Randall Boggs was the kind of guy who blended into the background where ever he went. He was soft spoken and passive, years of bullying had made him that way. The salamander wasn't sure what about him it was that made people stuff him into lockers and push him on the playground. Maybe it was because he was socially gauche, tried not to talk too loud for saying the wrong thing, and when he needed confidence a familiar pessimism crept up on him. It could have been all those things, but he suspected the main reason was he wouldn't fight back (he'd rather run or go invisible) and the simple fact he was an easy target. Most monsters were bigger than he and could easily overpower him. Randall simply wasn't made for fighting, all of his natural defenses were aimed at escape from a situation or avoiding a situation altogether.

His new best friend, on the other hand, was genetically built so than brute strength was his main asset. Undeniably, intellectuality was not going to be what landed the purple stopped monster a job. He'd be hired for his looks, last name, and scaring ability. Randall had no family money, a worthless name, and was different from Sullivan in most every way imaginable. He was the kind of monster that—in prime evil times—latched onto another, bigger monster for protection. Not unlike the human animal, the cleaner fish.

Over the course of two days of a hopefully long friendship, Randall could honestly say he'd never been happier. He was left alone, but when he did receive attention it was positive. The same could not be said for James. While still popular, he was painfully aware of the snide remarks, sniggers and whispers from behind his back. But he persevered for his new 'best buddies' sake. When he offered to be friends he hadn't expected Randall to accept with such enthusiasm. The little monster had seriously taken everything he'd said to heart. When he woke up and completed his morning rituals, Randall was waiting outside the door to walk with him to class. He ate lunch at the cafeteria with him, tagged along when he played football with some of the guys (Randall never participated, just sat in the shade and cheered him on). Sullivan could grin and bear through all of this, but it was Randall's clinginess that unnerved him most. The smaller scare student gravitated to him and always had a reason to touch him innocently.

He'd step slightly to close and brushed against him when they walked to class, high fived him for little things, and grip his fur with only the excuse of balance loss. He was starting to think the creepy little dude had a crush on him. The thought made him blush beneath his fur. Sully pushed the idea far from his mind and racked it all up to social awkwardness and over friendliness.

. . .

Randall woke up that morning feeling incredibly good. He took a deep breath and threw the covers off, smoothly rolling out of bed. He quickly slithered over to the dresser and grabbed a tube a toothpaste and his purple toothbrush. Humming as he made his way to the bathroom Randall was feeling exceptionally confident. Today was the day; today he'd make Sully like him for sure! He was no fool, he knew that the blue mountain of fur hung out with him because he felt guilty, but today that was going to change. He was going to make friend with Sully for real, and perhaps true friendship would lead to more. But how? What did he and Sully have in common? Well, scaring, obviously. Maybe he would appreciate it if Randall helped him train or work out? Hadn't he said he didn't work out?

The restrooms were empty when he arrived, so he was free to hum and brush his teeth in peace. He pushed his glassed up and spit, tensing when the door opened and slammed shut loudly. He kept his gaze down and capped his toothpaste, turning silently toward the door. The blocked door. A large monster stood in front of the doorway, arms folded over his chest.

Johnny Worthington. The purple haired monster smirked at him and uncrossed his arms. The salamander straightened and smiled.

"Hi, Johnny!" he said, smile curling at his lips. Johnny just smiled wider and stepped toward him.

"Hello, Randall. I saw you've taken a liking to our newest member." He said conversationally.

"Yeah, he's a nice guy I guess." Sully had told him specifically, no gushing.

"That he is, that he is, but listen, I need you to back off some. Sully needs some space, you're taking up all his time." Randall's fronds drooped.

"I didn't know…"

"It's fine, just back off a little," Johnny said sweetly.

"He didn't say anything, are you sure? I'll talk to him."

"No! I mean, you don't want to put him on the spot, what I'm saying is—" he shoved Randall back into the sink. The scaly monster arched in silent pain and blinked is confused, fear filled eyes at the ROR leader. "—Is your nerdy little self needs to leave Sullivan alone of he's out of Roar Omega Roar."

"B-but he's my friend!" he tried to sound angry and defensive, but it came out as a pathetic whimper. "I'm not hurting anything." He said, firmer this time. Johnny smiled and pushed him into the sink with more force. Randall cried out in pain, feeling his spine arch unnaturally. "Please, let me go!"
"You're making him look like a pansy, and by association, us! Stop hanging around him or he's out of the fraternity." Randall couldn't stop the tears from flowing and he turned invisible to hide them. The claws gripping his shoulders suddenly reattached and he was released. "We'll be in touch," he said thoughtfully, and then he was gone.

Randall whimpered and slid to the floor, balling his eyes out.

After he got himself together he washed his face and hurried to class, running in just before the bell. A few eyes turned to him and he avoided their gaze, taking the first empty seat because Sully hadn't saved one for him. Randall sighed, out of it the whole class. When class was over he remained in his seat, staring at the floor with a vacant expression, Johnny's words repeating in his head. They were true, weren't they? Sully really didn't like him and was just being charitable. He knew that to be the case, but he'd thought he could sway the other student. Now the feat seemed not only impossible, but ridiculous. People like Sully didn't hang out with people like him. They just didn't. The only reason Sullivan tolerated him was because he pitied him. Well, he'd show him! His mother hadn't raised no helpless boy. He would start standing up for himself; he'd show ROR that he deserved to be Sully's friend. He'd be so popular they wanted him to join their fraternity.

Randall would show them all that he was no loser. He'd make them see!

He shot of the chair with vigor and grinned, sauntering out of the room. He was tempted to try winking at the group of girls as he passed, but he settled for a nice, confident smile and a pleasant hello. To his surprise they smiled back, waving and wishing him a good day. With his ego boosted he cruised along the side walk, jumping to snatch the stray Frisbee from the air and toss it to the players. The red disc sailed toward them and a shaggy haired boy jumped to gab it.

"Thanks man!"

Randall smiled and walked with a skip in his step. Someone pulled up next to him.

"I saw that, smooth moves, man." Sully complimented, lightly punching his arm, frowning when Randall winced. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just slipped in the bathroom this morning."

"Slipped backwards into the skin?" James asked skeptically, eying the shape of his bruises. Randall's cheeks turned a dark red and he coughed.

"I'm talented like that."

"You can tell me if someone's messing with you, I'll set 'em straight, no one messes with my pal's."

The term made Randall's heart flutter. Pals.

"It's fine."

"You sure?"

Randall nodded, "I can take care of myself this time." One on his to do list, become semi popular so ROR won't hate him. Not that hard? Right.

. . .

Randall wracked his brain for a way to impress Roar Omega Roar. Sully had stolen that pig and they liked that. He could steal another fraternity's trophy or something of similar value and take it to Johnny. He slammed his fist into his palm, deciding that's exactly what he'd do. But what fraternity was ROR's rival? After some research he learned it was Jox, who had been beating ROR in the Scare and Shriek competition for the last two years. That settled it; he'd borrow the trophy for that and show it to Roar Omega Roar. He looked out the window, the sky was darkened and the street lights on, he could do it tonight, if he wanted. A knot tied in his stomach and he gulped. Well, might as well get it over with.

He trekked to the Jox house and used his invisibility trick to sneak in, biting his tongue and rubbing at his eyes, unnerved each time he rediscovered his glasses were absent. He paddled quietly through the wide halls and up a staircase that emptied into a spacious room, school sports posters and team jerseys decorating the yellow walls. Thick fear rose in throat and was impossible to swallow. As he looked up at the gleaming trophy he lost his nerve and turned to leave, walking right into an orange fuzz ball. They tumbled to the ground and Randall lost concentration, becoming visible again.

"What are you doing here?" the monster asked, rubbing his eyes sleepily. Randall panicked and began babbling.

"I was trying to steal your Hide and Shriek award, but it wasn't stealing 'cause I was gonna bring it back, I just needed to impress Roar Omega Roar so I could still be friends with Sully!" he ended with a wail, sitting on the floor sniffing sadly. The other blinked at him, smiled softly and unlocked the cabnet. He handed the trophy to Randall, the slighter monster looking up at him questioningly.

"Promise to get it back before morning." George smiled kindly at him and ushered him through the nearest exit.

"Thank you…"

"George."

Randall thanked him again and again, hugging him once before zipping off to the ROR house. The lights were on and he heard voices inside. He took a calming breath and rapped importantly on the door. The one-eyes monster and answered. Randy muscled his was through and charged past the gathered group.

"Randall!" Sully exclaimed in surprise.

"Stay out of this, Sullivan." The lizard hissed, charging at Johnny.

"You think I'm just some loser? Well, could a loser get this?" he demanded, shoving the trophy at the horned monster. Johnny took it and examined. He smirked at Randall and handed it back to him.

"Very nice."

Randall nodded and clamped his mouth shut, storming out. "Your new friend has moxie, Sullivan. Tell him I'm impressed."

Back at Jox the trophy was in its place, cabinet shut and clean, save for a thank you note stuck to it.

Okay, I've decided to post Randall one-shots as chapters here when I write any. They will probably range from friendship to romance. Please review if you so desire :)