I snapped out of sleep seeing nothing but darkness. I could feel a pair of arms around me feeling breathing on my neck. At first I questioned what was going on until I smelled him. I knew the scent immediately. Gary. I hear his peaceful breathing in my ear. I began to smile softly and relax beneath him. I remembered how it was being with him, talking with him, and kissing him. His smile, his charm, and the way he makes my heart lighter from being around him. All of those simple things are what makes him who he is. I actually really like him this way. I think that this side of Gary that he sometimes hides from everyone else. I wonder why he does that.

"Gary…" I whispered as he started to mumble and shift around in his sleep.

I turned to him and stared at face. That same face that I couldn't get out of my head since I first met him. He looks so peaceful. I really feel like a creeper staring at a guy that I only knew for two weeks. Then again, he suggested me to get in his bed. That doesn't make it any better. Oh well.

Gary slowly opened his eyes and immediately stared into mine. He began to smirk as I blushed lightly.

"Were you staring at me?" he mumbled sleepily.

I widened my eyes and sat up in the bed quickly. "N-no! I uh-"

He sat up too rubbing one of his sleepy eyes. "What were you doing then?"

I got off of the bed folding my arms at him. "I just woke up and so happened to gaze into your eyes." I joked smirking at him.

He laughed and ran his hand through his hair. I stared at him as he began to rise out of the bed. Gary's not being…scary. He noticed my staring and furrowed his brows. There's scary Gary.

"What?"

"Nothing it's just…" I looked at the ground. "Why are you so mean to people?"

He rolled his eyes and walked towards the dresser. "It's a known fact that your friends cause stress. They distract you from achieve some certain goals that you can't get to." He grabbed his shirt and vest and threw it on the bed.

"Not all people are like that." I defended. "There are others out there that can really reach out to you. There are people that can actually relate to you."

He pulled his pants on seeming to get angrier. "Well, tell me someone who isn't like that."

I gulped at his words. I couldn't really say anything else. I've grown up around my uncle who was a drunk. I couldn't tell any of my old friends because I didn't have the courage to trust any of them. In fact, all of my friends are a big blur to my life. I was in the popular crowd. My so called 'friends' is a huge circle of acquaintances that I barely relate to. I bet that not a lot of them would take the bullet for me any day. Only one person would. He is and he will always be the greatest person in the world to me.

"Tad." I whispered trying to stop tears from running down my cheeks.

Gary's head turned towards me as he grabbed his grey shirt. I can already read his quizzical face before he asked.

"Who is Tad?"

I looked down folding my arms. "He's my little cousin."

"So what makes him a good example of a non-distractive person?" He asked with a dry tone as if he didn't care that much. He's probably preparing to prove me wrong. I know he has some slight interest. If he didn't then he would have never asked me.

I smiled thinking about all of the wonderful things about him. "He keeps me motivated even when I reach my lowest downfall. I'm supposed to be his role model. He says that I am. When my Mom abandoned me he was there to tell me that everything is okay. We both lost our mothers in a hurtful way. He's the most important person in my life right now" I started to play with the dagger on the necklace he made me a long time ago. I really miss him. I gripped the necklace falling into an old memory.

…

I walked into the house looking into the living room where my Uncle snores on the couch. I tip-toed quietly pass the couch up the stairs, trying not to wake him up. I've ran out of excuses for the bruises on my body.

I silently stepped on the creaky steps still looking down making sure he doesn't wake up. After finally getting up the stairs, I walked into me and Tad's room. The black haired little boy smiled at me and ran to hug me.

"You're home!"

"Yeah…" I mumbled looking towards the clock that read 10:56 pm. "You were supposed to be in bed."

We separated and he folded his arms at me. His similar emerald eyes looked into mine.

"And you're not supposed to be out late, but I still don't tell Daddy."

I chuckled throwing my bag on my bed. "You don't tell him because you don't want me to get in trouble." I made a playfully pouty face at the ten year old.

He laughed and punched my arm playfully. "You're such a dork. Oh and watch this!" He then scrambled towards his backpack digging through it. "I made you something in class." He pulled out a thin brown wool necklace with a shiny plastic dagger in the middle of it. He smiled and handed to me as I stared at it. "Don't cha like it? I painted the dagger with metallic paint."

I couldn't help but giggle at the gift. It seemed as if he put little effort to it but made it out of love. I played with the dagger in the middle. People will probably make fun of me for wearing it. I smiled to myself realizing that something like that doesn't matter. I put the necklace on as Tad's eyes shined with happiness.

"I love it."

…

I snapped out of the memory as Gary studied me. He seemed to be wondering what I was thinking about. Then again, I never know what Gary is thinking about. He could be staring at me just cause. He stepped towards me and began to speak.

"Matt…"

Before he could say anything, there was a knock at the door. I walked over to the knocking as Gary just sighed and continued to get dressed. Maybe we'll talk about it later. I opened the door and I automatically wanted to slam it back closed.

"Matty!" sounded the accent of Derby Harrington as he tried to hug me.

I looked at Gary who was now fully dressed and looked slightly confused. He sat on the bed staring at Derby who seemed extremely happy to see me. Seriously, what's with that snob?

"Uh…Derby, why are you here?" I asked pulling away from his embrace. "I'd thought you'd be in incest wonderland with Pinky."

He looked upset and cleared his throat. "I wanted to speak to my boyfriend. Why can't I do that?"

I smacked my own head. How the hell can I forget that? I've been so heated with Gary that I forgot about Derby. I then thought about Jimmy and Petey. Perhaps I should tell them about my sexual orientation. I'm sure Gary already figured out that I'm gay since his tongue was in my mouth…twice.

"Boyfriend?" Gary asked in a pissed off tone.

"It's not what you think!" I blushed snapping my head back at Gary. Gary glared at Derby who began to disagree with me.

"What do you mean? You are my boyfriend. You agreed to my proposal yesterday." He fumed. This dude is really driving me crazy.

"No I didn't!"

Suddenly, Bif appeared out of nowhere next to Derby. I got scared a little but I just ignored it. I am so done with everything that goes on around here.

"You didn't have to. You made a lifelong contract committed to him." He added taking out an old looking piece of paper.

I squinted at the paper and began to read it.

He who signs this is one of the most beautiful and fairest that the Harrington Lord has ever seen. He who signs this will be a new member of the Harrington family quite soon. He will be obedient and loyal to the Harrington Lord as their love will live on forever.

Signed by Matt Erikson.

"That's not even my signature!" I protested as Bif and Derby scoffed.

"Of course it is. It's right there." Derby said pointing at it.

"I'm not…" I paused rubbing my temples and sighing. I might as well just get this stupid charade over with or whatever they are planning on doing with me. "What do you want?"

"Get dressed and take a walk with me." He held out his hand as I stared at it and turned to Gary who stood there glaring at all of us.

"Yeah, maybe you should go." He snapped making me frown at him.

"Gary…" I started as he just turned away from me letting me know that the conversation was over. I got dressed into my button down shirt and gray pants. I walked towards the door as Gary followed behind me. I stepped on the opposite side of the door way before turning back at the scarred teen. "I'll see you-"

SLAM!

"…later?"

I stood at the door shocked that his attitude changed all of the sudden. He seemed to be more pissed at Derby than he was with me. Did I do something wrong? Did Gary have a problem with Derby or the preppies? Maybe…Gary is jealous. I don't count Gary and me being in a relationship but I act so different around him.

"Matt, are you coming?" Derby inquired impatiently tapping his foot.

"Oh uh sure." I answered walking next to him.

Derby, Bif, and I walked outside of the boy's dorm into the school grounds. Bif was a little bit behind us almost making it seem obvious that Derby and I are a couple. Suddenly, I felt long and slender fingers slip into mine. I snapped my head towards Derby who was looking at me holding my hand.

I snatched my hand back as he made a shocked expression probably questioning why I did that.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm holding your hand." Derby explained folding his arms at me.

"Yeah, no shit. Why are you?" I snapped.

Before Derby can say anything, Bif stepped between us. "Excuse us." Obviously larger Bif dragged me a good distance away from Derby. I glared at him after pulling my arm away.

"Hey!" I protested as Bif stared icily at me.

"You have no idea who you're talking to. And you better watch your tone with Derby. He is your boyfriend after all."

"No he isn't!" I yelled.

I had enough of this. What is really going on? This is probably the Preppies plan to separate me from Jimmy and Petey. I don't think that they talk to Gary that much.

"Listen here Matt!" Bif began angrily. "If you don't do what I or Derby says, then I will tell the whole school that you were kissing Petey behind the bleachers."

Why the hell do people think that Petey and I are a couple!? Why would they even consider us a couple? I couldn't' mess up Petey's rep. Even if I don't care about mine, I need to learn how to care about others. I groaned loudly before nodding.

"Fine."

"Good…now go be a good boyfriend." Bif smiled suddenly changing character. He patted my face before I returned to Derby giving him a fake smile.

"Are you ready?" he asked as I nervously held his hand. He began to blush and look away from me smiling softly. I glanced at him and continued walking. Maybe Derby really does like me.

"I'm going to get you a top of the line Aquaberry sweater vest. It's going to look so dashing on you." Derby stated.

I made a disappointed face. That thing is the last item of clothing I would wear. Bif cleared his throat making me look at him. He pointed at his IPhone showing his Twitter as if he was going to post something new. So he's going to tell everyone by Twitter? Ugh, preppies these days.

"Sounds great…" I lied through my teeth as Derby stepped closer to me making me slightly uncomfortable.

"Yes well, I must have my boyfriend looking the best." He chuckles slightly. "I just love calling you that. You're my official boyfriend. We're going to have so much fun together."

I noticed the students staring at us with their mouths in agape. They immediately started whispering things that I couldn't comprehend. The only whispers I could hear was:

"What the hell? Is that Matt and Derby?"

"Underwear boy and dick head?"

"Together?"

"I didn't know that they were gay for each other."

I shrugged them off and kept walking with Derby not caring about anyone else. It's not like I actually like him.

I saw Jimmy skateboarding towards my way, waving. I then noticed him widened his eyes and nearly fell off of his skateboard. I couldn't help but laugh as the delinquent stopped the skateboard and stared at me looking for an explanation.

"What the fuck?" he asked confusion dripping his voice as he spoke.

I gestured his hand at me and Derby's hands locked together. I was about to say something but Derby stepped in front of me.

"Take your homophobia elsewhere Hopkins. I have to take my boyfriend to-"

"Put a filthy sock in it." Jimmy cut in making Derby seem taken aback. "I was talking to Matt."

I sighed and explained what happened yesterday. I explained my version and Derby threw a little bit of his extra fluff into it too. Jimmy frowned at Derby then looked back at me.

"So you're gay?" Jimmy folded his arms. "I mean, it's not a problem it's just why the hell did you agree to go with Darby?"

"Because-"

"BECAUSE…" Derby interrupted me as I glared at him. He really needs to stop doing that. "…He loves me for who I am. I don't care if he is a peasant I want to be with him forever. So Hopkins, you can take your short hindquarters back into where you came from!"

Oh hell no. Did he seriously just called me a peasant?

"Oh so you're making short jokes now?" Jimmy sneered throwing down his skateboard walking towards Derby.

Bif stepped between Derby and Jimmy cracking his knuckles. "I dare you to make another move you filthy street rat."

I let go of Derby's hand running between both of them. Jimmy looked like he was itching for a fight. I don't think that a little guy like him should try to take down Bif. Then again, I remembered him kicking this one kid's ass for bumping into him.

"Guys, chill out. Jimmy I'll explain later." I stated as the rebel just shrugged his shoulders.

"Fine. See ya later Matt." With that he hopped on his skateboard. Before he really took off, he jumped at Bif a little scaring him. He chuckled in satisfaction and rode away.

"God dammit I hate that kid so much." Bif grumbled under his breath.

Derby took my hand again continuing to walk to the front gates. I looked around at the students who were still shocked and wondering if Derby and I are together. The answer is…I guess.

…

A little while later, we all were at Derby's huge ass house. I literally got lost about 5 times there. They gave me a spare Aquaberry sweater vest to try on. I tried it on in the dressing room staring at myself. It complimented my eyes but I look like a prickish snob. I sighed and stepped out of the dressing room and jokingly did a playful little turn as all of the Preps stared.

"How do I look guys?"

Nobody said anything. In fact they were all silent. I frowned and looked down at the sweater vest making sure that there was nothing on it. I looked back up as Derby pushed through all of them to look at me. He looked as shocked as the other preps.

"You look…" he paused making me stare at him.

I would feel embarrassed if I looked bad. I wonder what he's going to say. I widened my eyes as he sprinted towards me and hugged me tight.

"You look so cute!" he sighed dreamingly while hugging me.

"Thanks…can I breathe now?" I coughed a little as he released me.

"Matthew, you look like a true prep. You look like a million bucks." He turned to the others. "What do you think comrades?" Most of them turned away and blushed. The rest cleared their throat and just nodded in agreement. He leaned and whispered to me. "Seems like they like it as well."

I shook my head and took out my phone looking at the time. "That's nice and all but I really have to go." I chuckled nervously slipping away from them.

"Are you going to walk me to classes?" Derby asked as I had my back turned from him rolling my eyes. "I wake up at 6:00 on the dot and I expect you to be up that early as well. Bif and I will stop by your dorm at 6:15 precisely. Not too early or late. So be ready."

"Okay." I groaned opening the door. Jesus Christ can I go now?

"How about a kiss goodb-"

"No." I answered quickly slamming the door.

…

I walked down the school halls trying to go back to my dorm room. I sighed to myself thinking about Gary. I never really talked about my past to anyone before. When I shared it with Gary it felt great. I smiled looking up at the sky.

"Mom, wherever you are…I forgive you."

I turned the corner and nearly slammed into Pinky. The female prep stood there as if she was waiting for me to turn that corner.

"Whoa!" I alarmed as she smiled at me almost creepily.

"Hello Matt, how are you doing?" she asked kindly seeming extremely out of character. "I like that sweater, you look good."

I looked down at her and gulped. She's only about to my nose without her heels. I am pretty average height but not as tall as Ted. Pinky is really tall and attractive. She should be a model. Who knows, maybe her Dad already signed her into a couple of agencies. I remember seeing Lola in a magazine somewhere. It was pretty weird.

"I'm good Pinky. Thanks for-"

"Let's take a walk." She suddenly commanded as I stepped back a little.

"I really have to go to back to my room Maybe some other-"

"I…said…take a walk with me." She growled as I nodded rapidly. There's the Pinky I know. She smiled again and put her arm through mine. We began walking down the hallway passing Ms. Phillips' room. "You know Matt…I've been dating Derby for quite a long time."

"Really?" I asked pretending to be interested.

"Of course. The other day he decided to end our relationship suddenly." She chuckled then shot daggers at me. "Why would you think that?"

"I'm not sure." I chuckled nervously.

"Really Matt? Because I know why. I'm not sure if you had your cousin dropped you over some guy with a prettier face and a nicer ass, but I have and it doesn't feel pleasant."

"I have a nice ass?" I asked looking behind me at my own butt as she suddenly pushed me into a wall. Where the hell did this sudden strength come from? I widened my eyes as she drove me deeper into the wall.

"If you ever hurt Derby…I will find the people who you care about and hurt them. I will pay people to kick your ass every day! Got it?" I nodded reluctantly as she released me and skipped off. "Bye Matt!"

This school is fucking weird. I sighed as I walked past the office. I saw someone familiar. I furrowed my brows and stepped back a little seeing a little boy with short black hair and a dark green Bullworth sweater vest and khaki pants. I could only see the back of him, but he looked so strikingly familiar. He was talking to the front desk lady seeming to listen to every word she said. I walked into the office to see who he was.

The lady smiled at me and pointed towards me. "There he goes."

The boy turned around and stared at me with his emerald eyes. "Matty!" he smiled running towards me.

Tad is attending Bullworth with me?