Without Me

Gang

Classes were pretty much the same. The teachers taught like regular teachers except they did lack partiality towards the students. It was just the little things about the school that made Jonathan wonder more. He couldn't even get close to a teacher if he tried. Questions weren't asked and homework was more than enough to keep them occupied. Jonathan did feel a slight respect towards this school's system since it definitely felt more 'in place' in regards to how a school should be but of course, it definitely felt weird compared to the other schools he had been.

Lunch hour rolled by and Jonathan headed to the cafeteria. This time, feeling a little less afraid of getting beat up, mostly because his mind was preoccupied with other thoughts. He sat down at the same table and Chuck almost crashed into the seat when he saw Jonathan.

"Jonathan!!" He exclaimed, making the other snap out from his thoughts.

"Hey, Chuck. Look, before you say anything, I'm really sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to just disappear or something," Jonathan apologised.

"What? Oh. That's totally fine. But check this out," Chuck said, brushing the topic aside as if it wasn't a big deal which was quite surprising to Jonathan but he was glad his actions didn't seem to hurt the other. "I found this CD player in one of the table drawers today!" His voice dropped to an excited whisper as he pulled out a round metallic electronic device. It was one of those old kind of mini disc player with a small screen.

"Whoa. What. Who would leave something like this around? And we don't even use CDs anymore," Jonathan replied, making his voice low as well since Chuck seemed to be doing that. Chuck kept the player and shrugged.

"Whoever it is, it's my find now. I can't give it in," he said with a huge grin.

"Why not? Don't you have your own phone or something?" Jonathan asked, clearly confused but soon he became even more confused with Chuck's shocked expression.

"What do you mean phone? We had to give up all electronic devices when we entered. No phones, no mp3 players or anything at all," Chuck replied. This made Jonathan unconsciously touch his phone which was in his pocket.

"W-we do?" He asked again, even softer than before. Chuck nodded and crossed his arms.

"You didn't know? It was written on the letter. Any electronic devices must be handed over to the school before we enter our classes or dorms," Chuck replied. Jonathan gulped slightly and grasped his phone. He will keep this a secret. He didn't want his phone to get taken by the school. Guess it was a good thing that he didn't ask anyone for their phone numbers now. Or take out his phone in public.

"Wait. Hold up. Which letter?"

"Hmm? The one you get after you apply. Where they tell you what you can and can't bring. You can choose not to bring any electronics so they won't get taken from the school since they never mentioned if they'll give back anything that is taken," Chuck explained. "Didn't you receive it?"

"I... Maybe... I guess I did," Jonathan mumbled, recalling what had happened to his letter. Unfortunately for him, he only read part of the letter so that was probably why he didn't know about it. He had gotten somewhat angry when he found out which school he was being sent to and ripped the letter. He did try to fix it but some parts were too demolished to read.

"Yeah. So like, this is a treasure for now. Now, I just got to find a way to get CDs to watch or play stuff. Maybe I can sneak some in when I get back," Chuck mumbled to himself. Jonathan tapped his chin slightly, moving his hand away from his pocket as to not look suspicious.

"What if the person who it belongs to is finding for it?" Jonathan asked, knowing full well that's not exactly something you would want to say.

"Well, too bad. They're going to have to come and ask me for it," Chuck said with a slight triumphant tone but Jonathan just nodded.

"H-hello," a small voice spoke, causing Jonathan and Chuck to turn to look at Ares who was holding his tray of food. "Can I sit?"

"Sure. Go ahead!" Chuck replied cheerily. Jonathan gulped nervously, recalling the way Viktor had stared into the classroom when he greeted Ares. Ares gave a half hearted smile and took a seat.

Now isn't the right time to think about it.

"H-hey," Jonathan greeted him awkwardly. Just don't think about it, he assured himself as he tried to avoid the incoming gazes. He started to wonder what Ares' relation with Viktor really was considering how they kissed yet had a bicker about it.

"Hey. Jonathan. Sorry about... you know what," Ares apologised, not sounding very sincere about it.

"What?" Chuck asked instead since he was clueless of what had gone on between them.

"Don't sweat it. I don't really get what's going on but I get that I'm not supposed to talk to you during class hours?"

"N-no! I mean. It's your choice. You're free to talk to me, of course. I just don't want someone to get the wrong idea," Ares said in a hurry. Chuck pouted slightly and grabbed Ares by the arm.

"Hello? Somebody fill me in on what's going on?" He asked with hopeful eyes.

"Sorry. I... People tend to get hurt or upset when they hang out with me. It's why I've been intentionally acting rude and... trying not to talk to anyone much. I... I. I've had enough," Ares said with a sullen tone and clenched his fist. "I thought I could hang out with the both of you and he won't disturb you two since you don't look like the kind to bring any trouble. E-especially since I saw you telling him that you won't join his gang too."

Oh. Was that why Ares decided to approach him and Chuck? Because he stood up against Viktor and Chuck seemed pretty innocent anyways.

"Hello??? Anyone care to fill me in? Are we in world war 3 or something? Who is 'he'?" Fingers moving in air to quote the word.

"Mister number one to avoid on the list," Jonathan replied Chuck who took a while to understand but gasped once he did.

"You rejected his offer to join his gang?" He exclaimed, eyes widening at Jonathan.

"Uh... Yeah? Hey! It was my first day of school and I didn't think too much about it. I just thought not joining any gangs would keep me away from trouble. Who knew it would be the number one guy to avoid in the school?" Jonathan snapped a little.

"And...you. He has something to do with you?" Chuck turned to Ares who bit his lower lip and nodded.

"Sort of? I don't really know how to explain what's going on between us either," Ares replied and rubbed his neck as he stabbed his food, feeling unmotivated to eat. Chuck gasped and looked between the two of them.

"What? Regretting being friends now?" Jonathan asked, a little irritated by how Chuck was sort of overreacting.

"No, no! Of course not! I just didn't know so of course this surprises me on many levels," Chuck replied and calmed down, sipping his drink.

"Yeah. I didn't think it was worth mentioning. The part where he offered me to join his gang," Jonathan replied. "Sorry. My bad."

"Hmm... Is it alright if I continue hanging out with the both of you?" Ares' small voice asked as he rubbed his hands together. Chuck and Jonathan exchanged glances.

"Well, of course, it's fine!" Chuck replied but then got serious after that. "As long as you don't put either of us into any real deep s**t between whatever goes on with you and Viktor."

Ares looked up with a slightly brighter smile and nodded.

"I'll do my best!"