||NOAH||

Mr. Gil, our choir teacher, and Mrs. Jenson, our band teacher have our bus rides ready to visit TopStar to help set up our music concert. Not many are going, about fifteen kids including me are participating in the preparations. I'm really nervous, I don't really have any friends tagging along, plus delving back to the school that I've loathed and avoided for long seems scary. I sat at the farthest back, while most of the kids were at the front. Since I am part of this program, I've been excused to miss school for today. The others are aware of my absence, but I've been getting many messages from Brad asking my whereabouts. "Where are you?" he sent, followed by a couple of sad emojis expressing his distraught.

"I'm on my way to TopStar to help get some things started for the music performance," I glanced over at the window and saw that I was now nearing areas that are familiar to be near the school. The sight of it sent a cold shiver down my spine.

"Why didn't you tell me before? I'm gonna miss you now..." I could almost imagine him whining.

"Sorry, anyways, I'm sure you're in class right now. Stay focused," I typed.

"I don't wanna, I wanna talk to you," he replied.

Letting out a sigh, I sent another message again, "Brad, if you don't get your attention on where it's supposed to be, I'm gonna be sad," I pouted at my screen.

It took a few seconds before he could reply, "fine..."

"I'm sure your first class is science with Mrs. Rober, and I also know that Andrea and Liam are in there with you as well. They'll be reporting to me to see if you've really behaved throughout," I grinned.

"You suck," was all he sent. I giggled and turned off my phone when one of the supervisors announced that we have just now arrived. Looking out, I stared at our rival school's structure; it was towering, but only a slight bit bigger than ours. We all get up from our seats and started exiting ourselves out of the vehicle. I slowly took my steps towards the facility and entered while one of the students held the doors open for us, "thanks," I said, giving the person a smile. Taking in the view inside, most things have stayed the same, but there were a few changes here and there. The main lobby is still huge as usual, there were extra couches, tables, wall monitors, and much other assets. I saw that the other students were also astonished by the interior, they were walking around, taking in every detail. The teachers were having a conversation with the staff here, occupying themselves for a little while. "Well, I'll be dammed..." I heard a low voice, a recognizable voice. I turned around to see the school's current prep, Thiago, looking at me with a smirk. I gulped as I looked up to see his eyes. He is still tall. "Hi Thiago," I murmured.

His eyes softened and his smile widened, bearing his pearly whites, "I see that you've returned," his voice was smooth and silky.

I rubbed the back of my neck and let out a small laugh, "yep, I'm here to help organize some stuff," I grinned weakly, "don't you have a class to attend to?"

"I've been told to help with your school's services..." His eyes trailed over to a small group of students, narrowing and realizing they were actually Wolverine's students. He turned his head back towards me, "how are you liking your new school?" He says.

"W-well, it's really nice. I've got friends there."

Thiago's eyes lowered, and a frown forms on his face, "Is that so?" He says, to which I nodded to. He lets out a sigh but quickly replaces it with a smile, signifying that he understands.

"Alright everybody, huddle up so we can discuss our plans," Mr. Gill hollered, making everyone form a small circle. Thiago and I joined in as we listened to what my instructions were. I was advised to put up the bleachers with the support of a few students. After finishing up, the first school bell rang and students were beginning to pour out of their classes. Thiago followed me from behind through a hall of lockers, asking if I would want him to lead the way, to which I turned my head side to side and politely declined, saying that I remember where the auditorium of the school is. I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking to, and it resulted in me bumping someone, someone well-toned and big. I stiffened, and slowly turned my head, recognizing that it was Damian that I had collided onto. He looks down at me with a glare, but raises an eyebrow when he remembers me, "well look who we have here, crawling back ain't ya?" He flashes an intimidating smile.

"Damian..." Thiago sighed behind me.

Damian's eyes crept its way to meet Thiago's, his iris seemed to have darkened which scared me a bit, "fuck off Thiago, it's been a while since I've had a talk with this runt," he chuckled lowly. I still haven't made a move. It's as if I was staring directly at Medusa herself. Damian leaned in closer, muttering audibly, "say, I heard you're dating someone, eh?" He starts. I felt my heart beating fast, his presence was incredibly disturbing, "though it ain't Annabel though..." he shook his head, "Nah, what's that big guy's name? Brad?" He laughs with his deep voice, sending chills around my body. A few kids wondering what was going on as they all looked over at us. I felt myself shrink and looked at him in fear. They know?

"Get to class already you prick," Thiago crossed his arms, glowered at him.

Damian's face scrunches up, annoyed by him, but looks back at me again with a wicked smirk, "see ya later you pansy," he whispered and violently patted my shoulder and walked away.

"Puto," Thiago murmured, glancing slightly over his side to see Damian had already disappeared in the cluster of kids. I released all the tension within my lungs and gasped for air. Leaning onto a locker, I tried to regain my balance. "You okay?" Thiago asked.

"H-how does he know?" I looked at him with dread.

Thiago shakes his head, "well, mostly everyone found out you're gay."