Hello again! I think I've got a system in order. Write as much as I can all the time and ration out the chapters for every Wednesday and Saturday. I think that'll work! Yeah! Anyhow, please enjoy the next chapter!

There is some cursing in this chapter, just a warning.

Oh, I forgot to put this in earlier: I do not own Rise of the Guardians or any of its characters. I also do not own any bands/artists mentioned in this fic. If I was the one who wrote a song mentioned in a chapter, I will tell you.

It was a rainy Sunday evening. Music was still blasting down the hall, but the A/C couldn't drown it out anymore. I hadn't moved far from my bed the whole day; my life was already settled in a rhythm of rest, snack, read, snack more, read more, fall asleep with my headphones on and a book on my chest. I didn't bother checking my laptop or phone. Until classes started and I met my teachers, I had no-one to talk to, not even family. My 18th birthday was the opposite of most kids' dreams. Instead of packing up and moving out into the real world I supposedly adored, I was forcibly booted off to college without a single hug. Prickly social skills must run in my genes, because I hadn't made a friend yet that didn't drift away or try to use me somehow. Classmates were awkward around me. Girls and guys tried to get in my pants and snubbed me viciously when they failed. Even potential roommates sense my desolation from a summer away and get their arrangements changed. I sometimes wonder if I really was that disagreeable.

I found myself reeling now, on this rainy, lonely evening, because Sandy was still in the room with me. He hadn't left the moment he got settled like I had expected him to. He hadn't forced me into a conversation like a normal teen trying to coexist with me would – then again, I hadn't expected that, what with his condition and all. A part of me wanted to ask, but another part knew that such a question would surely make him leave faster. And that part of me, strangely enough, didn't want him to leave. That part was in luck. Sandy stayed in the room most of the day, only stepping out for twenty minutes to buy dinner from the sandwich shop on campus. He had come back with a toasted chipotle flatbread, a bag of chips and a sweet-looking lemonade drink. He had noticed me watching as he sat down, and he had got that sheepish look on his face again. Then he wrote me another note in his book.

Do you mind if I play some music?

I, quite honestly, was surprised by this, too. He was being so considerate about my own feelings. I hadn't encountered someone like this in… ever, really. I was so caught up in my shock that I forgot to answer him, and he awkwardly started eating before I snapped out of it and nodded to him.

"Sorry, go ahead."

Sandy nodded happily and put his food down. He unzipped his suitcase and pulled out a laptop bag. His was kind of big, not like my personal one. He pulled up something, and the next thing I heard were the electronic beats of a familiar Owl City song.

I really hate it that my mind loves to show itself on my face.

Sandy looked at me and grinned. He got out his paper once again and wrote a note for me.

Do you like Owl City?

"Er, some of the songs," I answered. "I just…well, yeah, some." Welcome back, prickly social skills.

Owl City is one of my favorites. I like Coldplay too. Sandy was unfazed and continued writing happily. What about you? What are your favorites?

"Well, I like Coldplay too, and… I like some rock bands. Arctic Monkeys the most, really."

Cool. Can you show me some of their songs some time?

"S-sure," my brain had finally caught up with my mouth, and here I was reeling again. Was this really just a normal conversation?

What, are you that surprised? That really is pathetic.

I stiffened. My heartbeat jumped a couple paces. I prayed I didn't look pale. Sandy tilted his head at me, a tiny smile on his face. Looking down, I blushed when I realized he'd been waiting with another note for me.

Nice going, spacebrain. Come back to Earth, will you?

Ignoring the harsh voice in my head and fast beating in my heart, I looked down at the notebook.

Do you like video games?

"Not that many," I admitted. "I haven't played one in years."

Do you like PC games? I have some if you want to play.

Oh look, he's offering you games. Ain't that cute? Whatcha gonna do, huh?

"Um…" the voice I was hearing held no genuine concern. There was a familiar, biting sarcasm behind the words my own brain was saying. My head was beginning to spin. "M-maybe later…I'm going to go get some fresh air."

I left the room before I could see Sandy's response. The hallways were mostly empty, with only a few students chatting or horsing around by the corners and sitting areas. I rushed down the stairs to the ground floor, and then out the door to the back of the building. It was dark out, and the rain had thinned out for the most part. There was a small smoking area on this side of the dorm. A couple guys were puffing away on cigarettes; smoke drifted lazily into the lamplight before fading into the atmosphere. I thought back on the excuse I gave Sandy. Yeah, fresh air indeed.

Damn, lying to the first person to care about you? You really are pathetic.

I kept to the shadows so the guys wouldn't notice me. I sat down on the bench furthest from them. My head was heavy and my lungs burned from the smell I was getting re-acquainted with. Memories seeped into my conscience, memories of skipping class for alleyways and lunch hour for drinks I had no business drinking. The one thing I hadn't ever touched was a cigarette, even though I'd always been close enough to them to breathe in every toxic chemical they put out.

What's wrong, huh? Don't want one? Don't you want to try it?

"Ugh…" I dropped my head into my hands.

You drank the beers but you're too pussy to try a smoke, eh?

Aw, I'm sure he'll try it soon enough.

He'll try it if he wants to keep hanging with us.

I don't know, he don't look so good. Aw, what's wrong, Pitch? You gettin' sick?

I knew I needed fresh air now, but I didn't move from the bench. I was frozen there, just a statue again. Just like all those years ago, I lost the will to save myself from that dark, curling smoke.

That's the end of this chapter! Poor Pitch…don't worry, the plot will only thicken from here!

Just a side note, I do not condone using words like "pussy" or other female related things to insult men. I also don't condone using male related things to insult women. I don't like gender-based insults unless the person being insulted has been doing horrible things, so only words like the b- and d- ones. I dunno, just sayin'. I don't even curse out loud, so…

*ahem* Anyway! Thank you for reading, please leave a review if you have any feedback or advice for me~!