Here's part two for you. I like to write my stories down in my diary instead of typing them, but this story took enough effort that I thought I'd stick it up on the internet fridge. Er, disregard that last bit. What I'm trying to say is that I have to type all these up and it's a huge pain in the butt. There's fourteen chapters that I have written, one final chapter that I have yet to come up with. I have no idea how I want it to end. Sad endings are my favourite, but these characters deserve happiness… Believability also is vexing me for this last chapter. I suppose I'll just deal with it when the time arises. Or if no one cares, I can just leave it open ended. It'll probably end up that way. 3

~Kachow~

Snow soon began to dust the ground at Hilton providing a common new enemy for the students and faculty to face. It gripped their bones, permeated their thickest sweaters, and caused infinite noses to run and run and run with excess mucus. Neil in particular was caught sick, as was Charlie. All of their M's turned into B's and coughing was constantly a nuisance for those around them. Keating had an entire day where his only instructions were to chat loudly enough to cover the "insufferable caustic exhalations". He himself hid in his office attached to the classroom to enjoy a well deserved cup of tea. Instantly, the DPS commandeered a secluded corner from a few jocks- all except for Todd, that is. He sat in his usual desk pretending to read his Latin textbook. In actuality, he was reflecting on how stupid he must look which quickly morphed into morose thoughts on life in general.

At first, this escaped everyone's notice. But as Charlie told a dirty joke and searched his small audience for that flushed, God-fearing twink, he found that Todd was still in his usual desk. "I'mma fetch Anderson. DPS gotta stay together, ya know?" he announced, then swaggered over to stand in front of his target. "You coming over to join us, or are you gonna sit here by yourself?" Charlie asked abruptly.

Todd glanced up as if in mild surprise, but he had heard those shoe clink closer and closer in the arrogant saunter that was distinctly Charlie. "Charlie-"

"It's Nuwanda."

"Nuwanda," he said, keep his eyes on the bridge of the nose of his adversary, "I h-have to sit this one out. S-sorry."

Charlie made a thumbs down sign while making a buzzer noise. (A/N: I think I got this from the movie where Keating does this to Charlie. All subconscious, didn't mean to steal that bit. Weird, huh?) "Ehh- wrong answer. Try again."

"No, r-really, I don't understand this stuff at all. You go on b-back, they're waiting for you."

Reminded of the attention he could be having laid upon him, he nonchalantly concluded, "Suit yourself," and strutted back.

Neal had been watching the encounter, curious as to how Charlie dealt with shy things like Todd. Not well, judging from Todd's thoroughly miserable expression and Charlie's quick retreat. Neal decided that he'd have a go with the terms being if he failed to lure Todd over to the rest of them, he'd keep the lonely boy company whether he asked for it or not. He sat down next to his roommate and peeked at the textbook. Upon further examination, he punched Todd's arm with some strength.

"Excuse me?" A startled Todd asked.

Neil revealed, "We did that chapter three weeks ago and have already tested over it."

Colouring as usual, Todd weakly replied, "Can't a boy have a thirst for rememorizing Latin on his own?"

"Why won't you sit with us, Todd?" he inquired frankly.

"Stuff to do…"

"Well obviously. Looks like you're very busy pretending to read material we are no longer held accountable for." Sarcasm dripped.

Todd threw him a helpless look. "I'm doing fine over here, I don't understand what the big fuss is about.

Exasperated breath. "You can't go your whole life in secluded silence, Todd. 'Carpe diem!' Seize the day, starting with sitting by the best friends you're ever going to get at this God forsaken school." He paused for a long moment as if searching for the next line in his motivational speech as Todd waited politely. Instead, Neil sneezed into his arm.

"Bless you."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

It was Neil's turn to wait now. He needed Todd to give him some feedback. Todd was aware of what Neil was doing and shifted his weight uneasily. Being in charge of a conversation was too much pressure. "Why can't I?" he finally settled with.

"Why can't you what?"

Todd played with the pattern dotting the cuffs of his shirt, clarifying, "Why can't I be alone when I feel like it. I'm happy."

Skepticism danced across Neil's features. "You're happy? Then why the pained expression whenever anybody but I- the one you're forced to room with- speaks to you directly? Why are you so uncomfortable with your so-called baby fat that you change in the bathrooms for gym? Why is all your poetry so angsty?"

Suspicion. "You've been snooping through my personal belongings."

Dignity. "How else was I supposed to get to know you?"

Blind anger. "You have no right to do that, Parry."

Desperate rationalization. "I wasn't about to room with a boy that could've been harboring secret desires to kill me."

Annoyance. "Come on, that was weak."

And finally, defeat. "Fine. I snooped because I thought you were hiding something great. I was right! You're talented with words, there's no doubt about that in my mind. Why don't you speak up and let everybody else know?"

Todd broke a bit then, half wild with the fear that Neil knew who he was. "All thoughts leave me when I'm around the guys. I'm so focused on observing how normal boys are that all original thoughts flee." He pulled at his stubby hair in frustration. "I'm not saying this is right. And I don't really understand it myself. But I can't help my silence or being a loner. Sorry. Hurry back, they'll miss you- their fearless leader."

A fierce look came into Neil's eyes, counteracted by a lopsided grin. "Nope. I'm talking to you now, it would be horribly rude to leave in the middle of a conversation."

His companion couldn't help but shyly mirror Neil's toothy grin. Todd hated how Neil could cheer him up when he was in the glummest of moods. Can't a boy sulk in peace? Heaving a sigh, Todd resigned himself to enjoying the rest of the hour.

~Kachow~

My chapters are annoying and short. :/ What I wouldn't do to be a good writer! Oh well. You'd help me out by leaving reviews with comments like, "Hey, make them do this." Or "Hey, that part was bad." Or even "Hey, your style of writing could use such and such." Come on, I'm practically writing your reviews for you, get on it!