This chapter goes out to simplegrl007, my first and (so far) only reviewer! Thanks for the support. If I get more reviews, then I'll have more incentive to work on this. It's a simple formula, ain't it? ;D

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Kaitin's morning routine held nothing special, as it never did. The usual happened-getting ready for school and an uneventful ride on the city bus to school. The real fun started when he got to school. The first thing he noticed as he trudged off the bus was Stefan, leaning up against the gym, just across a grassy field from the bus stop.

"Aw crap." Kaitin thought "Well, he's not really friends with Tad's crew-maybe he isn't waiting for me."

That line of thought flew out the window as Stefan locked eyes with Kaitin. A cross between a scowl and a grin crossed the thug's face as he pushed off the wall and headed right towards Kaitin. With just a second's hesitation, Kaitin whirled for the nearest door and shot off, sprinting towards it. With a hasty glance over his shoulder, his hopes shot up as he saw Stefan chugging along, nowhere near catching the slender young man. "I'm gonna make it! He's too slo-UGHH!"

Kaitin learned, the hard way, why you look forward while you run. Not noticing the rapidly approaching brick-encased garbage can, he hit it at full speed. With a harsh smacking sound, he flipped completely over the brick enclosure. His sudden flight ended as he thudded into the ground on his side, his bruised ribs from yesterday's abuse sending pain tearing through his chest. Laying on the ground, panting for breath, he barely noticed Stefan's approach or the mocking laughter from a nearby group of girls.

"Whoa-that was a wicked wreck, Lanning. You still alive down there?" Kaitin's brain registered the calm words from Stefan as booted feet filled his blurred vision. Craning his neck upwards, he saw Stefan, a grin on his face as he reached a helping hand out to Kaitin. Still dazed from the crash, Kaitin grabbed the hand and was quickly standing again. That's when it all hit him.

"Stefan-not yelling-helped me up-no punching yet-WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"

Apparently, the shock and confusion was all over Kaitin's face, for Stefan's smirk grew bigger and he opened his mouth to clarify.

"Dude, I wasn't gonna pound ya or nothing. I wanna talk to ya, thas all. 'Course, if you wanna try to go run into some walls, go on ahead." Shaking his head in bewilderment, Kaitin just motioned to Stefan to lead the way inside. Stefan headed right for the door that Kaitin had been aiming for. Shaking his head again to try and clear the muddle inside, he grabbed his pack and followed along.

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After heading down a couple hallways, Stefan stopped at a secluded bench, set in a recessed area. Slouching onto the bench, he motioned for Kaitin to sit down. Still looking dazed, Kaitin slumped onto the bench, the motion sending pain streaking through his ribs and stomach again. Grimacing at the memory of double injuries, he glanced at Stefan, complementing his confused look with "So you wanted to…talk…to me?"

Stefan sat still for a moment, then, with a smirk on his broad face, spoke. "How'd ya do it, Lanning? You're the last person I expected to put dat punk in his place."

Kaitin didn't answer, closing his eyes instead. Though he'd struggled all morning to forget, he'd been losing ground fast. Stefan's casual comment about yesterday sent it all parading around Kaitin's consciousness. Shuddering at the thought of the whole episode, Kaitin opened his eyes and looked at Stefan.

"How'd I do it? I'll tell you how I did it, Stefan. I snapped. And do you know why?" he calmly remarked. As a confused look crossed Stefan's face, he leaned in towards the other boy. Dropping his voice to an almost inaudible tenor, he gave Stefan his answer.

"I did it because I don't care anymore, Stefan. I'll do whatever-you understand? For your sake, stay away from me, far away. Someday I just might lose it and take you down with me."

As Stefan recoiled in alarm, Kaitin stood up and half-limped off, one arm bent around his twice thrashed ribcage, the other carrying his backpack. As he passed through the doors into the main hallway, Stefan's bellow followed him.

"You really are a freak, ain't you! Go to hell, Lanning!"

Kaitin's only answer was the gloomy thought that crossed his mind.

"I'm already here."

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Rachael Roth was not a happy girl. The bored expression that was always plastered on her face was not an act. She really WAS bored, with most everything, life included. The present and the future blended together in pointlessness, and the past was a hell she didn't want to revisit. And on top of it all, the new school just plain sucked. It wasn't the ostracism from fellow students that bothered her. After all, being cast out was a common thread in her reality. It was the fact that all those around her were the same.

They were no different than most everyone else she'd come across. They all either avoided her as someone "eerie", or mocked and rejected her as a freak. Though she denied it to even herself, she desired to find someone who looked inward, who looked at what she really was. She'd thought she'd found it, once before, but…

Not wanting to dredge those painful memories up, she focused inward, finding a busy argument in progress. The main players weren't the usual "good" and "evil" sides; rather, Rage was busy tearing into Hope, while Sarcasm was watching the whole thing with pleasure. Joy was cowering in the corner, as she always did.

"Why did you let that pipsqueak get in the way! We should have beaten them all!" Rage screamed.

"Why wouldn't we let him help? Don't we want to find someone who won't reject us at first glance?" Hope answered, puzzled by Rage's point of view.

"NO! Don't you understand? Now those two don't know the consequences of messing with us again. We had a chance to make them fear, and we lost it!" came Rage's shriek.

Sorrow covered Hope's face as Rage began rapidly pacing around her. At that, Sarcasm let out a snicker and caught Hope's eye.

"Go on, you both get along so well!" Sarcasm laughed, scorn pouring through. "You know she'll never change her perspective, so quit aggravating her-it makes her even more fun to be around."

Shaking her head and sighing, Hope headed towards the cowering Joy.

"You know, I could use your help with these two. I'm kind of out numbered here." She pleaded as she drew close.

Joy's reaction was unsurprising. She looked up at Hope, her eyes full of futility. Drawing out her answer, she quietly said "You know I can do nothing to help. Any power I had is gone." Sweeping her gaze across the various emotions gathered in Rachael's sub-consciousness, she continued on. "She fights me; she never feeds me, and never gives me an opening to help. There is no hope."

Mocking laughter floated their direction as Sarcasm strode over. "As I see it, she's right in front of you. But you're right-you can do nothing. Wait, I take that back-you are great at cowering and whining."

At that, Joy pulled her knees into her chest and dropped her head into her arms. Hope turned on Sarcasm, annoyance flaring from her eyes. "You are no help, yourself. Regardless, I see opportunity ahead. And I will use it, with or without your help."

As Hope knelt by the now sobbing Joy, comforting her, Sarcasm bit right back. "Do your worst, Hope, but its not me your against." Nodding towards Rage, she smirked and fell silent. Hope didn't need an explanation. Rage was busy going from emotion to emotion, screaming and pushing her case. To Hope's dismay, she was gaining more supporters than opponents. Looking back at Sarcasm, she shook her head at the bleak path ahead.

BBRRRRRIIIIIIIINNGGGG! The blaring of the hall bell tore the bored girl from her inner turmoil. Glancing around, she cursed as she realized how far from class she was. Breaking into a run, she hoped she'd make it before it was too late.

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Kaitin knew he'd be late, but he didn't care. It was only Mr. Monson's class, after all. With his bruised ribs making it hard to run, he trudged along down the hall. As he got closer to the classroom door, he glanced up from watching the floor and caught site of another tardy student approaching. As he recognized her, he felt a jolt of trepidation. "Ah, this could be ugly."

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Catching site of Kait-whatever-his-name-was, Rachael inwardly grimaced. Swiftly averting her eyes, she sped up in time to cut in front of Kaitin and into the class. And quickly regretted being the first in. The whole class, glad for a distraction, stared at her. The irritated look on the Mr. Monson's face told her she'd interrupted a monologue. Without a word, she headed straight for her desk and sat down, just in time to watch the outcast young man's entry.

He shuffled into the room, head hanging, with one arm clutching his ribs. Walking down the aisle, he kept his eyes on the ground. As he passed Tad and Yuri's conspicuously empty seats, the whispering in the room grew much louder. Turning her head, she watched him awkwardly slide into his seat and bury his head in his arms. The pathetic site set off another inner argument.

"We were too hard on the poor guy yesterday-he doesn't seem to have any friends, and he was only trying to help" Regret mused, drawing Sarcasm's trademark smirk and razor sharp tongue.

"Looks to me like the boy could try a little harder. Besides, your pity is wasted." Throwing her arms wide to take in everything, Sarcasm went on. "She'll never take on a pity project like that wretched creature."

"You might eat those words, my cocky friend" Hope broke in. Cutting off Sarcasm's rebuttal, she motioned outwards, towards the now droning teacher.

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Kaitin's head came up as Mr. Monson repeated his name.

"Mr. Lanning, glad to see you could join us." The dry attempt at a joke was wasted on the bored class. "Your partner for the Governmental Creation project will be Ms. Roth."

As Mr. Monson droned on with assignments, Kaitin racked his brain to match a face with the name. As he came up with nothing, he noticed the pale new girl glancing at him, bored expression and all. Suppressing a groan, he felt mixed emotions run through him as he put it all together. "That's why I don't recognize the name. Well, here's your chance to find out more about her." Then it was doubt's turn. "After her reaction yesterday, do you think she'll even want to talk to you? The project will be hard enough; don't count on much else happening."

Dismayed by this new turn of events, Kaitin dropped his head back into his arms and murmured mockingly to himself "This is gonna be real interesting. I can't wait to see how I'll screw everything up."

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FINIS

R&R would really help-anything (except flaming) is great!