Without Me

Newbie

"Again? Off to detention you go," those words were muttered as Jonathan stood in the office, waiting for his turn in line. The boy in front of him walked away and he walked up to the counter, still not quite believing what and where he had been thrown into. He offered the counter lady who had thick makeup on and an obviously too tight for her own good dress, a half smile as she raised a brow.

"What is your business?"

"Ah..." He wasn't sure what to say honestly but tried to recall what he recited as he stood in line. "I'm here to take my timetable and also books. Yeah."

The lady nodded and seemed to wait. She let out a sigh and tapped the table slightly.

"Name, sir?"

"Oh. Right. Sorry. Jonathan," he replied awkwardly, forgetting that he needed to introduce himself. She nodded and collected the sheets of papers as well as books for him before stacking them on top one another. She placed them on the table and slid it over to him.

"Good luck with classes," She said and waved him off. He was honestly surprised she wished him luck but nodded in response, gathering up his things and checking the timetable for his first class.

Students were already walking down the hallway, bustling in and out as they made their way around the school.

This damn school.

Jonathan sighed, still feeling wronged for being sent here. He tried to put his books into his bag while balancing the bag. It didn't take long before someone bigger than him bumped into him, causing his books to fall and sniggers to sound the hallway. He sighed and bent down to pick them up since he knew nobody would help anyway.

The new kid.

Again.

"Hey, newbie. You want to join my gang?" A voice boomed above him since he was squatted. He looked up and squinted slightly at the person talking. Tall, big, maybe just barely a head taller but definitely more muscle mass. He definitely had this mean bully look written all over his face and attitude. Presence too, if that could be counted. There were a few others with him too. Not all as big though.

"Nah, I'm cool," Jonathan responded nonchalantly, not really wanting to get into trouble. Before he could grab all his books, he was shoved. Hard. That, he didn't expect. His books scattered everywhere again and this time, he glared.

"What do you mean no? Think you're a hot shot? You're just a new kid. Fresh meat," the bigger boy sneered as he approached Jonathan. Jonathan could see his arm was raised, ready to swing down at him so he lifted his arms to block it.

"Cut it off, Viktor!" Another voice yelled from the end of the hallway. Their heads turned to look at the brown with slight shimmering blonde locks of hair boy whose hands were in his pockets and he had a frown on his forehead. He looked taller than the person he had called Viktor from where they stood but Jonathan could tell that boy was even slimmer than himself. Viktor stepped back and spat close to Jonathan.

"You got lucky, newbie. See you around," he said and walked away with his bunch of friends tagging along. Jonathan sighed. So much for not getting into trouble. He watched the blonde boy enter the class and quickly picked up his books again.

The bell rang and he silently cursed. He was going to be late. On the first day too? Hell no. He quickly ran into his class, just realising it was the one beside the one which Mr. Save-my-ass had entered. He took an empty seat at once or at least it seemed empty with no bags. He got a couple of stares from the boys in his class but guessed it was probably cause he was the new kid. So, no biggie there.

He took out his timetable and studied it for a bit until the teacher entered and started off with class at once. No introduction, no anything. Jonathan wondered if the teacher knew he was new or just didn't care. He guessed it was better since he didn't like being in the spotlight for too long anyways.

Class ended once the bell rang and he quickly went through his timetable again to make sure he could get to the right class on time. He hadn't notice the short boy who had stopped in front of him as he got up, causing them to bump into each other. He fell back onto his seat again and the boy onto his butt.

"Oh god. I'm so sorry. I didn't notice you," he said hurriedly and helped the rather rounded shape boy to stand up.

"Oh. It's fine. Thanks. I'm Chuck, by the way!" The boy introduced himself cheerfully, not something Jonathan was expecting here. In this damn school. He offered him a small smile.

"Um...Jonathan," he replied and shook the boy's outstretched hand. He let go after a while, wondering what the other wanted.

"So... uh... Where's your next class?"

Jonathan's guess was that the boy was trying to make conversation. He straightened himself and looked down at the paper again.

"Um... somewhere?" He showed Chuck his timetable and the jolly kid nodded.

"I can bring you there. It's upstairs and my class is just next door," he replied and motioned Jonathan to follow him.

"Oh. Thanks, man. I wouldn't have known which way to go," he said thankfully and honestly meant it too. He hoped whatever Chuck did to enter such a school, it wasn't Chuck's fault. He seemed like a nice person.

"So, why're you here?" Chuck asked as they walked towards the stairs. Jonathan shrugged and rubbed his neck. "Oh! I mean, it's totally cool if you don't want to tell. I understand. I just thought maybe you were sent here by force since you don't look mean and all."

Jonathan had to raise an eyebrow.

"Well. You don't look mean in the least bit too," he replied with a light chuckle. Would you look at that, progress at actually making a friend. Chuck laughed nervously.

"Y-yeah. Being mean isn't my forte but I got caught playing with some firearms and stuff," Chuck mumbled and Jonathan nodded, surprised but didn't comment on it. He walked up the stairs slowly since Chuck walked slower than he did.

They were halfway up when a familiar blonde tuft of hair passed them by. Jonathan almost reached up to grab hold of the leather jacket the other wore but stopped himself. He probably shouldn't do that if the other had enough power to stop someone else from bullying. Especially in this school. Don't mess with anyone.

He turned back to Chuck instead who was wheezing as he reached the top of the stairs.

"Um, hey, Chuck. Do you know who that guy is? You know, the one with the leather jacket?" He asked while motioning in the direction the boy had went. Chuck looked up at Jonathan with a confused look, cheeks flushed.

"Hhh. Sorry... w-who?" He asked, breathing in and relaxing. Jonathan raised his brow and shook his head.

"Nevermind. Let's just go to class. I don't want to be late," he said after some thought since Chuck hadn't seen him. Chuck nodded and led them the way the boy went as well.

Well, what do you know. Chuck pointed out Jonathan' class to him and he thanked the other before making his way inside. The first thing that caught his attention was definitely the leather jacket. He didn't think they would have class together. At least he could thank the other and hopefully not get a spiteful reply. He quickly took the seat beside the boy and turned to look at him but turned back immediately since the teacher walked in.

Dammit.

He kept glancing over at the boy, wishing there was an opening to actually thank the other but he guessed he would have to wait until class was over. He was quite surprised to find the students actually listening though. He sort of expected disturbance or distractions. Considering the reputation the school had.

"Stop looking at me," he heard the same honey like voice spoke as he had glanced over again but this time, soft and teasing. He flinched and let out a small cough. He turned back to his book.

"Sorry," he whispered. "I mean t-thank you."

"What for?"

"Earlier. You know. The guy wanting to punch me out of the blue," he mumbled back a reply while keeping an eye out for the teacher. He heard a light snicker.

"That? No biggie," was the last reply he heard before they went back to listening to the lesson. He was glad the other seemed chill about it even though he knew he wouldn't want to get on his bad side, however bad that is.

Class ended eventually and Jonathan was about to turn to ask him for his name when the other had already gathered his things and started walking out. He quickly got his stuff together and walked after him but was stopped by Chuck at the door.

"Hey, Jonathan!" He said in the cheerful tone again. Jonathan stepped back and offered a smile.

"Oh. Hey. Um... next class?" He didn't want to push aside Chuck whom he had just met as well so he guessed he could just ask the boy some other time, considering how they do have class together.