Chapter inspiration: Hungry Like the Wolf (Duran Duran)

Sebastian Smythe walked into Dalton Academy, his driver towing his luggage behind him. A few students stopped and stared at the new boy, who smirked and snapped his fingers.

"Arthur, my room is number 37. Get the bags there," he ordered. The stocky man nodded quickly and picked up the bags, hurrying off down the corridor. Sebastian's ears perked up at the sound of harmonizing coming from a nearby classroom. He peered through the tinted window to see a group of boys in blazers singing Duran Duran.

"Dark in the city, night is a wire

Steam in the subway, earth is afire,"

A short boy with messy black hair sang as the rest of the boys crooned along.

"Woman, you want me, give me a sign

And catch my breathing even closer behind."

By this time, Sebastian had opened the door and was leaning against the frame, studying the assembly with interest.

"In touch with the ground

I'm on the hunt, I'm after you

Smell like I sound, I'm lost in a crowd

And I'm hungry like the wolf

Straddle the line in discord and rhyme

I'm on the hunt, I'm after you

Mouth is alive with juices like wine

And I'm hungry like the wolf."

The boys chatted amongst themselves after finishing the rehearsal and the lead singer walked over to Sebastian.

"Hi, I'm Nick. Are you new here?" Sebastian nodded and extended a hand.

"Sebastian Smythe," he said. Nick shook his hand and a tall blond boy came over as well.

"This is my boyfriend, Jeff," Nick introduced. Jeff smiled and took Nick's hand.

"I heard Dalton was a gay school. Is this true?" Nick and Jeff looked at each other, and back at Sebastian.

"No, although we are, obviously, and Cameron is, and we're pretty sure Louis over there has a thing for Reese," Jeff elaborated.

"Shut it, Sterling," a small black-haired boy called.

"You know you do," Nick called back. The boy scoffed and turned back to his conversation. "So, are you interested in becoming a Warbler? You can audition right now if you want."

"Sure," Sebastian agreed.

"Hey, guys, this is Sebastian. He's auditioning," Nick announced.

"I'll pick up where you left off.

"Stalked in the forest, too close to hide

I'll be upon you by the moonlight side

Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, dodo, dododo, dodo

High blood drumming on your skin, it's so tight

You feel my heart; I'm just a moment behind

Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, dodo, dododo, dodo

"In touch with the ground

I'm on the hunt, I'm after you

Scent and a sound, I'm lost and I'm found

And I'm hungry like the wolf

Strut on a line, it's discord and rhyme

I howl and I whine; I'm after you

Mouth is alive, all running inside

And I'm hungry like the wolf."

"Welcome to the Warblers, Sebastian," Nick said, applauding. Jeff, Louis, and some of the other guys patted Sebastian on the shoulder.

A few weeks passed and Sebastian was settled into Dalton Academy; he was a straight-A student and active Warbler, but now he was craving power and the one place he could get it: the Warblers and his manipulative ways were starting to show.

"Hey, Nick," he said smoothly, sitting down next to the boy in the empty library.

"Hey, Seb," Nick replied cheerfully. "How's it going?"

"Okay, I guess. I was thinking, maybe, if you don't mind, I could lead sometime," he said slyly. He's calm yet seems to be teetering on the edge, Nick thought.

"Well, sure, man, do you have a song you'd like to lead us in?" Sebastian shook his head and leaned closer to Nick, making the brunet uncomfortable.

"I meant to lead the Warblers in general," he whispered. "Aka you give up your spot as head Warbler."

"Uh, no, thanks. I've been waiting for this since I got here," Nick chuckled.

"I wasn't asking," Sebastian hissed. He placed a hand on Nick's knee and came closer. "Either you give up your spot immediately or this," he pressed his lips to Nick's and took a picture with his phone, "will be sent to Jeff and everyone else in school."

"You-you w-w-wouldn't," Nick stammered, wiping his lips on his sleeve.

"I wouldn't?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow and scanned through his contacts, ready to send Jeff the photo.

"No, Sebastian, please! Please don't!" Nick tried to grab the phone, but Sebastian held it out of his reach. He lowered his head and sighed. "Okay. I resign my post as Head Warbler. Will you take it?" Nick sounded on the verge of tears and Sebastian smirked triumphantly.

"Gladly," he said, gently taking Nick's Warbler pin from his blazer and leaving the library.

"Nicky, what's wrong?" Jeff looked worried when Nick returned to their dorm; his eyes were red from crying. Nick didn't respond; instead, he curled himself up on his bed. "Nicholas Wayne Duval, you can't hide anything from me. Now tell me what's wrong."

"Don't hate me," he sniffled.

"How could I hate you? I love you," Jeff whispered, clutching Nick's hand.

"Sebastian kissed me." The only thing Jeff felt at that moment was anger and had the urge to go punch Sebastian in the face.

"I'm going to go for a walk," Jeff mumbled, leaving the room before Nick could stop him. There was silence for a second before Nick heard what he knew was Jeff pounding on Sebastian's door.

"Smythe, get your smirky meerkat face out here!" he yelled.

"What the hell do you want, Sterling?" Sebastian demanded. The next thing heard was Sebastian howling in pain. "What the fuck was that for?"

"Keep your filthy lips off my Nicky!" Jeff shouted, punching Sebastian in the face again. Nick peered out the door to find Louis and Cameron holding Jeff from jumping on Sebastian.

"You'll regret this, Sterling! I swear to God, you'll regret this!" Sebastian snapped, slamming his door. Jeff came back over to Nick and kissed him.

"I'm the only one who gets to kiss you," he said. "Don't worry about Sebastian. I'll beat the crap out of him again if he tries anything."

"I love you," Nick smiled.

"Love you too." Jeff picked his boyfriend up around the waist and shut the door. Louis and Cameron looked at each other and sighed.