Chapter Text
"I'm very sorry, sir. You're wife.. she has died in the fire."
"W-we couldn't save her. We're very sorry."
"Chief, are you even listening?", I looked over at Cronus. "Uh yes, time for school, right? I'll be on my way!" Taking one last bite of the apple I was eating, I hurried out of the cafe. Leaving a dumbfounded Cronus behind. "I just wanted to wish you good luck on your first day of high school..", he mumbled.
I quickly put on my headphone and skipped songs till I found one that satisfied me.
'Do you know what's worth fighting for, When it's not worth dying for?
Does it take your breath away And you feel yourself suffocating?
Does the pain weigh out the pride? And you look for a place to hide?
Did someone break your heart inside? You're in ruins
One, twenty one guns Lay down your arms Give up the fight
One, twenty one guns Throw up your arms into the sky, You and I
When you're at the end of the road And you lost all sense of control
And your thoughts have taken their toll When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul
Y our faith walks on broken glass And the hangover doesn't pass
Nothing's ever built to last You're in ruins
One, twenty one guns Lay down your arms Give up the fight
One, twenty one guns Throw up your arms into the sky, You and I'
I let the music play while walking down the street. After 20 minutes of walking I stopped in front of the school gate, the school was bigger then I imagined. Putting off my music I quickly walked through the gate.
"Please, take your seat and be quiet." A lady in a blue dress and white glasses ordered us. When everyone sat down she started talking again. "I'm Aranea Serket. You can call me Mrs. Serket. I'll be your homeroom teacher for this year." She said smiling friendly. "How about we introduce ourselves? Let's start here in the front."
The first one speaking was a boy with blond hair, he wore a Legend of Zelda shirt, next up was a girl named Sally, she wore a pink dress and had long brown curly hair 'Aaaand I've already lost interest. New record.' I was seated in the last row next to the window, on my right was a small guy who had his papers already neatly placed on his desk and looked ready to begin the lesson. Why, I didn't even know cause the year just freaking started. In front of me there was this tall guy with a weird choice of fashion.
'I don't even- wow what am I smelling?? It's smells delicious! It's like .. this strong sense of.. honey?' I tried to smell more of the sense following it with my nose. Leaning forward slightly, I closed my eyes. He might have a horrible taste in fashion, but damn he smelled good. I wondered what shampoo he used, deep in thought. That's when the guy next to me tapped my shoulder. He gave me a weird look, raising his eyebrow.
"What on earth are you doing?" He whispered.
I immediately leaned back against my chair, looking at the short guy. He wore worn out clothing, his dark orange hair hang in his green eyes and his cheeks were covered in freckles. "Oh.. um sorry.. a strange habit of leaning forward and uh I mean, I won't do it again."
'Really Eridan? Smooth.. very smooth. Geeze, I hope he buys it. I don't want to make a bad first impression.'
"Next up?" The good smelling boy in front of me answered. "I'm Sollux Captor. I'm 14 and I like computers." 'Sollux Captor, heh? Interesting, I'll have to remember that one.' "Thank you Sollux." The teacher looked behind Sollux, straight into my eyes. "Uh, I'm Eridan Ampora." I decided not to tell about my family, I don't really want anyone asking questions. "I really love art and books about military history." I placed a big smile on my face, signalling I was ready.
"I'm karkat Vantas." 'Was that all he was gonna say? He probably doesn't has a life beside studying.' "I'm Jack Fr-" Shutting out the voices I looked out of the window. Maybe was sitting next to one not so bad after all. There were some people down on the street, waiting or wandering around.
RING RING RING
"Okay class, I will see you tomorrow!" the teacher shouted out over the rumour. The day went by rather quickly, I stayed silent and only spoke when asked to, stayed away from people and ate in the toilets. Great.
After Karkat 'that's his name, right?' talked to me, I haven't talked to anyone else.
I walked out of the school gate and a couple meters further I took out my phone, dialling my fathers number. It's Monday so I have to spend the rest of the week with my dad, only in the weekends I went to Cronus, sadly. "I can't come right now, I'm in a meeting. Go home on your own. I'll get a car for you tomorrow." the low voice of my father ordered. Before I could say anything he hang up. "Damn it." I cursed under my breath. Who does that asshole think that he is. Out of frustration I picked a cigarette out of my backpack and lighted it up. I often 'lend' some cigarettes from Cro, hoping he didn't notice. I stuffed one hand in the pocket of my jacket and started walking home.
I was only 2 blocks further when some douche raced by with his car. One moment I were dry, smoking a cigarette and the other moment I was drenched. Rage bubbled up in my stomach, I screamed and cursed at the car who just drove away, ignoring me completely. "Fuck.."
"Hey, are you alright? You're behind me in class. Eridan was it, right?" The guy named Sollux stopped beside you with his bike. "Um yeah Eridan. Eridan Ampora." I looked at him in surprise, where did he come from all of the sudden? "If you want to you can come to my house and dry yourself off? I live a bit further.", his eyes were scanning me. 'At least there's someone with manners!' "Um, yes. That'd be great, thanks." We walked in silent, not really knowing what to say. I gave up on finding a subject and instead started focusing on the suddenly oh so interesting road.
The taller of the two stopped in front of a small townhouse. I followed Sollux inside the house. "Um d-do I need to take my shoes off?" Sollux looked over his shoulder. "Nah, you're probably cleaner then the house."
Sollux let me to the bathroom. "Do you want some clothes maybe?" I didn't know the guy well and I certainly didn't want to be rude but.. there was already a puddle of water around me. "I-..um yes please." I'm really grateful he offered it, I wouldn't have dared to ask.
I dried myself with a towel, when I was ready I heard a knock on the door. "I've got some clothes for you.", Sollux said poking his hand through the door with the clothes. I shyly took them from him. "T-thank you." I relaxed when the door closed again. I looked at the shirt with the band Nickelback on, a grey sweatpants, socks, black converse and a warm hoodie, which looked a little too big for me. My face turned a couple shades darker when I saw he even bothered to give me some underwear. As I put on the said clothes I gave a quick glance at the mirror.
'Great, you look like shit.' I ran a hand through my damp dark brown hair, in an attempt to fix it. I threw the towel in the basket and collected my clothes and stuffed them in my bag back.
Walking out of the bathroom into the living room, I spotted Sollux coming out of the kitchen with two cups in his hands. He nodded his head towards the couch, gesturing me to sit down. I sat down on the soft couch and took the cup ,with what seemed to be hot chocolate, over from Sollux. "Thank you.", I mumbled before blowing lightly and taking a sip from the hot drink. It tasted pretty good so I took a bigger gulp.
I heard Sollux snorting. I looked over at him, he was sitting next to me. "What?" I questioned him. "It's just.. my clothes are so baggy on you." 'Well.. he was right, luckily we had the same shoe size.' I thought, looking down at the converse I was wearing. I looked over at Sollux again, looking directly in his eyes. I noticed his right eye was brown and his left a light blue. I heard about it before, but never saw it from this close up. "You know, you can take a picture if you want to." The taller one said in a mocking tone. I looked at him confused before it hit me. I hadn't even noticed I was still staring at him. I quickly averted my eyes.
"It isn't new for people to find it weird, it's okay. I'm used to it." I could hear a sad undertone in his voice. "I think it's kinda pretty actually."
'Wait what? Seriously? I said pretty?'
"Wow that sounded weird. I mean special.. urg I mean.. I don't think their weird, I think their cool." Sollux looked at me funny before breaking down in laughter. "Pff Oh god. It's okay, thanks.", Sollux said still grinning at me. "So..You like computers?", I asked trying to change the topic. "Yeah I do. I can spend hours hacking and gaming on the computer. People also ask me to repair theirs, for a price of course. You said you liked art?" Sollux asked waiting for my answer.
"Yes I do. I often draw or paint. I'm not that good thought, but if you want to see my work you could always come over. Then I can repay you for all of the stuff you just did for me." I offered him, drinking the last bit of hot chocolate I had left. I placed the cup on the side table. "Sounds good to me. Where do you live anyway?" I was wondering if I should invite him to my dad or my brother, it might be better if I invited him over at the cafe but I don't want to bother Cronus. "Uh, during the week I'm with my father, which is 3 blocks away from here. In the weekends I'm at my brother's place, which is 5 blocks away. How bout you come with me to the cafe on Friday after school?" I explained as simple as possible. "Yeah, that would be great."
I looked at my phone, 6 o'clock?? I've been here for 2hours? I have to head home before my dad finds out. "Sollux, I'm really sorry but I've got to go now. My dad will be furious if he finds out I'm still not home." I stood up from the couch and swung my bag pack over my shoulder. Sollux placed the cup next to mine and repeated my movement. He was probably a good 5cm bigger than me so I had to look up a little to meet his mismatched eyes.
"I can escort you home if you want. You can sit on the carrier of my bike. It will be a lot faster than walking." I was going to refuse but the guy was looking at me with those damned eyes. You know, those sparkly innocent eyes. "Sure, fine with me."
"Hold on tight.", Sollux warned me as I sat down on the carrier. Being this close to him, I could smell the same sweet sense as this morning. Shakily he started riding, going faster and faster as he was used to the extra weight. I grabbed his hoodie with both hands. 'No way in hell I'm going to wrap my arms around his waist.' I told him the directions and made sure there was no police in sight. "Okay, this is it." I told Sollux. We stopped in front of a mansion. "Holy shit." Sollux was staring at the huge building in front of him. "Are you rich or something?" He almost screamed in disbelieve. I chuckled. "My family's just lucky." I didn't really like the whole 'you're freakin rich' thing.
"Thanks again for everything Sollux." He looked at me with a warm smile. "You're welcome. See you in school tomorrow." I watched his back as he rode away.
'Since when did I deserved to be treated this friendly?' I frowned before scowling and turning around towards the mansion. My eyes going over the whole building. 'This is really too big for two people.'
I opened and closed the door after me quietly. Hurrying up the stairs I skipped over to my bedroom and threw myself on the huge bed. I snuggled in the honey smelling clothes and soft blankets covering my bed. I wish it could just stay like that, but I knew there was a cruel reality waiting for me.
"ERIDAN AMPORA!"
'Shit there you have it.' I sat upright in my bed. Not much later my father entered my room, he was wearing a suit and reeked of alcohol and expensive cologne. "You're late! Where have you been?!" He asked venom dripping from his voice, while walking closer towards me. He grabbed my arm forcefully and yanked me of the bed, making me stand up in front of him. "Stand up and face me when I speak to you!" he bellowed.
I didn't response, trying not to make him even madder. SMACK! My eyes went wide as my hand went to touch the red mark on my cheek. Tears were pricking in my eyes. "Show respect towards your father!" I yelped when he took me by my hair and pulled my face closer towards his. I tried to keep my face emotionless as he looked me over. After some minutes of uncomfortable silence he let go of me and I sank through my knees. "Discipline is what that child needs, discipline." He muttered to himself walking out of the room.
I sighed and rubbed my cheek. I took off all of Sollux's clothes except the shirt and took some of my boxers out of my closet. Not even bothering to go downstairs to eat, I crawled into my four-poster bed. Falling asleep immediately the moment my head hit the soft welcoming pillows.