"I heard a pipsqueak made fun of you yesterday"
Vanitas expected that. Whatever happened at school was soon quickly known by every student from every class. It was just a matter of time before his ex-colleague, Max, talked to him about what happened during their break between classes. They were waiting in line for their school lunch when he approached and started talking.
"Sarah told me. In fact, she told everybody. I was actually wondering when it would happen again" Vanitas barely looked at him, trying to ignore the boy "You never change, do you? Always throwing all of your chances down the trash as usual"
They took a step forward as the line moved. Despite the silence Max saw a well known rage reflected on Vanitas' eyes.
"How long do you plan on staying here? 6 years? Maybe even more? You do enjoy being belittled, don't you, Vani? You like that sick and stupid pride of yours!"
"Are you done?" Asked Vanitas, losing his patience. It was when Max finally saw the cut over his eyebrow, still healing.
"Don't tell me-" Max rolled his eyes "Vani, Vani... I wonder how long it'll take before you snap again. Don't you think about that?"
Vanitas took a deep breath, trying to stay calm "No. But I wouldn't want to be around when that happens if I were you" He replied, picking up his plate and leaving. That would go on for a few more days before it actually happened.
After that day Ienzo and Ventus became very good friends. Ienzo was grateful to Ventus for what he had done and wanted to be able to help him whenever he could too. Although he did not need anything in return Ven was happy about it.
However, when he remembered Vanitas's reaction to his words he felt uncomfortable. Despite the anger Ventus felt towards the boy, he felt that he had hit a wound. The silence that followed only served to reinforce this and he avoided remembering that, but it was difficult to do so sitting next to the raven every day.
Three weeks later there were Sora, Roxas, Ventus and Ienzo together again reviewing their seminar for the last time. Ven was nervous with anticipation, while Roxas kept calm as long as he had something - like slides, for example - to guide him. Sora was so laid back that he didn't need notes or pictures to keep himself on track, although he avoided any technical terms, speaking freely and informally about the subject. Finally, Ienzo was fully prepared to lecture on any of the subjects they asked for and spoke calmly, patiently, and not afraid to reformulate his explanation if needed.
The total of formed groups was seven and the first one (Formed by Riku, Kairi, Namine and Tidus) was already presenting. They would be the next.
Ventus felt so desperate he refused to look around, not taking his eyes off the summary he made for himself. He took a deep breath, trying not to think about anything before the presentation but, when he thought he would actually relax a little, he heard his colleagues clapping. The other group had already finished.
"Very well. The next ones may come to the front now" The teacher said while making his notes "Riku, you still owe me the written content"
Roxas stood up with the report in his hands and Ventus followed him, tense and trying to remember what he was supposed to say in those last seconds before the presentation. While Sora prepared the slides, Ventus approached Ienzo and took another deep breath.
"Relax, Ven. You know the subject, that's what matters!" Said his friend calmly. He nodded and waited.
"You were tasked with the subject 'Cell' " Marluxia said aloud "You may start"
Sora was the first to speak. He introduced their group and proceeded to explain some slides and talk about the outer layer of the cell and its basic transportation functions. Marluxia interrupted him a few times to ask questions, but he answered them without problems. Roxas went on, explaining about the organelles and then it was up to Ven to complement his part.
"So, ahn..." He started, pointing to the image of the organelles he was supposed to talk about "Uh, there are two kinds of endoplasmic reticulum"
Everyone stared to him, some paying attention and others not much, but regardless of how they were he felt his legs wobble slightly "It can be rough or smooth. They have different functions... The rough does... Synthesizes proteins, it is also called ergastoplasm from the Greek, and it sends the proteins to the outside of the cell while the smooth synthesizes fat and transports substances and it is formed by-"
"Ventus" He stopped talking. It was Marluxia "Speak a little slower"
"Y-Yes, sir," said Ven, trying to calm down. Though he was still nervous, the rest of the presentation went smoothly and Ienzo, of course, explained everything clearly. Finally, they finished it and returned to their seats.
"The next group can come to the front!" The teacher said again. Ventus smiled to his friends, relieved. Now he could actually pay attention to the other presentations.
During their break Ienzo gave Ventus some tips to avoid nervousness while speaking like that. It was easier said than done of course, but he accepted the advice. The four of them spent most of their time relaxing, talking about random stuff and their school life. It was only a few minutes before they returned to the classroom when they noticed a commotion on the other side of the schoolyard and looked.
The younger ones were getting away in a rush, scared. From a distance it was possible to see one student lying on the floor and another standing beside him, his fists clenched. For a split second the four of them were confused but they soon recognized who was standing.
Vanitas bent down and lifted Max by the collar, ignoring the bustle around him. "Who do you think you are to say that?!" He shouted before striking another punch against the boy's face and throwing him to the ground again. Max's colleagues came to his aid without thinking twice before defending their friend and two of them faced Vanitas while the others took care of pulling Max away from him. They were still able to swap a few punches before the school monitors finally caught up and separated the boys.
"Enough!" Xaldin exclaimed, holding Vanitas by his arms while his fellow work colleagues pushed the other students away. The three cursed loudly, rebuked in vain by the adults, and the uproar was so much that some teachers came to check what was happening. The vice-principal approached.
"What is going on here?! Xaldin!" Eraqus exclaimed, hoping the man would explain what was happening, but the students themselves did it for him.
"Vanitas, Mr. Eraqus! He hurt Max for no reason at all!" One of the students shouted and pointed at Vanitas who gnashed his teeth, enraged.
"It's okay, principal-" It was Max, leaning on the colleague who had helped him stand up "We all know what he's like"
"You son of a bitch!" Vanitas screamed, trying to free himself but unable to do so. Eraqus took the lead, standing between the students and staring at them. His authority was well respected there and even with the rage burning in their skin they all went silent.
"All of you, I want you to come with me to the principal's office! Should you do anything stupid you will suffer double the consequences!"
The school monitors released the students ready to intervene if necessary, but it was not. Everyone followed Eraqus silently, watched by those in the courtyard.
Max glanced at his friends, who looked at Vanitas. The black-haired teen did not look back, though he knew he was being watched, and walked in silence next to the vice-principal. Behind them, the silence was only broken by the bell warning the end of the break.
The students felt kind of weird after that, more so because everyone wanted to understand what had happened without being able to do it. Ventus did not say anything for the rest of the day, thoughtful. Vanitas had attacked the other boy without thinking twice... If he had done the same to him the other day he certainly wouldn't be feeling well right now.
When classes were over the four friends went together to the exit. They spoke little about what happened during the break, but everyone wanted to know whatever they could about it and they were surprised when they saw the students who were involved in the fight in front of the school, talking to each other. Had they been speaking to the principal all this time?
A few seconds later and they noticed a man they had never seen before coming out of the school. He was bald and appeared to be much older than the principal or vice-principal, walking slowly and with his hands behind his back. What was strange, however, was not him; it was the fact that Vanitas walked behind him, his head low.
Ventus did not remember seeing him that way before. He was staring at the floor, his hands in the pockets of his pants, and he looked annoyed but there was something else... Ven could not tell what it was.
"What a shame..." He and Roxas heard the man say without looking at Vanitas"Will you never stop shaming your father? What do I have to do for you to stop smearing my name?!"
"Mr. Xehanort" Max called out, showing seriousness "Please, do not blame Vanitas for what happened. Certainly he is not having a good day"
"He never is" The man replied nervous and walked on, Vanitas following. Only when Xehanort and his son were away was that Max and his friends started to laugh and mock the black-haired teen. Roxas pulled Ventus closer to him, not liking that attitude and also afraid after everything else.
On that day none of them said anything about what had happened.