Deus Ex High

“So go ahead then. Explain.” Mr. Sarif ordered, peering at Paul from behind the finely polished desk. The oldest Denton took note of the worn baseball gripped in Mr. Sarif’s hand; a nervous tactic that Sarif resorted to when a situation required utmost concentration. Paul cleared his throat.

“Well, as you’re aware, there’s been a growing amount of violence out on the sports fields during the hour rec period after lunch.” Paul sat down into one of the ‘visitor chairs’, situated in front of Sarif’s desk. “A lot of fingers have been pointing towards the gang that’s called themselves the ‘Nexus Soul Fighters’. In general, they’ve been the ones to start the fights.” He stated clearly. Sarif shifted in his desk ever so slightly.

“So what’s the big controversy? Why not just put them on suspension?” David asked his pupil. Paul nodded and began to respond.

“Well, the reason the NSF has been doing this, and I’ve spoken to them about this, is that they’re not being permitted on certain fields or access to certain equipment that some of the other students have; namely the group of students being taught by Dean Page. Because of this the group has taken to forcing their way onto the ground and stealing what equipment they can. This has brought more than one of them to the aid station with fairly severe injuries. Nothing too serious, but they aren’t a laughing matter either.” Paul expounded. Sarif closed his eyes and gave a sigh.

“Damnit Bob…..” He shifted his gaze back to Paul. “I’ll see what I can do. In the meantime, try to convince them to keep things to a minimum? We don’t need more injuries than we already have. God knows a lawsuit could seriously hurt this school as well. Can you do that?” He asked. Paul nodded and headed to the door.

“I think so. You better get on this ASAP, boss, because I don’t think things’ll get any better from here-on-in…” Paul explained, closing the door behind him and exiting the office. He gave a relieved sigh, happy to know the Principal was at least listening. Now it was his turn to keep up his end of the bargain. He had to quell rowdy teens.

“This’ll be fun…” He thought to himself before striding down the corridor.

David Sarif doubled step back to his office. He didn’t like being undermined but Paul had a point. Besides Faridah’s marks were almost the top of the class.

He passed a group of teens crowded around a locker and peered over shoulders trying to see who was causing the fuss. But they seemed calm enough so he left them to it.

Paul was a lot of help with the students. Sometimes it made him feel old the way that he was able to relate to them. But most of the time he was happy to take the credit for the success. especially with the school board the way it was. There was a lot of pressure on the principal of a school like his.

Usually David would show off his favorite students to get more funding for various programs. But lately all the good students were either far too busy being prefects and organizing dances or getting in trouble for hacking the schools network.

He’d arrived at the office and he wandered to the desk to wait for Paul. he picked up the battered old baseball that was sitting on his desk and turned it in his hand. 

Paul arrived.
“So, go on then. Explain.” 

“Ah, cut her some slack Sarif!” Paul said, walking up behind the older man and slapping him on the back of his shoulder. “Malik is a good enough student. She can spare a class or so.” He explained casually. Sarif looked at him cautiously.

“I’m just trying to get it through to her that hard work will get her where she wants to go.” The Principal explained. Paul gave a laugh and shook his head.

“She’ll probably learn more about what she wants to do in the future from wherever she’s going now.” Paul smiled slyly. “She’ll be fine, as long as she’s back in class by Monday of course.” He explained, winking to the freshman. She quickly caught on to what Paul was getting at. She nodded feverishly towards the Principal.

“Of course, I’ll get all of my homework done over the weekend and be back bright and early Monday morning!” She confirmed hastily. Sarif raised an eyebrow, a sarcastic grin marking his lips.

“Will you now, Miss Malik?” He asked rhetorically. He turned to Paul. “I’ve never been one to obstruct someone’s personal development, but I think a student’s time is better spent inside a classroom instead of out having ‘adventures’…” The older man noted. He gave a troubled sigh. “But, if you really feel this is important…” He motioned to the worried teen. “And you’re willing to support her…” He motioned to the calm Paul. “Then I don’t think I want to stop her. Just promise me you won’t waste your Friday…” He said before starting his way back down the hall. 

“Mr. Denton, meet me in my office in a few minutes. As I recall you have some explaining to do about those trouble makers that’ve been shaking down our students during the recreational period.” He ordered, finally stepping out of earshot. Faridah looked to Paul with a slight gleam in her eyes.

“Thanks for the save Denton.” She said with genuine honesty. Paul couldn’t help but note the small pang of shame he felt in her voice. He smiled warmly and punched her on the shoulder.

“Just remember, I can’t keep bailing you and your friends out whenever Mr. Sarif decides to come down on you guys.” He remarked. Malik smiled and began to walk away. Paul quickly halted her escape just as her ‘good-bye’ exited her lips. “I also won’t be able to cover for you when my little brother decides to ask you to the dance next week.” He stated casually, a mocking smile growing on his lips. Faridah froze in her tracks.

“H-he’s… gonna…. He’s going to ask me… out…?” She asked, a mix of worry, joy and anxiety filling her voice. Paul tried to cover his chuckle, but failed miserably.

“I’m not 100% on that, but I think he will. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I know for sure that it’s crossed his mind at least once or twice.” She rubbed her shoulder as Paul continued, biting her lip nervously.

“It’s just that I…. he… we just….” She stuttered. Paul gave her left cheek a light slap with his right hand.

“Hey, focus Malik. Proper sentences will get you much further in life.” He joshed. Faridah shook her head.

“Oh… okay…. Thanks Paul…. For everything…. Now if you excuse me, I have a stunt show to get to…” She said, forcefully excusing herself. Then, just under her breath she said, “…pickupsomemakeupmaybe…” Paul just laughed as she made her way out of the school. He shook his head.

“Heh, Freshmen…” He sighed happily, remembering his times as a younger teen. He then started off towards the Principal’s office. “Now, how do I convince Mr. Sarif that the Nexus Soul Fighters aren’t responsible for all of this commotion during rec time…?”

askpauldenton:

Mod: Now wait, where the hell is my text? I spent a long time writing that damn thing!

[ I think the internet ate it. That’s all that was there. I was was wondering if there was more or if it was just meant to be responded to.
That sucks when that happens :(
It kept happening to me when i was drawing recently.]

(Source: deusexhigh)

Anonymous asked: Alex drummed fingers on the desk and looked around. "Why? do you think she'd say yes?" he fidgeted nervously. "I dunno man, maybe. Who are you asking?"

Anonymous asked: ... At least she thought it was another student, but it wasn't. Faridah looked up and found herself face to face with the Principal. "Oh, Sorry Mr. Sarif. I was just...Uh..."