The way to school was dreary, sure, but that didn't lead Kwan to look forward to it any less. With the rest of the dishes washed, sorted, and put away, the scraps of breakfast packed and refrigerated, there was but one thing left to do: actually leave for school.

Leaning against the back seat window, the teen only had one thing in mind when he got there, and that was to get to the field as possibly as he could. His excitement must have been clear on his face as, with a glance in the rearview mirror from the driver's seat, his father almost seemed to smile, despite the teen knowing that he still had his reservations. Even so, Kwan couldn't help peering out, keeping careful note of the changing scenery around them as the school drew closer and closer, still. However, his mother seemed markedly less enthusiastic, hinted through her frantic, if well-meaning questions given throughout the duration of the ride.

"And do you have your phone? You're sure? Don't hesitate to call if you need to because - " Kwan looked from the window, cutting in swiftly, but calmly, before she surely went on another tangent.

The third during less than a minute of silence following the last.

"Mā, I have everything. My phone, my pepper spray...heck, I even have the charm, so you don't need to worry so much." He tried to assure her, though he wasn't sure how effective it would be. There wasn't much that he could say that would dispel her worries too much; it was far easier to just let her wear herself out...however long it took. Despite his father being a bit of a hard-ass about things sometimes, the youth considered as he allowed his eyes to wander back to the window, the woman sated, at least for the time being, he could at least be thankful that his father wasn't very pushy about it. He knew that both of them were (unjustly) worried, and as much as he appreciated it, it was bit...smothering at times.

"Okay, well, I just wanted to make sure...and it's fully charged? Your phone?" She asked no more than a few seconds later, missing the exasperated sigh that came from her son's lips.

"Yes, Mā, it is. I've told you; I have everything, okay?" Kwan responded, and at exactly the same time, the school courtyard rolled into view, a solemn image in the growing rain, but welcome nonetheless as, at least then, he could look forward to no more questions and doting, that is, until the school day ended. The moment seemed to his mother the hardest, though, the woman turning quickly around to give him a concerned look before looking back, reaching out for his hand that he gingerly offered back as solace.

Kwan knew that looked, one her matching, turquoise eyes that beset worry...fear, all of which he felt was misplaced.

What had happened was behind them...worrying about it constantly wasn't going to change anything...but he didn't have the heart to say that to her, not here, not now. He understood that this was...just from a place from love, that she only wanted the best...it was just a little annoying having the two of them treat him like an infant every step of the way.

Though for now...he could tolerate it.

At least here at school it would be easier to avoid their constant nagging.

"Mā, Bàba...I love you guys. See you later, okay? I'll be fine, I promise." Leaning in, he gave each of them a hug, nodding calmly to the two of them despite his mother's death grip on his hand, and her reluctance was made even more clear as he tried to part, he hand knitted tightly in his own before she reluctantly let go.

"We love you too, Zǎi zǎi. Have a wonderful day, okay? And don't forget to call us at lunch." His mother answered back, and with a final nod and smile, he was parting from the car, giving one last wave as he turned on his heel, heading to the football lock and step with each droplet of rain that pelted his head. After a moment, his parents sped off, running with a quiet hum back down the road, disappearing into the distance.

'Finally...now, the field. Thought they'd never leave...' Kwan huffed with relief, relaxing his shoulders a bit as he faced back to the rear end of the school, though a small collection of students would capture his eye. Just in front of the school, beneath one of the greater trees where a small bench rested, he was taken aback to find a familiar face, or rather, three familiar faces amongst the grey fog that began to accumulate around them. From this far away, they didn't seem to even notice that he was there, well, save for the one in the middle, the strangest of them in Kwan's eyes. He almost didn't recognize Danny, taking a moment to unceremoniously stare in his direction as he tried to make sense of just how...different he looked.

'Jesus...one summer and this is what happened? It looks he's doubled in size...' And Kwan probably wouldn't have been wrong. Sure, Tucker and Sam looked a bit different, between their varied heights, varied clothes, and hairstyles, but for Danny to just...look like an entirely different person (and fit enough to join sports, as far as he could tell)...it was a little weird, even for him. Shaking his head, Kwan realized that he'd been looking for far longer than a minute, and just as quickly, he returned to the task he'd set out to do, focusing on the path ahead as he tried to redirect his thoughts.

But it was difficult to.

It wasn't a secret that the two of them, or rather, Kwan and the others weren't exactly...on the best terms with the three of them, or really, most of the student body that weren't part of their...clique, so to speak.

Especially when it came to Dash.

Thinking on it for a moment, Kwan could definitely say that Danny was probably taller than Dash now; he wondered how it would look, having Dash trying to bully him now that he was probably one to two heads higher than him.

It was a bit amusing, the image in his head at the thought of it.

In fact, it was strange, thinking back on the fact that Dash was pretty short in comparison to the rest of them, way shorter despite having made it on the team, but more than that, how readily Dash wanted to really give others a hard time.

If Kwan could be frank, he never really had the stomach for it, harassing other students.

Something else that became much clearer after a summer to think about it.

Regardless, the teen thought as he passed the fieldhouse, giving the modest buildings a familiar glance, allowing his hand to run along its paneled side just as he cleared it and the football field came into view. It occurred to him on the ride here the none of them had agreed where exactly they would meet on the field, though he assumed calling out to them would work just as well.

"Guys? Hey, I'm here! Where are you?" Kwan shouted over the pounding rain, ducking under the awning of the fieldhouse as he scanned the field for any signs of life...but found none. Over the bleachers to the field goals, his eyes watched carefully to note movement amongst the noise, amongst the storm, but even as a moment, a breath passed, no one responded.

'I mean...they should be here, or...maybe they aren't here yet? Well, let me trying calling them again. Maybe they didn't hear me...' Kwan considered, raising his hands to his mouth to amplify his voice.

"Dale! Star! Paulina! Guys?" He called out.

Only to garner no response, except that of rolling thunder and pattering rain rolling crudely off of every surface.

Looking around again, he wasn't so sure he wanted to get soaked walking around the entire field in search of them. Pulling out his phone, he pulled up his call log, bringing up Dale's number and called it, waiting on bated breath for it to answer. After a minute, Kwan's heart leapt as his voice answered on the other end, and even more presciently, the beating sound of rain somewhere on the line.

Dale was outside, too.

"Kwan, dude, it only took you forever, man! We hear you out on the field, just...not lookin' to get soaked, but we'll meet you. Where are you?" The youth asked, and Kwan hardly had to think about it, excitement evident in his voice as he answered.

"Got here as fast as I could! I'm at the fieldhouse; where are you guys?" He asked in return, giving the bleachers across the field a careful, scrutinizing look as if in search for them before Dale responded.

"Under the bleachers on the east side of the field. You'd be surprised; we've got a ton of coverage underneath. We wanted to go into the fieldhouse, but it was locked. Meet you in a few." Dale answered, and with a nod, Kwan ended the call, tucking his phone safely back into his pockets as he waited for them to come.

They were this close to meeting up again, this close to ending a summer of not seeing each other. Though, the teen considered as he leaned against the side of the fieldhouse, breathing a long sigh and closing his eyes, it was just a little less sweet without Dash here, despite knowing that he'd probably be at school today.

But it was still weird, always knowing that he was just...out of touch...not that they hadn't tried to get him to join the chat or have their phone numbers. He just...didn't do that sort of thing, he said, or rather, that he didn't have the means to. It was hard enough contacting him after a school day when they weren't hanging out, but over the summer...he'd essentially been dead to them, for lack of a better word. And as much as he hated to admit it, it was incredibly irritating, knowing that he could just choose to be in contact with them for that long.

Friendship was a two-way street, after all.

And Dash wasn't super good at that sort of thing in more ways than not contacting them.

Yet despite this, he couldn't dispute the rush of excitement that filled him at the thought of seeing him again.

'I wonder what he got up to after all of this time...what all of them have...' He considered, idling for a bit as he waited for Dale and the girls to show up. For the most part, the streets of Amity seemed far emptier than he'd expected, though the rain and general poor weather was likely the cause for that. Seating himself on one of the barrels outside of the house, he watched the back streets beyond the opposite end of the field, minding the engrossing mist that collected in his field of vision, though it wasn't thick enough that he couldn't see further out.

A moment passed and nothing really seemed to be motioning out on the sidewalks beyond the field, the occasional vehicle, a person here or there, but no one he really recognized...or so he thought.

Kwan found himself sitting up suddenly when he caught it, a glimpse of a red jacket that matched his own, a head of blonde that was distinct enough that the teen could hardly utter the words before they came to mind.

No, it had to be...it had to be -

'Dash?' Kwan thought as he watched the figure pass from afar, caught between a staggering walk and a speeding jog as the odd gait of the other gave him pause, and more than that...why he was walking out in the rain in the first place.

"What the..." He started, watching as Dash crossed onto school property, rushing onto the track through the small, wooded area leading to the main field.

That was definitely him.

That was definitely Dash.

He was here, too? Did someone else tell him to meet him here? But...Dale told him that none of them had his number, so...how would he even know they would be here? Or...if someone hadn't called him, then why would he be here at all? It wasn't as if the school was open right now, and it was pouring raining, so...he couldn't think of another reason why. Kwan watched him as he walking quickly across the track, and just as much, the teen had the urge to call out to him.

Whatever the case was, Dash was here now, so there would be no reason to -

"'Sup! Miss us?" Before he could open his mouth to speak, he jumped out of his skin as his eyes darted back to meet Dale's and the others, springing up behind him as they all fell into a group hug, pulling Kwan's attention away from Dash. Their sudden appearance took him by surprise, and his voice betrayed it, too, the teen reaching up to grasp his shirt to calm himself, his heart thrumming wildly in his chest.

"What the hell?! You guys scared the crap out of me!" He exclaimed, though he couldn't help but smile a bit, his displeasure dissolving at their presence. It was hard to stay mad when it felt this nice to see them again. Star chimed in, pulling her damp, golden hair out of her face as she flashed him a grin in return.

"Uh, yeah, I guess we did. You didn't exactly make it hard for since you were, like, staring at something or whatever." She answered, and Paulina seconded the notion, nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, like, it made it super easy to sneak up on you, but that was Dale's idea. But, like...what were you staring at anyway?" She asked, giving him a wondering look that both Dale and Star matched.

"Oh, uh..." Kwan started, looking back over his shoulder, peering out to the place where he'd last seen Dash...but instead only found the empty field.

Just like that...he was gone.

Looking back at them, he rubbed the back of his neck, unsure of how to say what he'd seen.

"Well, I...I thought I saw Dash, but - " At the suggestion of it, Dale chimed in with what Kwan could only describe as disbelief.

"Dash? What would he even be doing out here? I didn't call him so..." The teen started, flashing an odd look at Kwan in reference to the idea of it, and Kwan didn't exactly disagree. It wouldn't really make a lot of sense to come to school in the pouring rain for no reason (or what they're assuming is no reason), especially if it isn't for something like meeting friends or something like that. Despite that, it wasn't so hard to think that maybe...he had gone in school, that maybe...he had something to do?

But then...what would that entail?

It was the first day; Dash wasn't exactly known for taking initiate when it came to assignments, so he wasn't going early because of that, Kwan could be certain of that.

And the others seemed to agree.

"Oh! Maybe he's, like, going to see a teacher for extra credit! Like, could you imagine that?! Dash going out of his way to do work? Oh my god, I would so pay to see that..." Paulina voiced almost...scathingly. Kwan didn't miss the condescending tone of her words, but didn't comment on it, chuckling as the others seemed just as amused at the idea.

"Yeah, right. Like hell he'd do that. Kwan, you probably just saw someone else that looked like him or something. It's not like the doors would be unlocked or anything, so he wouldn't have been able to get in. Might have been...a hobo or something, I don't know." Dale remarked dismissively, and at his suggestion, the girls seemed to agree.

"Yeah, the only things Dash seems to be good at is making other people do work for him...well, maybe one thing, actually." Star noted, though she didn't seem to be joking.

Kwan didn't say much, but he didn't exactly disagree.

He wasn't in the business of fighting battles that weren't his...and if he could be perfectly honest...it wasn't as if any of it was untrue.

Not that he'd ever say that to Dash.

It was mostly kept between him, Dale, Paulina, and Star...as gross as that made him feel, but...he didn't really do anything differently.

It was easier to just go along with it for the most part.

Thankfully, though, the three seemed to tire of speaking about Dash altogether, and all the same, the bell rang out over the noise of the storm, a thankful tangent that could turn the conversation away from the uncomfortable path that it was about to take.

"Anyway, let me tell you guys what happened over the summer. Sicily is freaking amazing!" Dale changed subjects just as quickly, moving on without so much as missing a beat, and immediately, the girls were enthralled.

"Oh my god, Sicily?! You have to tell us everything! You know, I dated an Italian guy once, total hottie..." Paulina started, trailing closely behind, and Star wasn't far off, Kwan taking up the back as the three led the way to the front of the school.

With their attention occupied, as they crossed about where he'd last seen Dash, they passed the back gym door. Of course, none of the others tried it, but curious, when the other three were just out of ear shot, Kwan went up to the cold steel, minding the handle for a mere breath before reaching out to grasp it.

'This is stupid...' He thought to himself, not moving for a moment before rolling his eyes, giving it a single press that caused him to redirect his attention.

It...was unlocked.

So...did that mean...someone did actually go into the school? But...why would it be -

"Hey! Kwan! Where'd you go? I'm just getting to the part where I met this guy with a dog that could totally talk, and you're about to miss the best part!" Dale called back, and just before they peered around the corner where they'd walked, Kwan rushed to meet them, chuckling nervously.

"Oh, sorry! Just...tying my shoe, that's all!" He answered quickly, and though that had to be the most cliche response he could have given, none of them seemed to question him on it too much, instead returning to the story without a missed moment as Kwan followed behind them. Though he tried to listen, he couldn't help but think back to the person that he'd seen, the one that looked...strangely just like Dash...and the fact that when he'd gripped the handle to the back gym door...it had been wet...as if someone had just touched it as well.

Yet all the same, he ejected the thought from his mind, instead choosing to focus on Dale and his story just as they made it to the front of the school.

Just in time to meet the visage of a black truck.

- (Same time...) -

"Oh my gosh, and Mom and Dad were totally trying to get me to go to Polter Heights! Could you guys imagine that?!" Sam exclaimed just as the bell rang, though the thought seemed horrifying to Danny. Sam, in a girly uniform? Absolutely absurd, and more importantly, that would make it impossible for them to see each other during the school day, something that none the three of them could even fathom.

"Uh, no. Definitely not. What? So you can start a union or revolution or something because of the dress code? That'll be the day." Tucker said with disbelief, giving Sam and Danny cause to chuckle at the notion. Gathering their scraps from breakfast and their bags, the three made their way to the trashcan just beside the stairs leading to the main entrance, tossing their things inside quickly before making their way to the first step...that is, before the students around them seemed to stop, most turning towards the street with interest. The three seemed to follow suit, turning their attention to the massive, black vehicle that seemed to grab each and every one of their attention, even more when what they assumed were armed guards came behind it in a matching truck, a display rarely seen for somewhere as small as Casper High.

"Um...you guys have any idea what's going on?" Danny whispered first, giving both Sam and Tucker a quizzical look that neither could answer, each shrugging at a loss for what to say. All the same, the guards went to the first truck, opening the doors and matching umbrellas as two youths, both sporting a head of fiery, red hair, came upon the sidewalk and began making their way to the front doors of Casper. Danny wasn't ignorant to the looks utter of awe and interest that were obvious on just about every student's face when meeting that of the twins', or what he assumed were twins, since they looked identical, too. The halfa couldn't really figure out why it was that people were...enthralled with them.

For all intents and purposes, they looked fairly regular to him.

However, it took Sam turning back, her face twisted with shock and sudden interest, to really strike a chord with Danny.

"Wait, I think...they might be part of the Blackwood family. Um...I can't remember their names...but they're, like, part of this super famous family of ghost hunters, I think...but don't quote me on that. I saw it on the news over the summer that they were supposed to be coming or something..." She whispered, watching as the two sauntered by, though one of the twins seemed to be far more into the attention the other, the latter markedly shyer, as far as they could tell. Danny, however, a bit skeptical.

"How can you be sure? Maybe...they're just regular celebrities or something. Besides, why would they be here, going to Casper? Isn't there like some rich boarding school that apparently really famous, really rich people go to or something? No offense, Sam." Danny added, giving her an apologetic smile, though she didn't seem to take it the wrong way.

"None taken." She answered back, and just as quickly, Tucker chimed in.

"I mean, sure, there could be other celebrities that come to Casper, but how many do you know are going to have Blackwood branding on the umbrellas...and the guard's suits...and on their bags, too? Just saying...and besides, maybe they moved in town or something...and maybe they came to this school because of the...you know..." Tucker started, though he didn't have to finish it for them to know just what he was talking about.

And really, Danny rather him not bring that up at all.

"Yeah...well...we better get inside. Maybe if we're fast enough, we can dodge the paparazzi. Come on..." Danny started, leading the two into the school through a sea of students following the trail of the Blackwood Twins, and immediately, Danny knew that this school year was going to be far more interesting than he'd hoped it would be.

- (Same time, Elsewhere...) -

He couldn't name how many times he'd tampered with his hair. A prod here, a push there; it was a little harder to style it without gel, but he managed get it just where he needed it to rest for him to feel as though he could be seen like this.

Well, save for the pervasive bags under his eyes that wouldn't leave, no matter how much foundation and concealer he put on them, so he counted it as a loss, seeing as he had so little time left to prepare.

The day had started; he didn't have time to waste anymore.

'I can do this...I can do this...' He started again and again, uttering it to himself in the hopes that maybe...he'd begin to believe it.

No...no, he didn't have a reason to be nervous. He was...he was fine.

Dash was always fine.

He was perfectly...fine.

With one last glimpse into the mirror, the teen gave himself his signature, charming smile.

"It's go time." Dash whispered to himself, and with a toss of his bag over his back, the teen bolted from the sink to the locker room door and, with a evening breath, he pushed it open, and was greeted to the pristine halls of Casper High.

It looked just the way he remembered it did.

"Okay, so...where to now..." He uttered quietly to himself, noticing that the halls, for the most part, were still rather empty, though he could hear chatter and hustle somewhere through the school, a sign that these passages would soon be overrun in just a minute or so. Dash couldn't really guess who his homeroom teacher would be, and it probably wouldn't do to wander about not knowing where he was supposed to go the entire day, would it? Despite not having his schedule, he could at least guess where he could find out...the guidance counselor's office.

She would know how to access his records, or whatever, the teen figured since...this wasn't exactly an uncommon occurrence.

He didn't have his schedule last year.

Or the year before that in middle school.

Or the year before that, even.

It was a running gag that he was always oblivious about this sort of thing with friends and even teachers...much to his dismay, or that he was negligent, that he didn't care about his studies.

That he couldn't even do the bare minimum and do something as simple as just have his schedule for the year.

Wasn't that hilarious?

He didn't...intend to be incompetent...but it sure as hell felt as though he was.

'Because you are. You can't even do that much.'

'You could try harder. Maybe you wouldn't be so stupid if you tried.'

His mood seemed to dip at the notion, even if he tried really hard to disregard what they said...but it wasn't easy. It was hard to listen to them all of the time, and even harder...not to start believing what they screamed at him.

Really hard.

Impossible, even.

"S-sorry...I...nevermind..." He whispered to them, to himself, he couldn't tell, yet regardless, he had a mission in mind as he walked down the hall.

'Go to the guidance counselor's office.'

It was so simple, even he should be able to follow through, right?

The sound of incoming students gave him credence to look forward, something to focus his attention on...or attempt to. When it came to passing the first students, their passing, if wary, gazes brushing over him as they parted out of his way, Dash could at least motion to grin as their collective discomfort at least said one thing to him: they were noticing him. Dash couldn't describe it, the halting looks, the sudden notices of his person as he whisked quickly down the hall and towards the main lobby, much of the other students staunchly avoiding him as best as they could for fear of enacting his wrath.

Something in their apprehension at least conveyed to him that he was someone worth looking at.

That he was in control here, in these small, miniscule ways.

Smiling broadly, he didn't waste time, throwing his weight into one of them, a small, thin boy that was shoved harshly into the lockers himself, vocalizing discomfort with a muted grunt that only made Dash shiver as the boy's soft, grey eyes looked back at him with...fear.

Fear.

He liked how it felt, how it sounded to say that.

Fear.

He liked when others looked when he did that.

He felt...important. Important enough that he almost forgot just how worthless he felt on his own.

Regardless, he'd made it into the main lobby just in time to meet the twins.

Or rather...see them from afar, that is.

Dash wasn't, however, used to the amount of people that flocked the window of the main office as they pointed and gawked at them from behind the glass. Curiosity struck him as he looked past the other students, and to what they could possibly be looking at, the idea that someone else was getting that sort of positive attention...and it wasn't him...annoyed him.

Annoyed him more than he'd like to admit.

Unable to parse who they might be, Dash held his arm out just short of touching a younger, male student, a bit broad-shoulder, but shorter than Dash himself, the teen paused, almost seeming to squeak at the unwanted attention. Looking up warily, the latter almost seemed too scared to give Dash his attention, but seeing no other recourse, he stammered quietly over the noise.

"D-Dash?! I...sorry, was I in your way?" The kid stuttered, voice mousy and quiet, making Dash grin with amusement.

He liked when they were scared.

However, he was much more interested in getting answers, not brutalizing the kid, so he leaned down a bit, just enough to remark in his ear.

"Hey, who are the red heads in the office? The ones everyone's freakin' out about?" Dash voiced in his typical, high-pitched, and admittedly, petulant voice. It was almost too easy to put it on, his mask. Just as soon as he'd entered the building, was just as soon as his second skin was donned. He'd practiced enough for it to almost be second nature for him to change his voice a bit, and just like that, he could be recognized, the shorter student rushing to give an answer.

"O-oh! I think they are the Blackwood kids. I, uh...I don't know their names yet, though." He uttered quickly, but just like that, at Dash's irritated expression, he was quick to apologize, grasping the taller teen's arm as solace, missing the quick shift in his expression.

"S-sorry! I wish I could tell you their names, but - " Before he could even finish his answer, Dash was quick to rip his arm out of the other student's grasp, disgust and something unreadable heavy on his features.

He didn't do touching.

"Whatever. Move out of the way, nerd." Dash spat coldly, and just like that, the kid rushed off, leaving the teen to his own devices, though he found himself trying to suppress the sickly feeling in his gut at the ghostly sensation of the other's touch.

He hated it.

'Blackwood? Who the fuck are they?' Dash voiced in his own mind, suddenly feeling...territorial.

He wasn't really pleased with the idea that someone else might be stealing the spotlight from him.

This was his school.

He didn't share the spotlight with anyone.

No one.

Regardless, there wasn't much he could do about that right now, much less if he didn't even know where or even what his classes would be.

'Whatever. I can deal with them later. Make sure they know who owns this school. Right now, I need to get to...whoever is the counselor now. Don't have much time to mess around.' He reminded himself, and with one last look at the main office window, Dash turned away, going in the opposite direction from the office and to an opposite hallway.

However, just as he'd turned a corner, he felt something collide into him, a far smaller presence and one that, all the same, threw him from his thoughts.

'What the...I really need to stop bumping into people - ' Before he could finish the thought, he was met with a kindly face, doughy, soft features upturned into a gentle, apologetic smile that he hadn't expected to meet.

"Oh, sorry, sweetie! Still learning my way around. You aren't hurt, are you?" The young woman asked softly, and Dash could see her hand reaching out to him, intending to make contact with his arm in the same fashion that the kid had. It gave him time to rush to his feet, pulling away quickly, but with a subtlety that didn't raise alarm in the former before extending his own hand, forcing a smile on his face.

'This is far more...contact...than I'm really in the mood for...' He couldn't help but think, though his displeasure didn't show on his face.

He was rather good at hiding that sort of thing.

"Oh, what, me? I'm fine; it's me who should be apologizing. Sorry, I didn't see you there, Maam!" He answered in kind, withholding the urge to gag as he felt her skin touch his own once their hands met, but he held it together well, the woman nodding kindly at him as stood back up.

"That's okay! I imagine we're all a little flustered today, what, with it being the first day." The woman responded, her gentle, brown eyes gazing quietly to the floor where several folders and files had been scattered. It didn't take long for Dash to realize that he hadn't only run into her, but he'd also fucked up her stuff, too.

'You screw up.'

'She's angry at you, can't you tell?!'

'Look at what you did - '

"O-oh, man! Sorry about your, uh, papers! That's...that's my bad. Let me get that for you - " Dash exclaimed quickly, happy to release her hand and duck down, scrambling to gather the stacks of items he'd been responsible for messing up.

'Your fault, your fault, YOUR FAULT - ' A voice screamed at him as his body reacted to the sound of her moving, and whilst he subconsciously expected a far angrier reaction, she only smiled, bending down beside him to help.

"Oh, it was just an accident, sweetie. I'm not upset with you. Now, let's hurry and get these up; I know you have a homeroom to get to..." The woman answered softly, following Dash's action as the two of them cleaned in silence.

Not...angry? No, she had to be upset.

That's what happened when you messed up.

People get angry. They always got angry. He deserved for her to be angry.

'Look at how she's looking at you. She's only pretending not to be so that she can punish you later. Look at her, LOOK AT HER - ' A voice spat, but sound of her voice, the woman's voice, came in suddenly with a rush of blood and his own heartbeat in his ears. It only took Dash a painful moment to notice that she was touching him, his body lurching violently at the contact before reclaiming his composure, the teen missing what she'd said.

"Huh? Did you say something?" The teen could only respond dully, turning to face her again with a bewildered expression on his face, however unintentional it might have been. He needed to keep it together, he was already losing it, and it was only the first day. However, she didn't seem taken aback by him, only seeming to repeat what she assumed Dash had missed.

"Yeah! I said my name is ! Most people call me by Bellworth, but I like Sarah a lot better. What's yours?" She asked, taking up the last of the strewn papers about the floor before Dash came to slow stop.

Why...was she asking him his name? Why did it matter?

Was...she going to report him for this? For bumping into her?

He was in trouble, wasn't he?

Dash's smile faltered a bit as the voices found footing in his fear.

'Can't you see that she only wants to hurt you?'

'She's going to tell everyone what you did. Everyone is going to hate you.'

'She hates you, too. She wants your name so that she can tell everyone who messed up her things. Look at what you did - '

No...no, he didn't want to be in trouble. Why couldn't he have just been more careful? Why did he have to fuck up everything all of the time? It was only the first day, and it was already off to a terrible start -

"Um...you...don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I know we just met, but you just seemed really sweet, that's all. Here, I've taken up enough of your time, you can give me those in your hand if that's okay..." Sarah added, giving him a patient smile despite him never answering her.

He was certain of how it looked.

That he was being rude.

Looking around him, he could see people staring at him, right? They were wondering why he wouldn't tell her his name, why he was such a freak, right?

Right?

Nodding, he handing the files to her, careful to make sure their hands didn't touch.

"Ah...no, that's not...I just..." Dash started, finding the words hard to mend.

He wasn't exactly sure what to say to her, but figured an apology would be a start.

He was wasting her time. He was being bad.

He didn't want to make her more upset with him.

He'd done that well enough already.

"S-sorry. I'm..." The teen started, but his mind was torn.

'No! Don't tell her! If she knows your name, everyone will - ' One voice said, pulling his thoughts in one direction.

'Answer her! You have to! You need to! You'll get in trouble if you don't do what she tells you! That's what good boys should do - ' Another commanded.

No, that one was right. If he was a good boy and did what she asked, that meant that she wouldn't be angry any more. She was asking him something.

He had to listen to adults. If he didn't, he was being bad.

He didn't want to be bad.

"I'm Dash...Dash Baxter. Nice to...meet you." The teen answered, smiling despite the fact that it felt forced...painful on his features. But she didn't seem to notice, giving his arm one more gentle pat that made his stomach twist painfully at the touch, his skin wriggling like worms at the contact.

But he didn't move.

You were supposed to let them touch you.

He wasn't supposed to move, even when it made him feel sick.

That's what good boys did.

Smiling at him, she nodded, repeating his name a few times.

"Dash Baxter, Dash Baxter...I'll be sure to keep that one in mind. See you around, okay, sweetie?" Sarah said as she passed him in the hall, and in response, Dash nodded, smiling even after she left his presence and he felt the urge to vomit.

But he didn't.

Despite the sensation, he couldn't help but turn the interaction in his mind over and over, unable to really fathom that...she was just being...nice to him?

'No...no one is just 'nice to you' without a reason...' The teen thought, starting his way towards the guidance counselor's office, or, where he assumed it still was. In the back of his mind, the voices, his own paranoia, his own fear, seemed to answer his inquiries in kind.

'She must want something...they always want something...' one voiced speculated, and Dash...couldn't disagree.

It was true. He knew it was. No one gave with expecting something in return. But...if that was true...why did his gut want to believe...differently.

Something about her felt...nice.

But...but that's just it. Anyone can be nice. Anyone could be nice until they get what they want from you. She wants something. They always want something.

'That's right. You know what she wants, don't you?' Another voice purred, a sickly, gross sound, but not an unfamiliar one.

No.

He...he didn't get that feeling from her...did he? But...what else would she want, then?

'She wants you. Wants her to fuck her. That's all anyone wants. That's all you're worth. A good fuck. Then she won't talk to you. You know that..' A voice, another, purred into his ear, making him feel...ill.

He...wasn't sure why, but he wanted to believe that wasn't true.

But...should he expect any differently? They...weren't wrong.

That's all he was good for.

Being used.

Used...then discarded.

Why would he believe it would be any different with her, with anyone?

He should expect that, right?

He didn't even know her.

He...didn't know what to think.

Reaching a door cut in the hall, he tried to correct himself, to regain his composure once more.

He needed to play the part.

He...need to just keep it together.

The day had only just begun, after all.