Jasper, Jack's POV

I sighed with relief as the last bell rang, and everyone poured out the door.

I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder and following behind the other students, skillfully weaving around the tangle of limbs.

It had been four days since I'd been greeted online by the mysterious 'Mixmaster808', and had yet to be again disturbed by him.

Which itself was a relief, since he (or she) gave me the creeps.

I made it to my locker in record time, entering my combination and opening it.

I blinked in surprise as a folded piece of paper fell out.

Bending down, I picked it up, shocked to realize it was a note, and adressed to me.

Normally, I wouldn't have been so shocked, it wasn't unusual for Miko or Raf to leave a note. But the writing wasn't in Miko's messy scrawl, or Raf's neatly printed letters. The writing was fancy and delicate, but it was still easy to decipher my name adressed on the paper.

Glancing in both directions, I unfolded the paper and read.

Jack,

I noticed that you are like a shadow in your surroundings. Why is it that you prefer to simply watch while others experience happiness? I'm merely concerned.

I hope to meet you face to face, perhaps even later today, if possible.

Signed, a friend.

I raised a brow.

This person was saying I was a shadow in school (not that I dennied that I was fairly quiet and it was true that I sat in the back of my classes). But for it to be pointed out? No one had ever noticed.

This person, whoever he or she was, was actually concerned about me.

I quickly shook the feeling of joy away, shoving the note into my backpack before slamming my locker shut and heading towards the front door.

Miko and Raf had already gone home, since the 'bots were oll out on recon. So, since my mom was at work, I realized I was walking home today.

I groaned, pausing before leaving the building and going to the bottom of the frontsteps and-

"Hey Darby!"

I nearly groaned, but held it in, simply staring up at the sky in exhasperation before turning to look at Vince. I forced a grim, half-hearted grin as he advanced forward and roughly grabbed my collar.

3rd POV

Jack stared up dryly at Vince, use to the bully by now.

"What do you want?"

The redhead smirked at Jack, hand on the raven haired male's collar tightening.

"Nah, just making sure everyone in school remembers their place. You're last on the list."

"Didn't know you were smart enough to write a list." Jack replied dryly, suceeding in wiping away the smirk on the other teen's face.

"What'd you say? Why I-!"

A large, callused hand suddenly gripped Vince's wrist, and both teens looked over in surprise.

A male, around the age of nineteen, twenty at most, stood there. He was tall, about six feet, and was lean, but well muscled. His skin was pale, but not in a sickly way, and his short raven hair was disheveled. A black scarf was wrapped around his shoulders, neck and lower face, hiding his lips, and a pair of red tinted glasses his his eyes.

"Who the hell are you...?" Vince asked, bewildered.

The man was silent, his grip on the redhead's wrist tightening, making it pop in what sounded to be a very painful way. Vince cringed as his fingers were pried off of Jack's collar and he was pushed away.

"I would suggest you leave him alone..."

The male's voice was quiet, soft and warm. Strangely comforting for Jack.

The stranger stepped in front of the raven teen, sheilding him from the bully.

So this was the one who had left the note in his locker, and Jack had a sneeking suspicion that this young man was also 'Mixmaster808'.

Vince gulped, seeing the almost threatening stance the stoic male before him took. A glance at Jack was all it took to make his decision.

"Whatever, Darby ain't worth it."

Jack stared in shock as the fire haired teen stormed off, then his stormy eyes turned to the slightly older male that stared after Vince.

"I...Thanks for that...But I could've handled it..."

The man glanced back at him.

"I have seen this happen every time you leave your school. While it is true that you are capable of protecting yourself, I have yet to see you do so." The male finally replied, turning to fully face Jack.

He raised a large hand, placing it gently atop Jack's mess of onyx hair, petting it for a moment.

"Take care of yourself." Was all he said before starting to walk off.

A burst of impulsion made Jack suddenly act, reaching out to grip the taller male's wrist.

"Wait!"

He stopped, turning to look at the teen.

"Yes?"

Jack's throat suddenly went dry, and he swallowed.

"What...What's your name?"

A moment of silence, then the young man replied.

"I...am Seth."

"Seth...So I guess I'll...see you around?"

Jack could've sworn he saw a twitch beneath the scarf, as though Seth smiled.

"Yes...Definately."

With that, he gently slipped out of Jack's grip and left, hands shoved in his pockets.

The raven teen stared after him in shock, but a small smile graced his face before he turned and headed towards home.


Later

Jack grinned down at the sketch in his hands. It was just finished, and Jack was pretty damn proud of how it had turned out.

The picture was of the ever mysterious Seth. Jack had decided he liked the young man, from the calm voice to the stoic and gentle nature.

A ding alerted Jack, and he looked up, grining when he saw it was a chat request from 'Mixmaster808'.

Accepting it, Jack leaned over the chair, typing.

Mixmaster808 has logged on.

J.D_271 has logged on.

J.D_271: Seth?

Mixmaster808: That easy to figure out?

Jack laughed, moving and sitting in the seat.

J.D_271: I have a question, if U don't mind, that is.

Mixmaster808: I will answer to the best of my ability.

J.D_271: Why did U...just...y'know, appear outta no where?

Mixmaster808: I saw the loneliness in your eyes. I decided that the emotion didn't fit you, so I decided to change it.

J.D_271: So that's why U left that note?

Mixmaster808: Why Jack, I have no idea what you are talking about.

Jack laughed before typing a reply, smirking.

J.D_271: Ur a terrible liar, even over the internet, U no that?

Mixmaster808: :)

Jack jumped in surprise as he heard the front door open and his mom entered.

J.D_271: Shoot, gtg, maybe we can talk l8r 2nite?

Mismaster808: 10 p.m?

J.D_271: Sure, ttyl :D

J.D_271 has logged off.

Jack then closed the chat box and stood, leaving his room.

He didn't notice the flash of dark metal outside his window before it moved away.


Hey y'all! I'm sad to say, I won't be updating for the next week, due to the fact I will be on vacation, and can't take the laptop with me :'(

But go ahead and P.M me if you want, I'll find internet conneciton somehow, if I can.

I'll try to get a picture of Seth on my D.A account before I leave tomorow, but if I can't, sorry!