Greg glared as he spotted the little weasel. If he thought any of this excused him from being a nerd he was wrong. The boy looked over and seemed to panic a bit. Good. At least he knew his place. Greg made his way over to him quickly enough watching him close the locker shut.

"What's up?" He says leaning again the lockers arms crossed. His face was set in a scowl as he took in Caleb's appearance. Wasn't much to look at really. Markus' fascination with this kid was odd even for a tutor. Greg wasn't as dumb as he let some believe. He knew Markus was a lot smarter then the rest of the piss-ant's on the team. Most didn't realize the disadvantage they put themselves at by slacking off, Greg however had his father's company and the promise of a job in the next two years he didn't have much to worry about.

Caleb knew as always it was too good to be true that Greg was actually trying to be nice to him. It was always how he started, just to make him feel like he's not such a bad guy, and then of course the worse would happen. He decided to play it casual this time finishing up the rest of his lock, "Nothing much..." he said idly fiddling with it.

"You've been getting pretty cozy with Markus lately..." He starts grabbing the boy by the arm and tugging him not so harshly with him down the hall. They'd talk for a bit for now. Greg was getting really impatient with being left out of the loop especially with his own friend . That was just unheard of for him and he wasn't about to let this guy, Caleb, whatever get away with it either.

He had done a small bit of actual work to find out who he really was and he wasn't anyone really special. His brother was a up-start wanna-be prat, though that could be remedied easily. "Wanna tell me why that is?"

Caleb was reluctantly dragged down the hallway by Greg, his grip was too tight for it to be comfortable. He was silent while he talked, he was formulating the best answer. Obviously him and Markus were cozy, and probably more cozy than Greg would like to believe. But if Greg found out, Caleb would be in a terrible position, so he lied.

"I thought you knew that I was tutoring him?" he played an innocent card, but he knew this lie would stick, as Markus had agreed on it with him.

Greg sneered at him. He was just a fool as Markus was and how everyone thought he was. But he did not let him see the contempt he held for someone he barely knew. He started looking around for somewhere to do this. He couldn't openly threaten the boy. Not in school anyway, but he could do it some other way. Just scare him a bit. He spotted the bathrooms just a head of them. He could just push anyone in there out.

His eyes were a bit darker the usual. "Yeah, yeah." He says pushing the doors open happily surprised no one was in there. He pulled Caleb along, shoving the boy ahead of him. "Now quite the act what the hell is going on..." He said standing in front of the door.

Caleb's worst fear was coming true when Greg moved towards the bathroom, and with his luck there was no one inside to help him if it got rough. When he was pushed inside his books fell out of his hand, and they sprawled on the floor. When Greg accused him of something else going on he knew he couldn't break or else something worse would happen, and not just to Caleb. As much as he hated being beat up, he didn't want something to happen to Markus.

Caleb picked up his books looking at Greg, "Nothing besides tutoring." he said firmly, he wouldn't break, not now.

Greg glared at him fiercely before punching the wall. His eyes were focused on Caleb's. If the boy lied to him again he wouldn't thing twice about hitting him or at least pretending to. He was feeling extra vicious since he had made his way over towards the skinny boy. This probably wasn't the best time for something like this in the middle of the season but he couldn't stop himself from feeling what he was. Though as much as he wanted to bust some heads, he had to make it through to the end of the year.

Markus was thinking of cutting practice today. Even if it was for study Greg knew that Markus was not someone to miss a practice. "Try that again and we'll see how your face likes the tile."

Caleb swallowed hard, Greg was getting more angry as the seconds passed, and right now he feared that no matter what he said or did it would only make it worse. He held his books to chest backing away slowly, "Seriously," he said trying to plead with his eyes, that he was telling the truth, "I don't know why you're so angry, Markus doesn't even like me honest, he's forced to have me study with him... his grades were slipping." he kept his eyes on Greg's.

So he lied.

Greg now even more pissed. In his head he could rationalize it might not be the best time for this but he was going to do it any way. Knocking the books from Caleb's hands and grabbing the front of his shirt. He walked them back against the opposite wall kicking the books under a stall. He pressed the frightened boy against the wall harshly slowly pulling the boy down by his collar until he was on his knees. He glared down at him feeling more irritated then he had in a long time. No one lied to him, if he wanted to know something he knew about it.

"I will give you one more warning before I start pounding your face." He mutters dangerously, "Markus isn't the type to force any body to do anything. If he asks most people do what he wants and its the same with me. Now I want the truth."

Caleb grew scared as his books were thrown not only away from him but under the stall, before he knew it Greg had him up against the wall by his collar, it grew hard to breathe. That was remedied by only by something worse as he was brought to his knees, Greg had given him an ultimatum that he could do nothing about, if Caleb told the truth he would be hurt worse than he would now.

"I swear to you I'm telling you the truth," Caleb tried to sit there strongly in front him, what he wanted to do most was cower and hide but it wouldn't have helped any. He just stood there waiting to be pummelled by Greg.

Growling Greg cracked Caleb's head against the tiled walls. His teeth bared he pulled the boy up onto his feet which were shaky at best. "Fine! I'll say it then. You are sleeping him aren't you." He grounds out through his teeth throwing the boy at a stall with a loud thud. He stalks after him both fists clenched. Someone like this didn't deserve someone like Markus. No one did he was a good person. Unlike Greg. No, he had not disillusion about himself. He knew he could get what he want either by force but Markus was not someone you could threaten, not someone you wanted to. He might have joked around with him a lot but that was all it was.

"Did you enjoy yourself? Was it fun? I bet it was." He mutters rearing back his leg.

---------

Markus glanced around. he hadn't seen Greg in a bit. He said he was heading to the bathroom but that had been before class had started. The bell had rung and five minutes had passed but still no Greg.

Was he sick? It worried him a bit.

His friend had seemed off all week, grouchier then normal he had even snapped at him Greg almost never did that. He at first thought it had something to do with him hanging around Caleb, but when he asked about it Greg would just call him an idiot who needed to study more give him a noogie then change the subject.

Even though he still suspected he had noticed that he had also been going to the bathroom before class all week. Maybe he really was getting sick. Markus raised his hand to get the teachers attention and a pass to the bathroom. He could go check the closest bathroom and if he wasn't there the nurses office.

Caleb's head slammed against the wall, it felt like a ton of bricks, this had to be the worst beating he had gotten so far. He was almost knocked out by the single hit, as it dazed him, it would be no mystery that his face would be covered in bruises soon. He could barely swallow as Greg brought him to his feet, his legs were trembling, there was nothing he could do now, he only prayed that he'd live through it.

The words that Caleb feared had come out of his mouth, he assumed that the two were an item, and there was nothing he could say to change his mind, even though it was actually true. His body was thrown like a rag tall into the stall, his back hit the base of the toilet causing him to lay there in pain as he let a groan escape his lips, he was trying to steady himself when Greg began to lift his leg, he knew there was no time to try and shield himself.

Markus had checked all bathroom near the class room but no sign of Greg. He must have gone to the nurses office but that was On the other side of the school.

Should he risk it? If he was worried it didn't matter and then maybe he might pass by Caleb's class on the way. Stop in and say hi. But...

Markus stood outside of the class he knew Caleb had this period but even as he looked around he didn't see him either. He had knocked on the door and approached the teacher about it but the teacher told him that Caleb hadn't been to class yet.

Markus gave an uncharacteristic snarl. Of course, he should have known this would happen. He believed so much in their light though it hadn't crossed his mind that anyone would catch on.

He cursed under his breath as he told the teacher he would be right back. He had to find them and fast. There was no telling what Greg had done by now. He ran through the halls in search of them. Checking every empty classroom, and janitors closet, then some of the bathrooms until he found the right one. He burst through the door just in time to see Greg rear his leg back. Without thinking he charged the larger boy with as much force as he could with a loud cry.

Greg was taken by surprise and was knocked right off of his feet to the ground where Markus proceeded to punch him in the face.

He was so stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. And he was angry, why hadn't he seen this before it happened? Of course you couldn't have predicted any of this but why today of all days.

Caleb was sure he was going to be beaten to death now as he cowered, blood seeped from his lip. Suddenly there was a loud cry and Greg was knocked right off his feet to the ground. Caleb was still dizzy as he tried to crawl over to see what was going on, the last thing he could make out was the looks of Markus, beating on Greg.

"M-mar..." Caleb tried to call out weakly but his voice was gone and his eyes refused to stay open and all at once his body collapsed.

Markus paused in his beating long enough to glance over his shoulder. Caleb had passed out on the ground behind him. Eyes wide he dropped Greg's shirt, the boys head hitting the ground with a thud and rushed over to Caleb. He hastily turned the boy over onto his back and gathered him into his arms. "Caleb! Caleb!" He half shouts carefully getting to his feet and heading for the bathroom door. He would have to take him to the nurse and call and ambulance.

He felt so horrible. Something like this should never happen and most times it didn't when Markus was around. It made him wonder how many people had had to take a beating from Greg and the others. He knew they picked on kids, sometimes they would hit them, but if Markus was there he tended to prevent it. With this recent development... No he didn't want to think about it he just had to get Caleb to the nurses so he could call the ambulance. Markus was briefly aware of the pain in his knuckles but he brushed it off.

-------------

Greg rolled over onto his hands and knees coughing a bit. Markus was a lot stronger then he gave himself credit for. Greg was a good head taller then him and wider but he had barreled into him with the force of a train.

He was dizzy and disoriented when he stood up. he steadied himself against the bathroom stall. Oh man he was going to be feeling this for a week. His father was really gonna lay into him as well. He wouldn't really tell him what happened, not that the man really cared. He'd just wanna know who to sue.

School was definitely a bust today. So instead of going to class, Greg made his way out of the school and headed home.

Caleb had been unconscious for sometime but as they reached the nurses office he began to slowly come to, with a small whimper, noise escaped his lips, it wasn't anything anyone could make out. His head was fuzzy, and he was unsure of what was going on, although he did feel himself moving and he knew it wasn't himself that caused it. He could hear voices over top of him.

"Oh my lord, what happened?!" the young nurse who had just started this year ran to the doorway where Markus stood with Caleb in his arms, she quickly checked his vitals, "He'll be okay." she said still with sadness in her eyes, who could have done this to this poor boy.

Markus didn't want to he let go of Caleb. He was feeling very uneasy. He silently tightened his grip on the poor boys body head bowed. It would do him or Caleb any good to tell this woman what happened. She either wouldn't believe them or worse she did and called the cops. That would make everything worse.

So he resigned to shaking his head. "I don't know..." He mutters heading over to a bed. "Call an ambulance please...I think... I think he hit his head." he says still in a low voice. He glanced up at the woman almost pleading. He had worry lines on his face and he was frowning. It was not something he did often. He knew he screwed up big this time.

He glanced down at Caleb who he had yet to let go of. Guess they would have to postpone their date...That is if Caleb still wanted to go out with him. This thing with Greg might have scared him enough so that he might never talk to him again. Markus would hate it but he would understand. He just hoped that wasn't the case.

When the boy was describing what was going on the nurse noticed that Caleb was moving, "Wait a second, put him down here." she motioned for Markus to lay him on the examining table, once the boy was there, she inspected him. "He's coming to, he'll be alright, we don't need to call an ambulance." she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Watch after him, I'm going to gather my supplies to mend him." she was off in a whirlwind collecting all the tools she needed.

Caleb now being laid down on the examining table became a bit more restless as his body moved all the little more bit by bit. Finally his eyes fluttered open, and everything was blurry, but he had woken up.

Markus reluctantly placed him on the table but he did not leave his side. Even grabbed his wrist to check his pulse himself. He might have been overacting but who knew what Greg did before he had gotten there. He didn't look as banged up as he could have been that calmed his nerves a bit. But they would still have to take a trip to the hospital. Just in case he had a concussion.

Markus frowned when Caleb opened his eyes. They were unfocused and he realized he didn't have his glasses. Didn't matter they were probably broken now. Still with a frown and deep concern Markus reached over to run a hand through his hair. "Caleb?"

Caleb immediately felt all the pain rush back in his system, and it wasn't just his head that hurt his back was killing him, even his legs and other parts of his body ached. He winced as he moved, then he heard a familiar voice, call his name. After attempting to focus a bit better he could vaguely make out the figure, "Markus?" he said weakly.

Caleb nearly flinched when he touched. Oh man. He tried to smile at the boy but he found that it wouldn't stay. He wanted to cry but he wouldn't allow himself that. There were things to cry over and this was not one of them. He pulled his hand away slowly, dropping it to his side. He glanced up at the nurse briefly for her reaction. Even if they weren't going to be going to the hospital Caleb would still have to go home. It bothered him in a way he wasn't comfortable with.

His frown deepened as he heard Caleb speak. "Yeah...." He sighs running a hand through his hair. He noticed briefly that his knuckles were cut up but it no longer bothered him "Are you...are you alright?" he asks uncertainly.

Caleb smiled weakly up at Markus, he was happy that he was there for him, and he wasn't alone. He still had no idea what was going on but he didn't have the energy to ask right now, he tried to move himself so he was sitting up but it was much more difficult than he thought it would be, as a hiss escaped his lips.

"Oh no, sweetie lay down." The nurse said, "You might have a concussion." she urged Caleb to lay down again, and even though he didn't hear what she said he did it all the same.

He now looked up towards Markus again, he nodded lightly, "I hope so..." he coughed, it made his ribs ache when he did so.

The nurse leaned over and looked to Markus, "Upon examinations there's not much I can do here, he will need to be at home for sometime to recover... he shouldn't be doing too much activity." she then handed Markus a wet cloth, "If you want to help him, I'm sure he'd appreciate to rid of some of that blood." There was blood on Caleb's face, and limbs, the nurse noticed the closeness between the two so she felt that the boy should be able to care for his friend.

Markus sighed. Oh thank god, it was nothing serious. Well he supposed the situation itself might be very serious but at least Caleb was fine. He sighed again trying to relax a bit. He would have to confront Greg about this later, in private, more then likely at his house. He was will rather angry at the boy. Where had all that come from?

Shaking his head to rid himself of those thoughts for now he took the cloth that the nurse had offered him with a slight nod. He was still frowning as he gently wiped the blood from Caleb's face. He had no idea what to say in this kind of situation. When this had happened to others he had only to ignore them and it would never happen again. He knew it was cowardly and that there was little he could do otherwise. It was either that or they avoided him altogether. What a fine mess this turned out to be.

"I'm sorry..." he says, hair falling into his face.

Caleb used all his energy to smile up at Markus as he wiped away some of his blood. He winced as it cute near his right eye stung, he also had a cut on his lip. There would be many bruises to follow anyone could be sure of that, but he still wasn't angry at Markus, and he didn't even really remember what happened anyway. "It's okay..." he coughed again, 'What happened?"

Markus flinched when Caleb asked him what happened.

"He... You were beat up pretty bad. I got there in time to stop him from doing anymore damage but..." He sighed trying to avoid hurting him even more. "God I am so stupid." He mutters under his breath trying to skirt around some of his cuts with the rag.

Oh god this looked bad. They would have to tell the principle at some point. Well at least he thought the nurse might. They were supposed to report all beatings like this. It would be hard to explain especially since it wouldn't matter what he did. Greg would probably get away with just about anything. They would want to keep it quiet because Greg's father donated to the school often and they would try anything they could think of to get around this mishap...even if it happened again. Money talks. There was that and the fact that if they ever found out about Markus' involvement that could mean trouble for his family. There were some skeletons he didn't want to have to deal with right now.