*Garroth's POV*

Out of everybody in the world, he had to be the one to answer the door...

A smirk played on his face, as he eyed me up and down. Everything went silent, and he and I, just continued to stare each other down. The only sound I could I hear, was Laurance's small growls from beside me.

Of course, Sasha would be living with my ex.

"Why don't you two come in," he suggested, moving out of the way a little.

"No, I think we'll be leaving now," Laurance growled, grabbing my wrist.

Laurance began to pull me, but I held my ground. He cocked his head at me, raising an eyebrow.

"So, you coming in or not?" He leaned against the doorway, keeping his smirk.

"Garroth..," Laurance muttered, gritting his teeth. "I think we should get going, now."

I snapped out of my trance, looking up at him. I sighed, turning back to him.

"Yes, we're coming in, Gene," I wiggled myself out of Laurance's grasp.

Gene nodded, stepping out of the way. I gave Laurance another look, to see he was balling his fists. I took hold of Laurance's forearm, slightly tugging on his sleeve. I stood on my tip-toes, whispering into his ear.

"Just trust me on this, okay? I know what I'm doing," I reassured him. Laurance looked down at me, sighing softly.

"Only for you, Garroth."

I silently thanked him, and turned back to Gene. He waved us inside, and I moved my grip down to Laurance's wrist. I pulled him along behind me, biting down hard on my lip.

It's been so many years since I last saw him. I wonder if he has changed...

~Flashback~

"Gene is so cool!" My little brother, Zane, said as he eyed Gene. I bit my lip, looking down at my brother.

"No he isn't. Stay away from Gene," my voice was somewhat threatening.

Zane cocked his head, narrowing his blue eye at me. "Pfft. Like you would know anything about the real Gene. He is so cool, and stuff."

"You don't know anything about the real Gene!" I snapped, balling my fists. Zane scoffed, rolling his eye.

"And how would you know anything?"

"Because Gene and I da-!" I stopped myself, clasping a hand over my own mouth.

Zane furrowed his eyebrows, crossing his arms. Suddenly, his eyes widened a bit, before settling. His cheeks turned a shade of pink. And even though he was wearing a mask over his mouth, I could tell he was smirking. I didn't know what caused his sudden mood change, but I honestly didn't care at that point.

"You and Gene, what?" Zane empathized the word 'what'.

"Gene and I-"

"You and Gene did what, Ro'Meave?" A familiar voice chimed from behind me.

That voice...

I tensed up, slowly spinning around. A tall male, with pitch black hair, and vibrant blue eyes, stood there. His arms were crossed, and he had a smirk plastered on his face. I gulped, backing up slightly.

"G-Gene..."

"So, Ro'Meave, what are you doing, talking to the dorky emo, over here?" Gene kept his smirk, tapping his foot.

I gave a quick glance at Zane, to see him so eccentric. He probably couldn't tell that Gene just insulted him. I stood in front of Zane, crossing my arms.

"Leave my baby brother out of this," I snapped, glaring at Gene. He scoffed at me.

"Emo boy behind you, is your brother, Ro'Meave? I don't believe that for a second. You two look nothing alike."

"Leave me and my family alone," I threatened. I could hear Zane's small growls from behind me. Gene's smirk grew.

"Hey, dork," Gene called to behind me. Zane pushed past me, standing in front of Gene.

"Y-yes, Gene?" Zane held his hands together, looking up at Gene.

"Do you like me?"

Zane's face turned red, and he bowed his head slightly. He rubbed his arm. "M-maybe..."

Before I could intervene, Gene bent down and whispered something into Zane's ear. Zane's cheeks went darker, and he hastily nodded. Zane ran off into some direction. I glared daggers at Gene.

"What did you tell Zane?!" I snapped at him. Gene looked at me, chuckling slightly.

"Relax, Ro'Meave. You lose your cuteness, when you're angry."

For some reason, this made 10x more angry. Without thinking of the consequences, I did something I shouldn't have done.

I hit Gene...

He stumbled back slightly, and held a hand to his cheek- where I hit him. After processing what I just did to him, I gasped. I backed up a little.

"I am so, so sorry! I didn't mean to!"

"You messed up big time, Ro'Meave," Gene dropped his hand, glaring at me.

Before I could do anything, I was pushed up against a locker. The hallway was empty, so no one was around to do anything.

Not like they would, anyways...

"So, you thought that you should hit me? What kind of bright idea is that?! You shouldn't have done that, Ro'Meave. Because, now, I'm going to make your life a living Hell. You brought this upon yourself, Ro'Meave I hope you realize this," Gene snapped.

I couldn't do anything. My breathes came out heavy, and my heart was beating extremely fast. Gene laughed a little, grabbing the collar of my school uniform. He lifted me up slightly, so we made direct eye contact.

"You've messed with the wrong person, Ro'Meave."

~Flashback Over~

Gene gestured Laurance and I to take a seat on the couch, and I did so without question. Laurance was hesitant, but he did so anyways. Gene sat in a seat opposite of us, looking us over.

Awkward tension filled the air, and I shifted uncomfortably. The door that lead into another room opened, and out came Sasha. Trailing behind her, was a brunette I remembered from Middle School. Zenix.

"Oh, Garroth. You're here," Sasha flatly said.

I nodded, biting my lip. Sasha walked over, sitting at a random chair. Zenix followed, sitting beside her. The room was silent again, and I folded my arms over my chest. Laurance noticed how uncomfortable I was, and turned to Gene.

"Why did you ask guys ask Garroth to come over?" Laurance looked in between Gene and Sasha.

"Because Gene wanted to see his boyfriend," Zenix snickered, before getting hit upside his head by Sasha.

"Shut up, Zenix. You idiot."

Zenix stuck his tongue out at Sasha, acting like a little kid. I glanced at Gene, who remained motionless. Laurance leaned over to me.

"What did Zenix mean?" Laurance whispered into my ear.

I forgot. I never told Laurance that Gene and I used to date.

"I'll tell you later," I whispered back. Laurance nodded, moving away. "So, Gene..."

Gene nodded at me. "Yes?"

"Why did you guys ask me here?"

Gene paused for a moment. "I just wanted to see you again, Garroth."

He...called me Garroth? He has never used my first name before. Gene always just called me "Ro'Meave". Maybe he did change...

"O-oh, I see..."

Gene gave a slight smile. It seemed genuine. It was strange to see him like this.

"I want us to catch up more, but Sasha, Zenix, and I still have more unpacking to do. Can we schedule another meet up. Maybe, go out for coffee or something?" Gene kept his smile, standing up.

I paused, looking at Laurance. He was shaking his head 'no'. I bit my lip, turning back to Gene.

"Y-yeah, that s-sounds great, G-Gene..."

*Laurance's POV*

I can't believe Garroth just agreed to another stupid idea.

"Great! How about Saturday, then?" Gene asked, walking to stand beside Sasha and Zenix.

"Y-yeah, S-Saturday's fine..," Garroth answered.

I mentally face-palmed. Gene nodded. I stood up, taking Garroth's wrist, and pulling him up. He gave me a confused look, but I shrugged it off. I lead him over to their front door.

"Alright, I think we should be leaving now. C'mon, Garroth," I swung open the front door.

I began to step out, but Garroth slipped from my grasp. I turned around, to see him glaring at me. Garroth turned back in the door, waving.

"S-see you later," Garroth called, walking out. He shut the door politely, then stormed away from me, to my car.

I followed after him, confused as to why he was acting this way. He got in the passenger seat, crossing his arms. I got in the driver's, looking over to him. He stared straight ahead, not moving a muscle.

"Garroth, why in the name of Irene, did you agree to meeting up with Gene?" I asked, keeping my calm. I know Garroth doesn't like it, when I get extremely upset.

"Because I am an adult, and I can do what I want," Garroth replied, emotionless.

"Really, you're an adult? You are acting like a big kid, right now," I joked, hoping to earn at least a smile out of him. He didn't move, and I frowned. "In all seriousness, Garroth...I thought you hated Gene? Didn't he bully you, our 8th grade year, and even somewhat in High School?"

Garroth sighed, dropping his arms. He looked at me, and I could see his beautiful blue eyes crystallizing. "There's...more to it than that..."

"Garroth?"

Garroth bit his lip, turning away from me. I set my hand on his lap, and he looked at me for a brief moment. "Gene and I...we used to...um...before he bullied me, we...uh..."

"You and Gene..?" I started to get nervous, afraid of what happened between him and Gene. Garroth turned to face me fully, and slight tears were forming in his eyes.

"I-It doesn't matter, now. All that matters, is I believe he's changed for the good! I-I'd like to make amends with him. Please," Garroth gave me a somewhat pleading look. My stomach hurt slightly, and I had to look away from him. I bit down hard on my lip. I griped the steering wheel hard with my hand, that wasn't resting on Garroth's lap.

"If you want to try and see if he's changed, that's up to you. I'll try and trust your judgement. But, if he turns out to be just like he was in the past, that's on you. You can come to me, and I'll tell you I told you so."

"A-alright..," Garroth's voice was very shaky. I moved my hand off of his lap, moving it to the steering wheel.

"I just don't want you to get hurt anymore, Garroth."

Garroth muttered something inaudible, but I shrugged it off.

I don't want Gene to hurt him again...

~Flashback~

"Look at how pathetic you are!" I heard someone snap.

Out of curiosity, I followed the voice. In the courtyard, I spotted two people. One being, someone I recognized very well. Garroth.

The other, I could vaguely tell who he was. But, after looking over his features, I could tell who he was.

Gene...

Gene and I used to be cool. I hung out with his group a lot, and we got along fine. That was, until I found out the things that his group did. I instantly left them, and have had a hatred for them since.

My blood boiled more, once I saw what he was doing to Garroth. He had him pinned up against the wall of the school, and Garroth's cheek was a dark red on one side. I stormed over to them, grabbing Gene's shoulder, to make him face me.

He let go of Garroth, who dropped to the ground. He kept his head down, as I scowled at Gene.

"What the Hell do you think you're doing to Garroth?!" I snapped, pushing Gene away from my friend.

Gene balled his fists, but smirked at me. "I think you should mind your own business, Laurance. This doesn't concern you."

"You're damn wrong this doesn't concern me! It sure as Hell concerns me, when you are dealing with my friend!" I glared at Gene, who just crossed his arms.

"Just go back to class, Laurance. You're gonna be late."

"You're right, I'm going to be late! Because I'm reporting this to the principal. C'mon, Garroth, let's go!" I grabbed Garroth's hand, helping him up. He kept his head down, as I pulled him into the school with me.

"L-Laurance..," Garroth's voice was so small, as I lead him down the hallway, holding on tightly to his hand.

"How long has this been going on?" Concern lacing my voice. I looked at Garroth, who held up a number three with his free hand. "Three weeks?"

Garroth shook his head. "Months..."

I sighed, loosening my grip on Garroth's hand a little. I stopped walking, and turned to face him. I lifted up Garroth's chin with my finger, and inspected him. The red mark on his chin, was forming into a bruise.

"Garroth..," I muttered. The school bell rung, indicating we were late for class. I shook it off, and let go of Garroth's hand. "Why didn't you tell anyone?"

Garroth didn't answer, he just bowed his head again. I sighed, putting my hands on his shoulders.

"Where do you want to go? To the principal? The nurse?"

Garroth shook his head, looking up at me slightly. "C-can I just g-go t-to class?"

"Garroth..," I sighed once more. "If Gene ever gives you anymore trouble, please come find me. I won't let him, or let anyone, ever hurt you. I don't care about whatever beef Gene has with you, I just don't like seeing people get hurt...especially you..."

Before I could say anything more, I was almost tackled in a hug by Garroth. He buried his face into my chest, sobbing, and hugging me tightly. I hugged him back, lightly patting his back. Once his sobs and sniffles died down a little, I pulled away from him.

Garroth's cheeks turned a bright shade of pink, as I took his hand again.

"I won't let anyone hurt you, I promise."

~Flashback Over~

And that's a promise I'll keep.