Warning: ...Nothing really...

I seem to have this habit of finishing a chapter every three days. Has anybody noticed that?

Anyway, enjoy!


Bruno was rushed along to the infirmary immediately, with the aid of Blake and Geoffrey. The Trolls did not try to struggle or protest as they were led from the classroom by Mr Grey. He ushered them out first, before stopping to turn around and say something to the dwarves.

"I'd suggest you should all find your belongings," he said, as the last troll left. "And clean yourselves up too, before you go to bed. I don't want to face the wrath of the cleaners when they find out they have extra to clean up." He closed the door and headed off, the sound of his footsteps fading away.

"That was a quick bit of impromptu there, Bill," Flynn patted the hobbit on the back. "Well done!"

"Yeah, well done!" Kyle whooped with joy.

"Okay, enough celebrations," Dwalin headed over to the teacher's desk, and pulled out all the drawers. "This is where they hid our stuff."

"All the stuff?" Nathan had a glint in his eye as he strolled over to get a closer look.

"Our stuff, and other people's things as well!" Dwalin nodded.

"Ha-ha," Nathan rubbed his hands together in glee. "This will be good."

"We are not here to steal people's belongings," Dom sighed. "This should be reported to Mr Grey."

"That reminds me," Theo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "How did Mr Grey know that our things were stolen?" His gaze was unreadable as it rested on Bilbo's face.

"Well, what does it matter?" Bailey chuckled. "We're alive and free, while those idiots are getting a well-earned detention!"

The dwarves laughed, and rushed to the desk to grab their belongings. There was much commotion and shoving as they all tried to grab their valuables.

"Sweet!" Kyle exclaimed as he unearthed two iPads, one with his name on it, and the other with a TARDIS leather case on it.

"Oh wow, I wish I had that case." Oliver sighed.

"Remember, you're not here to steal," Flynn reached over, and plucked the iPad out of his brother's grip. "You don't even like Doctor Who that much anyway. Now, let's see who this belongs too…" The blonde opened the lock screen on the iPad and peered at it, trying to glean something from the picture of David Tennant on it.

"Like Dom said before, we should report this to Mr Grey," Oscar examined the contents of the desk, a frown on his face. "How on earth did Bert and his brothers manage to hide all this, especially in one classroom?"

"You know their social status," Oliver said bitterly. "They're a bit like Alan- mess with them and you'll regret it. They probably targeted Year sevens, and then used a series of bribes to keep them in check. You know they've never been caught by the teachers. Plus, no one wants to look like a tattle-tale."

"I see…" Darcy nodded, looking as if he didn't see at all.

"Anyway, let's take all this stuff to Mr Grey," Bailey stacked a few iPads into a small pile, and then lifted it up. "Who wants to come with me? I can't carry these all by myself."

"I will," His brother lifted another pile of iPads, which threatened to topple. "Come on, Bailey."

"We might as well go," Theo was leaning on the doorframe. "Does everyone have their stuff?"

The dwarves nodded.

"Then let's go."

Bilbo rooted through the drawers to see if he'd left anything behind. By then, everyone else had left except for Theo. When he stepped out, he felt a rough hand on his shoulder, and turned to see the black haired boy gazing at him.

"Follow me," He set off at a brisk pace down the hallway towards the lift.

"Where are we going?" Bilbo went into the lift. Theo then pressed the button on the lift, which shuddered and jolted.

"To my dorm," The doors slid open, and they stepped out onto the first year 12 corridor. They walked down together, and stopped in front of a door that had 195 engraved across it. He fumbled with the key as he attempted to unlock the door. "We need to talk, in private."

Theo's dorm was a large room lavished in navy carpet. There was a sense of elegance in the dark, wooden furniture and the pale grey walls, but there was also a sense of homeliness. Posters plastered the walls, of reminders, timetables and movies. A black laptop sat atop his desk, surrounded by carefully organised papers and a plastic cup full of pens and pencils. Like his own dorm, there was also a mini fridge and a bunk bed shoved into the corner of the room. As he checked out the room, he didn't notice Theo angrily round on him.

"You're plotting something," he accused him.

"What?" Bilbo was snapped out his day-dream. "Who? When? How?"

"There's something strange at work here," Theo began pacing. "How on earth would Mr Grey know that our belongings were stolen?"

"Maybe he's guessing?" Bilbo shrugged. He knew perfectly how Mr Grey knew.

"No!" Theo stopped and looked at him square in the eye. "People can't guess that well, it's too abnormal! No, he must know something about this…"

"Well, how? No one told Bert and his gang off-"

"Exactly! Which meant Mr Grey knew something about it then!"

"But Mr Grey only cares about the welfare of this school," Bilbo argued.

"Listen Bilbo," Theo grabbed is shoulders in a reassuring way. "I know you're innocent, and sheltered from all the bad things that have happened in this school, and I respect that! But this is reality-trust no one except us, and you'll be fine."

"There is also another reason why I brought you here as well," Theo let go of Bilbo's shoulder and continued to pace. "To speak in private. Are you…scheming… with those bullies? Your story about reporting to Alan was very believable."

What? Bilbo's heart threatened to burst out of his chest. "No way! That was an act!" he said indignantly. He felt as if Theo sensed his sudden discomfort.

"It could be a possibility," He continued to pace. "One, you're phone wasn't taken from you. Two, the story you 'made up'. Three, they didn't try to harm you when you were being interrogated, even though they were capable of harming Bruno. Four, who on earth has Mr Grey's phone number?"

"His friends, maybe? It's not an international secret."

Theo glared at him in such a familiar way, that Bilbo didn't flinch. "Dan was right- you are one sass mouth. I meant, why would a student have the principal's phone number? It's unheard of!"

"Well-"

"And then there was the matter of that story. It seemed well-rehearsed, as if you were truly doing the things you said."

"So-"

"And then there's also the matter of your phone. Everyone else had their phones stolen; why was yours not?"

"Actually, that's a fair point," Bilbo found himself agreeing with Theo. "There's nothing special about me."

Theo stopped, and gaped at him.

"That reminds me," the hobbit continued. "One of the trolls asked me if you were loyal friends-friends that would back me up. What's the meaning of that?"

The former King under the Mountain sighed, and collapsed in his squishy blue armchair, his face covering his hands. "We…used to be popular once…long ago…when it was just me, Bailey, Darcy, Dom and Oscar. Bailey and I had a place on the student council and everything," He peeked at Bilbo through his fingers. "Remember when we told you about Thomas Green?"

He nodded.

"Well, he was my best friend, once upon a time. Until his father had a falling out with my father. My father was humiliated; he lost his job and everything. It was all kept a secret. I went up to Thomas and told him he wasn't welcome in our friendship group anymore."

"That…was not the best decision," Bilbo remarked.

Theo glowered at him. "My father told me to do it. Plus, hereditary rivalry runs deep in my family. Are you familiar with the term, 'YOMYOMF'?"

"You Offend Me, You Offend My Family," the hobbit nodded. "Indeed."

"Well, that's basically our family mantra. Anyway, since the whole situation was kept hush-hush, no one knew why one of the biggest bromances in the whole school suddenly broke up." Theo stood up and paced again.

"I'm pretty sure Thomas knew of the…problem, but when I told him to go, he did, without protesting. That day, I learnt he also followed the 'YOMYOMF' code."

"He managed to climb his way up the social pyramid, with the help of another friend we had cast out. Each day, he became more popular, and we were pushed down the pyramid further and further. Soon, in a years' time, he had a spot on the student council-my spot -I was cast out in shame, and they voted him to follow me."

"Burn," Bilbo muttered under his breath, unsure if Theo could hear. He looked at him quizzically, before continuing.

"Though he may not look kindly on the trolls and Alan, he would always put them before our friendship group when making decisions." He finished and sighed loudly, as if relieved it was over.

"So, now you know the story," Theo looked at him. "Any questions?"

"Yes," Bilbo said. "How high up is Thomas? In the council, I mean."

The dwarf hesitated for a second, before replying. "He's the school captain."


Comments? Criticism? Both are welcome!

Thomas Green: Thranduil