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Chapter 5

The weekend was relatively boring for Penguin. He did all his homework for the next week, played some video games with Shachi, and watched some Netflix. Nothing special, like most of his weekends. But he was glad he had done all his homework, as he was now well prepared for school. After the first two hours of English, however, Ms. Tashigi appeared to be sick, so he had a free period instead of math.

He was a little disappointed because he had done all his homework for once, and then the teacher wasn't there to see it, but then he realized Shachi had a scheduled free period, so he wouldn't have to be alone this hour. He made his way towards the canteen, and found his friend already sitting there, just as he'd hoped. Dropping his bag on the table, and startling Shachi with that, Penguin flopped down on one of the chairs. "Tashigi is sick," he explained.

Shachi, wearing his own typical head and the shades he always wore when he wasn't in class, leaned back into his chair. "Why does that sound like you're unhappy with it?"

Penguin shrugged. "I just made all my homework for once." And somehow, he felt like he missed the excitement from last week's math class. Sure, it hadn't been fun, being called to the principal's office, but Penguin had to admit he didn't dislike the attention he'd been getting from Killer, even if it had only lead to fighting.

Shachi snorted. "Nerd. You're just trying to impress Tashigi because you got into a fight in her class, last week."

Penguin chuckled. "Maybe." He scanned the canteen, to see who else were around. The area was quite empty, however, since most people had classes at this hour, and some people chose to hang out outside. There were only two other tables occupied, and there were a few people in the alternative's corner. Penguin caught himself looking for Killer, but didn't see him. Only a few people from the year above them, and a pink haired girl Penguin knew was from their year, but her name had escaped him, since he didn't have any classes with her.

"Peng?" Shachi waved a hand in front of his face.

"Sorry, what?" Penguin said, as he realized his friend must have said something.

Shachi crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Nothing, never mind. I just said you should come back to our old math class. It's boring without you."

Penguin chuckled. "Or you just get better at math and join my new math class." He stuck out his tongue teasingly. There were two levels of math classes, but Penguin knew very well Shachi was not good enough to join the advanced class.

At that moment, Penguin spotted a head full of blond hair, just walking into the canteen. Killer was accompanied by his friend Heat, and they immediately went towards the alternative's corner. The pink girl stood up and walked towards them. She took Killer's hand in hers, and kissed him on his mouth.

Penguin felt like someone had thrown a bucket of ice water over him. What was he watching? He really disliked what he was seeing, but still couldn't tear his gaze away. It took a moment before he found his voice back. "Are they a thing?" Penguin heard how the words came out of his mouth, sounding like he was talking about something incredibly gross.

Shachi turned around to look in the same direction as his friend. "Bonney and Killer? Huh, it seems like it, if they way they're eating each other's face is anything to go by."

Penguin tore his gaze away from them. "Didn't see that coming." He also hadn't expected it to give him such a bad feeling. It was only then that Penguin realized he had started to like Killer.

"Yeah," Shachi agreed. "I'd always thought Bonney was gay."

Penguin raised his eyebrows. "Why?" If Bonney really was gay, this whole relationship thing might be fake, and Killer would be single again soon, probably. Especially if Shachi had proof for his claims.

"I don't know." Shachi shrugged. "Just the way she acts, I guess. Did you see her eat? I mean, probably, she eats like all the time, but it's like a pig. Besides, she sits like a man too."

Penguin frowned. "Yeah, well, not everyone fits your stereotypes." He had expected more from Shachi than to assume things based on stereotypes.

"I'm sorry, didn't know you'd get angry."

"I'm not angry," Penguin answered. "Just disappointed."

"Well, stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason… Can't blame me for thinking it," Shachi said.

Penguin shrugged and looked back at the couple in the corner. A shiver went down his spine. "It looks really awkward."

"Then don't look at them," Shachi suggested. "Are you jealous or something?"

"No," Penguin said before he realized that he probably was. Oh well, time to get over it then.

He didn't get over it. It was terrible. The more he saw Killer and Bonney together, the more he thought about them, the more he hated it. By the end of the week, Penguin couldn't deny it any longer; he had a crush on Killer.

Biology came, and Penguin was debating whether or not to sit next to Killer, as the spot was still free. He kind of wanted to, but at the same time he wasn't sure if he should give himself any hope. Killer was obviously in a relationship, so Penguin didn't stand a chance. Still, it was nice to fantasize about what could happen if… High school relationships sometimes lasted only a week, so maybe they would break up.

Penguin had been standing near the entrance of the classroom for so long, thinking about what to do, that someone else had taken the place next to Killer. Well, that solved one problem. Penguin decided to take the seat in front of Killer, as that one was still free, and he wouldn't have the opportunity to get distracted by the sight of long blond hair.

The start of the class went well, Penguin was able to focus on the teacher's story, and even made a lot of notes. But after fifty minutes the teacher announced a short break, and Penguin grew restless again. It didn't take long before he turned halfway around, just far enough to see what Killer was doing. For a moment their eyes met, before Killer turned away to look at his phone.

Seeing as Killer didn't seem to be doing anything important, and Penguin was desperate for some form of attention from him. Besides, he had to get something off his chest. "So…" he started, "you and Bonney? Are you really a thing?"

"Yeah," Killer answered without looking up from his phone. "Got a problem with that?"

Penguin shrugged. "It looks fake."

Killer froze. "It isn't!" he said, annoyed.

"Are you sure?" Penguin couldn't help himself. If a comment like that already got on his nerves…

Killer put his phone down on the table a little more aggressively than necessary. "Of course I'm sure!" he said, loud enough for the whole classroom to hear it. "What's your problem? Can't get a girlfriend yourself?"

Penguin frowned. "Of course I can! If I wanted to!"

Killer snorted. "Yeah sure. Why wouldn't you want a girlfriend? You just can't get anyone."

"You know what?" Penguin said angrily. "You're an ass!" And somehow, he was glad he was reminded of that again. Still, it kind of hurt that Killer thought he couldn't get anyone, as that probably meant he found Penguin unattractive. Well, two could play that game. "And Bonney must be blind to want to date you!"

Well, that was clear, Killer thought. Penguin thought he was an ass, and an ugly ass at that. While he hated to hear that, he was also glad. Killer had a girlfriend and the only other thread to his heterosexuality at the moment hated him. That was good. Still, he felt hurt and angry. And the fact that everyone was watching, didn't help either. He couldn't just brush these comments off anymore.

Killer reached over his table, aiming to grab Penguin's throat. But Penguin moved away in time, and instead Killer got a hold of his cap. The moment it left his head, Penguin really seemed to get pissed.

"Give it back!" he yelled, as he tried to grab the cap from Killer's hand.

Killer's reflexes were just fast enough to dodge him, but he was slightly distracted by the short, dark brown locks on Penguin's head. It was something he rarely saw, but still, he didn't think it was the first time. At least he wasn't surprised by how his hair looked.

Penguin made another attempt at getting his cap back, but since Killer was taller and kept the headwear far above his head, Penguin couldn't reach it. He looked silly trying, but at the same time it was kind of cute. Until Penguin gave him a firm push against his chest. Well, Killer still thought it was cute, but banished that thought from his head, and got angry again. If not at Penguin, it was at himself for letting such thoughts get to him.

"You wanna fight?" Killer snarled. "Really? Again?!"

"Just give my cap back, you fucking–" Penguin pushed him into someone else's desk, which actually hurt a little. The force had moved him and the desk backwards.

Killer pushed him back. "Don't touch me!"

That only fired Penguin up more, and he came at Killer with bared teeth.

"Enough!" the voice of their teacher interrupted them. The man had left the room to get some coffee, but was now standing in the door opening. "Both of you, to the principal's office!"

Killer groaned, not looking forward to sitting across Ms. Shakky again at all. "I'm sorry," he quickly said, and placed Penguin's cap back on its owner's head. "It won't happen again." He pulled the desk behind him straight again and sat down on his chair, hoping the teacher would let them continue class.

"Now, Killer." The teacher was standing next to him now, looking sternly at him.

Penguin had already begun to pack his things and was headed for the door. Killer sighed, and followed his example. The teacher dropped them off at Shakky's office to make sure they wouldn't go wandering off into another direction, and to explain that he caught them fighting.

Shakky looked at them over her glasses and sighed. "You two again?" She nodded to the biology teacher to signal she'd take it from there. "Sit down," she said to Penguin and Killer.

They did what she asked, but reluctantly. Killer really didn't feel like another talk from the principal. It hadn't helped last time, and he didn't see why it would help this time. Penguin just shouldn't provoke him like that.

"Alright, before we start, since this is the second time in, what, two weeks? I'll have to get your parents here to talk this out as well," Shakky informed them. "Do you think they'd be available right now, or do we have to wait until later, when they're home from their jobs?"

Neither of them answered for a while, both not looking forward to get the parent's involved at all.

"Either your mother or father will do, if both is not possible," Shakky tried to get them talking.

"My mom's dead," Penguin answered.

Shakky nodded slowly. "I'm sorry, I wasn't aware of that."

Killer hadn't known that either. Which meant it was probably not something that happened recently, or he would have heard something about it. And Shakky would probably know about it as well. But it did explain why Penguin had reacted so viciously when Killer had called his mother a killer whale. Killer sighed. "I have no contact with my mother anymore, but I'm sure my father would stop whatever he's doing to talk about how I fucked up." He looked from Shakky to Penguin and back. "Not that it was my fault."

"Language, please, mister Eustass," Shakky warned him, but he could hear her heart wasn't in it.

Then she turned to Penguin. "Mister Trafalgar, what about your father?"

Penguin shrugged. "He's probably not available for like, ever. He's a busy man," he tried. But neither Killer nor Shakky believed that.

"I'm sure he can make some time for this." Shakky picked up the phone that was on her desk. "Is he at work right now?"

Penguin shrugged again. "Dunno, he works irregular shifts at the hospital, so I'm not sure."

"Right, let's try him first, then." Shakky typed something in on her computer and then called Penguin's father.

While she called, Killer peaked at Penguin from under his hair. His cap was firmly placed on his head again, effectively hiding most of his hair. But Killer liked that he had seen his hair, it kinda felt like a privilege, even though it hadn't been with Penguin's consent. Killer imagined a situation in which Penguin would take off his cap for him voluntarily. Somehow, he could only imagine that happening inside a bedroom. Where he'd probably take more off than only his cap. Killer felt his cheek heat up and quickly looked the other way. Fuck Penguin! He hated him. He hated him for fucking with his brain like this.

After not too long Shakky cleared her throat. Killer hadn't even noticed she'd put down the phone, too absorbed by his own thoughts.

"So," Shakky started, "both your fathers have agreed to come here as soon as possible. Hopefully, we'll sort this out quickly when they get here."

TBC~

So, next time: Kid and Law in one room ;)

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