Without Me

Friend

The alarm went off with a blare. Jonathan woke up in a jolt, surprised and confused. He sat up but stopped when he noticed the ceiling being ridiculously close. Then he recalled where he was and what was happening.

The damn school. That's right. The dorms. He rubbed his eyes and sighed as he looked down at the occupied bunk. Probably Shou's alarm.

It was still ringing like mad so he forced himself off the bed and onto the stairs. He climbed down carefully and started to find for the alarm clock. He searched the table where it would most likely be. It wasn't on top so he opened the drawer. It took a while but he finally found it tucked away in Shou's drawer under a lot of other stuff, mostly paper clippings and such. He guessed it was rude to look in there but it was definitely too loud for his mornings.

He yawned once it was turned off and tossed it back inside, closing the drawer. He walked over to the lower bunk and shook Shou awake.

"Hey. Your alarm went off. I'm guessing that's your wake up call," he mumbled groggily. He rubbed his eyes again and headed into the shared toilet to wash up. He remembered that he needed to get his suitcase so he started getting ready faster so he didn't miss the bus. If his suitcase is still there.

He quickly slid his clothes on from the day before, just realising and recalling that he had slept with only the spare on. He gave Shou one last shake and warning before he grabbed his bag and left for the bus stop.

It was a close walk from where the dorm was located and he sighed in relief when the bus was there. He quickly walked up to the operator and told him about the suitcase. The operator was a middle aged man who seemed nice enough to help him check.

Thankfully it was still in the storage compartment. He brought it up to his dorm and slid it in since he didn't plan on resting before class started. He noticed Shou's empty bed and guessed he either left or was in the toilet but it wasn't really his business since he didn't think they had class together.

He quickly walked to the classrooms and looked for the one he needed to be in. He rubbed his temples slightly, telling himself that he should get a routine down but he cut himself some slack for now since he still wasn't used to the place. Especially staying in a dorm.

He got himself a seat in class and yawned again, wondering why he was so tired. He sighed and got his books out before a really cheerful voice almost woke him up completely.

"Morning, Jonathan!" Chuck greeted him enthusiastically. He smiled weakly in return and waved instead.

"You're cheerful," he mumbled a response so soft, it was barely audible. Chuck grinned and sat down.

"Of course. I mean, I finally got a friend and all. And we share more than one class so why wouldn't I?"

That woke him up completely. On the spot. He sat up and turned to Chuck.

"Oh. You don't have... other friends?" He asked softly and carefully. Chuck nodded, not really bothered by the question or at least he didn't seem like it. "Is that so... How long have you been here?"

"About a year now," he replied and looked at Jonathan. "Why?"

"Nothing. I just... Well... I thought you would have approached others and made friends," he replied, rubbing his neck awkwardly.

"I tried but you were the only one who has ever replied me without threatening to take my head off or something along those lines, " he replied jokingly and nudged Jonathan who could only offer a small smile in return. He hoped that wasn't all true.

"I'm glad then. To be friends," he replied after some thought. Chuck nodded and their lesson started soon after.

Jonathan always had a rather long attention span but today, he was rather restless. Maybe it was the atmosphere but he felt a headache wanting to burst out any moment and he couldn't concentrate fully. Maybe he was just over thinking things as always or maybe he was just tired from the travel to the school.

He yawned several times, trying not to catch the teacher's attention but Chuck noticed and offered him sweets which he gratefully took. It helped him stay awake throughout the rest of the first lesson. And he hoped it would last until lunch.

"You don't look too well," was what Chuck said after the lesson ended. "Stress from the first day?"

"I guess. I didn't have a good sleep last night."

"I agree that the beds here aren't the best. But it does beat sleeping on the floor."

"You're right. Don't worry. I'll get used to it. I should get going to my next class. Algebra. You?"

"English. See you at lunch."

Jonathan nodded and they parted ways. He trudged himself up the stairs of the school, feeling heavier with every step. He was almost at the top when he felt a sudden pull against his bag, making him almost fall down the stairs. Luckily for his reflexes, he held on to the railing to stop himself from making a total mess out of himself. His eyes were completely wide open now though.

A few sniggers sounded behind him before a couple of boys ran up to the next floor. He gulped, wondering if someone had planned to make him fall. He quickly got onto his floor, not wanting to really fall down and risk a stay in the hospital. He would have cursed back there if he hadn't been so tired and out of it.

He patted his cheeks but he didn't really need that. He was very awake and alert now. He headed to class and took a seat. He was hoping he wouldn't have any more bad experiences for the day but the person seated right in front of him didn't really help his wish.

Viktor.

In the flesh.

He hadn't seem to notice Jonathan yet in which he was thankful for. He wanted to switch seats but the teacher entered class, making it difficult for him to move without pulling attention onto himself so he just grabbed his book and covered himself in hopes Viktor won't turn around.

If he had any good goddamn reason to.