The air was tense again, and Lucas refused to look up into the azure eyes that burned his skin. No. He was so close, 'How many more minutes?'

[5 minutes left.]

5 minutes. Only five minutes. He could easily be killed in five minutes. He tried to push away again but a pair of hands wrapped around his wrists and forced them up against the wall on either side of his head. He winced at the pain. His eyes burned with tears, and his lip started to tremble again. He stayed perfectly still as Miles leaned forward and trailed his warm tongue under his eyes, licking away the tears.

"Why? Why are you doing this?" Lucas pleaded as Miles pulled back.

"Ah..." Miles whispers, "You want to know the truth?"

Lucas hesitantly nods, and doesn't do anything as Miles pulls his head into his chest, hugging him. His hands entangle themselves in his hair, brushing through it gently. "You remind me of a lost puppy, Luke. You're always happy, always smiling, but the look in your eyes is always far away. I catch it sometimes, and I can't look away. You look as if you're from another world, like you've seen things that normal people could only dream of. You're a lost little puppy. Lost... because you're pretending to be someone you're not. Just. Like. Me."

Miles plays with his hair, pulling him closer and snuggling into the nape of his neck, "We're a lot alike, Luke. And right now, I can tell you're not pretending. Your tears, your fear, it's real. I can tell. And when I see the real you, I just can't help myself," He pulls back, his eyes locking on his soft lips, "Because the truth is, I want it all for myself."

He devours his lips in an instant, pining Lucas against the wall. His lips mold against his and Miles tries to force his tongue past the wall of teeth he finds himself facing. He growls, moving his hand to the center of his back to pull him closer and that allows him the space to slip through. Lucas squirms, trying to pull away but failing miserably. He doesn't react in the slightest, nor does he give in to what Miles wants. Miles explore each and every crevice of his mouth with his tongue, leaving no trace untouched.

'Minutes?'

[1 minute left.]

1 minute. He just had to endure this for one more minute. Lucas closed his eyes shut, as tight as he possibly could. He could feel the bulge rub against his own crotch and bit down on his Miles' tongue. Miles growled and rubbed it against his even more, releasing his lips to breathe heavily. He gazed hungrily at Lucas's face, his jaw clenching when he noticed Lucas not looking at him with his big beautiful eyes. He wanted to see them. He wanted him to look.

"Look at me," He breathed.

He refused. He could feel a hand slither up to his face, gripping underneath his neck and directing his face towards Miles. A voice hissed, the breath warm against his face, "I said, look at me."

[The pill has worn off, Host.]

Lucas opened his eyes, bashing his head against Miles's face. Miles stumbled back, crying out in agony, holding a hand to his now broken nose. Lucas glared daggers at him, "Go fuck yourself." He stormed out of the bathroom, leaving a very confused Miles to stare after him. He pulled back his hand, blood was now covering it.

"What the...?" He muttered.

-

What the fuck just happened? Lucas decided he needed to avoid Miles as much as possible, and that he wasn't going to use another pill unless Sai gave a very detailed explanation of what would happen. He didn't expect Miles to be so... aggressive. Lucas still felt violated, Miles' touch still lingering, the taste of coke still in his mouth. He had never been touched like that before. He felt so dirty, disgusted. Lucas didn't really have a preference when it came to which gender he was attracted to, and it's not like he wasn't interested in that kind of stuff; but to think his first kiss was with Miles, his stolen first kiss. He didn't want that. He wanted it to be with someone special. And now he would never get it back.

He had to be more careful with how he used the system. It was more dangerous than he had imagined. He had to remind himself that he wasn't invincible. That by using the pills, he in turn manipulated others around him to his own benefit, but he wasn't in complete control. He was playing the system, not controlling it. He was the pawn in the grand scheme of things, he was the one being played. And when he realized that, high school seemed ten times more terrifying.

He was sitting in his last class of the day, trying to distract himself with the lesson. He felt someone nudge his elbow, and glanced over to see Charlie slid him a note. Charlie nodded towards it, and Lucas conspicuously took it and read it under his desk where no one could see: (What happened with Miles? Are you okay? He didn't do anything to you, did he?) Lucas suppressed a smile that Charlie was so worried about him, and he picked up his pen to scribble down a response. He handed it to Charlie who eagerly took it from his hands: (Don't worry, I'm fine :) I have a plan to get back at Miles. You'll see.) Charlie frowned, glancing over at Lucas who pretended to be focused on the lesson. He folded the paper, and didn't pass another note after that.

When class was over, Lucas was one of the first ones to leave. He didn't bother stopping at his locker, in fear he would run into Miles. The fear that he might touch him again was still very much alive. He didn't want to see Miles. The memory would become too unbearable the moment he looked into those burning blue eyes that still haunted his mind. He was walking down the steps of the school when his phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket, thinking it to be Charlie. His heart drops when he sees who the message it from. Miles. He forgot he had given him his number. He quickly read the message, (Where are you? I need to talk to you.) Lucas was prepared to turn his phone off and ignore it, but his phone buzzed again. (I'm waiting at your locker. Have you left already?) Right after, another text popped up, (I can see you're reading my messages. Why aren't you answering???) Lucas' hands started to shake and he hurried down the steps, rushing towards his mom's car that was waiting for him only a few feet away.

"Lucas! Wait!" He heard a voice from behind, knowing instantly that it was Miles. He sprinted towards the car now, practically jumping into the passenger door and telling his mom to step on it. She confusedly did as asked, and Lucas breathed heavily as he looked out of the rearview mirror to see Miles standing on the curb staring after the car. Lucas looked away, only to jump when he heard his phone buzz again, (I just want to talk. What's up with you?) This time he quickly blocked the number, taking a deep breath in and out through his nose. Talk, my ass. He was going to upload the video first thing when he got home, and email it to everyone in the entire school. He was going to do this from an anonymous email so no one knew it was him who sent it.

"What was that about? Are you and Miles fighting?" Grace asked, turning down the street to their house.

"Yeah, something like that..." Lucas said, he then sat up straighter, "If he comes to the house, tell him I'm not there, okay? I don't want to see him."

His mother worriedly glances over at him, sensing the urgency in his voice, "Okay, I will." She says, and Lucas slumps back in his seat, looking out the window. There was a chance that Miles would come to his house, and Lucas didn't want his mother to invite him in. If his mother believed that they were fighting, than that would make this easier.

They pulled into the driveway, and Lucas rushed out of the car and into the house. He ran up the stairs and into his room, shutting the door behind him and twisting the lock. He pulled out his phone, opening his gallery. He still had the video. He walked over to his bed, his finger hovering over the play button. He took a deep breath before playing the video. It began as he expected it to, with him asking Miles if he was a boy or girl and what color his underwear was. He would cut that part out. He watched and listened intently as he asked what had happened with Miles. The footage started to glitch, nothing but static playing over what was supposed to be Miles' confession.

"What the hell..." The video becomes more and more distorted. Suddenly, Lucas yelps in pain as an electric shock shoots down his arm and he drops the phone. He gapes as smoke rises from the phone, and the screen is a bright white, 'Sai, what was that?'

[Footage or evidence of the System's existence must be destroyed.]

'Are you fucking kidding me?' Lucas growls, before landing a harsh foot on the phone and stomping on it until it's in a million little pieces. 'I did all that... for nothing?!' He huffs, his clenched fists shaking. He throws his arms up, yelling at no one in particular, "Great! This is just great! Anything else you would like to tell me, Sai?! Since you are so fond of keeping shit from me!"

[...]

He scoffs, plopping back on his bed, "Fuck my life..."

Well, there goes his plan. In turn, Lucas had figured out all of Miles' secrets, but who was going to believe him? Who was going to believe that the Miles Sawyer, friendly and loved by all, was really a sociopathic liar? Or that he was apparently homophobic, only for he himself, to be gay. Or even that he thought Lucas was cute? That he tried to force himself onto him? No, if he told anyone, they wouldn't believe him. They'd call him a liar. And the only thing that would make them believe him was destroyed by an artificial intelligence he learned he really couldn't depend on. An artificial intelligence designed by the bastards that put him in this hell in the first place.

He glanced over at his annihilated phone, sighing. Great, now he needed a new phone. But he would worry about that later, now he just wanted to sleep. He rolled over on his side and drifted in a peaceful rest.

-

He really hoped he wouldn't have to sit here again, at this same lunch table with the same assholes. He thought today would be different. He thought today he would be able to sit with Charlie.

He found himself gazing over at Charlie's table, where Ben was helping Charlie with his homework. At least Lucas actually liked them, Ben and Charlie. Not a second went by while hanging out with them that he felt the need to pretend to be someone else. He brought his gaze back to his table, his eyes moving from face to face. They all seemed happy. Were they really? Or were they pretending just like he was?

A laugh filled his ear, and he could feel the breath on the side of his face. Lucas shifted uncomfortably. Miles was sitting awfully close, his arm wrapped around the back of his chair. Miles was himself again, like he usually was before what happened yesterday. He had made up the excuse that his phone was stolen when Miles had asked about it. There was a clear bandage on his nose, and a bruise swelling near his temple. Miles lied about how he had broke his nose, saying some kid kicked a soccer ball into his face. Why was he covering for Lucas? What the hell was he after?

Yesterday, Miles had texted him that he wanted to talk. Talk about what? He hadn't brought up the bathroom incident, or even hinted to it. Did he remember anything? Why was he acting so casually, like nothing happened? Lucas expected to be punched in the face, or have rumors spread about him, but Miles did absolutely nothing. Miles was Miles. And that terrified Lucas to his very core, not knowing what he was thinking or what he might do next. Each time he shifted in his seat or took a sip of his drink, Lucas flinched. He hated being so on edge. He hated being so paranoid.

Lunch ended and Miles didn't remove his arm that was around Lucas as he walked him to his next class. The pair didn't speak a word. Why was he so close? Why was he... touching him more frequently? It was like Miles took every chance he got to touch Lucas. From throwing his arm around his shoudler, from walking him to his next class shoudler to shoudler, to sitting eerily close to him in lunch. Lucas so desperately wanted to know what he was thinking, but didn't say a word. Miles had never been like this before, had never been so friendly. Why did they seem even closer than before? Did Miles really not remember what he did yesterday, or he did, and he was just enjoying torturing Lucas?

Lucas sat through Ben's class, his mind racing. He couldn't pay attention at all, and seemed to pass a lot faster. Miles was waiting for Lucas outside of his class with a smile on his face. Lucas tensed but did nothing as he threw his arm around him yet again, dragging him along, "Can I come over today?" Miles had asked.

Lucas swallowed the lump in his throat. He didn't want to be alone with Miles, not for a second, "I have a doctor's appointment after school." Lucas lied.

"That's fine, I can just come over after." Miles persisted.

No. I don't want you to come over, leave me alone. I don't want you near me. I don't want you to touch me. Get off of me. Get off. Get off! Lucas shrugged the arm off of his shoudler with force, glaring up at Miles who stared down at him in shock. Lucas couldn't handle this anymore, "Not today, okay?" He huffed before walking away from a frozen Miles. Miles stared after him, looking down at his arm that was now cold without Lucas near him. Lucas. Lucas was all he could think about. Lucas haunted his mind. His face, his voice, his impossible warmth. Why couldn't he stop thinking about him? His head hurt so much, he felt as if a million little knives were forcing themselves into his skull. It hurt, so fucking much. And it only went away when Lucas was by his side. Miles holds a hand to his head, a voice screaming in his head, "Shut up... shut the fuck up, already," Miles smirked deviously, "He's mine, you got that?"

The voice silenced, submitted, and Miles couldn't help but chuckle victoriously.

-

A hand pounds on the door. Lucas flinches before hearing his sister, Molly, call his name over and over again, "Luke, Luke, Luke-"

"Alright! I'm coming!" Lucas rolls off his bed and drags himself to the door. He pulls it open, looking down to face his little sister, she gives him a toothy grin. He frowns, "Can I help you?"

"Can you take me to the store?" She asks, shining puppy dog eyes, "Pretty please?"

"Can't you have mom take you?" He leans against the door frame, covering his mouth as he yawns.

"Mom's making dinner, she told me to ask you."

"Why do you need to go to the store?"

"Why did you smash your phone?" She retorts.

Lucas's eyes widen, his voice lowering to a harsh whisper, "What?! How do you know about that?"

"I heard you screaming like a hyena yesterday and came up in here to check if you were dying. I saw the phone when you were sleeping. So, take me, pretty please? Unless you want Mom to know. If that's the case, then I'll just go tell her-"

Lucas rushes out, "Okay! Okay. Let's go... you satan spawn..."

Molly smirks triumphantly and the pair walk down the stairs and out of the house. Lucas didn't really take the effort to make himself presentable, since he was just going to the store. He wore a plain t-shirt, baggy sweatpants, and socks with sandals. He held Molly's hand to make sure she didn't run off and get hit by a car or something. Molly skips along the sidewalk, pulling a disgruntled Lucas along with her.

"Who's Sai?" She asks innocently.

Lucas swallows the lump in his throat. She must of heard his tantrum last night, "An imaginary friend."

She turns back at him, disgusted, "Aren't you too old for imaginary friends?"

Lucas flashes a funny face, mocking her in a high pitched voice, "Aren't you too old for imaginary friends?"

She looks away, disturbed. Lucas can't help but laugh at the sight of her face. The more seconds that passed, the harder Lucas laughed. Molly suddenly stomps her foot down on his and he yelps in pain, holding it, "Ow! What was that for?!"

Molly flashes her toothy grin and skips away from Lucas who groans and runs to catch up with her, "Satan spawn..." He mumbles.

Miles grins as he watches the scene in front of him. Though, his eyes never leave Lucas as his flamboyant laugh continues to echo in his ears. It was so sweet, he wanted to hear it again, he wanted that smile for himself. He walks along the sidewalk on the other side of the street to keep up with him, pulling his hat down to help hide his face. He watches as the little is lifted up into the air and placed onto his shoudlers, she giggles. He seems to scold her but all she does is pull on his ears while he makes an annoyed expression.

They soon reach the convenience store, and only then does Lucas place her on the ground and follow her inside. Miles leans against the lamppost across the street as he watches Lucas through the glass windows. Lucas seems to be following his sister as she runs out and about, picking up snacks and other things, and hugging them to her chest. She shoves them at Lucas who rolls his eyes and grabs a cart to put all the stuff in.

Miles' blood runs cold as he sees a familiar face walk towards the convenience store. Charlie. He grits his teeth. What was he doing here? But what angered him even more, what made him want to kill everyone in a close proximity, was the blush that appeared on his face once he spotted Lucas. Lucas turned and smiled at him. Why? Why was he smiling at him? That little brat doesn't deserve your beautiful smile, Luke. You smile at someone like him, but not at me? Charlie deserves nothing. Nothing but pain.

"What are you doing here, Luke?" Charlie breathed, and his face grew hot as Lucas turned to smile at him. A little girl came running up to his side, gaping up at Charlie.

"Is this your girlfriend, Lucas?"

Charlie internally screamed, his heart violently palpitating in his chest, and Lucas hissed down at her, "He is my friend. His name is Charlie, be nice."

"Really? He looks like a girl." She said, not bothering to be quiet, "His hair is really long and pretty... like a girl."

"Jesus Christ... I'm sorry Charlie, please ignore this creature."

Charlie twirls a strand of hair around his finger, "You think my hair is pretty?" No one had ever said something like that to him before, and rarely ever did he receive compliments. He didn't care that it was from a little girl, or that she thought he was a girl.

Molly blinked, "Lucas, you have to marry her."

"What?!" Both he and Charlie said at the same time. Charlie couldn't breathe, his face growing redder and redder, and he tried to hide in his hands to avoid the embarrassment. Lucas scolded Molly again before she giggled and skipped away.

"Sorry, I'm really sorry," Lucas straightened, rubbing the back of his neck, "Let's pretend that didn't just happen, okay?"

"Okay." Charlie squeaked.

Lucas cleared his throat, "Hello, Charlie. Fancy seeing you here."

Charlie put down his hands, smirking, "Yeah, nice to see you too, Luke."

"So what are you doing here?" Lucas asks.

"Just picking up some junk food. Ben is a health freak so I have to sneak all the good stuff for myself," Charlie explains, "I'm guessing that's your sister?"

Lucas huffs, "Yep. Half human, half demon," He glances back at Molly who is grabbing more unnecessary junk Lucas knew he would probably have to pay for, "She wanted a few things and dragged me here."

Charlie smiles warmly, "She's cute."

"And I'm not?" Lucas feigns a pout and Charlie immediately stumbles over his own words, his cheeks growing hot again,

"O-Of course you are! You are definitely, 100% cute," Charlie averts his gaze from Lucas's amused eyes, "I mean... uhm..."

Lucas laughs, "I'm kidding. Thank you, though. You're pretty cute yourself, for a girl," He teases and Charlie's heart misses a beat. Cute? I'm... cute?

"Can I be the flower girl?" Molly interrupts.

"No. Anyway, Charlie, want to come over for dinner tonight?" Lucas asks with a friendly smile.

Charlie snaps himself out of his daze, "H-Huh? Dinner? Are you sure? I mean, I wouldn't want to be a bother..."

"Course I'm sure. You can walk home with us, then I'll walk you home afterwards. Sound like a deal?"

Charlie piped up, eager, "Yes! Yes, I'd love to. Come over, I mean..."

Lucas smiled and Charlie shyly returned one as well, "Cool. C'mon, Molly, let's pay for all your junk."

"I don't have any money," She says plainly, following an annoyed Lucas up to the register as he pulls his wallet out of his pocket. Charlie awkwardly stands by the door and waits for them, tucking his fallen hair behind his ears. Cute. The word echoed in his ears, and he smiled.