Quick update because I felt like writing and now my brain is kinda dead so here you guys go I hope you enjoy okay BYEEEEE!

I watched with a smile as Mary, Shannon, and I sat on the bleachers as we normally would together. Their attentions were on something one was showing the other on their phone, but mine was very much elsewhere.

"Come on, Tobes. You can do it! Just gotta beat what you did before." My smile widened as I watched Jim encourage his best friend the best he could. The shorter boy out of the two of them struggling a bit to climb the rope he hand in hand as Jim just kept trying to push the redhead. "Just a few more inches, Tobes! That's all you need!"

"YOU DON'T THINK I'M TRYING HERE!"

"Oh, I know you're trying, but I also know you can be doing a lot more, dude!" I couldn't help but giggle at their exchange as I noted the joyous smile gracing the dark-haired boy's face.

"There goes Claire." I whipped my head toward Mary as she started snickering at her own unfinished comment. "Off in La La Land again." Shannon started laughing a lot a little as I gave them a half-hearted glare in reply before turning my attention back toward where Jim was. The taller boy was now squatted down to a little under Toby's height as he continued trying his best to motivate the other teen. His hands in his blue sweats as he seemingly kept himself balanced that way with ease. "Good Gods, does your S.M have abs of steel or some shit? How is he doing that?" I blushed at Mary's words and I turned instantly to smack the girl lightly in the shoulder before shushing her.

"Don't say shit like that!"

"What?! It's a valid question! He's a little skinny though so he might be a bit more on the lean side than anything but it makes ya question at the very least." I rolled my eyes at her as Shannon just glanced between the two of us with a smile on her face.

"Is looks everything you care about, Mar?"

"Hey, having a good-looking soulmate is a bonus ya know." Shannon just shook her head at us as she just giggled in reply.

"If Claire wants to stare off at her soulmate like she would when we were freshmen, then I see no problem with it." I shot a glare at Shannon now as Mary just laughed wholeheartedly.

"YES! Shan is on my side! Hell fucking yeah!"

"You're both dead to me."

"Hey, have you noticed by the way that Jim's not wearing his compression sleeve? Is that the arm his marking is on?" I gave Shannon a confused look before glancing toward the boy in question. His right arm that would normally be covered with a wrapping or a black compression sleeve when it came to gym class was now being shown off for the world to see. His Shakespearan skull marking being showcased as if it was a painting on display as he helped his now fallen friend from the floor.

Did he-?

I felt a confused look take over my face as I watched him smile once more.

Did he use to hide it on purpose?

I held out my right hand toward Tobes at I tried my best to give him a soft smile. The scene unfolding being really similar to the one earlier today in gym class.

"Seems like today is just filled with you falling all over the place, huh?" I smirked at Toby as he just gave me a half-hearted glare.

"Yeah yeah yeah, don't make me feel worse for only making it up a few inches you fit fuck." I couldn't help but laugh at his remark as he took my hand with ease and allowed me to pull him back up to his feet. He gave me a confused look though as his eyes glanced down to my arm in question.

"Is something wrong there, Tobes?"

"You're not wearing your sleeve down. Just like you weren't wearing your compression sleeve earlier." Toby brought his gaze up to me as we dropped our hands back to our sides. My hands going into my jeans as I gave him a wide smile in reply. "You always wear your sleeve down, dude. Are you okay? Who are you and what have you done with my Jimbo?" I just chuckled in reply as I brought my right hand out of my sweats pocket so I could reach up and scratch the back of my neck nervously.

"It felt wrong wearing it, I guess? Like I was hiding a side of myself away. Like I was hiding Claire in a way."

"Well, you did hide it away because you were afraid of her knowing," Toby laughed a little as he dusted off his khakis with a smile. "I guess now you have nothing to hide. With her knowing about it and all."

"And the fact that I know my soulmate and Steve can fuck off with his teasing if I show it? Definitely a bonus." I gave him a large lopsided smile as I dropped my hand to my side once more. "Even then," I turned my forearm so that he could see it as I smiled down at the skull-based marking. "I can say it's a pretty cool one in comparison to most. Especially with Claire being the source behind it."

"Could be worse. Could have a legit fucking mole with a crown on its head."

"Oh yeah! Yours! I forgot about that!" I couldn't help but chuckle at Toby as he gave me a halfhearted glare.

"SHUSH! Don't need to get teased any more than I already am about the rope stuff from earlier!"

"Leave me alone!" I turned my head toward the direction of the new voice as both Toby and I tilted our heads at the noise.

"Aw, come on, buttsnack. Tell me the story one more time." I watched as Steve pushed a kid I knew by the name of Eli into the lockers behind him. "Come on, fucking tell it!" Steve gave himself a proud smirk as the kid whimpered in reply. "Come on, Buttsnack. This time for the whole world to hear you." He looked hella proud of himself as he called the poor kid by his favorite term for kids like us in this school once more.

He's how old and buttsnacks is the best he can come up with? Better yet, he's fucking proud of it? I know the stereotypes with jocks is the fact that they're not the brightest of the bulbs, but damn he only proves that they're like that for a reason.

"He just loves to make a mess for those like us, doesn't he? Why can't he just leave us alone?" My mouth felt run dry as I watched the scene unfold.

I've watched things like this happen every day for the past few years. Steve making fun of anyone who either hasn't found their soulmate or by harassing others on their pairing. One of the big reasons actually why I hid my marking for so long.

I looked down to my marking for a second before bringing my attention back up toward where the scene was taking place.

I no longer desired for that, but it was one of the reasonings as to why. Can't make fun of someone's marking when they don't show it, after all.

I felt my hands curl into fists as I saw Eli hit the lockers once more before falling to the ground.

But all because I could get away from it for so long, doesn't mean I should allow it with others, right?

I grabbed my school bag strap from across my chest and lifted it up and over my head before dropping my bag to my right side.

And now I have the chance to stop it myself. So why not?

"Hey, Steve!"

"The hell are you doing?" I ignored Toby as I made my way over toward where Steve was standing.

"Leave him alone!" I made my way across to them as Steve just turned his attention toward me with a twisted smile.

"Well ain't it little Lamey Lake? Got a backbone finally, huh?" I stopped a few feet away from him as I tried my best to stay calm.

"Leave him alone, Steve." Steve just crossed his arms over his chest as he took a step closure to me.

"Or else what, huh? What are you going to do about it? Gonna cry to your soulmate? Oh wait, you don't got a mark, huh?" I instinctively rolled my sleeves up past where they were sitting at my elbows so that they were now sitting right under my bicep instead.

"Actually, I do." I showcased to him my right forearm for a second before dropping it down to my side. "But all because your's is stuck with a jerk for their other half doesn't mean the rest of us to have to deal with it."

"The fuck did you just say buttsnack?"

"I said," I swallowed hard as I kept my hands to my sides as I tried to hold my ground against the slightly taller boy. "All because your soulmate as to deal with your bullshit doesn't mean everyone else has to." I started to growl a little as I saw Eli out of the corner of my eye try his best to pick himself up from the ground. "All because you're gonna be stuck in a muffler shop wishing you did better with your life doesn't mean you have the right to go around fucking with other people and their matches to make yourself feel better." I gave him a snarl as I gestured to the boy behind him. "You don't know the troubles he's got? What happens if they're similar to yours huh? What would your S.M say if they saw you doing exactly what you're doing right now?"

"And why should I listen to you? Where's your room to talk? You hide yours." Steve gave me a smirk as he tried to reach out for my right arm. "Let's see what kind of poor sap is stuck with your ass."

"Fuck off." I snatched my arm back and out of his grasp as I gave him a snarl. "What I do with my marking is my business. Hiding it from the likes of your ass who doesn't even seem content with having one. You make fun of those who don't have one or have some that make no sense to you, but you refuse to be happy with your own. It's as if you pity those that don't have to deal with it, huh?"

"THAT'S IT!" Steve reached out to grab me once more as I just jumped back a little. "Give me your arm, Lake!"

"Fuck off!" I hissed out the words as he lunged forward at me. Luckily, I was able to step aside fast enough to dodge him but the football player was notorious for his speed.

"Watch your fucking tongue, Lake!" I dodged a fist that he was flinging in my direction as I growled out my response.

"Bite me, Palchuk!"

"FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" The chants came from those around us, but it didn't bother my concentration. I continued to dodge the taller boy's attacks, luckily, but I was starting to get tired of it all. My speed slowed tremendously as I tried my best to keep my breath steady which allowed for Steve to grab me by the collar and wind his fist back.

"Good thing your mom's a nurse, Lake. She's gonna have to fix you up after I'm done!" I tried my best to squirm out of the taller boy's grasp, but it was no use. I tried to reach out and push him back but he somehow kept his grip on my shirt solid.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I really had to go on and run my mouth, huh?

I closed my eyes shut as I waited for the punch to come.

Good thing my mom's a doctor, huh?

"Leave him alone, Palchuk!" My eyes shot open wide as both Steve and I whipped our heads toward the voice to see Claire standing there with her arms crossed over her chest. "Either let him go, or I swear to God I'll make you myself."

"Stay out of this, Nuñez." Steve glared at her before bringing his heated gaze back toward me. "This has nothing to do with you."

"Yes it does, actually." I watched as she came closer to us with a sterned look in her eye. "Now let him go. Or you're going to have to explain to all your friends on the football team why Claire Nuñez kicked your ass sideways." Her normally gentle features were filled with rage as she rolled up her blazer's sleeves.

If there was one thing to note from this situation,

I looked at Claire with wide eyes as I felt remarkably proud of the slightly shorter girl next to us.

You don't fuck with Claire Nuñez and you most definitely don't fuck with her soulmate.

"I can handle this, Claire." She turned her attention toward me as her angered features softened almost immediately as her voice came out a bit softer than what it was when she was speaking to Steve specifically.

"I'm your S.M, remember?" She whispered the words out toward me as her gaze kept itself on the now wide-eyed Steve. "I'm not gonna let you deal with shit like this alone."

"No fucking way." Steve would have dropped me to the floor if he was holding me any higher up, but I landed on my feet just fine as the boy just stared at Claire as if she had said something forbidden. "No. Fucking. Way."

"Are you okay?" I gave Claire a sheepish smile as I brought my right hand up to scratch the back of my neck.

"I'm fine, Claire." I gave her a soft smile as she reached out to cup both sides of my face.

"You didn't look fine."

"You've gotta be shitting me!" We both snapped our attention back toward the blonde who was now laughing like a mad man to himself at this point. "Jim Lame is your soulmate? Of all people?" Steve just started laughing hysterically at this point as I turned my attention toward Claire to see her reaction. She was now glaring at the boy with the fire of a thousand suns as I instinctively reached up and placed my hands on hers that were still sitting on my cheeks.

"Claire." She turned her head toward me and instantly her features softened once more. "He's not worth it, alright?" She seemed to let out a breath she was holding as I rubbed the back of her hands with my thumbs.

"Yeah. You're right."

"You had to get saved from your fucking soulmate. Claire has to do your fighting for you." I watched Claire whip her attention back toward Steve as she muttered a reaction under her breath.

"God his face is punchable as hell at the moment." I just chuckled at her as I turned my attention toward Steve myself. My hands pulling Claire's down from my face as I gave him a soft smile.

"Hey, I'm proud of having someone like Claire. I would much rather have someone willing to help me in situations like this than anything else." I could feel Claire's eyes on me once more but I was much too afraid to see her response to my words just yet. "Behind every strong woman is a good S.M," I turned my head toward her as I gave her a bashful smile as I saw her gifting me with the softest look I had ever seen grace the punk's face. "Right?" She just gave me a smile as her fingers intertwined with mine.

"Now what in all that is holy is going on over here?" Claire and I both jumped as Coach Lawerance's voice could be heard in the distance.

"Nothing, sir." Claire jumped at the opportunity as she slipped her hands out of mine and gave all of her attention toward the PE teacher as she instantly went into action. "Just a little bit of discord is all. I believe we got it all under control now though." Coach Lawerance looked skeptical at first as he scanned the scene between all of us, but he seemed to take Claire's words as the truth as his gaze landed on Steve.

"If everything is all fine and dandy then, you should be getting your butt to practice. Now come on, the team is waiting." I was too busy giving Claire a proud smile as Steve followed Coach without a second thought. The crowd slowly dispursing as Claire turned her attention back toward me.

"I swear if he pulls that shit on you again, I will sock a motherfucker." I couldn't help but chuckle at her reply as she slipped her hands into her blazer pockets.

"Hey, we don't need you getting in trouble now, do we?" I smiled at her as I reached out to take her hands in mine once more. "Thank you though. Means a lot that you jumped in to help." She just gave me a soft smile as she made our fingers intertwine.

"I don't have a problem with it. You're my S.M. I'm meant to help you."

"Doesn't mean you have to." I laughed a little as her smile just widened in reply. "You don't owe me anything. All because I'm your soulmate doesn't mean I deserve anything from you."

"And that is why I don't mind it." I gave her a confused look as she continued. "You saying stuff like that makes you something this world doesn't deserve, Lake." I blushed a little at her words as a new voice joined beside us.

"Sorry to break up the sweet scene," I turned my head toward Toby's voice to see that he was carrying my school bag for me. "But you kinda dropped this, dude." I dropped my hands from Claire's as I took my bag from him with a smile.

"Thanks, man."

"Anytime, dude." Toby gave me a proud smile before turning his attention toward the punk before me. "Nice to actually speak to you, by the way. The name's Toby. Guess we'll be seeing each other a lot more since we share a favorite idiot." I shot Toby a half-hearted glare as Claire just laughed a little in reply.

"Nice to meet, Toby. Nice to see my idiot's got a friend watching out for him." I looked over toward Claire as gave her a fake broken-hearted look.

"Not you too." Claire just laughed wholeheartedly at my reply as I noted how beautiful it was.

What did I do in my past life to deserve someone like this? Someone that is willing to put everything on the line just to make sure I'm okay. Someone that can both laugh like an angel and spread fear like a demon.

I felt a lopsided smile take over my face as Claire started talking with Toby with relative ease. The both of them starting to hit it off with ease over both seemingly bonding over me being their favorite idiot.

Someone that is quickly becoming my whole world.

I felt her left hand take my right with ease as the three of us started making our way out of the school together.

And it's starting to feel like that it has more than just destiny at play.