It took two teachers grabbing each of them to pull them apart. Yet, they still managed to kick at each other until they were dragged away. All around them were crowds of people. He winced at every flash from a phone or camera, while teachers yelled at everyone to get back and stop gawking like a bunch of ambulance chasers. Jack heard a few women crying and caught bits of conversations, but it was mostly a blur of colors and words in the dark. His adrenaline and boiling rage kept him tense and frustrated at being restrained like an animal. The fingers of the teachers dug into his flesh as they manhandled him away from the field and toward the main building. They said nothing to him and only called out to the campus security for help rounding up witnesses and evidence from the gawkers. They took him to the principal's office and shoved him into a chair in the lobby. For a few minutes, he sat in the chair trying to calm down. Until they brought in Chad.

Shoving Chad down into another chair at the other end of the room. The teachers soon became distracted with informing the confused staff about what had happened and who they needed to call to address this incident. Practically leaving them alive in the lobby. Jack tried to avoid looking at Chad, but Chad's voice was like acid as he chuckled out quietly. "I didn't realize I had a beef with you. Guess I was wrong, but I'm warning you now. You cross me again, kid. I'll kill you." Fearlessly meeting his eyes, he let his eyes burn into him. He was too hyped up on anger and adrenaline to care what this asshole would do to him. Leaning forward on his legs, he snarled back at Chad in a voice more serious than he'd ever used in his life. "What are you waiting for, Arsehole? Come at me. If you think you are man enough." Chad huffed, shifting in his seat as he stating aloud. "I'm more man than you'll ever dream to be." His words stung but he refused to show it and just shot back icily. "You're a manipulative piece of shit. I don't know what you plan to do to Mark, but you're going to stay away from him. Or I'll make your life hell."

A doubtful smirk spread over Chad's face, before he flicked him off and told him smugly. "Fuck yourself. I can bench press a guy like you. What are you going to do? Slap me like a bitch and tell my mommy?" Chad started to chuckle and Jack boldly snapped back. "I know it was you in the video. It had to of been Mark's first time with a man... You're so fucking small I'm amazed he got off at all." Chad stopped laughing and Jack flashed him a smug grin. The second he saw his muscles tense, Jack braced for a fight. Kicking out another chair, Chad grabbed it and flung it at him. Jack dived away as it hit the wall where he'd been, then dashed straight for him. Slamming into his waist to tackle him to the ground. Chad grabbed at the back of his neck, trying to choke him but Jack stayed close to him and punched him until Chad had to shove him off. Hitting the main desk, Jack snatched the small trashcan as Chad lunged for him and whacked him across the face with the metal can.

Chad hit the floor, clutching his jaw, but managed to kick Jack in the chest. The kick knocked the air from him as he hit the desk. However, the worst came when Chad firmly pressed his foot against his throat and pinned him to the deck. He was trying to crush his windpipe! Clawing at Chad's ankle, he started to see spots in his vision and panicked. Kicking out at Chad's thigh so hard that he heard a snap and Chad's sudden scream of agony. Dropping to all fours to gasp for air, he heard the thunder of feet as someone yelled out. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?! WHO LEFT THEM ALONE?!" The person stormed in between them, yelling out to others. "Get him to the nurse! NOW!" Teachers grabbed Chad, who wailed in pain and screamed out. "He attacked me! He's crazy! Look what he did to my leg!" Rubbing his throat, Jack ignored them all as he tried to collect himself. He couldn't tell how hurt he was and his brush with death had shaken him a bit. A soft yelp let him though as a hand grabbed the back of his neck.

The person began to drag him away toward the principal's office, causing Jack to wince and thrash in pain. Once he was inside the room, the person shoved him to the floor and slammed the door, announcing to him. "Every fucking carnival something has to happen. I'm getting damn sick of this! So, tell me. What provoked this?! And you better have a damn good reason!" The principal dropped into his leather chair, allowing Jack enough time to get his bearings before answering. "I was defending my... my partner." The principal gave him an unconvinced look, before lifting a few papers on his desk and bluntly stating. "Defending him from what exactly? Because according to the reports that I have so far. Your partner wasn't fighting him. Never even raised his voice. His own report contradicts your statement, and your blatant violent behavior is not helping to convince me that YOU are the root of this." Stiffly getting to his feet, Jack winced as he took a seat in a chair.

Lifting a few more papers, the principal continued in frustration. "I have reports saying that you requested to take Miss Delrio to the carnival. Which confuses me. Why take her if your partner was there? If you cared so much about him? Why do that? And now... you have damaged the college team. How are they going to play this weekend, when their star batter has broken his leg?!" Rolling his eyes, Jack shot back sternly. "Chad is a brute and a manipulating douchebag! Mark won't speak out against him... but damn it, I WILL! I don't know why Mark was there... he told me that he was... working. I was trying to be nice to Kyanna. She's been having a rough time lately. I saw Chad... messing with Mark and acted. I shouldn't have hit him... but you didn't see him! You don't know what he's done or what kind of shit he'll do to Mark! I was trying to protect him!" With a huff, the principal relaxed in his chair, letting the papers scatter across his desk as he said flatly. "Unfortunately, the law doesn't arrest manipulators and assholes. Do you understand? All we have is you fighting Chad and breaking his leg. If Chad has done something... that means something."

Pulling out his phone, Jack pressed play on the video and slid it across the desk, yelling out. "Look! This is what he sent all over the school! This is what he did! I know it's him because the tattoo is the same!" The principal stopped the video, giving Jack a defeated look when he told him gently. "My hands are tied, Mr. McLaughlin. This is nothing." Jack opened his mouth, but the principal told him quickly. "You can't prove that he sent this. According to the information here. It was sent through the school site. Anyone could have done it. You may recognize him in the video... but Mark isn't resisting. He's not in distress. They are both consenting adults with a leaked porn video. I'm sorry. Now... if you want to press charges against Mark for cheating on you... THAT I can do because of school policy." Jack's heart sank, asking nervously. "What will you do to him?" Shrugging, the principal informed him confidently. "He was caught cheating. We are left with two options. He goes to containment, and we figure out why he felt the need to do this. Kind of like forced therapy. Or... you press charges for it and we send him home. He can come back next year to try and become a proper citizen again. But he will be watched more closely and under more valuations."

Shaking his head, he pleaded hopefully. "NO! Don't do that! I..." The principal locked hard eyes on him, raising a hand to stop him as he said cautiously. "Mind your words, Mr. McLaughlin. You are the witness that saw them cheating. If you retract your statement to say it was a mistake or your fault... You have nothing. I will be forced to take action against you for fighting and take your partner's statement as fact. Chad and him have previous history. They were just talking, until YOU rushed in. Is that what you want?" Jack exhaled heavily and bowed his head as he leaned on the desk. Swallowing, he mumbled out to the floor. "I retract my statement. I attacked Chad. I broke his leg. I... misunderstood the situation." Nodding, the principal told him with a light tone. "Very well. Your parents will be informed of your behavior. You'll report to containment immediately. The counselor will be informed, and you will be assessed. Should she consider you dangerous and unfit to be here and a part of the governed society... we'll meet again. Pray that doesn't happen. Goodnight, Mr. McLaughlin."

Taking his phone back, Jack nodded to him and headed for the door. As he stepped out, a security officer approached and took his arm. Allowing the principal to tell him. "Escort Mr. McLaughlin to the containment wing. You can let Mr. Fischbach go. I've no further need of him." With a swift nod, the officer pulled him away from the office and led him into the hall toward the stairway. Leading him down the steps, Jack held his breath. It was like a mental institution down here. Walking up to the thick door, the security guard scanned his card, then pushed Jack inside the next section. The door locked automatically behind him with heavy bolts. The woman gestured to the counter and metal detector, informing him nicely. "Remove everything from your pockets and on your person. Keep only your shirt and pants on." Moving to the counter, he obeyed. Putting everything into a clear plastic bin. The officer patted him down and then removed his socks and shoes to toss them into the bin too.

The women told him to walk through the detector and when it didn't go off, she told the officer to check him again. This time the officer patted him down more... invasively and even told him to open his mouth. Giving the woman a nod, the officer told her. "He's good." Putting a lid and a label on his bin, she moved it to a locker to lock it up. Then she scanned her card and waved them on with a smile. Hesitantly walking into the next room, a man approached, informing him just as nicely. "Welcome to containment. Let me show you to your temporary room. Here you are always monitored. So, mind your manners and don't cause any trouble." Walking down the hall of rooms, the man stopped and opened one as he finished off. "Here we are. Take a seat and relax. The counselor will be with you shortly." Stepping into the room, Jack gawked at the place. It was a small padded room. Behind him the door closed and locked with a soft hiss, causing him to mumble out to himself. "Well... that's just great. What did I sign myself up for... My parents are going to kill me."

Taking a seat on the comfy padded floor, he pressed his back to the padded walls and waited. Hours ticked by and nothing. He guessed it was too late for the counselor to assess him tonight. Just as he was about to try falling asleep, the door hissed open, and Mark stepped in. Jack was going to say something, but the officer told him simply before closing the door. "You've got three minutes. Then you have to leave." Mark gave the officer a nod and waited as the door closed. When it did, Mark crossed his arms and asked him with light curiosity. "Why did you do that?" Gesturing at the ceiling corners, Jack joked softly. "Careful. I'm being watched." Rolling his eyes, Mark huffed aloud. "I know. Answer me." Sighing, Jack mumbled out grimly. "I was trying to help and... it didn't matter. I'm sorry." Crouching down, Mark chuckled out a bit dryly. "What exactly were you trying to help me with?" Jack didn't know how to answer. So, he didn't. Pulling a cloth from his pocket, Mark reached out with it to wipe his nose, brow, and lip.

Each spot hurt like hell, and he reached up to stop him. Until he saw the fresh blood on the white cloth. Was he bleeding? He hadn't noticed. Smirking, Mark continued to wipe the blood from his face, telling him softly. "You do know that I have no honor left for you to save, right? You should have focused on your date with Kyanna." Blinking, Jack blurted out confused. "Date? I was just..." Jack drifted off as something came to mind. Meeting Mark's eyes, Jack whispered coolly to him. "Is that why you are upset with me? This is about Kyanna and me." Mark focused harder on cleaning his face, his voice distant and lifeless when he said. "No. I told you that before. You wanna switch with her. That is fine. That was the whole plan anyway." For a split second, Jack's heart got the better of him. He couldn't take it. Mark was lying... and badly. Grabbing Mark's wrist, he stopped his hand and leaned in to press his lips to his. Mark stiffened but didn't pull away. Despite how it hurt his split lip, Jack kissed him more deeply.

When he finally eased back for air, Jack trembled. He hadn't meant to do that... did he? Biting his lower lip briefly, he whispered breathlessly to him. "I'm sorry... I... Mark, he's using you. I couldn't let him." Mark placed his palm against Jack's cheek, whispering over his lips in a sudden strong and loving tone of voice. "You're sweet. Whoever ties you down will be one lucky son of a bitch."  Subconsciously leaning against his hand, he whispered to him. "Mark..." He tried to press his lips back to Mark's, when the door opened, and the officer commanded. "Time is up." Jack's hand stayed clasped around Mark's wrist as he got up. Just before pulling out of his grip, Mark told him with a playful smile. "Try to get out on good behavior." Jack rolled his eyes, his smile fading as Mark pulled away and left without looking back. Running a hand through his hair, Jack exhaled to himself. He felt utterly confused by his own actions.  To Be Continued...