"Sharpe!"

I cringed at the sound of Charlie's voice. I almost made it inside the dormitories, but my luck was bound to run out eventually. I turned, glaring up at the brutish boy.

"What do you want?" I said as nonchalantly, holding my books tighter to my side.

"'Eard you got yourself a girlfriend."

"What?"

I was at a total loss. Charlie is known to be ridiculous for his loud mouth during lessons and for thinking he is the meanest bloke in school when really he's more of a nuisance than anything. However, Charlie was not a gossip.

My back and head smacked against a pillar and my books spilled across the stone courtyard. Charlie's rank breath covered my face as he spoke, and I held my breath to keep from gagging.

"Leave Artie alone, you goth creep. If you so much as speak to her, you'll be sorry."

Charlie gave me a final push before suddenly storming off towards the dorms. I turned to see one of the professors looking in our direction. Taking a deep gulp of frosty air, I chuckled to myself. Charlie had no chance with Artie. Even though he's slightly taller than most, he has more fat than muscle and his hygiene was definitely lacking. He must be mad to think he had a chance.

Rubbing the back of my head, I stooped down to pick up my books, brushing off the light dusting of snow. As I headed to my room, I closed my eyes, enjoying the sound of my footsteps echoing through the empty halls. I loosened my black tie and unbuttoned my matching vest, allowing myself to relax. I quietly slipped into the room just as when the cloak struck nine. One of my roommates was already in bed but the rest were still missing. I quickly changed and got into bed, moonlight covering me.

Artie's face came to mind. Why would Charlie think she was my girlfriend? We only talked in class and occasionally in passing. I shook my head, familiar thoughts starting to surface.

Lucille. Is she still alive? Will I ever see her again?

I groaned into my pillow. Nights are always the worst.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I shuffled to breakfast, fixing my uniform as I followed the stream of students. I took my normal seat towards the end of one of the long tables and opened my book to where I left off last night. I bit into my buttered toast after I placed a piece of scrambled egg on top. Charlie was at another table across the hall, and I nearly choked. He had slicked his hair back with too much product and was wearing what I imagined was the smallest size of his uniform because the buttons were straining to stay together and it looked like his white dress shirt was a second skin.

"Thomas?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin. Artie was standing behind me.

"I'm sorry," she chuckled. "I was wondering if I could sit with you."

I glanced back at Charlie. He was glaring back at me.

I smiled before turning back to Artie, relishing how Charlie's face turned beet red.

"Of course."

Instead of sitting in front of me, she took the seat next to me. I shifted slightly. My brief moment of confidence was vanishing.

Why was she sitting with me?

I could no longer focus on my book. I was aware of every move she made. She was a friend but this felt oddly...intimate. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed how quickly she ate her food, how she would sketch in her notebook, and how often she would push back her almost white hair behind her ear.

I couldn't help but smile a little. Moonlight. Her hair reminded me of moonlight.

"Reading something good?"

I closed my book.

"Not really," I said as I ate the last of my food. I met her blue eyes and I saw the disappointment in them. I haven't said a word since she sat down. I raked my mind for something to talk about.

"What are you drawing?"

She smiled as she showed me the patterns and swirls she created all along the edge of the pages I breathed a small sigh of relief. The tension started to ease.

"It makes my notes less boring to look at, don't you think?"

I nodded, admiring how the designs can be dark and bold while so can be light and wispy.

"I'll see you in class," Artie said as she rose from her seat. I stood up with her. Her look of surprise mirrored what I was feeling.

Without thinking, I bowed like a gentlemen, placing one hand on my chest and the other out to my side.

Artie started laughing and so did I as I straightened myself. I ran my fingers through my hair as I felt my face get warm and felt the eyes of others around me.

"I-I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that..."

She quietly said something before she left the hall. I gathered my things and quickly left on the opposite end of the hall, replaying what she said.

"You're sweet."

A/N: To everyone who celebrates it, happy Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoyed this chapter of 16 year old Thomas. I would love to hear what you suspect will happen next!