Yay! New chapter! Sorry this one took a while I've been very busy. I own nothing, reviews and suggestions are always welcome and please enjoy!

School Days

Juno used the back of her hand to wipe the small line of blood from the corner of her lips, her other fist was raised defensively in front of her. Juno looked at her hand and despite the taste of blood in her mouth she could tell her injury wasn't as bad as the one she delivered on her opponent. Her blue eyes looked, from under her long dark lashes, at the mean spirited young woman staring back.

Echo's silver almost white eyes narrowed in contempt for Juno. Her blunt black bangs and long hair framed her narrow face and made her harshness radiate from her. Echo's perfectly lined lips streamed their own trail of blood. Echo's hands felt her face for the swollen skin under her eye resulted in a hard right hook from Juno. She spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor and wiped her mouth glaring at Juno who had not backed down. Echo straightened up and righted her uniform.

Juno didn't feel as brave as she looked but managed to fill her voice with all the confidence she could fake.

"Stay away from me."

"Stay away from me," Echo said in a cruel imitation of Juno. Echo laughed encouraging the crowd to join in. Flipping her long, sleek hair Echo turned and walked away. One by one those gathered to watch the fight followed her. None gave Juno a parting look. Finally the last on looker left leaving Juno alone.

Her first year in the Academy had not been easy for Juno socially. She excelled in her studies surpassing just about every other student and this did not do anything to help her gain many friendships. Being so young painted a target on her back that only grew brighter over the passing year.

Juno's fingers trembled as she fingered the bottom of her newly shortened hair. Juno brushed off the stray long blonde hairs on her uniform. The floor was littered with her hair. The sun set her hair ablaze and the stone floor shone like gold. She bent down to pick up her cap that had flown off her head during the fight.

"What happened here?"

Juno popped up to see a strong faced young man with lush green eyes and cropped black hair. He crossed his arms and his look was disapproving. Juno dropped her cap in surprise.

"Grey…"

Juno's heart swelled with gratitude. Her closest friend's presence was a lifeline to her now. Being two years older than her Grey was able to sometimes erase the target on her back but his effect was only temporary.

Grey's gloved fingers reached out to touch her unevenly cut blonde hair. Juno turned and bent over to pick up her cap while blinking back her hot tears. She didn't want Grey, or any other person for that matter, to see her so emotionally compromised. Grey put his hand carefully on her back. It was cold to the touch causing Juno to shiver. Grey held out his hand to her.

"Come on, Juno. Let's go." Juno's long slender fingers reached out for his hand, she shivered again upon the touch and pulled away. His touch just didn't feel right. Juno shoved her hands into her pockets and refused to make eye contact so she spoke to the floor instead of Grey.

"Where are we going?"

Grey rolled his eyes, "We're getting food, Juno, duh. I mean you just won your first real fight you must be hungry." Juno's lips couldn't help themselves as they curled upwards. Grey motioned with his head indicating Juno should follow him. She trailed behind him with a little bounce in her step.

Juno merely pushed her food around on her plate. She was in no mood to eat. Her loss of appetite did nothing to deter Grey from devouring everything on his plate and hers.

"You know," he said, between mouthfuls of food, "You still shouldn't have punched Echo, no matter what she did."

Juno lips tightened as she spoke back, "She shouldn't have cut my hair." Juno's fist closed tight around her cup creating a crack along the side spilling its liquid all over her plate and it splashed a bit on Grey's.

"Hey! Watch it!" Grey yelled as he lifted his plate trying to protect his meal, "You know Juno, I don't think you should make such a big deal about this. I don't know if you've noticed this Juno, but you're the third best looking girl in this whole Academy," he pointed his utensil at her, "And with your short hair I'd say you just climbed your way to second place and Echo, that self-righteous tart was just jealous. She's as attractive as a Wookie." Juno's cheeks flushed a dark shade of pink. Grey was known for saying just the right things to the females that inhabited the Academy. Juno rolled her eyes at Grey.

He laughed, "I'm serious Juno! You may only be what, sixteen? And you've already managed to attract just about every male eye in the Academy. What I don't understand is why you don't use that to your advantage." Juno pressed her lips together. Grey stopped laughing and stared hard at Juno. There was something in them she didn't like. They were icy like his hands. His tone was serious.

"Juno, you could have anything you wanted. Anything. You just need to try. You're too scared of hurting people but you want to know a secret?" He leaned forward towards her. His voice was so low Juno propped herself on her own elbows and leaned in. His lips were at her ears.

"Everyone uses each other, Eclipse. Everyone." Juno shook her head when she spoke her voice was soft,

"Grey, you don't really believe that do you? I mean you would never use anyone would you? " He didn't answer, instead he shrugged his shoulders and began eating the soggy meal off Juno's plate.

The evening passed slowly. Juno's mind kept replaying Grey's words again and again. Did everyone end up using each other to gain something they wanted? In an effort to soothe her racing mind Juno sought the Academy archives. She often found peace and solitude while searching the databases. Her mind didn't need to think as her feet carried her to her destination. They stopped unexpectedly.

Juno froze, her eyes growing to the size of saucers. She tried to make herself less known and sneak away quietly before being discovered by the passionate couple in front of her. She ended up tripping instead, the noise breaking apart the two.

Echo's eyes narrowed again and her lips parted to speak but the man, who had previously been shoving his tongue down her throat spoke first. His words were hard.

"What are you doing here, Eclipse?"

"I um, I just…" Juno's hand flung to the back of her head scratching an itch that didn't exist, "I'm sorry, Grey. I didn't think anyone would be here I didn't-"

"Oh course you didn't! You don't think at all do you?" Echo's words were laced in cruelties yet still held her sickly sweetness. It was a terrible mix. Juno was lost for words so she spun around and began a quick pace that turned into sprint.

Grey caught up to her in no time. He tried to explain but his words fell flat. He grabbed her by the arms holding on tightly ensuring she couldn't get away. Juno still struggled against him; she didn't like being forcibly touched like this.

"Juno, please listen to me!" But Grey's words were lost on her.

"I thought you said she was as attractive as a Wookie?" Juno said and there was no trace of friendliness. Grey opened his mouth to speak but Juno cut him off, "If that's the case then what was that about, huh? I thought we were friends? How could you do that with her after what she did to me today?"

"It's not what you think, Juno! Echo, she had something that I-"

"Shut up, Grey! Stop pretending, stop lying to me"

Grey realized Juno would never give him the opening to speak. He leaned in, his lips crushing against hers. Juno fought back. His body was pressed hard against her own. Juno struggled finally pushing him away from her. Then Juno slapped him with all the force she could muster.

They just stared at each other, silencing filling the space between them until Grey finally broke it.

"Juno, I told you everyone eventually uses everyone," he said while he rubbed his reddening cheek.

"Apparently," Juno raised her hand to strike him again but lowered it.

He was right.