Thanks once again to all who reviewed. Sorry I didn't post this on Friday, I wasn't in my house. I was in a party and then I stayed over a friends on Saturday. Now I'm on Easter Holidays. Two weeks off! Woo-hoo! I'll hopefully get a few chapters done… hopefully.

Thanks once again to my Yami and Elsy for Beta-ing. Cheers!

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The next two weeks passed quickly. Most of the bullying eased off, and some girls even started to approach me for dates. Surprise, surprise… I turned them down. However one small group of males continued their bullying, I didn't let them get to me though. It was all verbal, and if I could last through my life being beaten every day, then I could sure as hell cope with a few meaningless words.

I worked almost every day after school too, waiting on tables, oh and there was the photo job, but lets not get into that one just now. I soon became a favourite with the regulars, my manners were impeccable I was told by one customer, and I often received good tips.

When I wasn't working I was hanging around the town, sometimes with Yuri, and sometimes with Max and Takao. We'd go to the cinema, arcade, and coffee shops, everywhere really. Though there was that one time I annoyed Takao by dragging him into a music shop, I needed some new plectrums, and spent a grand total of two hours there, trying out a Fender Strat… like I could afford one anyway. It would be nice though.

Things were pretty much uneventful for the most part. It was just like normal everyday life, which is never something to talk about, well that isn't interesting anyway. I'd basically made it to top grades in my classes already, and it was only just coming up to my first month of being here. Oh, and it was going to be another week before the music teacher left, and there was still no word of who was going to take over.

For the moment though I was engrossed in my work, both aspects, in school and out. Right now, I was at my restaurant job, wiping down the table of a couple that had just left. I placed the dishes into a blue-ish pan, and then chucked in the cloth after it, which sounded with a slap, and sauntered off into the kitchen.

That's pretty much what I did all night, cleaned down tables, and brought people their meals. Not exactly exciting conversation, yet it paid well, and that's all that really mattered.

I was getting ready to leave, when I saw them grouped around the entrance. The little group from school, my hate club. I was not in the mood to get in a confrontation with them… but knew I really had no choice. If I left through the back door I'd still have to pass them, to get home.

I hung around for as long as I could in the restaurant, just to see if the gang were showing any signs of leaving. But this being a part of my life and all I had no such luck. I fingered the paycheck in my shirt pocket; maybe… just maybe if I ignore them they'll do the same.

I hesitantly made my way towards the doors; there really was no point in delaying the inevitable. I pushed them open and made my way out, the harsh cold hitting my coat-less body. I tried to walk past them as fast as could… but they managed to grab my hair, yanking me roughly towards them.

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty," One of them jeered, grasping my arm and twisting it around my back. I gave no grunt of pain, there was no need. I was accustomed to it. One of the others gaze fell onto the envelope in my pocket, and greedily he yanked it out, glancing at the amount and nodding in satisfaction.

"This will do us nicely, don't you think so guys?" An eruption of agreements came from the group, and the grip on my arm tightened. I still made no noise. He jerked me in the direction of the alleyway beside the restaurant.

"Let's move this from out in the open," More agreements and pulling, as the tugged me into the alleyway then pushed me harshly against the wall. I was pinned there, eyes looking straight into their own, showing no fear. He glared. Then came the first punch.

I didn't feel it at first, just a slight throbbing, not really noticeable at all. I don't think it broke the skin, but I was sure it would leave a bruise of some sort. Not that it bothered me, bruises never really did.

That first punch was all it took to get the others stoked, and they rushed at me. Punches flew at me from all directions, some landed on my arms, chest, legs, face, none fazed me really, but when they landed on somewhere that had previously been hit… that's when it hurt. I think one of them realised this, and began punching in the same spot over and over.

I could feel the skin burning, like the first time I'd been beaten by my father. That wasn't exactly the type of memories I needed surfacing at this moment in time. I think I eventually groaned out in pain, because there was laughter. I was giving them the satisfaction of knowing I was hurt.

It continued like that, for I don't know how long. I think I'd blocked it out the best I could, yet small grunts of pain seeped through. I could try and stop it, but there were so many, so it hurt a lot more than my beatings at home. Suddenly the beatings stopped, I didn't hear anyone signal to stop or someone enter the alleyway.

I found out what was happening when I was pressed harder against the wall, this time by my neck. I was unable to breathe, and I tried as hard as I could to suck in vital oxygen, but it was to no avail.

"I hate people like you," the guy seethed, pushing harder against my throat, "you think you're the best, getting a scholarship. Hah!" Again he pushed and I grunted. "My girlfriend asked you out! And now you'll pay…" My eyes remained unfazed, and I took this all in my stride. If I was going to die of suffocation, then I'd die. Not like there was anything I could do about it. I could feel myself blacking out, slowly, my vision blurring at the edges.

That was when I felt the hand release itself, well more like it jerked away. I slid down the wall. Gasping for the precious air that I'd been deprived of. Honestly, I'd never again take oxygen for granted. I heard a small screech, then the scuttling of feet.

I suppose someone had interfered, and whoever they were I would be eternally grateful. Eternally. I couldn't open my eyes though, I felt weak and sick… and at this moment sleep seemed like the best thing in the world.

"Woah, don't close your eyes!" Came the voice, and to me it was like some sort of God's… if I believed in Gods that is. I felt a soft hand tap itself against my cheek, and I slowly opened my eyes.

Focusing I saw the vision of a hero. It was him… the cute ass guy, the guy from the bakery. What were the chances that he'd come to my rescue? Amazing how the hand of fate plays a card, delivering a saviour straight to me… Oh wait was he talking?

"Are you ok?" He asked, and despite the numerous sarcastic comments that sprung to mind I couldn't find my voice to say them to him, all I could do was nod. What an idiot, I couldn't speak. How pathetic must I have seemed.

He helped me to my feet, and I lent on him for support. I felt my eyes getting heavy again, and my body weaker, I knew I would black out. I swayed a little, and my gaze landed on his rear. My last thought in consciousness was… 'Damn that is one fine ass.' Then, I was unconscious.

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Sorry for the shortness of this chapter, but it really is just a progression. At last Kai has finally said something to Rei… I'm too evil to our black haired bishie though, ne? Maybe I should lay off him for a while…

Nah!

Please review, and then chapter six will magically appear. Hey, can't you just wait for what's gonna happen next? Oh the suspense, tee-hee ^^