So first off I'd like to say that I'm a bit of a beginner at writing.

Yep. I haven't written in a LOOONG time and my writing skills are still very rusty.

Anyway, Murdoc (and his friends) are all 13 in the story. All in Grade Eight. And this story takes place in the present. Not in 1966, when Muds was born.

Just throwing that out there so no one gets confused.

Disclaimer- I do not own Gorillaz or any related characters.

All reviews are welcome!

Murdoc awoke to the harsh ringing of his alarm clock. Eight o'clock. Lovely.

Time to get up.

The tall boy slid out of his old, creaky bed, stretching. His limbs were stiff; even though he hadn't taken a beating the last couple of days (which was rare) his bruises were darkening. It hurt. Like hell.

Murdoc tugged on a pair of jeans that were laying on the floor. A black sweater sat beside it. He picked that up too.

Seizing a comb on his dresser, he descended down the stairs, smoothing out his greasy black hair, expecting his father to yell slurred curses at him; that was the usual routine in the morning, anyway.

But there seemed to be no one on the house. Not even Hannibal was home. It was not unusual for the older men in the household to be away for more than a day, however. He enjoyed the short times alone he had had, though he rarely got them.

Toying with the inverted cross hung loosely around his neck, he grabbed his backpack and proceeded on the door, putting his comb on the kitchen counter as he went.

At least it wasn't raining today.

As Murdoc passed by Crunch's house, he felt... hate. Why hate?

Was it because Crunch had a girlfriend and he didn't?

No. That was shallow. Dumb.

Murdoc sniggered to himself. But then again, he'd been told he was a shallow person.

Courtney peeked out the top window, glared, and disappeared from view.

Bitch.

Murdoc was tempted to pick up a stone and throw it, hard, but he didn't. Unfortunately, though Crunch might not, Courtney would call the police or something. Not worth the risk.

And so the boy trudged miserably to school, growling to himself all the way. Past the mass of students and teachers blocking the hallways, over to his locker, then past the students and teachers again into his homeroom.

He glanced around and snarled. Rocky wasn't there. Maybe he would come later.

A few girls paused to look over their shoulders at Murdoc, blush, then look away, giggling nervously to their friends.

Hah. They didn't stand a chance. Not with him, anyway.

Murdoc shuffled to his usual seat, staring at the ground bad-temperedly. He dropped his books on the desk and was just about to sit down when he realized someone had already taken his spot. On the verge of snarling, he looked the student over carefully. She was new. She had a slim, small-boned build, and tawny eyes that stood out under her pale skin. Her face was freckled, and her hair was a rich milk-chocolate brown. He softened a bit as he met her shocked expression, though he left his books on the desk, and his snarl still lingered in the back of his throat.

Finally she broke the silence between them. "Oh, um, is this your usual seat?" Her voice was kind, though confused. A bit intimidated. Scared, maybe.

"Yeah," Murdoc responded. She didn't have a British accent. She sounded Canadian.

"'Kay. I'll move," the girl responded as she gathered up her books from the floor. "Sorry... I'm new. Just moved here. Canada."

He was right. "That's fine. No problem." Murdoc picked up a binder and handed it to her. She grinned.

"Um, you mind if I, uh... sit next to... you? I mean, since you're nice and helpful and... stuff," She said quietly, blushing.

What? Was this really happening? No girl ever did this. No one ever did this. Without thinking, Murdoc replied dazedly, "Yeah, of course."

The girl full-on smiled this time, revealing a set of white teeth. Her canines were unusually long, giving her a feline-like expression.

"Thanks." She mumbled, setting her books down on a desk beside his. "I'm Victoria, by the way. But Vikki's fine too. Whatever you prefer."

" I'm Murdoc."

Victoria offered another charming smile. "Nice to meet you, Murdoc."

Murdoc felt himself smiling instinctively back. What was wrong with him? He was never like this. Maybe he was just acting like this because he wasn't used to girls approaching him like this. It would go away. He hoped.

Either way, he had just made a new friend. Kind of.

As the two of them sat in awkward silence, Victoria had apparently been surveying Murdoc's necklace, and asked, "Satanist?"

Murdoc nodded cautiously. Was that a bad thing? He didn't wish to scare her off.

"Huh. That's cool," the girl smiled.

The tall boy sighed internally with relief. He was glad she was okay with it. Most people were frightened.

"So, uh..." Victoria cleared her throat. "What class do we have after this one?"

"Language arts. Then a double block of options then lunch, then... a block of social studies and two blocks of gym."

"Thanks. Would you mind showing me around at all? It's a big school." The girl questioned, staring down at her shoes shyly. "I hope I don't cause you any trouble."

"No, no, it's fine. My other friends are skipping anyway." Murdoc looked at her. She had turned a violent shade of red, and seemed just plain nervous. Why?

The next few classes passed, of course, boringly. Murdoc and Victoria had gotten to know each other a bit more, and, surprisingly, got along with one another. They talked, even laughed. Murdoc, however, was struggling with his emotions. She was very pretty, had a good sense of humour (dark, like his, which was surprising- her personality didn't convey darkness at all, though she was spunky and she did have that occasional look in her eye), and was charming, not to mention caring. But she was his friend. Only friend.

He was starting to like her, which was weird; he had only known her for what- three hours? She was very easy to get along with, though. How could he not like her? He also enjoyed the looks of jealousy the other girls gave her when they saw her an him walking in the hallways. It made him feel good. He didn't know how, or why, but it did.

Anyway, now it was lunch. Murdoc was going to the bakery across the street to pick something up for himself. Victoria, rather to his disappointment, told him she'd be waiting on the bench next to their set of lockers. So, glancing back at her, already talking to a group of girls, he pushed his way out of the door and set down the sidewalk. It was snowing, and the puddles the rain had made the night before had frozen up. Despite his sweater, he found himself shivering. Dodging honking cars as he ran across the busy street, Murdoc had reached the bakery doors and let himself in. Luckily there wasn't a line up. He bought a small bun, since that was all he could afford (his only money was the result of scrounging between the couch cushions). In two bites, he had devoured his lunch, and sprinted back into the school. It had only been a few minutes, but Victoria was still chatting away with the other girls. When she wasn't looking, she shot them all glares, and they scattered away into the tangle of other students in the hallways.

He sat down beside her, still shivering. She said nothing but pressed against him, sensing his cold. She didn't seem to mean her actions in an affectionate way (to his disappointment), just a friendly one. If she did, she hid it well.

People stared as they went by. He smirked.

Social studies seemed like an eternity. They spent the whole class writing notes on the many revolutions that had taken place in the world. Talking was not allowed, much to the chagrin of Murdoc and Victoria.

Gym was next. Victoria groaned when Murdoc mentioned "Social dancing."

Everyone herded into the gym, and were told to pick their dancing partners. Victoria slid over to Murdoc, and explained "It would just be easier that way".

Two older students came in, and led an example of the dance they were to learn- a basic version of the tango.

"Okay..." Victoria giggled as she twirled around in beat to the music. "This is awkward."

Murdoc snickered. "You're telling me. I'm the one that has to twirl you. And tip you back."

"Oh, shut up." Victoria grinned playfully as the two waltzed- and stumbled- around the gym.

"Okay, so..."

"No, our arms go this way, not that way."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure, Murdoc."

"Awright then, if you're sure. Now you lean back like that..."

"Agh! Don't drop me, please. I'm so far back I'm almost touching the floor."

"I won't, don't worry."

"...And we're done!"

"Well, then," Murdoc cleared his throat as the two untangled themselves from each other, "that was..."

"Awkward." Victoria grinned, making him blush.

"Should we do it again?" Murdoc asked, gesturing at the practising students around them.

Victoria raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to do it again?"

"Well, I mean-" Murdoc paused nervously. He kind of did, but he didn't know how to explain it. And he didn't want Victoria to know he did. He would seem like a fool.

"Alright then. I'm sure we can do it better this time!" Victoria smiled as she held one of his hands up and put the other on his shoulder. He put his remaining hand on her waist.

Murdoc grinned. The two of them began to dance around- Victoria twirling when she needed to and Murdoc tipping her back with the utmost concentration and precision. They both danced until the song had finished, panting.

"Pff, now a new song?" Victoria mumbled in Murdoc's ear as the teacher gave out instructions and another example was shown. The Cadillac Ranch. "God, I hate this. We did it last year."

"Looks boring."

"It is boring."

"Hmm. Not social," Murdoc mumbled to himself.

"What? Did I hear that correctly?" Giggled Victoria, cuffing him playfully on the shoulder.

"No, no. No, you didn't."

The end of the school-day had come, and Victoria and Murdoc were forced to part. Victoria grinned, gave him a hug, and left, blushing.

Murdoc froze. What? A hug? What for? He had never been given a hug. Ever.

A few people sniggered as they walked by him, staring into space, his mismatched eyes wide.

A bit of hope flickered inside him. Did she like him? He felt childish, but he wanted- no, needed- to know.

For the first day in his life, he left school feeling happy, and spent the rest of the day happy.

This rest of the year was going to be good.

Mwahahaha.

Murdoc's internal struggles are so... odd, aren't they?

I have a feeling this chapter isn't as good as last- please tell me what you think- is it better or worse (or the same) as Chapter One? I wrote it late over here, so that's my excuse.

But seriously. Is it worse than Chapter One?

...I worry too much. Please ignore me.

And YES I know it's starting to get mushy, but how can you not get mushy if you're writing a romance fan-fic? Get used to it! Hehehe.