The bus got stuck in traffic, but they still managed to get to Independent Living class just in time to avoid being marked absent.

They got equipped and approached the usual counter in the front row, aprons and hairnets on, and hands cleaned with soap.

“Good morning, kids!” the older teacher greeted with a television-worthy smile.

“Good morning, Ms. Reyes!” The students returned with a by now well-trained enthusiasm.

“Now, before we begin, I'd like you to meet your new classmate. Cassandra, can you come to the front for a second, dear?” She called.

“Of course.” A soft, well-articulated voice answered.

Adam followed the crowd, looking back towards the… newcomer…

Blue curls that bobbed gently within the confines of a hair net… Sweet-looking smoky eyes that shone like gold under the winter sun… A face covered in rice white that seemed engineered for cupping... Heart-shaped black lips that curved in the cutest smile…

Time seemed to slow down to a near halt as she passed by, enveloped in a light just as rosy as her perfume. And she passed by, covered in nightfall, her knee-length black lace trim and white vintage apron swaying with each click of her ankle boots.

The still functioning part of Adam's brain could see that Ms. Reyes was saying something, gesturing towards the girl standing by the board, but her voice went in one ear and out the other, without as much as brushing his neurons. The only thing that really registered was the girl's name:

Cassandra. Cassandra Williams. Or just Cassie for short.

Cassie, a young girl who had just moved there from England with her… father and… What was she saying? Something about a dog? A plane? He couldn't really make much sense of it all, with her melodic voice filling his skull like the softest wool, and her amber gaze making his chest flutter as their eyes crossed--

“ --Adam?” The teacher's mention of his name snapped him out of his trance.

“Huh? What?”

“I asked you what you were staring at.” The woman reiterated, visibly displeased. “I understand Cassie's style might be a bit… unconventional. But that's no reason to be rude.”

“What? I-- Ah..." He trailed off, looking around as his ears turned red, seeing everyone staring at him, looking about ready to burst out laughing.

He looked at David for reassurance, but he seemed too focused on containing a laugh at his faux pas to even look at him.

“Well? What are you waiting for? Apologize to the poor girl.” The teacher's voice hit him like a shock collar.

“I… I'm sorry, Cassie…” he let out, pulling his hairnet down, giving Cassie an apologetic peek between his forearms.

She… didn't look uncomfortable. Instead, she seemed… amused? Or was that supposed to be an awkward smile? It didn't look like one…

His ears felt even hotter.

“That's better. Now, Cassie, you may--”

The door to the classroom opened quietly, the light in the room suddenly becoming much dimmer as, as if on cue, the clouds covered the sun.

“Ah! Mark, there you are! Good morning!” the teacher greeted, her cheerful smile twitching as it was forced wider.

“...Sorry for being tardy. We got stuck in traffic.” The boy with his hands in his pockets stuck to business, obviously disinterested in pleasantries or matching her energy, his hazel eyes then focusing on Cassie. “...Are we making Halloween costumes today?” he questioned with a snide smile.

The room stayed quiet for half a second, but a threatening glance was all it took for all to laugh in agreement. 

Adam clenched his fist as he felt anger bubbling in his chest.

He should be used to it by now; he knew he should, but even after all these years, Mark's stupid FUCKING SMILE AND LACK OF BASIC FUCKING RESPECT FOR OTHERS still had a way to get under his skin…

He discreetly took a few deep breaths. 

They were just words, cruel, but just words still--

Adam felt a grounding hand on his shoulder and glanced at its owner, seeing darkness wash over his features as he also pulsated with palpable anger. Still, David tried his best to keep him calm, as they both knew reacting would just make things worse.

“Seriously, what are you supposed to be? Wednesday Addams if she had daddy issues?” Mark taunted her, flicking one of her curls as the crowd continued to perform for their lives.

“If you say so. You do look like you'd know a thing about daddy issues or two.” She continued to smile as she pointed at his orange letterman jacket. “What are you supposed to be? A cry for attention? For help? A bad impression of your daddy's idea of a 'real man'?”

The room went quiet, Adam's rage suddenly replaced with shock and--

All snapped their attention towards David as he let escape a stifled giggle.

Adam felt Mark's eyes trying to burn a hole through his head as he pulled on David's sleeve, his friend fighting for their lives against a tight-lipped smile holding back more laughter.

He lowered his head, fists clenched and shoulders tense as his brain began to wander, each scenario more and more… exhausting.

One WEEK without having to deal with Mark! WAS THAT TOO MUCH TO FUCKING ASK?!

He glanced at the girl as the others' attention returned to her.

Whatever punishment awaited him for David's giggle probably wouldn't compare to what he would cook up for her--

“Cassie is new here!” he blurted out, Mark glaring at him. “She's new to the city and doesn't know many people, you included… I'm sure if she got to know you better, she'd be nicer.” He tried to plead her case, glancing at the girl to see her give him an inquisitive look.

Mark approached and stared him down, Adam trying his best to look as 'submissive and apologetic' as possible.

But he could tell. Adam knew he could tell exactly what was going through his head. How sick of him he was, how much he wanted him gone, how, in that moment, he wanted nothing more than to make that psycho PIECE OF SHIT KNEEL, APOLOGIZE, BEG FOR THE MERCY HE NEVER SHOWED ANYONE WHO DIDN'T BOW TO HIM! 

He could tell… He could tell just how much Adam wanted him dead.

And… he smirked. That stupid, smug, infuriating smirk that just emanated a sense of immortality. That stupid, smug, infuriating smirk that Adam wanted to mince between his gritted teeth, before doing the same to his throat...

“I see. Well,” he turned back to the girl and casually approached her. “How about we take a step back and start with proper introductions, then?” he suggested, extending his hand. “Mark Jones. Cassie, right?”

“Cassandra Williams, but I prefer going by Cassie,” she clarified, shaking his hand, “It's just more casual and--”

“Well, Cassandra,” he made his lack of regard for her comfort clear, Adam seeing the muscles in his hands straining as he pulled her closer, their noses almost touching. “I look forward to getting to know you better.” 

“...Same,” she said, her polite smile unwavering.

“Oh, trust me, you will... Now,” he let go of her hand and wiped his hand clean on Adam's hoodie. “I'm sure Adam over here would just looove to show you around the school! Maybe even be friends with you?” Mark oh so kindly set the shorter boy up, his freshly cleaned hand resting heavily on Adam's head. “Why, I think you two might just get along like a house on fire. Riiiight, Adam?”

“...If she wants,” Adam answered, averting his gaze.

“Oh, guess it's your call then. What do you think, Cassandra?”

“Ah, yes… I guess?” She agreed, eyeing the boy in the letterman jacket with visible suspicion.

“Fantastic! Guess you can pair up with him and-- Oh, wait. This is a class for duos max, right?” He asked the teacher, as if it were a fact he just happened to remember. “Well, I don't have a partner yet, so…”

“Are you sure? I thought you liked working alone? I'm sure the teacher wouldn't mind making an exception,” David intervened, giving the woman a near pleading look.

“Well, I guess since Cassie is new and-- Mark, you work so well alone. She can join Adam and David, and you--”

“Now, Ms. Reyes, having a group of three while everyone else is working in pairs? And I'm working alone? That would just be unfair.” He clicked his tongue. “No, she can pair up with me. In fact, I don't mind if she just wants to stand back, faaar away from the fire and… the knives. And let me do all the work! I'm sure she doesn't want anything to happen to her. I mean, her clothes." He turned to Adam. “You don't mind if I steal your new friend away from you for an hour a week, riiiight? I promise, I will take care of her." He questioned, letting his obvious mask fall to let his displeasure show, his voice becoming lower, his tone threatening.

Oh... Oh no.

“I can pair with you instead,” Adam offered himself up as tribute.

“What?! Dude--” Adam put his hand up, rendering David silent.

“You pair up with Cassie. I'll stick with Mark." He said, trying to sound reassuring. “It's fine.”

“Dude, you can't--”

“Well, it's decided then!” Mark interrupted, smiling mask back on as he turned towards the teacher. “Adam will pair up with me, while David and Cassie work together!”

“Ah, yes. Cassie, you're with David then. Now, chop chop, we already wasted too much time on this.” She hurried them along before anyone could even think of complaining.

“I'll see you later,” Adam told his friend as Mark wrapped his arm around his shoulders and guided him to the secluded counter… all the way in the back…

He thought he heard David say something for a second, but his ears and mind were too full of Mark's voice to decipher it.

“Say, isn't this just… nice?” Mark questioned in an audible whisper. “Just you and… no one else, with me! Just like ooold times." He chuckled, squeezing his shoulder painfully tight, his fingers digging into him through cloth.

“Yeah…” 

What a way to end such a nice week…