Scar stuffed his mouth with the last bite of his ham sandwich and dashed out of the house. He was fifteen minutes late.

When he slammed the door open of the French class, Mme. Delcour was already assigning partners for the French project. Scar looked anxious for a second, noticing how her eyes glared at his torso.

"And would you please enlighten why you insist on being thus early?" Mme. Delcour said calmly, her eyes on the wall-clock in the back of class.

"I apologise for being late, ma'am." His voice was sincere, and he looked down. That's all he could do. Travis told him, he had to be in his best behaviour if he wanted to get good grades. Even a subtle sound of the clock's ticking could be heard, everyone was stunned as their eyes fixated on the boy standing at the door. Scar Ellman just apologised. Apology and Scar resided on completely different and repelling poles, but somehow there he was, apologising so sincerely.

"That's all?" Mme. Delcour raised her eyebrows.

"Yes. I am sorry. That is all." He said more firmly this time. He was not going to fuck it up. It's for Travis' sake this time.

Mme. Delcour was smiling. "Apology accepted Mr. Ellman. Come in."

Scar returned the smile and made his way in the class. He took his seat, and tried to focus in the class.

"Now that everyone's settled, we were assigning partners. So Scar, your partner is-"

"Travis!" Scar suddenly burst out, surprising everyone. Then he looked around, and everyone was still shocked, and staring wide eyed at Scar. "Travis Meyers. I want to partner with him."

Mme. Delcour coughed, and tapped her fingers. "My my, this is the first time you have been this enthusiastic in my class. Well then, Travis it is then. And Mr Ellman, please meet me after school."

"Yes ma'am."

*

During recess, Scar was strolling along the hallway towards their cafeteria in a desultory manner. He had a million thoughts running around in his head. Travis was right. He was messing up his career being reckless everyday. And all he could do now was make up to it if he wanted to-

"Scar Ellman your presence is required in the Principal's office. Come soon."

Huh? As much as Scar remembered, he didn't involve himself in any violent acts recently and that leaves literally no reason to get a call from the office. Confused, he knocked on the door of the office.

"Come in."

A man in his fortys was sitting on the rotating chair, his thin rimmed spectacles slightly tilted on his nose and his hair swiped back. Mr Vance was said to be a good man unless you get on his bad side, and that irks Scar more as to he might've done something to do exactly that.

"Sir, did I do anything?"

Mr. Vance fixed his glasses and looked up.

"Ellman. Well, not that you did anything, but yes, you did surprise me." He chuckled after seeing Scar's confused expression. "A certain Mr. Williams from the hospital called, saying you've been taking good care of Travis Meyers recently."

Scar's heart missed a beat and he waited patiently for his next words.

"I am glad that you've changed. He mentioned as well that you and Meyers are to attend the missed exams and classes as soon as he is released from the hospital. I'll arrange it." He finished and Scar looked like the most surprised human on earth. "That's all. Hope you have a good day, Mr. Ellman!"

Scar left the office with a fluttery heart and an almost invisible smile on his lips. He couldn't wait to meet Mey.

"Hey Scar!" A familiar voice broke Scar's daydreams about how he could pester his Mey made him look back, clearly annoyed.

"What?"

"It's Friday!" Zach exclaimed, punching on his shoulder. Aaron was behind him, kinda gloomy. Maybe Zach thought Scar to literally jump after getting that piece of information which he might've missed because come on, everyone knew it-Scar loved Friday parties.

But Scar gave no sign of that previous excitement. With a passive look, he just titled his head and asked, "Your point?"

Zach choked on thin air, and Aaron just looked surprised.

"Wha-What?" Zach sputtered. "What do you mean my point? It's party night!" He tried to move his hands enthusiastically, rather uppealingly.

"Is it? But I don't care anyways. I'm not home this night, not tomorrow and nor the day after. I have reasons. I have to decline on that offer. See ya!" Scar said, he was already planning on how to spend his free time with Travis and no damned party could ruin it. He stalked away towards a table, and took the usual, a chicken sandwich (the only edible food at cafeteria).

"Did you see that? I told you he's going to butt out again! And what did you say, no he might not...look!? That shit is doing the same thing over and over again." Zach snapped, startling the poor boy who slowly cowered in front of him.

"N-now what?" He murmered.

"There's only one thing to do." Zach turned towards him. "I'll follow him."

After Scar's small session with Mme. Delcour, no matter how many protests Aaron made, they are here. In the hospital following the rather happy and enthusiastic boy.

"What is he doing in a hospital? Is he sick or something? We shouldn't interfere, let's go back please." Aaron said, looking desperate. Scar had his own reasons to not tell them his whereabouts and that means, he won't be least happy to see them here, poking their noses into his business.

"Shut up. Oh he's going in room 402, come on!" Aaron had no choice but to follow him and now they were creeping near the glass window, trying to be discreet.

"Ahem. May I help you in any way boys?" A light cough startled them, and they turned around. It was a doctor, scrutinizing them. Of course, they looked quite suspicious, secretly peeking through some random room in a hospital.

"No, you see, that boy, yes, the tall one. He's our friend and we just came to check on him. Nothing much." Zach curtly smiled, and Aaron was amazed how swiftly he changed his appearance looking like he's just another concerned friend. He was anything but concerned.

"Oh, I see. But I'm afraid you shouldn't disturb them. Thanks to him, Mr.Meyers had shown quite excellent signs of rapid recovery and you don't want to disrupt that do you?" He said, smiling.

"Oh. Mr. Meyers. Travis Meyers. Travis. I see. Well then, we'll be on our way doc." Zach said, and almost dragged Aaron out of the place.

Aaron knew, Zach was mad. That moment, he wished for the first time, that home should never come.

***

I mean there's a limit to how crappy a title can be, you know?