Description

Panel One: Cal glares at the viewer, set against a background that fades to black with black cracks creeping in from the edges. "I was a gravedigger," he answers. His speech ballon is black, with hazy edges and white text.

Panel Two: A view of the group at the cafeteria table. Zane has dropped his utensils in shock, Royce is shrinking back into the bench, and Geri has a hand to her face. They look alarmed. Cal is glaring, his face grim, and he leans forward with his right forearm on the table. His left hand is gripping the table's edge. The atmosphere again fades into black accented with cracks, and there are indistinct outlines of other students going about their business in the background. The impression is that of a moment frozen in time.

Panel Three: Things brighten and Cal says, "Sorry, I - " and looks down in surprise. Zane has grabbed Cal's hands and interrupts, looking concerned, "No, don't be sorry!" Royce gestures to themself and says, "We're the ones who should be apologizing!"

Panel Four: "If you ever need to talk, we're right here," Geri says, as she grabs Cal in a tight hug and pulls his head into her chest. Cal is visibly uncomfortable with the tight squeeze and is looking away from Geri. "Urgh! Thanks... I, ah -" he says, while he flails his hands a bit.

Panel Five: SFX: BONG! BONG! BONG! The schoolbell rings and Cal carefully pushes himself out of the hug. He's still not making eye contact with Geri as he says, "Oh, hey! Gotta go!" "Oh!" she says.

Panel Six: Cal is walking away from the trio and they are all waving at each other, smiling. "Hey, Cal -" Zane says, "Sit with us again?" "Sure!" Cal answers.

Author Note

Aww, yay! Cal's made some good friends. They know they screwed up, and they want nothing more than to make amends ASAP.

I'm currently working on posing and environment layout/Camera angles for Issue 3! I'm halfway there, and I'm so excited to start drawing it for you, AND ... I have a BIG announcement coming next week, and I think you'll ALL be glad to hear it! ^_^

Keep on Social Distancing,
- Bran