“Oli’s a strange one…” a tall boy with flaming red hair thought out loud in the midst of a typically noisy dining hall of your normal private all boys’ high school. His shoulder length hair tied loosely behind his neck, he stared past his peers to a retreating figure of a short, black haired boy walking out of the dining hall through the grand ivory doors. His friends who sat around him on the dining table seemed to agree to what the red head said.

“Yea, he’s always so weird. Though I cant put my finger on what is exactly wrong with him.” A boy with thick-rimmed glasses seconded the red head’s thought. His coffee coloured hair gelled behind his head and loose tie gave him a very laid back impression.

“Shut up, Mike, Eric. You’re the ones to speak.” A boy with jet-black hair that was adorned with bright red highlights said to his two peers. Mike and Eric glared at the boy sitting in front of them.

“You shut up, Louis. Just because Oliver’s your younger brother.” Eric retorted as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Mike gave a nod of approval as he reached out to grab a drumstick off his plate when it was snatched away by another hand. The drumstick was brought up to the mouth of a boy with unruly blonde hair. He took a bite of the chicken.

“I duno, it’s kinda hard to judge since its just been a month.” He said with his mouth full of food. Mike and Eric reluctantly agreed to the point the blonde boy said.

“I guess Larry’s right.” Mike said, still glaring at the blonde for taking his food.

“But really, Louis. Do you even know what’s going on in your brother’s head?”

The three boys turned their attention to the questioned figure and awaited a response.

“No, not really.” Was his short reply as he too, stood up and walked out of the vast dining hall full of chattering students.

The three remaining boys only looked at each other quizzically at the departure of their friend.

“He’s just as strange.” They concluded in unison.

…

Oliver walked leisurely to his dormitory room even though the phone in his pocket had been alarming from messages for five whole minutes. He let a small sigh escape his lips as he closed the door of his room behind him. He scanned the messy dorm room that he and his brother shared. Like every other room that belonged to a boy, clothes and books were sprawled around random places on the beds and desks. Leaving the ground completely spotless, apart from candy wraps and socks.

He finally gave in to the protests of his mobile phone and took the device out of the pocket of his grey school trousers. His dark fringes curtained his eyes as he lowered his head to look at the screen.

Oliver scanned his message quickly and closed the cover of the sleek black phone with a snap.

“You know, people usually knock before entering anyone’s room even though it might be their room as well.” He said without turning around to face the boy standing with the door to his back, bright red in his onyx hair.

“Oh, I’m so sorry to have disturbed her majesty!” Louis said with sarcasm dripping in his voice.

Oliver chose to ignore his older brother as he slipped his phone back in his pocket.

“We’ve got a call. Let’s go.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Louis saluted with a bright smile and opened the door for his younger sister.

Footsteps echoed through the empty halls of the immense school ground. Most of the students have gone to dinner or to do whatever they did in the dormitory building. The two siblings stayed silent throughout their journey to the stairs leading to the basement of the school. Louis finally broke the silence.

“What’s up with you today? You seem awfully quiet, sis.”

The taller boy grinned as he watched his sister shook, trying not to shout out everything in her mind right now. He could see his sister’s hands clenched in tight fists and her breathing becoming more rapid.

“What is up with you boys?? Mike and Eric’s been talking about all these perverted stuff all the way during Maths!” she breathed heavily and continued. “I mean, I could stand the normal nc-17 stuff but the stuff they were talking about has got to be the most gruesome things in the world! You men are sick!” Louis laughed at his sister’s sudden outburst of anger. Being a girl in an all boys’ school was hard work; he always had to find ways of helping his poor sister release some of the stress.

He listened patiently as the turned around a corner to a dark corner known by almost no one. The video camera located above them identified the both of them and a door on the end of the corridor unlocked itself. Louis’ now blushing sister kept on talking as they walked through the doorway without much thought. Their conversation was interrupted by a chubby man in his 30s with round glasses perched on his nose and wearing a clean, white lab coat.

“Louis! Olivia dear! You've finally arrived!” he rushed over to them from an empty foyer with a large number of doors. The siblings nodded to the man as a sign of respect and followed when he told them so.

He led them through a series of corridors, all brightly lit and seemingly identical. Their footsteps echoed, filling the emptiness of the hallways. And unlike a minute ago, the siblings kept a serious face and stood rigidly. Their silent journey finally ended when they passed through a set of steel doors. A great circular atrium with a few long wooden rectangular tables full of scales and chemistry equipment were situated neatly. The tables were perched on top of a spotless but beautifully tiled floor. Not something you see in any normal high school. But the most breathtaking part of the hall was not the polished floor or the quantities of equipment, but what surrounded it. All around the circular wall was a humongous ceiling to floor shelf, every single compartment filled, not with books or literature, but hourglasses of different shapes and sizes. Every single one of them accounting for each student, staff and worker of the school.

Louis and Olivia stared, still overwhelmed by the scene they have seen countless of times. Louis then asked out loud.

“Is it someone from school this time?”

“No, I'm afraid not. It seems that there’s a witch down nearby school. She’s no big fry, but she’s still breaking her life limit.” The professor that brought them here answered his query.

“Let me guess.” Olivia spoke up. “She’s taught herself how to make the elixir of life.”

“You got it.”

The teenage boy sighed and ruffled his red and black hair. “Can't someone else take care of this?”

“You know full well any kind of supernatural activity will influence the spirit power of these boys in school. All these boys have the potential to be messengers of fate. But before they do, they must live a full mortal life, no matter how long that may be.”

“Oh please” Louis said with and exasperated face. “Stop saying ‘messengers of fate’, we all know it’s not as glamorous as it sounds. Besides, we’re fine with being called reapers. Eh, sis?” The cross dresser beside him nodded in approval. The professor sighed.

“Fine, fine. Call yourself whatever you like. Just take care of the witch.” He said as he threw them a thick scroll. “And go ‘suit up’ as you youngsters call it.”

“Oh and Olivia.” He added. “I need you to go on missions as a girl. I don't want those bandages wrapped on your chest to interfere with your breathing.” Olivia groaned and mumbled a small “yes”.

…

She yawned as she leaned lazily on the handle of her scythe and stared groggily at a fly. There was really no point in her coming on this mission. Her brother seemed to have everything under control. She kicked halfheartedly at the long black overcoat and watched it fall back, covering her legs.

“You can do this the easy way or the not so easy way. Either you destroy the elixir and let us send you off without harm. Or I’ll drag you to the underworld kicking and screaming.” Louis held his sword firmly against the old woman’s throat. Her dirty grey hair stuck out in odd directions and crooked nose screams out her identity of a witch.

‘Oh look, and a black cat too.’ Olivia noted as she gazed around this old woman’s basement full of candles and filthy test tubes.

The witch finally gave in by dropping a beaker full of crimson liquid in the fire in one of her Bunsen burners. The flame soared up a few feet before dying down.

“Thank you for making my life easier.” Louis said, his sword still on the ready. He watched as the woman readied for death. Olivia suddenly perked up.

“OH OHH!! Can I do it?” She jumped animatedly, scaring the black cat. Louis frowned, he hardly ever get to reap anyone whenever he went on missions with her.

“Awww. But I always let you do it!”

“Pleaaaase??”

“Ugh. Fine.” Damn nice-older-brother-autopilot-mode.

“Woohoo!!” His sister cheered as she leapt in front of the now very confused witch. She then let a very sinister look adorn her face.

“Don’t worry, this won’t hurt much. Well, not as much as hell would hurt you anyways.” She said as an evil grin appeared. The witch barely had time to speak when the scythe as tall, if not taller, than the girl before her, swooped down to her neck with a blinding flash.

“!!”

All the witch saw was a blood red glint from the reaper’s eyes before she was sent to the realm all mortals feared, hell.

…

Olivia hummed a cheerful tune as she and her brother, now back in school uniform, walked back to their dorm room. Her arms swung casually at her sides as she skipped through the empty corridors.

It seemed a long time since she had reaped, and this time it went unbelievably easy. It had taken them less than an hour.

“Oli.”

“Yes? Dear brother?”

“Stop skipping.”

“Why?”

“Because it makes you look gay.”

“…Aaaand?” she asked in a singsong voice.

“And you’re a guy. Remember?”

“Oh…right.” She immediately stopped her joyful stroll and stood up straight. Louis felt a momentary wave of guilt hit him. It was hard enough for her to cope in the day, having to act and speak like a guy, he really should cut her some slack after school. He couldn't possibly describe the pressure his sister is going through, dealing with hormonal boys and acting as if it’s all the norm for her.

Why on earth can’t they work in a co-ed school?? He had no idea why the majority of potential reapers are male. He and his sister’s job was merely to make sure the school was “safe from any kind of abnormal supernatural behavior so they can live their life normally (or as normal as it can get) until they die so they can be ‘psychologically stable’ to be a qualified reaper.”

‘Feh. Bullshit.’ Louis thought as he narrowed his crimson eyes in disgust.

Although he really didn't mind coming to this school, he strongly disagreed to let his sister come as well. It was just that under coincidental circumstances his sister was dragged into this because ‘they’ didn't trust him to complete the missions alone.

“Dude! Where were you two at dinner?” Mike shouted to their faces as they opened the door to the lounge that connected their rooms.

“You missed the best turkey ever!” the red head continued to jabber away about the great feast they had. Eric, who was engulfed in his laptop on the sofa, turned and faced the siblings.

“Yea. Where were you two?” Larry walked out of the mini kitchen counter holding a coffee mug in his hand awaited their answer.

“Principal wanted to see us. Family issues.”

“Ohhhh” From what the three of them had heard, Oliver and Louis had huge problems with their parents, that’s why they would always be called to the principal's. Or that’s what they thought.

A harmonic tune was given off from Eric’s laptop, he shut the smooth silver cover with a soft click and stood up. “I need to do some homework, so goodnight for the day.” A few murmurs of “night” and “see you tomorrow” were heard before the brunet closed the door to his room with a soft click.

“I need a shower.” ‘I can still smell that old wretch’s basement.’ Oliver said and walked off to his (or rather, he and his brother’s) room. Mike watched as he shut the door to the sibling’s room. Thus, leaving Mike, Larry and Louis in the lounge. There was an awkward silence and the dorm mates looked around silently. All three of them tried to start a conversation, but none of them came up with a suitable subject.

Their problems were solved when a low grumble sounded from Louis’ stomach. Embarrassed, the boy put his hand to his stomach.

“Damn, I’m hungry. Got some food in the kitchen?”

“Yea, some left over pizza from a few days ago.”

“Sounds good to me!” Louis said with a goofy smile and made his way to the kitchen counter. He picked the pizza wrapped up in tin foil and put it in the microwave.

Beeping noises could be heard as he pushed the buttons on the device.

“Yo Louis?” Mike’s voice sounded from behind the sofa.

“Yea?” Louis said as he got himself a can of soda. He opened it with a soft crack and took a long gulp.

“I don't know if it's just me. But your brother looks like a girl from the back.”

Louis did a double take and spitted all of his soda out. Giving him a partially drenched school shirt.

“WHAT!?”

“I kind of agree with Mike.” Larry added in. “he would make a pretty cute girl.” Louis was looking horrified.

“Are you two gay?”

“No. We’re just saying that your brother looks very feminine. I swear I saw a very girly waist when she walked back to his room” Mike said in defense. The hell? Him? Gay? Yea, and pigs can fly.

“And you’re just watching my brother in a very perverted way.” Louis said in a very disgusted way.

DING.

The microwave sounded. Louis paced over to retrieve his dinner, still looking disgusted.

“I can’t believe I have two gay dorm mates lusting over my brother…” he muttered, just enough for the two to hear.

“HEY! WE HEARD THAT”

…

Her stomach grumbled.

Oh right, she didn't eat dinner.

She groaned inwardly as she thought of having to leave her comfortable bed. She groaned out loud when her stomach grumbled again.

‘Ok. Ok. I’ll go get some food.’

Olivia stepped off her bed and ruffled her short black hair. It was a good thing she slept with bandages around her chest. Her brother and the professor always objected that, saying she won’t grow. But hey, Olivia could care less about large breasts. As long as she could move around without suffocating, she’s fine.

The door creaked slightly as she pushed it forwards.

‘Funny.’ She thought. ‘Someone left the lights on in the kitchen.’ She walked slowly towards the light. The cold ground sending shivers up her back. She rubbed her arms that was covered with an oversized t-shirt. Her feet rubbing each other under her comfortable loose black pants.

She was slightly surprised when she saw Larry sitting at the coffee table. Enjoying some sort of hot drink from his mug. The only source of light was from a lamp hanging from the ceiling, casting a warm glow on Larry’s sunny blond hair. He turned, equally surprised, and greeted her.

“Hey Oli! Can’t sleep?”

“Yea. Just realized I haven’t had dinner.”

“You want something to eat?” he was sure Louis didn't finish their whole refrigerated pizza supply.

“Nah, maybe something to drink.” She said sleepily as she gave a yawn. Larry laughed.

“Here. Let me make something for you. Chocolate alright?” He said as he stood up from the table.

She laughed at herself. “Thanks. Yea, choco’s fine.”

Olivia put her head on her arms and slept on the table. She opened her eyes after a while and stared at the back of the blonde boy. This month’s been hell for her. She gave a dry laugher inwardly as she thought of the irony. She thinks this place is hell when she’s been sending people to hell. Hormonal boys were not good to deal with, especially when you were trying to be one.

‘Sex, cars, computers, games, girls, sex, hot actresses, sex.’ Olivia was perfectly aware that she had counted sex three times on her ‘what hormonal boys talk about’ list.

“Marshmallows?” She heard Larry ask her. She lifted her head up.

“Yes, thank you.”

“No problem” the blonde said as he passed her a warm cup. She took it gratefully and blew on the surface of the drink before taking a tiny sip. She gave a satisfied smile as she savored the rich creamy liquid. Larry, who was now back at his seat, put his head on his palm and stared at her with his forest green eyes. She noticed his gaze and gave him a questioning look.

“What is it?” She asked.

“You’re a girl. Aren’t you?” He almost laughed out loud as she almost fell off her seat.

“You’re kidding, right? Are you hallucinating?” she said after she had gotten a hold of herself.

“No. I’m pretty sure you’re a girl, actually.”

“…How? I mean not that I'm saying I'm a girl. But how would you tell?”

“That looks you had after you had the chocolate. That smile was definitely a girl’s smile.”

“I don't know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m pretty sure you do, miss.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“Calling you what? Miss?”

“Are you gay?”

“No. Why do you ask? Miss?”

She made an exasperated noise.

“You’re crazy, Larry.”

“I might be. But would you give me the honor of knowing your name, miss?”

“I told you to stop calling me that.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ll tell everyone you’re gay if you keep on calling me that.”

“Well,” he said as he leaned forward on the table. Reducing the distance between him and Olivia. “As long as the both of us know that I'm not gay, that’s all that matters. Isn’t that right? Oli, my dear? If that’s even your name.”

Silence rang through the kitchen. A smug look appeared on the blonde’s face.

“So who are you? Don't worry, I wont tell anyone.” He asked once more. He watched the girl in front of him take another sip at the hot drink, patiently waiting his answer.

“I’ll say it once more. I’m not a girl. My name is Oliver, 15 years old, male.” She emphasized the male part.

“Hm.” Larry sounded unconvinced, his smugness still showed. “I've noticed I never see you much during PE lessons.”

“I have health problems. The doctor doesn't let me do much physically tiring things.”

“Ohh. So does that explain why you’re so short compared to all the other guys?”

“Basically.” She replied indifferently.

“And is that also why you seem to have a feminine body as well?” He leaned back casually.

“Do you normally check your classmates out?”

“Let’s just say I have a tendency to notice the small things.”

She stared at him silently, trying not to look threatened. He stared back in full confidence.

‘This is so annoying.’ She thought as she glared into the boy’s dark green eyes. Trying to read his thoughts. ‘I can kill without hesitation, but I can’t figure out what this boy is thinking.’ She was beginning to get tired from making up excuses.

“You are so dead when I tell the guys tomorrow about what you said.”

“Oh no. They pretty much agree with me about the girly looks part.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” She said, looking genuinely surprised. He shook his head.

Wow. Olivia knew these people were smart, being candidates for reaper and all, but she never figured they would be able to tell the different auras the two different genders give off. What they thought were intuition was merely some kind of recognition of auras.

“Can I ask you one thing?” Olivia said after her little conclusion.

“Go on.”

“Did you attend an all boys primary school as well?”

“Yes.” He said without much thought. “Why do you ask?” and it finally registered in his mind as he saw a look of realization in Oliver’s face.

“Ohhhh. No wonder…”

“Hey! I told you, I’m not gay!” he said to his own defense. No straight guy would ever want people to really think he’s gay.

“Sure you’re not. Suuure.”

She laughed when she saw the blonde frown fiercely. She gave herself a pat on the back in her mind.

Olivia, 15 years old, female, attends an all boys’ high school, known as Oliver, grim reaper…

…and the master of lies.