Chapter 1 - Where truths and lies begin

So I decided to write this. It's been a while since I've done any writing. There's not really much of a reason why I wrote this, I just read some other fics and got a bit inspired.

And for those of you who might be wondering about my other fic 'The unlucky luckster' - it's not dead. I've actually had a pretty much completed chapter written for a while now, I just lacked motivation to finish it off and post it. Hopefully just getting back into some writing with stuff like this will help to motivate me. I'm sorry it's taking so long for those who are waiting and I thank you for your patience and support I still receive all this time after last updating. It honestly keeps the story alive in my mind when I'm getting those daily reminders.

Anyway here's this in the meantime. Enjoy!

"Got your hat! You make it too easy - it's like you're asking me to take it." The 14 year-old middle schooler mocked, waiving the black cap tauntingly in the air.

The boy's eyes widened as he attempted to cover his face with one hand and reach out to the girl with the other. "A-ah! No, please, give it back!" She watched him pathetically collapse in on himself over something she felt was so trivial.

"Hmm..." She pondered his request for a few seconds before a sadistic glint filled her eyes.

"Beg." She looked down on him as if he were an animal. A slight smile tugged at her lips as she saw the boy get down on his knees. He looked up at her with pleading eyes. "Your hair is sticking up there. Let me get that for you." She rose her foot and pressed his head down until his forehead hit the ground. She couldn't see from where she was, but it was obvious from the boy's trembling that he was on the verge of tears.

"P-please, give me my hat back. I..."

She sighed.

"Louder. I can't hear you from here." The boy let out a muffled sound akin to a sob as he took in a deep breath.

"I-I need my hat. Please. I'm begging you." She was baffled as usual that they boy treated his hat as something as important as oxygen. That it was imperative for his survival. It was entertaining - and she was in need for some entertainment.

She removed her foot from the boy's head, prompting him to once again look up at her pleadingly. He had no pride. While watching him act so pathetic was cathartic for her on one level, on another it annoyed her to no end. He would throw his pride away for a stupid little hat.

She flippantly threw his hat onto the ground next to him, turning on her heel and walking off toward the school gate without another word.

One of her classmates ran up to her, waving her down to get her attention.

"Hey! A bunch of us are gonna go get something to eat - maybe do a little karaoke. Sounds fun, huh? You in?"

She took a breath and tried to give a sincerely apologetic look.

"I'm so sorry, but I can't today. Maybe next time."

"But you promise 'next time' every time." The dejected girl sighed.

"I know." She swallowed the words that she wanted to say and walked off towards her home.

She stopped at her front door, reluctant to enter. She knew however, that the longer it took for her to enter, the worse the situation she would be in. Messing with that boy and that conversation with her classmate had cost her valuable time she didn't intend to spend. For a good reason.

She entered.

"You are late". Her father stated in a matter-of-fact manner. His eyes bored down onto her. She shifted, uncomfortable and in an attempt to steady herself.

"I'm sorry father." She began to feel very small in the face of her father looming over her.

His eyes narrowed - she could tell that he was not in a good mood. Though it was not like she had seen him in a good mood since her mother had left them.

"You do not have time for distractions. Whatever you were doing, I can assure you it was a waste of time."

She kept her gaze fixated on the floor, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"Yes father."

A pause.

"What do I always tell you?" This question was not rhetorical. The answer had been continuously drilled into her head to this day. She knew exactly what he wanted to hear.

And exactly how he would react if he didn't hear it.

"If I don't study, I will not be successful. If I am not successful, people will use me as a steppingstone to become successful themselves." Her reply was machine-like - devoid of any emotion.

"Correct," he began, "you will become someone who uses - not someone who will be used."

She meekly nodded.

"I cannot understand you if you do not speak."

She bit her lip.

"I said speak!" He slammed his fist against the wall next to her, causing her to flinch in recoil.

"Y-yes father."

"Perhaps no dinner tonight will be enough motivation to deter you from whatever you were frivolously doing that meant more to you than your future. Now go and continue your studies."

The usual punishment.

'He's doing this because he cares. He's doing this for you' - this was becoming a daily mantra.

A snide voice spoke up inside of her.

'He's doing it because he's a failure who let others step all over him. His pride won't allow me to end up like him'. And at the end of the day, pride was all it came down to. Pride over any feelings for her. To him losing one's pride meant death. What was a missed meal or two to instill such important lessons? What was so wrong with not being able to go out on weekends? Or have friends? 'Distractions' he called it - the weak dragging others down to their level because they don't have what it takes to succeed. Leaches he called them.

Her life was not her own. She knew that much. He owns it - and that won't change no matter how much she cries or wishes.

But...

There is a place where she can do what she wants. She won't even get in trouble - she's careful enough to make sure of that.

Suddenly she had a very strong urge to take out her pent-up anger on a certain hat-wearing boy. She may not look forward to the rest of her life, but she certainly looked forward to tomorrow.

Why would she let him go? After all...

...she had finally found someone more pathetic than her.

So this chapter is kinda just set-up for the story. The next chapter will continue the backstory and after that the story will jump forward to take place after V3. Got a good feeling about this one though I've had fun with the concept so hopefully you guys will find it interesting once it develops more. I'll see you guys in the next chapter. Review if you feel like it and I hope you enjoyed. Peace out!