Chapter 1

Jeff

"No guys! Not again! I jus-" Jeff exclaimed before his sentence was cut short. The sounds of him choking on toilet water followed as the school bully, Nicholas Duval, held his head in place.

Jeffrey Sterling was the new kid at Dalton Acadamey for boys, he'd enrolled two weeks ago. His mother, Anne, believed it would be a nice change and a great way for her son to make friends, but she couldn't be more wrong. Jeff knew she was wrong, what weirdo would befriend an insanely tall guy with bright blonde hair? A guy who never talked unless he was pleading to be set free from Nicholas' fiery grip? Oh, right. His best friend Sebastian Smythe.

Seb was fit, strong, he had a tan and soft brown hair. His smile was to die for and his eyes always sparkled in a way that would seem impossible to any other human. And it was, next to nobody could have eyes like that. He'd been Jeff's friend before he'd enrolled, way back when the pair were five. About three years later, Seb moved away.

It was a very happy reunion when the two met again.

"Nicholas! I know you're in there!" Seb's voice rang through the boys toilets, mimicking that of a teacher's, "Leave Sterling alone before I place you and your friends on detention!"

"Later, loser" Nicholas laughed, his friends, Thaddeus and Wesley, following suit, none of them noticed Seb, Jeff was left to catch his breath on the cold, grimy bathroom floor.

"Hey, man, you okay?" Seb asked, holding back a laugh he didn't know he was waiting to set free. The site of his friend was truly hilarious.

Jeff took one look at the almost giggling buffoon in front of him and couldn't help the small smile making its way to his lips.

Seb sighed and pulled the tall blonde up, mock dusting him off.

"I was half drowned not pushed in a sandpit" He smiled at his short friend's movements.

Seb rolled his eyes, "I was just trying to be friendly, I-" he stopped. Suddenly, he was staring at the door, as if something bad was going to happen. It made Jeff shiver.

The brunette shook his head, "Come on" he muttered, dragging Jeff out.

"What do we have next?" Jeff asked, trying to keep the fast pace of Seb

"Music. Hurry up" Seb groaned, that lesson always sucked. Especially because of Nicholas. The seating plan left Jeff stranded with him.

The music room was a total of two classroom blocks away and yet the pair ran. Jeff trusted Seb, and if his friend decided running to music would be smart, then of course he did it. Though, it wasn't smart. Mr Pittaira stopped them on their mad dash, Jeff slamming into the back of Seb.

"Running in hallways again, are we Mr Sterling?" The man's voice echoed. He was a short and looked really old, yet he was a young man in at least his late twenties. His hair was slicked back with what looked like ear wax and his face was always emotionless. Stony.

"S-Sorry, Sir" Jeff stuttered, keeping his eyes to the ground. He always got in trouble.

"Mr Pittaira, sir, it was my fault" Seb started, keeping casual "I shouldn't have been running and I shouldn't have made him, I should be getting in trouble, I-"

"You can go, Mr Smythe" the teacher sneered.

Seb sighed loudly and rested his hand on Jeff's shoulder, "See you in class"

Jeff smiled but it was short lived, Mr Pittaira hated him.

The young man grabbed hold of Jeff' school blazer and dragged him down the hall. He really didn't need to be dragged, Jeff knew better than to run. They reached the principal's office.

As usual, Jeff sat on the chair to the side of the principal's door. In about three minutes, he'd be making his way to class – like always– because Mr James was always on his side. And he needed that.

He peeked out the door, "Jeff, how are you?" Mr James was a lovely man, whether he was on Jeff' side or not. He always had a nickname for the students – his favourite was Nicholas'. When Jeff could work up the courage, he'd call him Nicky-boy just like Mr James, Because it would rile him up and aggravate him, but just like earlier, it resulted in swirlys.

Jeff sighed, "A little bored, sir. May I go to class now?"

Mr James smiled, "Of course. Stay out of trouble"

And, just like that, Jeff was on his way.

Jeff walked as slow as humanly possible towards his classroom, the sky outside turned a dark shade of grey. He had no real hurry for the class and if Mother Nature decided a storm would be fun, then the lesson would be downright terrible.

Jeff had a terrible fear of storms, one crack of thunder and he's frozen and shaking. Nicholas always made It his duty to laugh at him. But Jeff couldn't help it. When he was twelve, his father was fixing the satellite on the roof when a storm hit. His father was struck and killed on impact. Jeff had been outside watching his father when it happened and he couldn't shake the look on his face. Even after his mother sent him to a psychiatrist.

When he reached the classroom, he knocked softly on the door. He smiled when Mr Tod opened the door. Samuel Tod – Sammy, as everyone called him – was Jeff's favourite teacher, but even he was clueless to Nicholas' bullying.

Jeff took his seat, right next to where Nicholas should be sitting. Funny, he wasn't there.

Wagging? Jeff thought to himself, looking over the classroom, No, Thaddeus and Wesley are still here.

Jeff looked over to his best friend, noticing how pale he looked. Seb looked painfully sick. Like if someone were to poke or nudge him, he'd disintegrate. Jeff turned back to the desk and pulled out some scrap paper and his favourite pen.

You okay?
- J

Throwing the paper to the brunette, Jeff leant his head on his arms and waited for a reply. But there was none. Seb didn't bother.

Thaddeus came up to Jeff, looking generally worried, "Have you… Have you seen Nicholas?" he whispered, his voice soft.

So that's what he sounds like?, Jeff thought to himself as he looked up to the brunette. The boy never had a chance to speak with Nicholas around.

Jeff shook his head, was he actually scared? Really? After how innocent Thaddeus sounded, it seemed impossible to be scared, "H-Haven't seen him"

Thaddeus sighed and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, there was a flash – much like the sparkle in Seb's eyes – then he said, "Sorry, what were you saying?"

"You… You asked if I knew where Nicholas was." Jeff whispered, a little confused.

"Who's Nicholas?"