John stumbled into the bathroom, just barely dodging the administrator peering down the halls in an attempt to capture students who were skipping class. While some knew where they were going, the school still had three floors, so it was no wonder that for pretty much the first few months the admins were weeding students out for "skipping". Wiping his brow, he peered into the mirror and saw that the nervous sweat that dotted his forehead was starting to make his foundation run. John placed his bag down and pulled out a rag as well as his makeup. It was pointless to try to reapply when he was still shaking in his Doc Martens.

He ran his hands under the cool water of the school sink (with as much as they had to pay to attend this school, John thought they should at least invest in a water heater) and scrubbed his face clean. A grin broke out when he saw the sloppy drawing of a smile done in blue ball-point on his cheek. Figuring it would be better to re-do his clammy hands as well, John scrubbed until he revealed his soulmate's "First Day of HS" check list, noting that "dress well" had been checked off since he covered up that morning. John could just imagine her-beautiful and blond donning a flower dotted spring dress. God, he just wanted to meet her; he just wanted to let her know he was there.

He had always wanted to write to her, but he never did. Not even in the moments when it really mattered. He still harbored regret from the situation four years prior. He remembered it like it was yesterday.

John sat on his bed, staring at his arm. The words would not go away. They burnned into his soul.

"Hey... If anyone is actually there, I really need you right now..."

He did not know what to do. He kept staring-not having the courage to look away or do something about it. What even could have happened?

"I get it if you are busy, but I really need someone. My mother just passed away. I need anyone."

What could he even do? He couldn't help her. How could he make it better? How could she know he was there?

"Sorry..." John muttered to himself. He pulled down he sleeve and got up to get dinner.

That time was past though. He hoped she would forgive him; after all, he is her soulmate. He was just listening to his father's rules.

"You see, that's the thing-I don't think what we need right now is some sort of policy or "let's all hold hands and get along" crap. It didn't work with the Olive Branch Treaty with the colonists when they got pissed about the Boston blockade, it won't work now. What brings people together more than anything? Fighting against the common enemy, i.e. war," Alex ranted before talking a sip of his coffee.

"I disagree-War is just another way people can turn against each other. You remember learning about the war we had with Mexico before the Civil War? The north wanted to make all of the new land slave-free and the south didn't like one bit of that-"

"But this is different, Herc. As far as I know, no one has been talking about succeeding from our country-they're just bitching and moaning about one little thing or another. Genuinely, I feel like a war would do our nation good, it's just the nukes that would be a problem," Another sip of coffee, "and if someone took away the likelihood of us all being whiped out in nuclear war, trust me, I would be the first one supporting the cause."

"Oh, I trust you all right," Hercules snickered, "Damn, Alex I can see you leading the revolt; you're a war monger!"

"Ha ha very funny," he went to take another sip of his coffee, but nothing came out. He frowned and put the cup on the floor of the Honda and Hercules glared.

"You better pick that up when we get home today."

"I will, don't worry about it. I am very responsible."

Hercules snorted as he pulled into the student parking lot and turned off the car.

"Do you think you'll be able to take care of yourself today? The first day of high school is a big deal."

"Stop worrying, mom, I'll be alright," Alex laughed. He grabbed his backpack from the backseat.

Apporaching the school, while still intimdating, wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. They exited the parking garage and the school looked just like all of the other tall building you find in New York City. Walking into the building was also okay because he had Hercules there to clear the way. In fact, entering the building just got him more excited for the year to come.

He, however, could not overlook the stares as he walked past the crowds of people he didn't know. There are perks of living in New York City, and one is not knowing who anyone is, but in Alex's case, that perk was not one he was often reciprocated. Being the school's "loud mouth" made him very clearly picked out among the crowd. That among other things (like, maybe the ink that he chose the decorate himself with). People would always stare. Sometimes, he enjoyed the attention, but other times it just made him wish he wasn't so... himself.

A/N: Sorry its been so long. I'm trying :)