*Laurance's POV*
~1 Week Later~

"Hey, Garroth!" I called, waving over to the short blonde.

He looked over at me, his blue eyes were bloodshot, and dark bags stayed underneath them. Poor thing... He's been in this state, ever since I met him. Whatever caused him to get this depressed, must've been horrible.

I ran over to Garroth, who folded his arms over his chest. His face flushed red, and his gaze shifted to the floor. I gave him a heart-warming smile, hoping to lift his spirits.

"Garroth, are you alright?" I asked, concern flooding my voice. I put a finger under his chin, allowing him to face me eye-to-eye. "I'm concerned about you."

"W-why?" He stuttered, rubbing his arm.

"Why, what?"

"Why do you care so much about me..? You don't even know me that well..," Garroth bit his lip, the redness of his face darkening.

Maybe he's sick. That'd explain the red face.

"Well, because...I wanna be your friend," I honestly admitted.

Poor kid.

*Laurance's POV*
~1 Week Ago~

"Phoenix Drop Middle School, is giant!" I looked around, almost in shock.

"Yeah. I got lost here quite a bit. Wait until you see the High School. My brother says it's even bigger!" The guy who was showing me around- Dante was his name- said, pointing out a few more key things.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something. Or rather, someone... It was a boy, crying. Students walked by, snickering, or pointing at him. Poor child. He's small. Maybe he's new here, like me. No, wait... He's definitely from here, and he's in my grade! He has our year's colour, on the pin on his school uniform. He's just short.

"Who's that?" I whispered to Dante, who had been rambling about something.

Dante stopped, looking around. I pointed over at the boy, and Dante squinted his dark blue eyes, to catch a glimpse of the boy. His eyes widened in shock, before settling.

"Him? He's my friend. Don't worry about it. Aphmau has it taken care of," Dante pointed at a girl- who was now talking to the boy.

She had this dark black hair, cascading down her shoulders, and these lovely hazel-coloured eyes. Aphmau, was it? She's a cutie. She nodded at the boy, walking off somewhere.

Maybe I should do something to help...I know how it feels...to be alone.

The ringing of the first bell interrupted my thoughts. Dante looked up at me, taking a hold of my wrist. "Come on, I'll show you to your Homeroom."

I gave the boy one last glance, watching as he stayed still. My heart shattered, looking at how depressed he was. Maybe someone hurt him? I need to find out...I wanna help him. I don't know why, but my mind keeps going back to him.

Dante showed me my Homeroom, before running off to his own. I thanked him, and waited for the hallways to clear out. Once the late bell rang, I went back over to where I saw the boy. He still stood there, silently sobbing- holding his books to his chest. I approached him, putting on a smile.

"Hey, are you feeling alright?" I asked the boy, holding my smile. He didn't look at me, he just continued looking forward.

"I'm fine," he bluntly said.

Lies.

"No. No, you're not," I shook my head, seeing through his facadę.

The boy looked up at me, and I got a clearer look at his face. He had these gorgeous, cyan coloured eyes- which were red and puffy from crying.

Damn, I adore his eyes. They are-

Nevermind...

"What do you mean?" He asked me, his sobs slowing. I gave him a small smile, and I watched his cheeks turn pink.

"I know that look all too well. What's the matter?"

"Why would you care?"

Ouch. That was slightly harsh.

But, he's probably not in the right mindset. Best to keep a smile on, show him that I care.

"Well, I hate seeing people upset. I saw you earlier, when I was heading to class. I decided to wait until the bell rang, to come check up on you. I'll ask again. Are you alright? Honestly, this time."

I put my hand on the boy's shoulder, causing him to flinch a little. I stayed still, trying not to alert him- in case anything was bad.

"I'm alri-"

Not this again...

"The name is Laurance," I instantly interrupted, outstretching my hand.

He was just going to say that he was alright, again- which is a big fat lie. He's obviously not alright, if he's ditching class to cry. The boy's eyes shifted around, as if he was confused by my actions.

"Huh?"

"I'm Laurance Zvahl, pleasure to meet you. I just moved to this school, from Meteli. May I ask your name?" I asked, continuing to keep my hand out. The boy bit his lip, shifting around uncomfortably.

"I'm...Garroth Ro'Meave," he finally spoke.

He's...a Ro'Meave?! As in...the family that owns the biggest corporation on this side of the region?! That Ro'Meave?!

"Nice to meet you, Garroth," I honestly said, holding my smile.

Garroth gave in, and shook my hand. I stared into his blue eyes, enticed by them- for some unknown reason. What can I say? Boy's got some nice eyes.

"Hey, bud, what's your homeroom?" I asked, letting go of his hand.

"M-math," Garroth replied, with a slight groan following.

"Really? Me too! You are in room 241, correct?"

"Y-yes..."

"Awesome! We can walk in late together!" I chuckled a little, throwing my arm around his shoulder.

I looked down at Garroth, who's face was now painted a dark crimson colour. We began our walk to our homeroom, a bit of small talk following.

I hope I can make an influence, in at least one person's life.

~~~

*Garroth's POV*

"Hey, Garroth, you feelin' okay? You look a little pale..." Aphmau brushed her hand against the side of my cheek, sticking out her bottom lip.

"Hm? O-oh, I'm fine, Aph... Don't worry about me..." I lied, moving the food around on my plate. I wasn't hungry...

"You sure? I'm concerned about you, Garroth. You were crying earlier, and you haven't touched your food. As your friend, I'm worried about you," Aphmau took my hand, giving me a comforting smile.

I'm glad I have you, Aph... You're all I need, in this screwed up world...

I can't believe that Gene... After we've been together for a year!

"Hey, Aph! Garroth!" A soft voice greeted us.

I turned my head, to see the white-haired boy himself- Travis. Him and Aphmau are both a grade below me. Travis seated himself beside Aphmau, as they both made some small talk, eating their lunch.

I sat in silence, tapping my foot against the floor once in a while. I felt kind of left out. Dante didn't have the same lunch as me, just me, Aph, and Travis. And...oh no...

Is that...Laurance?! He has this lunch! Damn it...

Now, you're probably wondering, why I am not excited Laurance is here. Well...

I hate him.

Yes, I despise him. I know, that he tried to help me, but...he's got that look. Like, he's up to something. Maybe he's trying to use me, to go up on the social ladder! Because, now, he knows I'm a Ro'Meave.

Ever since I told him my name earlier today, he's been following me around- like a puppy dog. It's obnoxious. I mean, yes...he's kind of sweet...and attractive...and-

BUT! I don't trust him. I am not going to allow him to take advantage of me. Or, even allow him to crush my heart... Like...Gene.

"Hey, Garroth, Travis and I have to head over to Art, real quick- to talk with the teacher about our group project. Sorry to leave you, but this is important," Aphmau interrupted my thoughts, gathering her things together.

"Don't worry about it Aph. Go on," I gave her a false smile, hoping she couldn't see through me.

"Alright, cya!" Aphmau and Travis waved by to me, as they headed out of the crowded cafeteria.

I hate Middle School...

"Yo, Garroth!"

And it just keeps getting worse.

I looked up from my brooding, to be met eye-eye with Laurance Zvahl, himself. Great...

"O-oh...hi, Laurance..."

Laurance set his tray down, throwing his bookbag on the ground beside him. Now, he's sitting at my lunch table. Thank you Irene, for cursing me.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" He asked politely, giving me a small smile.

Yes.

"N-no, not at a-all. Go ahead..."

Damn you mouth, for not saying what my brain had said!

"Great! Thank you so much, Garroth," Laurance sat down, beginning to eat his lunch. I merely watched him, unsure what to say. He glanced me over, studying me. Now, what? "Hey, are you going to eat."

"What does it matter, what I do?" I snapped, glaring a little.

Laurance bit his lip, setting down his fork. I stared at him in confusion, until I felt something. Looking down, I saw that he had his hand on top of...mine!?

Oh Irene, his hands are so soft...and his touch is very gentle. Nothing like Gene, at all... Oh gosh, I'm probably blushing. But, my stupid, gay teenage brain isn't allowing me to do anything about it. Curse you, feelings!

"Eh?! What are you doing?!" All I could do, was whisper-yell. I didn't want to alert anyone's attention, and I wasn't able to move.

"Please eat," he calmly said. "For me?"

"I don't even know you...I just met you earlier today..."

"And I'm trying to help you."

I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!

You like him~

Shut up! No I don't!

Then, tell him to go away, and leave you alone.

Fine! I will.

...

You totally like him~

Shut up!

You're still letting him hold your hand~

I-... Screw you.

Not me. Him.

I hate you so damn much.

"Garroth? You alright?" Laurance let go of my hand, tilting his head. "Your face is really red."

Ha! He called you out!

He's too dumb to realize, that you made me stupidly blush.

Man, you are really mean today. Gene breaking up with you, is really messing with your feelings.

Don't bring it up! It just happened today...

"Oh...um...I'm fine, I s-suppose," I looked around. "Why do you want to sit here with me?"

We know the answer. It's because we're a Ro'Meave.

How does that explain why Aphmau, Dante, and Travis?

They're good people, and trustworthy. This guy, Laurance, he has this look in his eye...

"Because you were sitting alone..."

He must not have seen Aphmau and Travis.

"Right..."

"Do you mind...if we hang out more often?"

Again, mouth, the correct answer is "no, get you, and your pretty face, out of here!".

"S-sure...I don't mind..."

"Great!"

This is going to be a long year...