Chapter 5: The One You Love to Hate

"You didn't have to do that," Peter said to Nathan. He had been trying to avoid getting into that group and now he had just been dragged into it.

"And what, just let Brad turn your face into a punching bag? Ya, no thank you."

"I could have handled myself," Nathan raised his eyebrows at him. "Okay, I'm just saying you don't have to fight all my battles for me."

"Well no offense Peter, but you're not really one to fight them yourself,"

"Yes I do! And how in the world can I take no offense to that?" Nathan laughed as if he was talking to a five year old who had just said he was 12.

"Sure Peter, sure."

"Okay, stop it! I can take care of myself, and I don't need your help anymore!" Peter was tired of being treated like he didn't know and couldn't do anything himself. He didn't like being treated like, well, like the baby brother. It ended today.

Peter pulled away from Nathan who had previously had him in sort of a chokehold. He walked off in the other direction (he wasn't really sure where he was going, but he couldn't exactly stop now). Nathan sighed. He wasn't alarmed at this outburst. After all, his little brother was immature and needed someone to stick up for him no matter how much he protested. Being the older brother, he knew his responsibilities and had to take hold of them.

Mohinder came late for lunch. He had been asking his teacher some science questions after class got out. He was fascinated by the mysteries of life and evolution. Now in the lunch room, he noticed a familiar face. He immediately headed in his direction. When the boy saw him he turned and smiled.

"I didn't have a chance to thank you earlier." he said

"Oh, no problem," said the boy.

"It's Peter right?"

"Ya, and you are-"

"Mohinder," Peter leaned forward a bit like he couldn't hear.

"What?"

"Mohinder. I'm from India,"

"Oh," That explains it "are you an exchange student?"

"No, my father just moved here to do some research."

"Oh, what does your father do?"

"Well right now he drives taxis."

"Oh, um"

"Shall we sit down?"

"Yes, that would be nice." At that, the awkward conversation ended as they began to search for somewhere to sit. They saw two boys sitting together and since Peter knew one of them, he headed in their direction.

While Mohinder and Peter where talking…

Gabriel looked up to see a boy standing in front of him.

"Hello! My name is Hiro!" He said. Gabriel stared at him for a moment then smiled.

"Hi," The boy continued to beam at him. "um, is there some reason you're here?" he asked as politely as possible.

"There are no other seats,"

"Oh," He said. He wasn't sure why he was- "Oh! Well by all means," Gabriel said, moving over as if making room, which didn't make much sense since he was sitting at a table that was completely empty. Still, Hiro understood what he was trying to do and pulled up a chair. "I'm Gabriel,"

"Oh, it is very nice to meet you," Hiro said, bowing his head. Gabriel bowed back. Hiro opened his lunch box to reveal a selectmen of raw food. Gabriel glanced at it.

"What is that?"

"Sushi!" Hiro exclaimed. "It is not as good in America, but my father said that I was to eat traditional Japenese food." He said, waving his finger around, as if to portray his father's sterness. "He did not want me to be unhealthy."

Gabriel noted the irony of this and tried to conceal his smirk as he said, "I see." He looked up to see two boys coming in his direction. Peter smiled.

Wow, Gabriel thought I have successfully and single-handedly just created the nerd table.

Matt Parkman was not enjoying himself. He did not know why, but for some reason he had a strong and utter hatred for Mohinder. He had no reason to hate him. Mohinder hadn't even spoken to him since school started. He hadn't even argued much when he and Brad cornered him that morning and tryed to set an example to other students about "fearing him". Something about him though brought on a burning feeling like nothing he had felt before.

"Matt," Harrison said.

"Huh? What." Matt replied quickly.

"I don't know you looked like you were really concentrating on something," Harrison said, a bit concerned for his best friend.

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about that loser Mohinder." He said spitefully. He dismissed the feeling and changed the subject.

Adam returned to his table with Edgar and Claude. They had gotten to know each other well on the plane ride over and were now quite comfortable together.

"What was that about?" Edgar asked as Adam sat back down.

"Ya, who was he?" Claude said

"He's the guy I have to stay with." Edgar laughed.

"Sorry for you mate!" He said. Adam smirked.

"So what do you think of America so far?" Claude started.

"Well I've realized that they can't tell the time," They all laughed at Adam's misfortune (as good friends often do). Adam looked across the room at a table of girls and noticed that one of them was staring at him. She was the same girl that he had met in the principal's office. As she caught his eye she smiled and winked. "The girls here are also very forward,"

They all looked in the direction he was staring and agreed.

"Are you gonna talk to her?" Claude asked.

"Well I believe you know the answer to that." Adam said. He did. Adam stood up and walked towards the table. The two boys watched as approached the now smiling girl. He bent down whispered something in her ear and was immediately smacked across the face. He turned towards Edgar and Claude and mouthed "Oo" while furrowing his brow. Then he put back on his charming smile.

"Well what the 'ell did you say?" Edgar said looking at Adam like he was insane but still brilliant.

Adam calmly mumbled something under his breath, taking a bite of his sandwich. Edgar laughed. Claude's took a spit-take.

"Well what in God's name did you do that for!" he exclaimed. Adam smiled and continued eating his sandwich. He knew what he was doing. He always had a plan, no matter how idiotic it seemed.