Chapter 1. Prelude to War

The clock struck 5pm just as Vert pulled himself out from under the '84 convertible he had been working on. He tried to wipe the grease from his face with the towel draped over the toolbox and frowned when it only seemed to make things worse. He could hear his coworker snickering behind him.

"You do realize this means war." He said without turning.

"Bring it, Wheeler." They replied and Vert could practically head the mischief dripping from their voice.

Okay, so maybe getting into a prank war with Jax wasn't the best idea, but he couldn't back out now. He would apologize to his boss later, and inevitably, his roommate when the war made it to their apartment. Vert wasn't going to cross that bridge until he had to.

He walked over to his own car, a '97 candy apple ragtop convertible, and checked it over carefully. Vert looked under each seat twice before turning to glare suspiciously at Jax, who only shrugged.

"Promise I didn't touch it!" They called out.

Vert checked the driver's seat one more time. He heard Jax mumble something, but chose to ignore it and hopped over the door into the seat. He started the engine, popped in the newest Lady Antebellum CD, and drove home with the wind in his hair and the greatest trio on the face of the Earth in his ears.

He was still humming the chorus to This City as he walked up the stairs to his second-floor apartment. He unlocked the door and stepped inside. His roommate was sitting at the counter, laptop open and in front of him. He had one earbud in while the other dangled loosely by his shoulder.

"Vert!" He said looking up from the computer screen. "Dude, what's up?"

Vert shrugged. "Not much." He would not mention the prank war. Not yet anyways. "Whatcha working on?"

"Trying to get a head start on my TPA. I'm supposed to write it while I'm student teaching." He frowned. "Like I'll have time for anything one I start that."

"What even is a TPA?"

"The thing that decides whether or not I can become a licensed teacher. Lesson plans for the entire semester. Classroom management strategies. Differentiation for students. I could go on. And it's supposed to be like 80-100 pages, Vert. Single spaced."

Vert shook his head. "That sounds like the actual worst. Good luck, AJ."

"Thanks, dude."

Vert had known AJ Dalton since they were kids. From digging for treasure in the backyard to strapping fireworks to their bikes, they'd done it all. Vert still had the scars from when they fought a raccoon for almost stealing AJ's dad's tailpipe. They'd gone off to college together, even if Vert had only lasted one semester before realizing it wasn't for him. It turned out well enough though. Vert got to tinker with cars all day and AJ was going to be an elementary school teacher.

"So," Vert said, "I'm thinking pizza tonight?"

"Dude, yes."

Vert pulled out his phone ready to call in their usual order. "Is Tezz coming over?"

As if on cue the door opened and Tezz walked inside. He threw his bookbag down, stomped over to AJ, and sat next to him with a huff.

AJ threw an arm around him. "What did the roommate do this time?"

"I have a list." Tezz said. "It's alphabetized."

"Seriously? Also, you cool with pizza?" Vert asked.

"Completely. And pizza is fine."

So, Vert called in the usual while half listening to Tezz list off all the things his roommate had done that day. The one time Vert had suggested he move out of the dorms, Tezz had glared at him so fiercely that he actually feared for his life. Apparently, the scholarship he had required him to live on campus in the dorms. It was a shitty move on the university part, but that's why Tezz had a key to their place. That and because he was dating AJ. They'd met during a group project in general psychology and just hit it off. That was four years ago. AJ had sworn him to secrecy under the threat of death, but Vert knew he planned on proposing before the new year. He tried not to think about how that would affect their living arrangements, even if Tezz practically lived with them already.

The pizza arrived quicker than usual and Vert was grateful for something else to think about. They ate in silence for about two minutes before AJ's phone buzzed.

"Yes!" He shouted throwing a fist in the air and causing both Vert and Tezz to jump. He whipped his computer back out.

"What is it?" Vert asked.

"New BF5 video!" AJ answered excitedly.

Vert rolled his eyes. "You mean those guys from MRU that do all the Lame cover songs?"

"They're not lame! They're awesome!"

"They don't even use real instruments."

"That's the whole point." AJ said matter-of-factly. "A Capella is all about the voice."

"Lame. With a capital L."

AJ stuck his tongue out. Vert rolled his eyes again and refocused on his pizza, deliberately ignoring all the delighted sounds AJ was making.

"I seem to recall someone squealing like a small child when a certain trio announced a new album." Tezz said not looking up from his pizza.

Vert gasped offended. "Lady Antebellum is the greatest band to ever exist! Heart Break is one of their best albums yet!"

"And if BF5 covered one of their songs?"

"Don't say those words to me ever again, Tezz Volitov."

At this point AJ was laughing so hard Vert could see tears starting to form in his eyes. "Nice one, babe!" He kissed Tezz's cheek.

Vert huffed. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I'm gonna go take a shower. Please have all clothes on by the time I'm back."

"You called my favorite group Lame. With a capital L. I'm making no promises."

Vert looked to Tezz. "Tezz, please."

Tezz simply shrugged.

Vert grabbed his iPod and waterproof speaker. This was going to be a long shower.