"Hey! Listen!"<br/><br/>An annoyed twitch in Donta's lip was the only movement he made, still snoring away, his alarm clock disabled as after the day before, he doubted school would be open. Osiph, on the other hand, had already checked the Academy website and knew they were open, but the cafeteria would be closed and studies would be voluntary, with counseling available. Donta, didn't seem to care either way at the moment.<br/><br/>"Hey!"<br/><br/>Donta groaned and turned over, sheets tangling in his wings. His snore soon began getting louder.<br/><br/>"Wake up!"<br/><br/>This time, Donta stirred, rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up in a daze, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.<br/><br/>"Osiph, that's annoying." he murmered.<br/><br/>"You have school today." she said from his arm. Donta wandered into the bathroom and Osiph squeaked, pulling a screen saver up so she couldn't see. When she heard the water running in the bathroom sink, she dared to look again and continued to try and be useful.<br/><br/>"The Academy is open today? Why?" he asked. Coming downstairs he realized his mother was still in bed. Fetching his own breakfast, he sat on the couch and the television came on across the room as soon as his backside hit the cushion.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Principal Johnson has announced this morning that the Academy will be open today and that attendance today will be voluntary. The school is remaining open today for students to take advantage of counseling services, to meet and console friends, and to attend to other academic business such as projects, or study. His decision to remain open in spite of the recent terrorist attack is a testament to his unwillingness to give into oppression of any kind, and continues to help relations between Humans and Ferals."</span>Donta watched as Principal Johnson appeared on the screen, hounded by reporters as he entered the school.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"The terrorists would want this school closed. It's the only school around that allows Humans and Ferals to associate like they do. It's staying open because of that as well.</span>He paused as he turned around to go inside, but he stopped, taking a mike from the reporter to stare into the camera,<span style="font-style: italic">"Also, I understand that this school was saved yesterday by two of our students who successfully commandeered the terrorists TAMs and drove them away. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them, if they are watching now."<br/><br/>"Who were these students?"</span>the reporter yelled. Donta's heart went into his throat.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I'm not at liberty to release that information. They have been notified to come to school today and see me, but only after I receive the proper permission will I divulge the information."</span><br/><br/>Donta turned off the TV and sighed.<br/><br/>"Yeah there's an email in here for that." Osiph said, holding a letter in her blue fingers. Getting up, he returned upstairs to get dressed and on his way out, the doorbell rang.<br/><br/>Checking the screen beside the door, he was surprised to see a Human classmate standing outside. Pressing a button, he opened the door to her smiling, over energetic face.<br/><br/>"Hi!" she chirped, "Want to walk to school with me?"<br/><br/>"What was your name again?" Donta asked. He recognized her from yesterday, as she was the one who brought Kat's wheelchair.<br/><br/>"I'm Kate! Kate Crawford." she said, "I saw you come home yesterday. I live right next door. What a coincidence we go to the same school, eh?"<br/><br/>"Yeah sure." Donta said, locking the door behind him. They walked in silence for a block, then Kate broke the silence.<br/><br/>"So, crazy day yesterday. I heard it was you who jumped in that TAM." she said, "I should warn you, that bit of information is pretty well all over school now. Most know it was you and Angela in them."<br/><br/>Donta stopped in his tracks but Kate grabbed his arm and got him going again, "Oh, come on! What are you shy now? What you did was great! You're both heroes!"<br/><br/>"I can't go to school if they're all going to make a big deal over it!" Donta exclaimed, but Kate looked away somberly.<br/><br/>"I'm sure there are other things on people's minds today. I wouldn't worry too much about it."<br/><br/>"Were any of your friends...."<br/><br/>"No, they got away fine, but some of my friends lost their friends. It won't be a good day at school today, but this needs to be done. The Principal is right, we can't stay home and hide from this." Donta nodded and continued on, but noticed that Kate hadn't let go of his arm, but now it seemed like he was pulling her forward instead, having lagged behind slightly.<br/><br/>They arrived at the front gates and they both immediately saw the huge roped off area where the courtyard was damaged and construction crews started the clean up. Students were being herded in through a side door so they started walking towards it when Kate began jogging forwards.<br/><br/>"Thanks for walking me here, Donta. I'm going to catch up with my friends! See you later! Don't be a stranger!"<br/><br/>"Sure." he said as she ran off, and he made his way into the school.