Corvino High School, seated in the small town of Warren, Rhode Island, was one of the most successful public high schools in the state. Its academic programs churned out intelligent, hard-working students. It had flourishing art and technical programs, as well as nearly a hundred extracurricular clubs and activities.

But Corvino was most well known for its sports. Particularly football.

Since 2007, Corvino had captured and retained the title of football district champions in their school district. They had even won awards nationally for their skills. 2007 was the year that Corvino welcomed a budding football star from the local secondary school into their school. The quarterback for their team also swam for the swim team and played hockey.

Viktor Barrow was consequently one of the most popular students at the school. He was always surrounded by people, particularly girls. He'd never had a girlfriend though, all throughout his years of high school. School had just started a month ago again, summer coming to a dreadfully unwanted end. It was Viktor's final year of high school...his senior year. Naturally, he was eager to get out.

His day so far today was great. In the morning he walked in with nearly half the football team flanking him. His group of friends tended to be loud and rowdy, and quite a lot of them were known for picking on the underclassmen. They all walked around like they owned the school...

Viktor paused by his locker--the crowd of jocks around him stopped when he did. He was tall and built. He looked like a young adult in college already. He had a lot of muscle in his chest, but was only slightly toned in his arms and legs. He had broad shoulders and just barely sun-kissed skin. His ebony hair was long enough to reach the middle of his back, and his eyes were the color of expensive emeralds.

His buddies were acting rambunctious, as usual, and even tossed around a few freshmen and sophomores that were walking past him.

His dark hair, long enough to cover his eyes, had a few streaks of blue in it, rivaling the deep blue of his eyes. He wasn't very tall. As you could guess, he wasn't one of the most loved people in the school. Another reason why he hated walking those halls, bullies.Just two more years, and he'd finally be able to get away from the horrible thing called school. Alex Renal didn't like school, one bit. Yeah of course he had a few friends, but that didn't make right what else happened around there.

Alex sighed as he stuffed his books into his locker, frowning a bit. Damn school, he hated being here, he hated being around all these people. Not that he disliked people, he just didn't like the high school kids. They were mean, jealous, liars, and so on.

The male couldn't help but smile lightly as his best friend arrived. "Save me." He groaned to the blond male, who chuckled. "Poor thing, it's only been going for a month." He stated. "Psh, y-" Alex blinked as he heard a crushing sound and was rather quick to pick his bag up, searching through it. "Wonderful!" He stated sarcastically as he pulled out a pair of broken glasses. He didn't always need them, just when his head started hurting or things got rather fuzzy. "See what I mean." He muttered to the other male.

"I just want to get out of here, I don't want to have to deal with all this." He groaned frustrated, leaning against the lockers as he stuffed the broken glasses away safely. "I guess it's to much to ask for a life without all the drama."The male sighed. "Ugh, come on Tris, let's go, before those jerks head over here." The blond, Tristan, nodded and they headed off to their first class, rather early, but anything to stay away from the jocks.

Unfortunately, it seemed that Viktor, who had just turned around from shoving his big Advanced Placement European History book in his locker, had noticed Tristan and his friend. He was not as much of a bully as most of his friends were, but when it came to underclassmen, he liked to throw his weight around. So just as the pair was about to turn into the next hallway, Viktor was suddenly in front of them, his arm blocking the way in front of them. He was rather tall...he was almost a full two heads taller than the pair in front of him.

"Hey, you." The big quarterback held out his free hand, expectantly. "Lend me some money. I'll make it worth your while." If there was one thing Viktor didn't mind intimidating people for, it was money. He did it quite often, nearly every day. One could only assume that he did not come from a very wealthy home. As he waited for them to respond, he idly played with the snakebites in his bottom lip. He had pierced his lip himself...he had also pierced his ears with studs by himself.

He didn't want to have to use violence to get the money. But he would, if he had to...especially if he was disrespected. He did not take disrespect dished out by underclassmen.

Tristan was rather intimidated, quickly, he reached to grab his money, but Alex stopped him from doing so by grabbing his wrist and raising an eyebrow. "Buger off, you jerk. Go make your own money." He snapped, glaring at the male. There was no way in hell that he was going to give him his money, he needed it for a new pair of glasses. And he wasn't going to give up the money that he had made from getting a job himself since his mom was already in money need.

So f*ck him if he though he was going to get his money, Alex was scared, he would admit that, but it was best not to show it, they only played in on that and hey look, another reason to want to get out of school and get a proper job, money. But, well, story for another time.

Right now, Alex just hoped the head-jerk would walk away, but they never did though.

In a flash, Viktor's somewhat peaceful and friendly grin was gone. He took a single step forward and his arm shot out to grab the dark-haired boy's shoulder and shove him, hard enough to send him flying backwards and hopefully, to Viktor anyway, into lockers.

"Watch your mouth, kid! I don't take shit from underclassmen," he warned, emerald eyes narrowed. At least he hadn't reared back and punched him. He'd broken jaws and knocked out teeth in his lifetime. He returned his attention to the more intimidated male. Since he hadn't said anything, he was planning on being more amicable with him.

He fished around in his pocket for a moment and pulled out what looked like two tickets. ...More specifically, they looked like two VIP tickets to the championship game, which was two Sundays from now. Viktor always got a bunch of these VIP tickets--which included free food and some of the best seats in the stadium--to give out to whoever he wanted.

"Hand over some money and you can have these," he offered, holding them out to Tristan with a grin on his face. "Free food, a free t-shirt, and some of the best seats."

Those tickets he had usually cost students about twenty-five dollars, and teachers about twenty, each, compared to the usual eight-dollar tickets.

Alex let out a soft grunt as he fell to the floor. He growled softly. The nerve of that guy. Before Tristan could answer, he was already back on his feet, glaring at the male. "So, then why the hell should we take any crap of you." He stated, making sure he stood steady. He might be scared, but he sure as hell wasn't going to let the male go through with that. What if they didn't want any freaking tickets for anything.

"Know what, I'll give a tip. Keep your damned tickets and find yourself a job so you can stop scaring people to buy those things." Alex fumed, ignoring Tristan as he tried to pull him back and probably keep him from getting hurt. He just hated people like that and he had enough of it.

Viktor made a little huffing sound and reached out again, snatching up the collar of Alex's shirt and tugging him very close to him, so that they were face to face. He had to lift the smaller boy up into the air to accomplish this feat.

"I'll give you a tip, too. Don't screw with me, you little bitch," Viktor growled, his voice a somewhat frightening bass. "You have five effin' seconds to give up some money, or I'll knock your teeth down your throat." People were beginning to shuffle away quickly, not wanting to be in the wake of the eighteen year-old's anger. First period would be starting in less than four minutes.

Viktor didn't have time to get a job. Between football, hockey, swimming, homework, and the club he contemplating getting involved in for his final year after school, there was little to no time to even go out with friends and have a good time.

Alex did struggle when he was lifted of the ground, trying to pry the male's hands off of him. He was surprised by the strength, but he didn't show any fear. If it had to be this way, let it be, he needed his own money.

"Aw, what? Just because you can't win, you'll beat me?" The male huffed, trying to think of something he could do to save his ass, maybe if he could distract him, it was almost time.. but how? He could try to-.. No, that would only get him free for the moment and have the male to try and kill him when he ran into him again.

"Get your paws off of me!" He tried strugling out of his grip once more, which was a very hard task, dangling in the air.

Viktor kept one hand around the collar of Alex's shirt, suspending him in the air, and held the other hand that still clutched the crisp VIP tickets out to Tristan. "Seeing as your ass of a friend is being uncooperative, make it easy on him and just pay me. You can sell these around the school for double their normal price, people are so desperate to have 'em..."

That much, at least, was true. Oftentimes Viktor would take around a hundred dollars for a set of VIP tickets...people would bid on them like they would for items at a big auction. If one was smart about it, they could make a fortune off of those tickets.

Alex let out a small growl. But Tristan did reach out, shaking lightly, to give the male the money. Eventhough he knew his friend would probably be mad at him after this, but he couldn't just let this happen.

Once the taller male had the money for the tickets, Alex tried to get free again. "Put me down, you ass." But it was a nice piece of ass. No! Now's not the moment to start drooling over him! He mentally scolded himself. It wasn't exactly a secret that he liked both genders, but he'd always admired the jock. There was just something about him.. He wasn't sure what it was that appealing, probably not the way he treated him though..

Despite the fact that he had never had a girlfriend, at least to everyone in the high school's knowledge, Viktor flirted. He flirted all the time...night and day, at school and outside of school. His good looks made him a natural charmer, despite his caustic and often sarcastic need to make rude comments. His affinity for joking around was what often drove off very conservative, religious, sensitive, and easily-annoyed people...

But he did flirt a lot, and quite a lot of people flirted with him. He noticed an odd look pass over Alex's face, but it was so quick that he didn't have time to analyze it.

Now that Viktor had his money, he released Alex, letting him drop slightly onto the floor. "Thanks. By the way...might want to try pawning those off to teachers, first, if you want to sell 'em. They'll pay more for 'em," he hummed, flashing them a grin before turning and walking away. His friends immediately flanked him, whooping and laughing at what he had just done.

Alex let out a small surprised yelp as he fell to the floor once more. "Ugh, I hate that guy." He muttered as he got up from the floor and dusted off his clothes. Yeah, keep telling yourself that, you might start believing it.. A voice in his mind chided him. The male sighed and headed off to class with Tristan.
________

After lunch, Alex had picked up his guitar from the music room and could be found outside, sitting against the large oak tree. It was beautiful weather right now. So, he had felt the need to go outside and play a little since he didn't have a class right after lunch.

He kept his guitar in school, because if he tried keeping it at home. His mom would probably try and sell it to get some liquor. She started drinking after his dad just disappeared and he hated it, but all he could do is make sure she didn't get any money to buy it. Though somehow, she always did. Alex was rather sure he didn't even want to know where she got it..

Tristan was nowhere to be found, which puzzled the other male slightly, but he figured he was just going to pawn off those tickets. Alex closed his eyes for a moment before he started playing.(and singing)

(YouTube - Unwell)

Viktor had the same lunch period as Alex. He had his AP European History class after lunch, but he was having some problems with the way the teacher for that class taught...or rather, didn't. That teacher would have note-taking sessions, but the only homework offered was...essays. Tons and tons of essays, and a big project every once in a while. Viktor hated that class. It was the only one he didn't have excellent marks in.

He was skipping it today. There was a test today and he wasn't quite ready for it. He made his way past the old oak tree and absently glanced to his side to see who was singing.

Ah. That defiant boy from earlier. He wondered how much he'd gotten for the tickets. Really, Viktor could sell the tickets to anyone. But he liked making people who didn't want them buy them. They could pawn them off for a whole lot of money, themselves...

He paused for just a second, recognizing the song as one he'd heard only once or twice before. Unlike most of his friends, he was into alternative rock and heavy metal, and everything in-between. He hated pop, hip-hop, and rap...couldn't stand them at all. Due to the time of day, he and Alex appeared to be the only ones outside. He knew the administrators hated seeing kids not in classes, even if they didn't have a class that period. So he cleared his throat, to try and get the boy's attention.

"Better move somewhere where the admins can't see you," he declared, simply, as he headed off in another direction. "Even if you don't have a class, they'll ream your ass out over being out here..."

He was headed towards the vacant football field to relax on the bleachers until the current period was over.

Alex blinked, looking up when someone cleared their throat. Great.., Wait, why was he giving him advise? Maybe he wasn't so bad as he seemed..

The male wondered, wanting to get up and ask him something, but that's when things started getting fuzzy. "Ah! Damn it!" He crushed, squeezing his eyes shut as he fell back to his knees. His head hurt, a lot right now. "Stupid glasses." He whimpered, right when he needed them, someone stepped on them.

"Alex?" A familiar voice rung. He looked up to see who it was, but he couldn't define anything, just fuzz. "Who-" "Wait, I got something that's going to help." The person was quiet for a moment of two before he leaned closer, placing something on his nose.

Alex blinked as things slowly got clear again, a pair of glasses? Who would bring along a pair of glasses to give them away to someone? He looked up. "Tris?" He asked. "You're the best." He smiled, hugging the male tightly. "I'll-" "Keep them, keep this too, it'll help keeping it whole." Tristan stated with a small smile as he also handed him a case for the glasses.

"I can't take this." Alex shook his head. "Well, then think of it as a parting gift." The blond said. "W-what? W-why are you leaving? w-when?" Alex felt himself panicking. "Come on, let's go inside, I'll explain." Tristan nodded. He and his friend headed back inside of the building.

Viktor didn't turn around when Alex suddenly exclaimed something. If he wanted to settle down on the bleachers, it was going to take a while to reach them. He wanted to get to his very last class of the day, after this one, on time. Going to and from the bleachers took forever.

When the tall senior finally reached the bleachers, he sat down in a second row seat and sighed, leaning back and resting his shoulders against the seats in the third row.

They were oddly comfortable, given they were made of a mixture of metal and plastic...

Inside, Tristan had explained that they were going to move because of his dad's job. He got a job offer far away. So they had to move if he wanted it. And that they were going to do.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Alex asked, a bit hurt. "I didn't want to scare you, I wanted to tell you sooner, but I kept stalling it. I'm sorry." Alex smiled weakly. "Well, then , who's gonna save my ass now when I got into trouble?" He asked with a sad chuckle.

"Just.. Call me when anything goes wrong or she hurts you, okay?" Tristan asked him with a worried look on his face. "I will." Alex nodded, hugging him once more. Tristan had actually been the only one that knew about his mother and he'd always helped him out when it was needed. Even hen he was a complete ass sometimes. "I'll miss you." The two, made their way to their last classes. a bit sadly.

Viktor was back in the school for his last class, which happened to be his AP Art Studio class. He settled down into his seat with a slight groan, exhausted from the day and not looking forward to going to practice after school. He wasn't feeling so well. Perhaps he'd take his one free skipping day. Each football player was given one day to skip their every-other-day practices after school per year.

Viktor hadn't used his yet.

Alex patiently waited in class, not even wanting it to end, not wanting to go home. He held back a soft groan as the last bell sounded and everyone shot up from their seats, wanting to get home as soon as possible. But Alex, slowly gathered his things and shuffled out of the classroom, out of the school.

He couldn't help but feel somewhat lonely and empty inside as he watched the people skip off to their homes as he slowly wander to his house. He didn't live too far from school, but he didn't like being there.

Alex made his way into the house via his bedroom window. He didn't use the door because he didn't want to know what his mom was doing downstairs, at all. And he always locked his door so she couldn't get in his room to do, well, whatever she wanted.

As the night dragged on, strange things began to happen outside. It seemed there was a car driving around and egging the houses of underclassmen. The football team, most likely, was behind this. Viktor didn't own a car, so it couldn't be his car. But he usually came along as a spectator in these egging and tee-pee-ing events...

He was not along tonight. When Viktor was along, his buddies would restrain themselves. He appeared to be absent tonight, for his friends were all loud and terribly obnoxious, and they made no effort to stay quiet or conceal themselves...

Alex had somehow managed to get a cut on his cheek as he'd tried to go out of his room, inside they house and got a bottle, empty, thrown at him.

He didn't really are for what was happening outside, all he cared about right was getting some sleep. Which he probably wasn't going to get right now.. But hey, don't know if you don't try? He sighed, just staring up at the ceiling. He wished things were different.

The rowdy football team decided their next target house was Alex's house, after having terrorized the rest of his neighborhood. They parked their car out in front of the house and hopped out, tossing rolls of toilet paper and eggs at the house and the trees in the front lawn.

They gossiped as they did this...apparently, according to what they were talking about, Viktor's mother's condition was getting worse and worse, and Viktor was off visiting her in the hospital. Viktor did not talk much about his personal life, most of the time, with other people. He lived alone with his father. His mother was very sick and had, in the past three years or so, fallen into a coma in the hospital. Viktor was there visiting her tonight.

Alex winced as he heard them busy. Great. He was going to have to clean that tomorrow.. Though he couldn't really help but try to listen to what they were telling to one another. That probably must suck. He was able to imagine that.
The male sighed, turning in his bed, wishing that tomorrow might be a better day for something as he tried blocking out the sound that came from outside.

Viktor came to school the next day. However, he was without his friends for once. He was also there super-early, before anyone else. People stared at him as they walked by because he was just standing there in front of his locker, one hand on the door and staring into it aimlessly. He didn't move all throughout the morning, not even when homeroom was just five minutes away from starting.

He looked like he hadn't slept all night. He had bags underneath his eyes and looked like he was ten years older than he really was in the face. He just looked...tired...

Alex hadn't slept at all. He looked tired and he hadn't managed to cover up the cut as he made his way to school. He didn't move fast, but he never did that, as he headed for his classes, willing the headache to go away. Then he remember his glasses and stopped halfway to his class to look through his bag for it.

Well, the glasses helped a little with the headache. He already knew today would be useless since he would probably fall asleep in all his classes..

When Viktor finally moved, it was because one of the cheerleaders had come up and tapped him on the shoulder, asking him if he was all right. When he replied positively, she went on her way. Viktor closed his locker and, yawning, began to amble off to class. His eyes were on the floor, so he wasn't watching where he was going...

...and he bumped right into Alex.

He grunted, not taking his eyes off of the floor. He looked...sad. Terribly sad. " Sorry..."