Changed Outlook

AN: So here is the newest installment of A Little Late. Hope you enjoy it and please review! Let me know what you think :-)

Normal POV

It was another normal day at Venture Falls University. Mr Casten sat at his desk, smiling like a cat who had gotten the cream. His gaze was fixed on two students in particular; Nick and Lorraine.

At first, Mr Casten had had no idea what he was doing, choosing Lorraine to be Nick's partner for the academic year, after all, the entire faculty knew her history. Then, yesterday, Nick had managed to make Lorraine smile; a feat that had been previously impossible to accomplish.

The bell rang, signalling the end of the lesson. The class began eagerly packing away their things. Mr Casten stood up, "Alright, class dismissed! Oh, and Nick? Can you stay behind for a moment, please?"

As all the other students left, Nick walked up to Mr Casten's desk. "Yes, Sir?"

Mr Casten looked up, "Ah, Nick. Tell me: what have you noticed about Lorraine?"

Nick was completely thrown by the sudden question. "Well, I don't think she likes people very much. She's emotionally fragile, from what I've seen. Other than that, I haven't noticed anything else. Pardon me for asking, but why do you want to know, Sir?"

Mr Casten sighs. "I can't tell you everything, Nick. Let's just say Lorraine had a tough start to life and is still suffering from the repercussions. I'm sure when she trusts you a little more, she'll tell you. I cannot, you see, because it would be breaking her confidence."

Nick nods, moving toward the door. "Okay, Sir, have a good day."

Lorraine's POV

I wondered why Mr Casten had asked Nick to stay behind. Maybe he's considering switching partners. Wait, why does the idea sound so awful in my head? I guess it's because Nick is the only person who hasn't hated me at first sight.

I sit down outside the classroom and pull out my book. Flipping to page 394, I start to read. All of a sudden, my ears detect mincing footsteps. Great.

I look up and see Lloyd James and his cronies stomping their way towards me. I close my book. There's no point in trying to finish this chapter, anyway.

"Alright, freak?" I ignore him. That insult grew old a long time ago and, therefore, has no effect on me.

"I'm talking to you, freak! Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Lloyd yells, trying to force me to look at him.

"Don't touch me!" I scream, moving backwards, my arms up in a defensive position. One of his cronies bends down and picks up my book, carelessly flicking the pages.

"What have we here?," he sneers. The gang sniggers at my futile attempts to escape from Lloyd's grasp. I scream as Lackey No.1 tears my book. All my life. Everything I can relate to, gone. I'll never get it back.

I push past them, tears stinging my eyes. Before I can stop myself, I find myself sobbing as I rush down the corridor, nearly knocking someone over in the process.

Nick's POV

As I came out of the classroom, I was promptly knocked over by someone running down the corridor, sobbing. I looked up and saw a mass of red waves disappear around the corner. Only one person I know has hair like that.

I walk in the direction she had come from, and the first thing I see is her book torn to pieces. I see Lloyd James and his cronies sniggering and I immediately know that they are responsible for this. I kneel down and pick up every page before carefully placing them in my bag.

That night (Nick's POV)

I opened my bag and surveyed the pages within. I had two options; I could either glue the book back together (risky but at least she will still have her book) or I could retype the entire book. Then again, I could go for both options. Yes, that's what I'll do. I don't know why but I feel like I need to make her happy. I've seen her smile once; all I want is to see it again.

Sighing, I move toward the computer, armed with a gluestick. I sit down, resigning myself to a long night. It will be worth it, though.

Next day (Lorraine's POV)

I was seriously considering not going to uni today, but one thing I am not is a coward. There is absolutely no way I am letting Lloyd James know he's gotten to me. I just wish I had my book. I could relate to it in a way I've never been able to relate to people.

I glance up at the clock. It's only 7:45am. Uni officially starts at 9am. I was awake all night (blame the chronic insomnia). I'm currently the only person here.

Suddenly the door swings open and Nick staggers in, looking half-asleep and clutching a wad of papers. Funny, I don't remember Mr Casten setting any homework. He spots me and makes a beeline for me.

"I wasn't expecting anyone else to be here yet," he says, sitting down, wisely keeping a slight distance between us. I'll admit I trust him more than I've ever trusted anyone but I'm not ready for any physical contact between us, as odd as that sounds.

"Neither was I." I admit, my attention now drawn to the wad of papers he is holding so carefully. "What are you holding?" I say, gesturing to the paper in his arms.

He takes a deep breath. "I-well-I-uh-" he gibbers, unable to form an intelligible response. Instead he offers me the wad of paper. I take it and read the first few lines. No way.

"Is that-is it-" I stammer, too overcome with emotion to speak normally.

"The first copy is the original which I glued back together. The second copy I typed up myself. It might not make sense in some places because I kept dozing off but-"

I cut him off by hugging him tightly. "I can't believe you did that for me!" Then, completely unexpectedly, I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. I think I might be starting to learn to love again. Maybe my outlook on love has changed.

AN: You know what to do. Read and review!