Chapter two! I kind of forgot, these will mostly be disconnected one-shots, because I suck at plotlines. Thank you for the lovely responses I got!


There were two rules that the "newies" (Laura's word, not theirs) were about to learn over the following week they spent adjusting to Elmtree House. Vice versa, the vets of the house discovered a couple of topics that were just not acceptable to talk about, but they were so subtle it was a while before they realised them. 1. Dress as you like but if people think it's weird, they will tell you in a not-so-polite way.

It also mixed in with rule number two: 2. Reading other people's notebooks lead to fights and bloody noses. In other words, do not do it on pain of death.

These vital lessons Andy learned on the second day. He was dressed in a Joy Division t-shirt, had a white and gray bandana tied around his neck, dark shoes and black skinny jeans. He strolled into the lounge, notebook and white board in hand. Elektra, Liam, Laura and Johnny were there. Liam and Johnny were ever presently at the pool table, Laura was painting her nails shocking pink and Elektra was watching TV. Johnny looked up as Andy entered and snorted, muffling a laugh.

Andy frowned and shot him a confused look. Johnny smiled, thinking it was an insult to him, but it grew bigger after he realised Andy didn't know what he did wrong.

"You're telling me you don't know?" he asked incredulously.

Andy shook his head, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

"How can you not know that you're dressed like a freak?"

Andy relaxed and rolled his eyes. He scribbled something on his board. He held it up. 'At least I don't dress like I'm 10 years old'

Liam chuckled, but abruptly stopped when Johnny sent him a murderous look. If only looks could kill…

Johnny pursed his lips slightly. "At least I have fashion sense." He shot back.

Andy's reply came quicker, and gained Laura's attention. She stared on curiously. Elektra paid them no heed. 'Clearly Johnny, you really don't. Did your mum dress you the entire time you lived with her?' In his haste, he dropped his notebook. Johnny was tugging at his clothes, trying to remain calm after reading his reply. But when he noticed Andy dropped it, he darted forward to snatch the book. Andy didn't spot the notebook and so wasn't quick enough to stop him, and Johnny succeeded easily.

He flicked through it quickly and burst out laughing. "I love you more than I can ever scream." he read aloud. He grinned nastily. "It's so soppy…Well that's appropriate, isn't it mute boy?"

A low, breathy feral growl is what came from Andy as he lunged at Johnny, his board and notebook clattering to the ground. Johnny elbowed him but Andy clung tight, taking the two of them to the ground. Andy tried to punch Johnny in the eye but sloppily scratched his cheek instead. Johnny elbowed him in the ribcage and Andy retaliated by biting his arm. Andy elbowed him in the eye trying to reach the notebook, but Johnny just whacked him with it. Elektra and Laura were now at full attention, eagerly watching the scuffle and calling out, "Fight, fight!"

Liam sighed wearily and a whole gaggle of kids including Johnny's sister Tee and Sapphire appeared from the kitchen and joined in the chanting. Tee attempted to go and stop Johnny but Sapphire held her back worried for her safety and not wanting her involved.

Mike came sprinting in, reading glasses still on his head, as Johnny put all his strength into punching Andy in the ribs. A quiet crack sounded, not nearly loud enough to be noticed. Gina was right after him. She immediately started quietening down the kids and sending them away. Rolling their eyes, they obediently trooped outside the room, but quickly snuck in again. While this was happening, Mike ran forward and tried to grab Johnny and Liam stepped in to grab Andy as well. Annoyed grunts were made as they unsuccessfully tried to separate the boys.

It took a couple of minutes to actually pry the boys apart and a very red, enraged Mike was the result. "What was that all about?" he spoke lowly - a bad sign.

Andy pointed at Johnny, to his notebook, to his clothes and Johnny started explaining, "He came at me! I didn't start it Mike, I swear!"

Mike held up a hand, stopping the protests. He turned to the other kids, watching this confrontation from just outside the room. "Everyone else get out! Andy, get your board and write your side and Johnny can tell me his. The office, come on."

With much grumbling and half an hour of explaining, the truth came out and the boys were made make a deal; so long as Andy didn't bring up family and Johnny didn't insult Andy's style and read his writings, this would be considered a warning and wouldn't go on their files.

Mike sighed. "Right, the two of you come out to the kitchen so we can clear you up. What's hurt?"

Johnny pointed at his head. "I've a thumping headache; my cheek hurt, my nose is bleeding and so's my arm."

Andy pointed at his ribs, shoulder and his split lip. Mike gazed from one to the other exasperatedly, before deciding to deal with Johnny first. "Johnny, you might have a concussion. What day is it today? Who is the queen of England? What's your sister's name?"

Johnny paused. "Um…Today's the…seventeenth? The queen of England is queen…Elizabeth," he spoke slowly, pausing and generally sounding not sure. "And my sister is Tee Taylor."

Mike groaned quietly. "I think you have a small concussion…Do you know how you got it?"

Johnny nodded slowly. "I think so, I was fighting with him. I was, wasn't I? That's why he's got blood on his t-shirt."

Mike and Andy sharply looked down, and Andy cautiously lifted up his shirt. There, among the too-skinny pale skin and his shirt, was a very clearly cracked rib poking against bruised skin, glistening with blood.

Andy promptly fainted.