think I could pull off the shirtless look as well as he does.”

“Definitely not. Uh, no offense,” I assured him. “I just don’t think anyone could pull it off as well as Vulcan. Man’s ripped as hell.”

“Well, you’re certainly pulling off your own costume pretty well,” he said, eyes flicking up and down my body. “You’re going to Phi Beta’s party tonight, right?”

“Same as the last three years, yeah,” I confirmed. I had a bad feeling about where this conversation was going.

“Wait, you’re the girl who won the last three costume contests!” He said, recognition flaring in his eyes. “I didn’t realize!”

“Not a girl, Todd,” I reminded him, annoyed - I had been openly nonbinary for years, and he had no excuse not to know that - hell, I had reminded him just a few weeks ago! “But yes, I’m the reigning champion, and I don’t plan on losing my streak.”

“Whatever. Listen, do you have a date to the party? Because I’m just going stag right now, and Canaveral and Anima sounds like a real power couple, if you know what I mean.”

“No for many reasons, Todd. I already have plans to go with friends,” I informed him as icily as I could manage. “And besides, I’m pretty sure Canaveral has something going on with Zookeeper. Not to mention that I’ve turned you down before-”

He sneered. “Whatever, slut.” He rose, grabbing his stuff and moving to another seat.

I let out a sigh of relief. Insults aside, at least he stopped when he heard a ‘no’.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” Professor Marigold said as she entered, dropping her shoulder bag on an unoccupied desk and finishing her soda - blue today.

“Good afternoon, professor.” Today I joined in with the three or four others who responded, and class began.