~III~

Pete had walked out of class, already having down the basic sketch for the idea of his project. He walked besides Ink, smiling at them. He had asked of their idea for the project, and found out that they were going to be going to the football game. They had taken a liking to seeing Bullworth fight against the rival schools, wanting to support their own academy. When Pete had questioned why they wanted to come back, he got the answer: "I came back because no one knows what I am." After hearing this, he laughed it off, figuring they had done some huge crime in the past that Bullworth hadn't known about.

After saying goodbye and parting ways, Pete returned back to his room. He sat on his bed, looking at the sketch. The more he looked at it, the more he cringed. The anatomy was off on one of the riders, the bike looked wrong and the background looked nothing like Old Bullworth Vale! Of course, this was just a really rough sketch and he could fix everything, but he hated it. Maybe… maybe he should look for something else? Another event? But what? He wanted his project to be unique! Not to go out to the football game everyone was probably going to. But what other event?

God, if Gary were here, he could get an answer. If his idea was good, bad, stupid. If there were another event that wouldn't be the most popular vote to everyone else in that class. Gary would give him some answers. He was pretty smart, surprisingly, despite him having to take medicine 24/7. Wait… why think of Gary? He could easily ask Cody! … No. No, no, no. Never Cody, he was useless. Jimmy, maybe? Wherever that boy was? Maybe he could take time away from spending it with whoever it was he was going out with. Last he knew, he was dating Zoe, but he still saw Jimmy go around, flirting like a bitch in heat. Well, whatever he wanted. It wasn't any of Pete's business.

A few minutes of rethinking his project, Cody burst through the door, arms splayed out on the splintering wood as he stared at Pete.

"Honey, I'm back!" he chimed, a smile breaking out. Pete just stared at him, unamused. He reeked, like always. How did Pete, head of the school, get stuck with him? "Ha ha! What're you doin', bud?"

"Just thinking about a project I got," he replied, watching him roll his eyes. "Hey… how sober are you?"

"Sober enough to know my name, finally," he answered, closing the door with an ungraceful shut and going to walk over to his roommate. "Whatcha doin for the project?"

"We're supposed to go to an event, but I was kinda thinking about doing something this weekend," he explained, showing Cody the sketch he had made. "I made this just in case I didn't get to the race. We're supposed to draw out an event that was happening in Bullworth, and I was thinking about doing the race in Old Bullworth Vale, but I dunno..."

As Pete rambled on about how he hated the picture and how he thought about just switching his idea completely, Cody looked the image over. He put a finger close to the page, tracing the lines of a couple things, before pulling back and staring at Pete in awe.

"Dude, like… I suck at art, but this looks great!" he told him, earning a look that was both surprised and happy. "Shit, and it's even not complete! I'd give you an A+ as it is!"

"Heh. Thanks, Cody," Pete smiled, going to put the sketchbook down and lay down fully on his bed. As he did this, his roommate walked over to his side of the room and rummaged through one of the drawers on his dresser. After pulling out an old cigarette and lighting, Cody looked over at Pete, frowning.

"Look, man, I know I'm usually always wasted, but what's up with you?" Pete looked at Cody, surprised at his outburst. "Like… you're over there looking all down and whatever. What's your deal?"

"Like I said, I was just thinking of doing something this weekend," he replied softly, "Thing is, I dunno if I should. It could end really badly for me."

"Dude, tell me!" Cody abandoned his cigarette in his ashtray, going to sit at the edge of Pete's bed. "I wanna know, I wanna know!"

"Geez, calm down, man!" Pete sat up, giving the other teen a smile. "There used to be a… person that went there. Can't stop thinking about them, ya know? Like… they were really horrible, but for some reason, I've been thinking about them a lot lately, and I thought about paying them a visit."

Cody stared at him for a moment, before his face lit up.

"Awwww, you like someone!" he spoke, putting his hands on Pete's shoulders. "And I thought you were too awkward for a relationship! So, tell me about them!"

"Uh… well, they're not too… stable," he confessed, "A sociopath, actually. I know I shouldn't take a liking to that kind of stuff, but I can't help it. They've been on my mind, and it's hard for me to stop thinking about them."

Cody no longer looked so happy, now more concerned.

"Pete, you know I'm not the smartest person in the world," he started slowly, "but even I know that a sociopath is someone not to mess with. They're not right in the head, and they can be very abusive and manipulative. It's not a good idea..."

"You know, Cody, I think that's the most intelligent thing you've said all year."

"Don't mock me, Peter! But you already know how this can end up. If you're really lucky, then they'll be a good lover to you. If not, well..."

"I know… what do you think I should do?"

"I'd say screw it and go. The worse thing they can do is like… slam the door in your face or somethin'."

"Yeah, alright. Thanks, Cody."

"Always here, man!"

After Pete had put his sketchbook away and Cody decided to take a nap, the headboy left the dorm. He shoved his hands into his pant's pockets, looking around the campus. Trent was shoving Pedro into a trashcan, the kid practically crying. He felt bad, but this wasn't his fight. He wasn't about to get involved and get his lights knocked out.

Pete had walked past multiple students as he made his way towards the football field, seeing the drama students either rehearsing for an upcoming show, or getting into fights with the preps. After the war that broke out on campus, Pete honestly did think things would change. Sadly, he was wrong as no one changed their thinking process. Everything had went back to how it was before all of this had started. The only thing different were the students. He didn't know why people would want to come here after all that happened, but it wasn't his problem.

As he walked, he noticed he hadn't seen Jimmy around in a bit. Sure, he had finished everything, but he didn't think he would completely disappear. Maybe he could find him around town sometime? He was sure he lived somewhere nearby.

"Hey, Pete!" The teen looked up, seeing Ink smiling at him. He just waved back, going to walk over to the bench they sat upon.

"Hey, Ink. What's up?" They gave him a shrug, hands folded in their lap.

"Winter gonna be here soon," they spoke, "You excited for the snow?"

"Sure! It's always fun to play in it," he chuckled, finally taking a seat. "Until someone shoves snow down your jacket… what about you? You excited for it?"

They sat there for a moment, shrugging and looking at the ground.

"I kinda… freeze up in the cold. Literally," they replied. Pete just chuckled more. Of course they would! It's cold!

"Well, I'm guess where you're from it didn't snow," He got a nod.

"California didn't get snow where I was," they told him softly, "It wasn't a good area, though. I'm happy to be out here! Even if it means having to deal with new weather..."

"Well, Bullworth isn't the greatest, but you sure speak highly of it!" he spoke. Ink just nodded, turning their attention to him.

"Pete, we're… friends, right?" they asked suddenly. Pete was a bit surprised at this question. Why ask?

"Uh… yeah! Why?" Ink seemed relieved at his answer, but before they could say anything else, Pete's phone went off. Excusing himself, he looked at it, finding a text message from Cody.

Cody: Hey man! Btw when u get bck theres gonna be hella papers everywhere. Dun worry ill get to it later. XOXO

He frowned as he looked at the time. 5:15. Visiting hours would be ending soon, and Pete didn't want to put this off anymore. Besides, he needed to hurry if the papers were his. Why couldn't Cody pick up after himself or leave things alone?!

"I'm really sorry, Ink," Pete started, getting up from the bench. "but I gotta get going. Can we talk later?"

"Oh, yeah. Sure. Be safe, Pete!" He waved to the teen, going to jog down the steps and towards the field, making a sharp left and heading towards the tunnels that led to the asylum. Jimmy had told him about these a while ago, telling him that's how he got to Mr. Galloway to get him out. Good thing, too, because this was cutting his time in half.

The building of Happy Volts sent shivers up Pete's spine. It was so… ominous. But, he wasn't here to judge. He was here to see Gary? Why though? What was so special about the guy who caused so much trouble?

"Come on, Pete!" he spoke to himself, bringing his hands up to grip his hair. "You're just here to see how he is. Nothing more. You're just seeing if a friend is okay."

"A friend! Is that what Gary is? Do friends kick friends in the balls?!"

"They don't."

"Do friends leave friends behind?"

"They don't."

"Do friends go crazy and leave you in a war zone?"

"No..."

"Then why call him a friend?!"

"Because..."

Pete moved forward, going towards the gate to check in.

"Because even through everything, he was the only one there for me for the most part."