Without Me

Mark

He couldn't stop thinking about Mr. Leather-jacket and he wasn't sure why either. He wasn't super hot or handsome. He was a little cuter than expected but Jonathan knew or well, thought he was straight. Maybe it was just the thought of thanking him that stuck the other in his mind for such dreadful hours. He shook his head, bringing himself back to class. Or maybe it was because he looked so mysterious and sounded so beau-- stop, Jonathan. You can't let yourself get distracted for the tenth time now.

He breathed in and willed himself to stop thinking but his hand started moving on the paper instead, sketching lightly.

"And that's it for today. Off to lunch and remember, don't cause trouble."

The bell rang, snapping Jonathan out away from his thoughts. He shut his book and quickly followed the others out. Chuck said to meet him at the cafeteria, wherever that is. He just followed the main crowd, knowing it would lead him there.

It did eventually and he let out a relieved sigh. He stood in line and waited for his turn to buy food when he realised the buff boy from the morning accident. He turned away, not wanting to catch his attention and definitely not wanting to get into trouble. He just thought being in gangs would cause more problems for himself and no, sir, he didn't want trouble.

He got his lunch and looked around before catching sight of Chuck already at a table and eating his own lunch. He put his tray down.

"Don't mind if I sit here?" He asked just in case and Chuck grinned up at him.

"Jonathan! Of course not. Sit down, I was waiting for you," he said. Jonathan complied and couldn't help but to smile. At least, someone did welcome him. For now.

"Thanks. I wouldn't have found a seat if you weren't here," he replied and Chuck, well, chuckled.

"No problem." They both fell into silence as Jonathan ate and looked around the cafeteria. Most seemed to be sitting in groups of their own while there were still a few visible loners around. His eyes stopped at the outstanding leather jacket again.

"-han? Jonathan?!"

"H-huh?" He snapped his head back towards Chuck when he finally registered the boy calling him.

"I was asking you if you got your locker and dorm keys," he repeated. Jonathan took awhile to interpret the other's words before shaking his head.

"I... uh... forgot," he replied and nodded. "Yeah." He rolled his lips inwards slightly out of embarrassment that he caught himself staring at someone. On his first day too! He swore to himself that it was only because he got help from him and nothing else. Nothing. For God’s sake Jonathan, what would Tammy think?

"Okay. Want to go take them before you head to your next class?" Chuck asked and Jonathan nodded, absent minded. "What're you looking at?"

Jonathan flinched and shook his head, shrugging as well. Chuck looked around and sighed.

"Okay. Few things you need to know. That big guy is Viktor. Stay out of his way. That cool guy over there is Mark. Stay out of his way too. One more... Um...." He had pointed at the guy who attempted to punch Jonathan earlier and then towards the guy in the leather jacket who had helped Jonathan. Earlier, as well. The one he couldn't keep his eyes off. Then his hand went off trailing the cafeteria, trying to find someone else but Jonathan wasn't listening already. His mind had other priorities.

Mark.

"He's not here but... Jonathan?"

"Mark," he said softly under his breath as he looked up at Chuck who had his brow raised at him.

"Yeah. Mark. With the cool jacket. Stay away," he warned. Jonathan was a little surprised and he doubted he could stay away from Mark even if Viktor was a big fat tick on that.

"Yes, of course. Maybe." Chuck looked panicked at Jonathan' inconsistent reply and shook his head, grabbing his hand.

"No, no, no. You stay away from him," Chuck said worriedly.

"But why? He helped me fend off Viktor today. What's the big deal anyways? Everyone here has done something before," Jonathan replied, starting to feel a little uneasy.

"Because he can bust your face in any time. Viktor is more bark than bite but Mark is the worse biter! If that's a word," Chuck replied, flailing his arms a little. Jonathan almost let out a low whistle but caught himself before he did.

"He bust Viktor's face before? Cause if he did, then I'll get why he's more dangerous," Jonathan replied, unknowing to the slight tug at the corner of his lips. Chuck sighed and nodded.

"Yes, he did. They got into a fight when Mark transferred in. Trust me on this one, man. Don't get involved with them," Chuck said, trying to help Jonathan stay out of trouble which was what the other wanted but somehow, he couldn't keep his eyes off the boy oozing with a mysterious air. Mark. That's right. That's his name.

"A fight, huh. Thanks for telling me, Chuck. I'll try my best not to get involved with them but no promises since Viktor already almost punched me."

Chuck's jaw just dropped at what Jonathan had said. Jonathan couldn't help but let out an awkward laugh. He hoped it wasn't anything bad since he wasn't the one who wanted to pick a fight with Viktor.

"What? Why're you giving me that look?"

"You already almost fought Viktor??" He asked worriedly again and Jonathan half-heartedly nodded. He didn't mean to make Chuck worry.

"In my defence, he did want to punch me first. Mark literally saved my skin from being bruised," he replied and Chuck sighed but nodded.

"Okay. Then, let's hope that's the last you get involved with them. Come on, let's go get your keys," he said and got up since they had both finish lunch. Jonathan nodded and got his bag, wondering how he forgot. Maybe he really was too nervous earlier about actually enrolling in such a school. He sighed and shrugged it off as they headed to the office.