~~~~~~~~~Eliot's POV~~~~~~~~~

"And remember," Papá began as I grabbed an apple from the counter, "Make sure you head to the main office to get your schedule. You should get there early so it gives you time to head to class."

"I know, Papá."

"There's some money in your bag's left pocket for lunch, don't be rude to any of the teachers, make sure to look both ways before crossing the streets,-"

"Aiden, love," my other dad interrupted, ruffling up Papá's dark as night hair, "He's not five, he's sixteen."

Papá let out a heavy sigh, "I know, I know, I'm just worried with what happened last time.."

I puffed my cheeks, "Hey, I was only defending myself, you can't blame me for that."

"No one's blaming you for it, Eli.."

"Yeah, I would've killed to see you beat those kids' asses."

"Ryan!" Papá shot Dad a glare, only getting a snicker from him, then turning back to me. "Just.. try not to get into any fights this time, okay..?"

"Unless you need to."

Resisting the urge to glare at Dad again, Papá spoke through gritted teeth, "No. Fights."

"What if some other runt tries to throw a punch?!"

"Guys!!" They both turned to me when I raised my voice, giving them a smile, "I'll be fine..!"

Papá smiled a bit at that, cupping my face and placing a kiss on my head, "Yeah.. You have a good day today, okay..?"

"I'll be picking you up after school," Dad added.

I couldn't help but smile, "Yeah, see you later then."

With that, I left my home. I still to this day have no idea how those two can even stand each other, being complete opposites. I mean, mi papá Aiden is studying to become a doctor, a pediatrician to be more specific. He's a pacifist, always trying to de-escalate situations, and always extra cautious.

My other dad though, Ryan, is pretty gung ho about all the dangerous parts of life, but he's a good person through and through, just stubborn and hotheaded.

But hey, they've been married for three years, dating for five before that, and have been best friends since early childhood. I owe them my life and more for all they've done for me..

My early years weren't exactly an easy life, I was eight years old when I learned how to steal a wallet or purse. I actually met Aiden through that, I had spotted a ring on his finger that could cost easy hundreds and tried to steal, but I ended up getting caught.

He noticed I was just a kid trying to survive, and ended up adopting me about a year later.

I hadn't realize I was already close to the school gates, and a sudden pit of anxiety formed in my stomach. It was March, meaning the snow was almost fully gone, the leaves on trees started to grow, and everyone in school already knew their place.

So here I was, about to enter their tenth grade when it's about to end.

Well then.. let's do it.

I could already sense the stares from everyone as I walked on my own. I knew it wasn't because of my looks, I was pretty average when it came to that; short hazelnut brown hair that I styled up, with matching brown eyes and a heavy tanned skin tone. Could it be my height? I wasn't exactly the tallest guy either, but I guess 5'9 wasn't short.

No, they simply knew I was the new kid, I had gone through this before already.

This time, however, I had made a promise to myself. I promised myself to not let my anger get the best of me, to stay calm if anything happened. As the new kid, bullies instantly pin me as a target, but I've never been one to let others walk over me, I have no problem fighting back.

Sometimes I just can't control my own strength, and I end up dragging my parents into the principal's office time and time again. They say they're proud that I stood up for myself, but I know it's getting tiring..

It didn't take me long to find the office and get my schedule, and after that I headed to my locker where I placed most of my stuff in, heading to class.

Might as well start the day off right.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hours passed, and lunch time had just started. So far the day had gone by pretty smoothly, with no unnecessary issues.

The issue now was finding the cafeteria.

And so I began walking around the halls completely lost because I had no map either, and I was so hungry!

Walking through one of the halls in particular, I felt something hit the side of my food, causing me to stop in my tracks.

A canvas?

It wasn't blank either, there were was a sketch done, as well as a bit of paint over it. Picking it up, I turned to see the door opened in one of the rooms, a room with the sign of 'Art Club'.

Curiosity got the best of me, and I peeked inside the classroom. There were three people inside, two much taller than the third, both with wide smirks as well as angry glare.

The third guy ended up catching my attention. His posture seemed afraid as he stared down at his feet, his bright red hair tied back in a short ponytail, his bangs covering his right eye. He had a bright red sweater that reached above his knees, with black leggings and light brown boots. His eyes were a light brown with glasses over them, freckles barely noticeable on his really dark skin.

"I thought I told you to buy us lunch, Red," one of the other guys began, "So where the hell is it?"

The one in red trembled in place, his voice low, "I-I don't have any m-money left.. y-you used it all last t-time.."

The same guy then pushed the smaller boy back with harsh force, forcing the other to the ground with a squeak, "I didn't ask for any of your excuses, we're starving here!!"

"I- I-I'm sorry, but I r-really don't h-have-!"

"Hey!" I walked in after placing the panting against the wall, crossing my arms, "If you're oh so hungry, how about using your own damn cash for it?"

The guy's friend laughed at me, a smirk on his face, "Hey, Rivers, I think the new kid needs to be taught proper manners."

"No kidding," Rivers replied, cracking his knuckles as he walked over to me with a scowl, "Listen, twerp, this is none of your business, okay? Now scram."

"That's too bad," with a roundabout kick, I sent him falling to the ground, "cuz I'm making it my business, asshole.."

After falling head first, he sat up with a grunt, hand behind his head as his eyes burned in anger. He would've tried to fight me if it weren't for a teacher than passed behind us, peeking their head in, "Is everything okay in here?"

Rivers stood up, smiling, "Perfectly."

He shot me one last glare, but he and his friend then left the room, leaving me alone with the boy in red. I looked over, seeing him stand up, and I remembered about the painting, picking it up and walking over.

"This yours..?"

He jumped in place, staring at me for a while before giving a small nod, taking it back as I offered.

"That was a pretty bad fall, you hurt or anything..?"

He shook his head, covering half of his face with the canvas.

Not much of a talker, huh..?

"Th... th-thank you..."

"Huh?"

"F-for defending me.." He raised the canvas a bit, only his eyes visible. "You didn't h-have to.."

I shrugged in response, "It was nothing, someone had to put those dicks in their place."

He lowered the painting a bit, and I could see a tiny smile on his face.

However, my stomach then growled, and I remembered just how hungry I was. "Hey, uh.. do you mind telling me where the cafeteria is? I'm completely lost."

I noticed his shoulders move in a quiet laugh, fixing his glasses a bit, "You're a-actually in the opposite end of it.."

"Oh, fantastic."

"I-I can show you, if you w-want.."

"If that's not to much to ask."

"You did j-just help me.. F-fair trade, r-right..?"

I shrugged, stuffing my hands into my pockets, "I guess, yeah."

He was right, we had to walk the whole way back to reach the damn place, and my stomach would not shut up about it. Once at the cafeteria, I turned to the boy, my smile sheepish.

"Thanks, this school's like a maze. I'm surprised I was able to make my classes."

He giggled a bit, "Yeah, i-it can be a little confusing at first.." He then began to fiddling his fingers with each other, a nervous air around him before he looked up at me. "D-do you wanna, m-maybe.. have lunch together..? You are n-new here, a-and I normally don't eat with anyone.."

"Oh, that's.."

"T-too soon..?! Sorry, I- I just a-assumed that-"

"No, I don't mind eating together, I'm just surprised is all."

"O-oh, right.."

He seemed embarrassed by his jumping to conclusion, so I tried to remedy things, offering a hand, "I'm Eliot, by the way."

There was silence as he stared for a bit, then nervously shook my hand, "I-I'm... Alder..."

I smiled a bit, "It's nice to meet you, Alder."

"Yeah," he smiled back, "You too.."

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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