Thursday...

The bustling noise of the lunchroom echoed off the cafeteria walls; clinking dishes and chatter surrounded Eli and for a second distracted him from the long line ahead.

"Hmm." Sunshine stood on his heels, leaning every which way to get a glimpse of what they were serving. Elias smirked. He was too short. "Must be spaghetti."

"Must be good." Elias added, finally moving up; a bit excited to taste something decent at Somerset.

"Eh. Not really." Sunshine returned to his heels. "Just not as bad as the usual stuff. Pretty plain though."

Elias sighed feeling his excitement leave. "Great." They finally moved up, both grabbing a tray.

"So who's house you think it was?" Sunshine asked, tugging at Eli's shirt. Glancing at the boy's cryptic expression, he knew exactly what he was talking about.

"No clue." He replied, getting a scoop of spaghetti and a slice of the thinnest garlic bread for his tray. "Maybe the rest of the group might have an idea."

"Yea, maybe." Sunshine thought, and Elias gave him a look. Sunshine's face really gave away his emotions.

"What?" Eli asked, making Sunshine glance up before shaking it away.

"It's nothing." He said. "It's stupid."

"That means its something then, huh?" Elias smirked, and Sunshine frowned.

"Uh-n-no." He stuttered, clutching one of his fists.

"Whatever you say." Elias chuckled, moving up in line. "You know you're going to tell me eventually right-"

"Perfect!" Sunshine smiled, and Elias turned around to give him a confused look, only to see rainbow boy strutting away.

"Sun-uh." He glazed over the rest of the line before following after him. Unlike Sunshine who was small enough to duck and slip through the herds, Elias struggled to keep up with his redundant, "Excuse me" or "Sorry."

"Sunshine." He groaned; finally out of the standing crowd. It didn't take long to find the bright orange beanie sitting at a table. "Sunshine-"

"Elias!"

He paused at the blonde girl screaming his name from the other side of the table. "Harley?"

"Who else, dumbo?" She smiled. "We have the same lunch. You look lost. Sit."

He didn't noticed the guy next to her until he gave Elias an aloof salute. He recognized his distinct sandy hair; Porter. "Hey."

"Hey..." Elias sat next to Sunshine.

"So what's this new information that Sunshine's talking about?" Harley rose a brow.

Damn. Elias thought. He moves fast.

"We're not suppose to talk about it." Porter furrowed his brows at her. "Not here at least."

Harley rolled her eyes. "I'm an exception, okay?" She gave Elias a look. "Come on, spill."

"I mean it took a little bit, but we saw him." Elias went to take a bite, but when he looked up, he was met with Harley and Porter's wide eyes.

"What?" He asked.

"You saw him?" Harely leaned in.

"You saw the Neet?" Porter whispered the last part.

"Yea, we followed him too." Sunshine added, making Harley and Porter look at each other astonished.

"You followed him too?" Porter asked, taking out his phone for notes. "Where?"

"Uh, just some bank." Eli began.

"And a store." Sunshine added. "With baskets!"

"And he stopped at a house and left something there." He finished. "We didn't want to get too close."

"Hm." Porter quirked his lips. "Seems oddly...mundane for limited outings."

"That's what we thought." Sunshine nodded. "Well- I think so. Mundane means normal, right?"

Porter rose a brow at him.

"That still doesn't make him innocent." Harley grumbled.

"No-not yet at least." Porter pushed up his glasses. "But its definitely a start. We haven't been able to get eyes on him since the beginning of all this. Great job guys."

"Thanks." Sunshine smiled, and Elias gave a nod.

"Maybe we'll be able to move you guys to Jade after all-"

"But there's still questions that need to be answered." Harley interrupted. "Like who's house was it?"

"We don't know." Sunshine frowned.

"What did he leave? Why?" She continued.

"Does it matter?" Porter gave her a look. "We don't need to know everything this man has in his closet. We just need to know if he's La Mort Noire. No time to waste."

"Let's not forget this guys a creep." She gritted her teeth. "He ruined that girls life-"

"I'm not denying that, Harley." Porter shook his head.

She averted her gaze, scowling. "You're moving too fast."

"I think they're proving to be great assets." Porter smiled, adjusting his glasses again.

"Whatever." Harley gave them a look. "Did you guys get his picture?"

"Uh--well--no." Sunshine frowned.

"Well, we can't move you to Jade just yet. We need his face."

"She's right." Porter added. "Just in case, but once we get that, we'll put you guys on Jade with Rocco and I."

"Cool!" Sunshine smiled, nudging Elias. Elias wanted to smile too, but chose not to, giving a nod. It was exciting to know that they had gotten somewhere and made real progress in catching La Mort Noire, and for Elias, that meant one step closer to his father being proud as well as getting a leg up on Ava. However, there was still things to be done.

"We'll get it." Elias said, reaching for his drink--he paused. He forgot to grab one. Sighing, he glared at Sunshine, taken back by his wide smile.

"We sure will." Rainbow boy dug into his food. "Don't know how long it'll take, but we can do it. We can do anything."

Elias rose a brow before smirking. Sunshine was weird and sometimes unfocused, but he was optimistic. It was refreshing when compared to Eli's thoughts.

They all continued to talk for the remainder of the lunch period, changing the subject to the most random things. Surprisingly, Harley and Porter were normal teens, worrying about homework, upcoming tests, and their future. Elias had almost forgotten that they had a life outside of all this. Shouldn't he?

It made him think. Everything he did...he did for his father. It's rather pitiful really. It should be the other way around, but he was determined to make it that way. When he catches the town's tormenter, Mike will have no choice but to acknowledge him as everyone else will. It was selfish, but Elias didn't care. He was tired of living in Ava's shadow and feeling ashamed for being born. To him, for his life to have purpose, it began with his father. The man that could never look him in his eye or say he loved him. That's all he cared about...

"Are you okay?" Sunshine leaned over, blocking Eli's fixed point of view on the table. Blinking away his thoughts, he took a breath replying, "Yea, why?"

"Its time to go." He replied, not breaking his lock on Elias. Eli hadn't noticed that the other two had gone, and everyone else was throwing away their trash and heading to their last class. Sunshine furrowed his brows. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Elias shook his head. "You wouldn't understand."

"Hmm." Rainbow boy giggled. "Guess that means it something, huh?"

Elias smirked. "Whatever."

~*~

It was the last period of the day, and upon entering, everyone was told to line up in the back of the class.

"Go ahead and start thinking about who you want to group up with." Mr. Wiley said, directing everyone inside. "We're starting a project today, and you will need a partner."

"Oh oh oh, won't you be my partner Elias?" A pretty girl asked, twisting with her arms behind her back.

"I-"

"What about me?" Another girl asked, giving him puppy eyes. "I need a partner."

Elias looked at both of them speechless. "Well I-"

"Too bad." The first girl flipped her hair. "I asked first."

"So? That doesn't mean I-"

"He's my partner."

The room became silent as Cush's low voice reached them. He stood beside Elias, putting his head down while shoving his hands in his pockets. The girls dispersed without another word, and for a second Eli felt relieved. At least he didn't have to choose, and honestly since their whole tutoring sessions began, he found himself more inclined to working with Cush. Plus, he was sure it worked the other way around. He couldn't see Cush working with anyone else. He'd probably scare them half to death.

"Alright!" Mr. Wiley shut his room door at the sound of the bell. "Let's get started."

It was a simple project; research and pictures on a board about their latest topic. Mr. Wiley provided them with the boards and told each group to pick an area to work. Of course Cush picked the corner in the back, but Elias wasn't opposed to it.

"I'll draw." Cush took out his sketch pencil and brought the board closer.

"I'll write." Elias took out a few papers and notes. He was about to start with his first sentence when he was distracted by the intense quick strokes from Cush's pencil. He drew so easily; each line being confident in it's place. It didn't take long for Elias to notice he was drawing a horse for their topic on evolving technology, but he couldn't look away.

Although, it was impossible to see past Cush's alarming mien. He looked mad. Not crazy, but angery; brows knitted together and cold eyes.

"You're wasting time staring." Cush gave him a look, and Elias snapped out of it.

"Right." He went to begin writing, but was once again taken back by the unfolding drawing who's detail was already unbelievable in the short span of time.

"When did you start drawing?" Elias asked.

"Two minutes ago." Cush replied.

Eli teased, "Didn't know you had a sense of humor."

"Six years ago." Cush moved onto the next drawing.

"Had a major inspiration or something?"

"You could say that." He replied low.

"Well..." Eli searched through his binder of papers. "I think my sister has the makings of a decent artist." He pulled out her colored drawing of their family that she made him. "What do you think?"

Cush looked at it for a second before returning to his sketch. "It's terrible."

"She's five." Elias rose both brows.

"Still." Cush insisted. "Terrible."

Elias chuckled, setting the picture down, finally starting on his work. Even though Cush was callously blunt, it didn't offend Elias, but rather made him feel aliviated.

"The potential is there." Cush granted after awhile, and Elias was suddenly curious.

"You have a sister right?" He asked.

"I do." Cush replied.

"You don't talk about her." Elias glanced at him.

"I don't."

"Why?"

Cush sighed, standing for a better angle of the board. "Because everyone else does." Elias noticed Cush's eyes land on Ava's picture and he could see the clear difference between Elias and the others.

"My dad, my sister, me..." Elias explained, pointing to each person on the drawing. "That's Brie. Not my mom."

Cush gave him a look. "Your mom. Where is she?"

"Uh, dead." Elias looked away. "Never met her."

Eli couldn't tell what Cush was thinking. He just continued to give him this dull stare and straight face. It became silent and the both of them went back to their work.

"I'm sorry." He said without looking up and Elias gave a short, empty lift at the corner of his mouth.

"Good to see you two working together." Elias looked up at Mr. Wiley while Cush continued to work. "I've gotten word that you finally began tutoring as well."

"Yeah." Elias confirmed. "Changed my mind I guess."

"So, how's it going Cush?"

The pale boy suddenly stopped drawing; his eyes growing wide beneath his black hair. Elias noticed that the grip on his pencil became increasingly tight.

"Have you noticed any improvement in yourself?" Mr. Wiley asked. "I'd love to give you an assignment for extra credit for your efforts. Maybe a three page paper-"

Snap!

Mr. Wiley paused at the sound, and Elias stared confused at Cush with the broken pencil in his grasp. His hand was still clenched along with his jaw.

"I need to go sharpen my pencil." He answered low. "Excuse me."

He left without another word, and Elias furrowed his brows at the boy walking towards the other side of the room.

"Poor boy." Mr. Wiley shook his head. "He needs the practice."

"Practice with what?" Eli asked, looking at the beat man standing above him.

"Well-you know." He shrugged, nodding, but the longer Elias looked at him with his bewildered expression, Mr. Wiley began to realize, crossing his arms. "Oh wow. You don't know."

"Know what?" He tilted his head.

"I don't understand." He put a finger to his lips. "Why didn't he tell you...?"

"Tell me what?" Elias asked; this time with more dire intent.

"Well...I-nothing." He shook it off. "Don't worry about it."

"But-"

"I'm glad you changed your mind." He interrupted, giving Elias a pat on his shoulder before walking towards another group.

"What...?" He asked mindlessly, still completely puzzled. He couldn't figure out what he was missing, and it was beginning to mess with him. What didn't he know?

"At this rate..." Elias looked up at Cush, who was still peeling extra shavings from his pencil. "We're never going to finish."

"Uh--right." Elias shook away his thoughts. "Let's get to work."

~*~

The rest of the school day went by fast, and because he didn't have to tutor Cush, he was home by 3:30. A bit earlier than he would've liked. With everything at home as a constant reminder that he didn't belong, he loathed the moment he stepped foot inside.

"Eli?" Her tiny voice echoed from upstairs. His body suddenly tensed at the sound of her little footsteps frantically scampering down the hall. When her small figure came to view whipping around the opening at the top of the stairs, she ran down greeting him with a tight hug. Glancing down at her head resting just above his belly button, he furrowed his brows.

"I missed you!" She began jumping; not letting him go. Just as sudden as a blink, a feeling arose within him; warm and comforting. He couldn't help but smile, giving her fluffy head a quick ruffle.

"Oh, yea?" He stepped back, raising a brow.

"Yes!" She jumped, excitedly. "I saved you some of my Jolly Ranchers just in case you were mad at me."

"Mad at you?" He asked, surprised. His face softened, feeling stricken with guilt. "Why would you think that?"

"I don't know." She looked away, putting her hands behind her back. "You're always in your room..."

He tilted his head at her.

"Don't worry. I'm not mad at you princess." He sighed. "I just...got a lot of homework. That's all." He smiled, and just at the sight of it, Ava hopped back into motion.

"Well, even if you're not mad I'm still going to give you the rest of my Jolly Ranchers." She skipped back to the stairs. "There's only purple left though. They're the nasty ones."

Elias chuckled at her candor, watching her swiftly disappear back upstairs, missing her just as quick. Ava was an angel; completely oblivious and innocent beyond belief. Elias began to wonder why he hated her so much. At times she seemed like the only light in his life, and at others she seemed like the only obstacle. He shook his head, shrugging his book bag strap a bit higher, beginning to head up stairs.

"Ava?"

He paused at the loud heels hitting the wood floors.

"Ava? Sweet heart?"

Elias leaned over the railings of the stairs, seeing Brie walking quickly down the hall.

"Ava-"

"She's upstairs." Elias interrupted giving her a look.

"Oh--can you please tell her I said bye. I'm running a little late." She looked at the watch on her wrist.

"Yea, sure." He answered low. A part of him was hoping for a goodbye as well. Not because he needed it, but it'd be nice to be noticed every now and then.

Brie hurried to the front door, and Elias continued on his way upstairs.

"Oh, and Elias..."

Elias turned back to the woman half way out the door.

"Yes." He rose both brows.

She gave a short smile, and for a second he was excited. She was going to say it. She was actually going to say it.

"Can you lock the door for me?"

His face returned to his blank stare.

"Yea, of course." He muttered.

"Thank you." She quickly left, slamming the door shut.

~*~

Friday night...
12:43 AM...

Elias was running a bit behind schedule. Mike decided to stay up longer than usual and Eli had to wait until he passed out on the couch. He hurried towards Sunshine's house, hoping he didn't miss anything extravagant. Approaching his drive way, he noticed that there was a yellow car.

Sunshine's mother must be home. Elias scoffed. That's rare. Skipping up the porch stairs, he brought up his hand to knock-

"Psst!"

He paused.

"Psst!"

He looked around confused.

"Over here Hazel!"

He furrowed his brows when his eyes landed on the figure hanging outside the car window waving him over.

"What are you doing?" He asked, walking towards him. Sunshine popped open the car door, crawling back over to the driver's seat. Elias sat down, closing the door as soft as he could.

"My mom's home." Sunshine pointed upstairs to one of the windows. "So we gotta watch from here tonight."

Elias looked around inside the car. It was definitely an older car and definitely Sun's mothers. All throughout the back were clothes piled with a few bottles and-

"Ah gross." Elias turned around. "Dude there's a condom in here."

Sunshine sighed. "I try not to look back there. She usually keeps this area clean though." He smiled, but it wasn't as bright as his normal ones. "Don't worry, you only have to be here until we get his picture."

Elias noticed Sunshine's embarrassment, and tried his best to relax. Sunshine lifted himself and in one swift motion, he was sitting criss cross, pointing to the glove compartment on Eli's side. "Can you open that?"

Eli did as he was asked. Once it popped open he pushed aside the cigarette box and lighters to see what else was inside that Sunshine could possibly need.

"Can you hand me those?" He asked. Elias paused, grabbing the cigarette box and a lighter.

"This is all that's in here." He chucked. "No sugar stash."

"Thank you." Sunshine took the two items, and for a second Elias was confused. He watched silently as the short, skinny boy took out a cigarette holding it between his lips. Sunshine manually rolled down his window before bringing the lighter closer.

"Wait you smoke?" Elias asked dumbfounded.

Spark!

Spark!

As the lighter finally caught flame, Eli furrowed his brows. Lighting the cigarette, Rainbow boy took a puff until the tip of the stick burned red, tossing the lighter back into the compartment.

"Not often." He finally answered, lowering his head.

Elias was shocked. He never thought in a million years that Sunshine--bubbly rainbow boy, smoked. It was so unbelievable, he couldn't stop staring at the hunched over boy twiddling his thumbs. He was speechless. There was still so much to him that he didn't know. It was like he was meeting a whole new person.

Taking another puff, Sunshine asked, "Do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Smoke." Sunshine gave him a look.

"No." Elias shook his head. "Athlete's lungs."

"Mm." Sunshine nodded, looking out his window.

"Why do you?" Elias questioned.

Sunshine shrugged. "Not because I like it...that's for sure. I don't think anyone does