"Even the simplest choices in our lives are flavored by an internal conquest to avoid pain's splendors."

That night, I thought about the things he'd written.

In class, it didn't hit me. I guess I was just too worried about what he'd think of my paper to really try and figure out his. But thinking back, it was more than just deep. It was...depressing. I thought back to what I could remember, lines that stood out. Like that one where he indirectly mentioned hurting himself. Was that just a thought, or was it true? How could he do that? Why? He was so well-off in so many ways.

For one, the Vincents were rich. One look at their house, and you could tell. Second, Eddward was pretty much destined for the best college there was. I had to work hard for my grades, while he would sit outside during Study Hall and...who knows? Think? He didn't even need to study!

Three, pretty much everyone respected him. Sure, a lot of us were just plain afraid of him, but fear commands respect, you know? And all he did to make us fear him was talk.

Yeah, just talk.

I mean, sure, he was imposing. Like I've said, he's the wolf and we're the 'sheep,' like he wrote on my paper. God, the things he wrote on my paper, what was WITH them? I mean, sure, he was spot-on, and it was brilliant as all hell, but he diced me to pieces! I just wanted a damn spell-check, not a judge and jury.

Back to the essay, though...man, what was this kid? How could someone with such a set life, someone so arrogant and frightening, even consider 'pain' as something worth mentioning? You'd think his essay would have been about imposing pain, not receiving it. I really wondered what it could all mean. But, at the same time, I imagine Eddward would lash me verbally for even considering thinking deeply about his essay. I don't know how he'd know, but damn it, he'd know.

I just wanted to see Nazz, talk to her about this, show her my essay. Even if I couldn't tell her about Eddward's paper, since she'd blab with her eyes, whether she meant to or not. I'd rather Eddward hate me equally, and not specifically, out of everyone at school. Hell, maybe I'd luck out and read another of his essays...

Luck out?

I must be tired if I'm thinking that. I'd rather stay as far away from Eddward as physically possible for the rest of high school. I want to finish up, head to a normal college, get a normal job, and never let him see me again.

Since, you know...I don't see him unless he decides to let me.

God, he's frightening. Hopefully I won't have nightmares about him.

"He wrote all this?" Nazz's eyes darted from left to right, and back again, as she surveyed my paper.

"Yeah." Her eyes went up to catch mine, then back down. She furrowed her brow.

"How long did you have to grade these things?"

I cocked my head, "You mean review? Umm," I rubbed my neck, counting internally, "around 10 minutes or so?"

She looked at me with disbelieving eyes, "You mean he wrote all this in 10 minutes? How? His handwriting is...it's so..."

"It's Eddward." We both shared a look.

"Yeah...it's Eddward." She handed the paper back to me, eyes off to the side. She seemed to be thinking for a moment, before speaking again, "So...what did he write about?"

"Nothin' really."

"Yeah, sure, uh-huh, and Eddy's a jackass. Now spit out the truth already, you know you can trust me, right?"

My eyes flicked around, knowing he might be hiding somewhere. There was always somewhere he could hide.

"Nuh-uh, no way, I'm done. End of discussion."

Nazz frowned, cringing her nose up. I suppose I could call it cute, but I thought of her like a sister, so it was more adorable than anything. Her blonde hair waved, cut to her shoulders, with small braids at the front. Intelligent, caring blue eyes tried to peek past my defenses, but I was having none of it. She held that position for about 5 seconds before she cracked, rolling her eyes with a growing smile.

"You really are scared of everything, aren't you?" I looked back, hands in my pockets, sneering as she continued, "Yeah, I never thought of it until now. Dude, you gotta branch out there, be yourself, it's not healthy to hide so much! I used to think it was just you being shy, but now I'm pretty sure you're just a coward."

"I am not a coward," I said contemptuously of the statement, "I'd just rather live my life than die doing something stupid."

"Dude, risks are for taking; you won't get anywhere in life if you just keep up like this."

"Says you."

"Says Eddward, too."

I growled.

"Come on, think all you want of him," my eyes widened at her as she covered her mouth, looking around, before speaking again, quieter, "but he has a point, Kev. You're missing out on a lot. It isn't that scary..." Her eyes darted to the side when she said it, and we both knew who she was referring to.

I sighed, moving next to her, whispering, "Yeah, well...you know what he's like. I disrupt his 'perfect order,' and..."

-click- -click-

From around the corner, the dark wolf strode. At his shoulder was Marie, her clueless grin just as much a disguise as the wolf's strange beanie. I think, for a moment, he regarded me...but his eyes never so much as flicked in my direction. Marie's, however, did. Even after they'd passed, she turned and watched me. It was freaking weird.

But that was that. The first bell rang, and we all headed off to class. I'd talk to Nazz again later today. Hopefully, I wouldn't have to talk to Eddward at all.

Hey all! So big thanks to TheWalkingPokerface for being my reviewer-on-the-side, helping me by letting me throw ideas her way. I've needed someone to volley ideas with for a while, so it's quite useful. Hope you enjoyed!