Instead of updating on the usual fic tonight, I'm going to try and update on other fics, such as this one, obviously. This is mainly because I don't want to post more drabble chapters and I've got roughly an hour before Mum insists I go to bed as I've got to get up early tomorrow to go out and try and get a job (wish me luck!) Other than that, I am going on study leave next week, so no school! Woo!

I'm going to skip forward to when Alvie's in school and eleven years old, but I will do flashbacks so we get some stuff from his past. This is mainly because I have no idea what I'm doing.

"Hey, dumbass!" A half full soda can exploded against the locker mere inches from Alvie's head. He heard jeering laughs from behind him. Alvie didn't respond, as he had been told, and carried on getting his books from his locker. "Oy, dumbass! Don't ignore us!"

He closed the locker and left, shoving his books in his bag. He was aware he was being followed, but continued to not pay attention.

In Math class, sat at the back, Alvie was struggling with the work, but that was nothing unusual. The lesson went as usual, except that it was interrupted halfway through by the principal.

"Morning, class." He smiled. There was a grumble of responses. "Now, now, smile. We have a new pupil and I want you to welcome her." The principal stepped aside and in walked the new girl.

Alvie didn't really pay attention to most new kids as they would join the others and pick on him so that they wouldn't be picked on by the bullies.

But this one seemed different. She must have felt his eyes on her as she caught his gaze instantly and smiled warmly, a hint of shyness behind it. Her eyes were a silvery-blue and warm like the summer sky. Her hair was a silvery-blonde, tied in a French plait that hung over her shoulder. Her tanned skin was smooth and glowed healthily. Her eyes and her smile lit up her angelic features.

Their Math teacher smiled warmly, getting up and greeting the new girl by shaking her warmly by the hand.

"Hello. I'm Mr. Tate."

"Crystal Murphy." The girl said, smiling. Mr. Tate looked around the class and pointed.

"There's a spare seat next to Alvie." Crystal looked at Alvie and her smile broadened. Alvie just stared at her as she took her seat next to him.

"Hi." She said.

"H-hi." Alvie stammered. He wasn't overly good with new people, especially girls.

"Alvie, did you get this lesson's notes down?"

"Uh… some of them." Alvie replied quietly. Mr. Tate nodded, expecting no less.

"Can I look?" Crystal asked. Alvie nodded and pushed his book towards her as Mr. Tate handed her an exercise book of her own. "Thanks, sir." Mr. Tate continued with the lesson. Crystal copied Alvie's notes before flicking through the book. "Oh, wow." She breathed. "I love your doodles."

"Thanks." Alvie replied quietly. Crystal looked at him curiously, noticing how his eyes darted around the classroom, sometimes settling on the board or a poster, but sometimes, his silver eyes lingered on a fellow classmate and he would look down hurriedly. Crystal looked around as well and noticed some people were sending her pitying looks while others sent sneers in their direction, all of them directed at Alvie.

"Do you not get one with these people?"

"They don't like me." Alvie sighed.

"Why?"

"Dunno."

"'Cos he's a dumbass." Someone hissed. Crystal glanced round and saw one of the stereotypical jocks with gelled dark blonde hair and hazel eyes. "Why don't you sit with me, sugar?"

"Why don't you keep your mouth shut and don't call me 'sugar'." Crystal warned quietly. The jock looked mildly surprised.

"Oh, you'll take that back at some point, sugar." Crystal's eyes suddenly hardened and the jock looked down at his work.

"So, Alfie-"

"Alvie."

"Sorry. What's your favourite colour?" Alvie stared at her as if she were from another planet. No-body tried to learn what he was like, let alone talk to him. It had him clamming up instantly.

"Alvie, what's the answer?" Alvie drew his gaze from his book and looked up, leaving Crystal's ice-breaker question unanswered. He studied the complicated equation on the board before scanning the question.

"Um…" He said brilliantly.

"Dumbass." Somebody coughed.

"Jerk." Crystal coughed in reply. The teacher blinked at her, having heard the 'dumbass' comment himself. Alvie had clammed up again, shaking his head in a silent 'I don't know the answer, sir'. The teacher sighed.

The bell rang ten minutes later. Everyone hurried out to recess, but Alvie was called back. Crystal didn't want to go out into the grounds on her own so hung back.

"Crystal, may you wait outside for Alvie?" The teacher asked kindly. Crystal nodded, giving Alvie a reassuring smile and stepping outside, closing the door behind her. "Alvie, is everything OK?"

"Usual." Alvie replied monotonously. The teacher looked him up and down.

"How was Crystal?" Alvie nodded. "That's not really an answer, Mr. Jackson."

"She was OK. Stood up to Liam."

"Finally, we've found someone." Mr. Tate glanced up at the ceiling, as if saying 'praise the heavens'. Alvie smiled weakly. "Listen, I know Math is difficult for you, but you seem great at remembering various formulas, even if they are in the front of the exam paper." Alvie shrugged.

"I'm good with numbers."

"Yes, your mother told me you've remembered the bus and train times and the stops by examining the maps." The teacher paused. "And the prices, including discounts."

"Mmm…"

"Maybe if you tried to remember different formulas and solutions like you remember bus times, you could be getting that C grade you want." Alvie just nodded. "Is everything else OK?"

"Yeah."

"Sure?" Alvie nodded again. "Alright, you may go. And remember, I want some of those cookies your mother makes next lesson." Alvie looked at him quizzically. "It is my birthday Monday."

"Is it?"

"Yep."

"Alright then. See you later sir."

"You're not very talkative, are you?" Crystal asked through a mouthful of fries. Alvie continued picking at his pizza. "Oh my gosh, are they your brothers?" Alvie made to look round when an arm went around his neck and somebody ruffled his hair.

"Hey, Alvie. Who's your friend?" Tobias dropped in the seat next to him.

"New g-mmm…" Tobias had shoved a handful of fries in Alvie's mouth while the younger brother was talking.

"Tobias Jackson." He grinned, holding his hand out.

"Crystal Murphy." Crystal replied, shaking hands with him. "You could've made him choke." Alvie nodded in agreement, trying to work through the mouthful.

Tobias's grin turned sarcastic.

"He'll be fine."

"Oh, you're killing him!" Tobias turned as a girl about his age with curly, raven hair and sapphire blue eyes appeared. She smacked Tobias's shoulder. "Your own brother!"

"I know, right?" Alvie tapped Tobias's shoulder. Tobias looked round to see Alvie put a bunch of mashed up fries in front of his front teeth. "Ew… pig!" Alvie licked his lips and smiled innocently.

"You owe me lunch, remember?"

"Oh, yeah." Tobias got up, ruffling Alvie's hair. "Be good."

"Mm-mmnh- hm." Alvie managed. Crystal smiled.

"So, what's your favourite colour?"

Boom! Alvie has a friend!

REVIEW PLEASE!