Dear All,

Here comes the 5th edited and improved and you will see, way longer chapter ^^ I have added new parts, dialogues, explanations and insights.

I believe you will enjoy this much more and also, you will definitely understand our Aleksandr's behaviour and problems way more. I must be honest with you all: I love him as character and while I wrote "Fire and Ice" for the first time, I had a huge crush on him, somehow finding him perfect for me. I still love him after many years, even after having written the other stories in the series. I cannot explain what's about him, but I like him very much.

Also, in this chapter, we will finally our cutie, our sweet and adorable Jasper, and some of you new readers will ask to yourself: who is Jasper? Well, discover it while reading it and enjoy it, for I'm sure you'll really want to give him a hug.

I have added a picture of Jasper, but as I explained already, the pictures are merely indicative and just to give some visual impact, to give me the chance to mess around with banners, because I give the descriptions of the characters and you can picture them for yourself 😊

Now, I really hope you will enjoy this chapter, so please let me know with your wonderful comments, messages, votes and such, you know I love reading them very much. THANK YOU!

Happy and magic reading!

"Sex is sometimes not enough, I want blood baby, I want you 'cause when I get on my horse I wanna feel the power, smell the magic, wanna drive into the sunset," by Backyard Babies in 'Bad to the Bones'.

TRAVIS POV:

I had a great, no, a fantastic weekend! Even though, I think my cousin Justin didn't enjoy it as much as we all did. I loved him for he was my cousin and I deeply envied his incredible brain, but whenever we spent time together, I couldn't help myself wondering how someone could be so calm and composed. He had a college book with him, saying he wanted to keep up with the workload, and I was amazed at his iron-made diligence. I had high grades, but I still wouldn't study during the weekend, unless there were no other options.

I observed him sitting in our living room, calmly reviewing his notes and the book, shaking the head only from time to time possibly because he was reading something he already knew or found rather obvious. Did he ever have some crazy fun once in high school or even now in college? I really doubted that, but whatever. Who was I to judge? If he liked that, good for him. His girlfriend was a real sweetheart and she couldn't join us only because she caught the flu. Justin was a really nice person and significantly helped me out with mathematics, commenting in his modest opinion I had a quite clever brain (which coming from him was a hell of a huge compliment) but I simply didn't like the subject and thus, I played the lazy card. Probably he was right, because math was my only weak spot and I wouldn't let it damn ruin my grades.

I was terribly proud and stubborn with some silly things, and my mom had given up on them, saying I would learn with time. However, those rather stupid traits brought me to be a bit of cocky smartass sometimes, which was proved by the fact I had chosen the advanced math class. Well, yeah, people could laugh at me as much as they wished, because obviously I had brought it upon myself. How smart was that?

Auntie Madelaine cooked like we had an entire army staying at our place and a couple of times I asked her whether she thought we were starving or what. Mom didn't protest at all for two very simple reasons: it would had been pointless as first thing, and secondly, auntie was really amazing at cooking, so we could store away quite a lot. Hell, I ate a lot of yummy and delicious food and I was already itching to train this week, for I felt I would need extra work out. It was like that with me, I felt something nagging in the back of my mind telling to train harder if I wanted to keep this sexy body of mine and I obliged to that, because let's face it: I was as vain as a cat. And yes, I always thought cats were terribly and amazing vain, and I loved that of them.

And at the thought of extra training to burn the extra calories, to sweat more than usual, Aleksandr came to mind and blood ran downstairs. Hell, I had a dream about him during the weekend and it was so detailed and vivid that I woke up stunned, my heart beating super-fast, as if feeling his hands truly on me. It took many minutes staring at the ceiling to calm myself down and eventually, it worked.

Would Aleksandr help me out with that? An afternoon section of sweating and riding him in every possible thinkable way would be fucking awesome. Hmm...Aleksandr and his beautiful clear blue eyes, his strong jaw and defined muscles...I bet he would be fantastic in bed and somehow, I imagined him taking me in every possible way, wanting to change positions, meaning I couldn't possibly get bored. Sure, he had that glacial very distant look and air around him, he seemed made of ice and very cold stone, but his eyes were burning ice and I wouldn't be surprised if inside he was in fact erupting lava. I still could see his arms flexing under his polo-shirt, and his strong neck, the shape of his nose. Oh, I would slowly start from his full and kissable lips, until my tongue could finally enter and claim his mouth, tasting every inch of it, fighting and dancing with his tongue, sucking it hard, making him groan in desire, in need to tear my clothes away, hardening his grip on my hair. Then I'd slowly kiss his strong jaw and trace the profile of it, and his neck with the tip of my tongue, till I reached his collarbone. We'd growl together.

Oh damn. I totally pictured it in my head and just the mere thought felt fantastic, as if his hands were indeed on me, as he his rugged breath was whispering against my ear. I had a feeling he would enjoy pulling my hair and try to keep me in check, but it wasn't very easy with me. Oh hell, that would be so freaking hot and maybe...

Stop it, Travis, I hissed at myself, because I was getting so hard it was almost painful.

Great. Damn great. Triple damn great.

I flipped through channels, hoping to find something to entertain my very horny self and distract my mind from this rather hardcore train of thoughts, but of course, not a chance. It was so frustrating, and I tossed the remote control to the end of the bed, sighing out in annoyance.

What the hell was wrong with me? I seriously wanted Aleksandr, like I never wanted anyone else and it was incredibly stupid because he was very straight and I no longer desired to go down that road. Once had been more than enough and burned me very much.

Why that Monday did I have to meet him in person? Why that ass-wipe had to push me into him? And why the hell he had to change locker and then talk to me? It was fine to simply observe him from afar, just merely admire him, rank his body with my eyes when he didn't see it, dream of him. But after hearing his voice, his comments and how he openly teased me about my slashed jeans, and in particular, after having felt damn shivers down my back, tingling my skin, every time he stared at me with his handsome poker-face, well, everything became different.

It was like having had a little bite of him, a small tease of what he could taste, and I wouldn't be satisfied until I had him entirely. My stupid and hot mind worked in that way, just like my hormones and desire. He spoke and looked to me in a way I was left craving for more, wanting to understand if he really was an ice-made person or not, whether he actually had a warm touch in him or it was only in my mind. I saw him kindly smiling at his friends, laughing at the comments Derek made. I wished he could smile in that same way at me.

It was like an unexpected and leaping fire that began burning and consuming all inside of me, getting stronger and wider, wilder even, until I couldn't control it. It had to break free, to burn everything down to ashes, to engulf everything in its warm flames and make it its own.

But I had to calm the fuck down and get my head to cool it, for Aleksandr wasn't just someone. And what was more important, fire could really freaking hurt and scar your skin permanently, leaving behind not very pleasant memories or images. Hell, it really could burn you.

Badly. Deeply. Painfully.

My mind wandered for an instant to said past memories, to said unpleasant flashes of images, words spoken to burn and hurt, and for a damn, short instant, my mind wandered to Logan. I froze on the spot, seeing his face once more in front of my eyes, hearing his words and my breathing became more difficult, heavier, my hands trembling. I stared at the TV with wide eyes, not really seeing what was on the screen, until I grabbed my head between my hands, shaking it as if to chase those thoughts away, to scroll them far, far away.

It wasn't like that. No. The crush I had for Aleksandr wasn't like that at all and he definitely was not the same kind of person. It was nothing like that and however, there was nothing to consider, for he was very much heterosexual and definitely not interested in becoming friends with me or remotely getting involved with me.

That same voice once more hissed in my mind, slithering in my thoughts and driving me mad, my body shaking more, my hands clutching my head. My mouth automatically began to chant the usual words: go away, leave me alone. But the voice persisted, just like that face and the way he looked down at me and...

"Fucking hell," I groaned out, my eyes now focusing on what was in front me, my breathing calming down.

Get out of my mind!!! I loudly and desperately screamed in my head, shaking it furiously, until it felt like they really left and let me alone. Why had I to think about that? Why now?

No, I repeated to myself, it wasn't like that at all. It was a completely different matter and I had changed since then, learned my lesson, learned the painful lesson. Then, it seemed that my mind felt like taunting me was a good hobby, for it trailed back to Aleksandr Lebedev, to his soft smile and his breath-stealing beautiful eyes. I took a few long and measured breaths, realizing I was fine, because it was just a physical crush, simple physical desire dictated by the fact he indeed was sinfully hot and handsome, with muscles it was not so easy to see on other guys, with a way of assessing people that cut them in half. Yes, there was nothing to worry about, it was absolutely under control, because what more could it have been? I knew nothing about him, I never really spoke to him, and for all I imagined, he could be a gigantic jerk.

Right, dream of that, Travis. I was perfectly aware he wasn't an asshole and that was plainly evident every day in school, from how he walked around the corridor to the way he interacted with people. He was distant, hell yeah, a lot distant, almost unsocial, wanting to keep people miles away from him, but that was all. So, of course, I had to be masochistic enough and wander rather dangerous and dark paths, asking questions I should have not.

Aleksandr...was it possible to have him? Was there an infinitesimal chance? My arrogance and self-confidence yelled "fuck, yeah, Travis, go for it, what the heck are you waiting for?", but I wasn't so sure about that, and for once, reason and rationality learned to take the lead. I knew absolutely nothing about him and maybe, it was better to keep in that way. As long as it remained a simple physical attraction, everything was under control and no pain could be felt, no worse consequences were lurking in a dark corner; but if I were to discover that there was much more in him, that he was a fantastic person I loved to spend time with, well, things would change and not for the best.

I was scared. Yeah, I was honestly scared to discover more, and this wasn't normal at all when it came to me.

As I said before, he was not just someone absolutely random and normal, not to mention nothing and nobody seemed to interest him, exception made for hockey and his closest friends. I have heard about him in school quite a lot and whenever one of my classmates spoke about him, I silently listened, collecting all the information I could. Aleksandr was known as one of the best school's hockey team captains ever and he was a top scorer, the cold ice in the rink being his ideal domain. His entire team respected him and loved his charisma and leadership skills, the fact he first gave all he had while playing. More than once I noticed how girls in school tried to talk to him, but he brushed them off, without a care or concern. Never rudely, just coldly, as if he did not want to be bothered. Same went for some guys wanting to approach him for whatever reasons; he wouldn't let them. Some students judged him arrogant and full of himself, but I personally disagreed.

I think there was something more to it and however, he sure didn't have that conceited air around him, feeling like he owned the school, something that John Collins clearly had. Aleksandr was confident, that yes, but there was nothing wrong in it, a trait making a guy or a man in fact much sexier and attractive. Moreover, why should he have not been confident? He was as handsome as Greek God, he was very smart, talented in sports and it looked like he had very good friends, friends he could trust entirely. Yeah, something I didn't have for long time or maybe, thinking about it carefully, it was something I never really had.

Anyway, the point and conclusion to all of this could be summarized in one question only: why would he let me get close to him? Why would he consider me an exception? Alright, maybe two questions, but the matter didn't change. I shook my head, already knowing the answer.

Then, the not very nice part of me bit me in the ass and I listened to it a moment, for all this thinking was sort of depressing me. Hell, what was wrong with me? I was mister sexy confidence, who never was shy or uncertain. You want something? Well, go and get it, for God's sake. Yes, this used to be my motto and for a moment, I indulged in the apparent placebo effect it gave me, luring my thoughts not where I exactly wanted.

Maybe it's about time you call someone to arrange a get together, some hot date, right Travis? These words seemed to be whispered in my head and I listened to it for a short moment, reaching for my phone, but I placed it back on the nightstand, shaking my head.

I sighed out and closed my eyes a moment. Not now. Not now, Travis. It was not what I really wanted, and it was not the solution.

I decided to play a movie to distract myself, and I went for something classic like the ballet of "The phantom of the opera", which was absolutely perfect and a beautiful show that would keep me glued at the screen the entire time. Then I chuckled alone in my room, remembering the ballet we went to see the previous night with my mom and auntie. From time to time I peeked at my cousin, who apparently appeared to follow the performance. However, I wondered if Justin fell asleep in the meanwhile, because yes, his eyes were open, but I was hell sure he was sleeping with them open, just like Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings". He was staring at the stage almost not blinking, not exactly focused and I believed he probably fought against the urge of resting his head back and take a good nap.

But that didn't matter, for the three of us enjoyed it a lot; it was a modern version of the ballet of Romeo and Juliet and damn, all of the dancers had been fantastic, leaving me so excited I knew on Monday I would go on for hours and hours, feeling the same passion they showed on the stage. It was so good and spellbinding to the point that even aunt Madelaine didn't utter a word for the entire performance, not even a small comment or question, watching it completely captured. Even mom later secretly confessed me she had been impressed by her sister.

And right on que, she knocked at my door.

"Yes mom?" I called for her.

She opened the door and stepped inside the room, her light brown hair pulled back in a short ponytail, her pitch-black eyes looking very tired, yet fondly smiling at me.

"Travis honey, don't stay up too late or else, tomorrow morning I'll have to drag you out of bed by brute force," she joked, well aware I was a rather hyper person by nature, so after the first few minutes in which I connected my brain to post-dreams reality, I would walk about full of energy and talking. A lot, sometimes, according to my mom.

"Do you want to join me? Do you have time? It's the Phantom of the Opera, and I know you love it!" I sat on the bed trying to convince her, patting the space beside me, but I had an idea she was really busy with work.

"I'd love to, but I have to review some documents for tomorrow's meeting and I really cannot postpone it. With my sister here it was impossible to look at them during the weekend," she replied, and I nodded, mentally cheering for her. I remembered she explained me her office was about to conclude an important and difficult case, which might lead to gain a long lasting and very profitable client. Obviously, I wished her the best and all the success she deserved, because she really worked hard, and she was never scared of making many hours of overtime.

I stepped down the bed and went for her, hugging her tightly.

"Alright, so good night mom and take care, let me know if you need anything or if I can do anything to help," I said.

"Don't worry, Travis, but thank you, I will go to bed once I am done. Sleep well, and..."

"Don't stay up too late." We said on purpose at the same moment, laughing together.

She left and I continued watching the DVD, but fortunately soon I felt my eyes heavy, thus I decided to go to sleep. A long week was ahead of me, especially long afternoons, with Natalia that recently seemed very much on the mission to make us sweat blood. But I honestly could not complain about it, for it was my life, something I chose with my heart, and I loved it deeply.

-MONDAY MORNING AT SCHOOL-

I inserted the combination of the locker and opened the little door, fishing out a couple of books, thinking which classes I had in the immediate few hours. Argh. Monday morning, which definitely was not my favorite day ever, but I had a theory about it; the week had to start from somewhere and who advocated abolishing Monday made no sense, because we still would have a first day of the week. So, my theory was to get day gone as soon as possible, so it was done and behind and the week already on going.

While my mind concentrated on that, I tossed my bag inside the locker and went to close it, but a finger tapped my shoulder and I almost jumped out of my skin. With the music jamming in my ears, I didn't hear anyone calling me or even approaching me from behind.

"Fucking hell," I cursed while jumping, feeling my heart thundering in my throat for the unexpected surprise, somehow feeling like a cat suddenly jumping up at the view of a cucumber, because God only knew why some cats were scared of them, and most importantly, God only knew why human beings had fun in pranking their cats with something so silly. Once I saw a collection of such moments in a video, and I secretly wished those cats were going to wake up their humans at 3 AM, which probably was what happened anyway.

After taking a deep breath to calm down my rather stupid reaction, I turned around and almost jumped out of my skin a second time. Almost, for I managed to play it way cooler this time. I saw an amused and damn so sinfully hot Aleksandr looking at me. My stomach made a triple summersault and my eyes quickly ranked him up and down, impossible to resist it, my heart this time accelerating for completely different reasons. Hell, he was so handsome I felt my hands itching to touch him and I realized, my crush was getting worse. He was breathtaking to say the least, and the scent of his cologne, cool, spicy and captivating had my knees almost tremble. But again, only almost. I heard he was very good at putting what you might call a poker-face and I think I noticed that in class, but the fact was that I also was damn good at it.

"Hey, you scared me," I said without exactly thinking about anything else, somehow wanting to slap myself. That didn't sound very clever at all. Err, didn't I say I wanted him? Oh yeah, I decided better not, for my mental sanity, so I guess my brain took over.

"I saw that," he only replied quite calmly, still slightly amused, his lips tilted up only to one side in a way that was freaking hot and sexy, darting his light-blue gaze for a brief moment all over me. Was I again wearing something not according to his style? I had simple light blue skinny jeans and a tight black turtleneck sweater, well, with a heavy chain-belt around my hips and animal print Converse. I had so many pairs of Converse and shoes in general that mom and I had to organize the closet we designed for them beside the entrance door, for both of us hated the idea of walking around our place in dirty shoes.

Aleksandr didn't move and so, I took the chance to enjoy the view of him longer. I leaned my back against the lockers, combing my hair to the side of the forehead with my fingers, looking straight at his transparent-blue eyes, my lips tempting a ghost of a flirty smile. I had said it was pointless, but I simply couldn't help it. Hell, he was so hot and handsome, in a way nobody ever struck me as such before. There was a touch of roughness in his hotness and that turned me on very much, not to mention the way he was right then assessing me back. Yeah, he definitely was not ice in bed, but only if he found the right partner and too bad, it could not be me, because I would pull the most kinky and wild beast out of him. I observed how he was dressed, always appreciating his simple yet complimenting to his body style. The sleeves of his checkered shirt were rolled up to his elbows, and so his muscular forearms were in full display for my personal and horny content.

"You were singing before, what was that?" He asked out of the blue and I froze right there. Had he just spontaneously spoken to me? I blinked a couple of times, suddenly feeling slightly shy under his intense staring, as if I was standing in front of my first crush in primary school. What the hell was that and what the hell was wrong with me? Get a grip, Travis.

"Backyard Babies," I only replied, somehow trying to concentrate.

"I never heard of them," he continued and I couldn't resist smiling at him, for the sound of his voice was completely wrapping around me and I felt the need to move closer to him, even though I managed to keep it in check. "They are not from US, right?" Oh hell, was this some magic freaking day in which ice-made Aleksandr normally spoke to me and I had not been notified?

"No, you're right, as they are from Sweden and play really amazing rock. I'm sure you would like them," I ventured out and he considered that, tilting his head to the side as if memorizing the name of the band. I noticed that when speaking to him, I had to look up to meet his stare, which made me wonder how tall was he? Quite a lot. Quite a lot of incredibly fit and hard muscles I could...stop it Travis, you bad, horny dog.

"How tall are you?" I obviously asked as I looked up to meet his eyes and contained my reaction to my sudden question by miracle, simply covering with another smile.

Oh great, as usual, first I blabbed and then I thought, a rather curious and peculiar phenomenon that seemed to occur only when in his presence and something that was beginning to worry me. Sure, I was blunt and frank as fuck sometimes, but never at these levels.

In all replied to my question, Aleksandr smirked at me from one side of his kissable and very sensual mouth, a smirk that made my heartbeat faster, my breath catching in my throat. I wasn't sure he realized how incredibly attractive and mind-blowing he looked. After that, he cracked his neck, and again, my heart skipped another beat and I felt something twisting inside of me. Yeah, he really would be a fantastic sex beast and I painfully envied whoever had the chance to experience and enjoy that in bed, and thus, I kicked the thought away, focusing on another more urgent matter at hand.

I really wanted him.

Great. Just fucking great.

"6 feet and 3," he answered while his eyes lingered on mine quite intently, as if he was studying me. He could study all he wished about me.

"I see, now I understand why I need to look up to meet your eyes," I admitted and once more he gave me a very sexy, making my knees almost like pudding, smile, a smile only from one side of his mouth. Oh, my sweet Lord. That was a complete turn on for me and I just realized that the way he did that was getting me hard. Just fantastic...sarcastically speaking, of course. But hell, he was a complete and insane turn on for me and my crush was getting worse and worse by the minutes. We exchanged another look and I silently swallowed down.

I had to avert my gaze away from him, because I was sure that if I kept staring at him longer, something else embarrassing and blunt would leave my mouth. Though, when I turned my head towards the corridor, I saw a face I really didn't want to have to punish my eyes with. John-jockass-Collins was standing there with a couple of guys glaring directly at me, with a disturbing expression on his face, his idiotic minions just looking at me as if I were garbage. I didn't like it at all, and it made me feel suddenly uncomfortable, recalling a slimy and whispering voice that of course started to viciously taunt me in my ears. For a moment I felt breathless and cold, about to choke in thin air. Aleksandr must had seen that, because he moved closer to me and looked at my face with a sincere shadow of concern on his face.

"Are you OK?" He asked me and his voice was very calm and deep, closer than I expected. Warmer than I expected. He then was standing right in front of me, in my eyes appearing almost in a protective and defending stance, muscular and strong shoulders creating a shield, his bulky arms distracting me and at the same time showing me his strength. I exhaled as I understood all my fears, about to choke and drive me insane a moment ago, disappeared in a blink. How was that even possible? My stare slowly moved up to his face, seeing an expression I never ever dreamed of seeing on his handsome and usually glacial face.

Hell, Travis, he is just a crush, just a normal and fleeing crush, just a physical thing and attraction, nothing more. But damn, of course I had to discover something unexpected in him, something that left me stunned in the most fantastic way, bringing back all the thoughts, the worries and consideration I made on Sunday. Aleksandr was not an asshole or an arrogant idiot...no, and I could see that by myself in that very moment. I swallowed down and tried to calm my thundering heart. I was starting to really hate Collins for always throwing me in such situations.

"Yeah, thank you," I murmured quietly, our eyes locked together, and my breath sucked away by him.

He shifted his stare away and I saw him clenching his jaw when he met that assholes' glares. To my great joy and satisfaction, once they noticed his expression and the way he suddenly straightened up as if wanting to walk where they stood, they walked away fast. Freaking wimps and losers. It was true, then. I heard two classmates discussed it at the library, when they thought nobody listened, me reading a book and pretending to listen to loud music through headphones; they said that the morons considered bullies in this school – because apparently it was very hard to have a school without its pathetic and freaking useless, moronic, coward, and what more I could think of while describing bullies – feared him and his friends, but Aleksandr in particular, considered he got into a couple of fights with them already. I wasn't sure about the reasons, but they could have not been stupid and selfish reasons.

"Collins is a real pain the ass," he hissed out more to himself than me, his voice clearly expressing his "love" for that guy I enjoyed calling waste-of-space. Aleksandr then trailed his eyes on me, and I think he didn't miss the way I swallowed down. "I swear, by the end of the semester I'll have his skull cracked against some locker or wall, or better, against a trashcan, where it definitely belongs."

His cold voice and threatening, angered stare he had in that very moment should have scared the crap out of me, all considered, and I did feel a shiver slithering down my spine very slowly, very cold, but it wasn't caused by fear. His eyes had apparently darkened for a very quick moment and it looked like an evil grimace grew on his gorgeous face. However, it was gone in the blink of an eye. It sort of scared me, in a way, because I never expected to see it on him and his words obviously weren't an empty threat; he meant them fully and it was evident that moron had pissed him off too many times. It struck me that Aleksandr could be a calm and distant yet angry person at the same time.

"They entire school would thank you," I tried to say, but my voice wasn't perfectly steady, for too many different emotions had washed over me in way too short moment and I felt a bit dizzy. It was related to what Collins and his way to glare at me moved inside, and a bit with the confusion of feelings I was experiencing around Aleksandr. He didn't answer me, simply observing me longer, his face impossible to read. Did I say something wrong? Hell, was he mad at me now for some inexplicable reason? "Ehm, I haven't seen Derek with you, is he OK?" I mostly asked to make some normal conversation and somehow, see what the heck had just happened with his mood. From nice and protective, to freezing cold and distant in one second.

Something crossed his eyes at my question and he only answered after few seconds spent at staring at me in a way it was almost physical, wanting to see inside of me. I really never met anyone like him before and things weren't getting any easier. The more I spoke to him the more I wanted to hear from him, to be with him. I wanted to have crazy, wild sex with him, and the fact was that I wasn't even slightly ashamed of admitting it and I had no reasons to feel as such.

Great. Had I really made him mad at me? Why? What have I fucking done wrong?

"He comes later," he barely replied, his jaw still very tensed. Great. Had I really made him mad at me? Why? What have I fucking done wrong?

"I see." I swallowed silently, clearing then my throat as I combed my hair away from my eyes. "Well, I think I'll go to class now, see you later."

"Yeah, me too, later," he said tersely, casting me another unreadable and icy glare, for then turning around to walk away quite fast without adding another word or breath, people instinctively getting out of his way.

I looked at his broad back, at his short and black hair and at his ass wrapped in rather tight-fitting jeans that made both my heart and dick jump. Hell, even his ass was perfect and pretty much inviting me to sink my teeth in there. I sighed out silently, as if trying to chase away those thoughts, and went to class, hoping it would calm me down.

Oh right, we had one class together and I wondered how he would behave with me. Would be greet me or decide to ignore me? Whatever, I had to really stop obsessing over a person I could not get.

ALEKSANDR POV:

My anger was thundering madly in my head at a point my ears were almost whistling, and my blood boiled at a dangerous temperature. I had to leave Travis before saying something else or act out of my rage, which wasn't aimed at him but at that freaking piece of human garbage. Shit, I really had to walk away and behave like a rude ass, but it was better like that, because letting my bad, maddened mood out was something to avoid and prevent; people had to take my words on that without having to verify them.

The problem was that I used to have significant anger management issues and it took time, patience and a lot of understand from my incredible father, some counseling and some therapy which somehow didn't work as expected with me, for we realized the best way was to let my father know why I felt so angry and nervous so often it began to worry me. He had been very understanding, not getting mad at me if I got into fights, which I sought to relieve my state of rage (fighting against bullies in school, against my cousin and his bastard-friend who used to be our friend and such), simply explaining me it was not the way. He listened to my shit, took it with so much patience I had no idea what I would have done without him, without my brother, too, who had gone through this as well, but lucky enough to have found the right person to slowly calm him down.

My dad and I then discovered that hockey was the best way to channel out all my resentment for what happened in the past years, for all the situations related to one part of our family that really went shitty and fucked up, to the persons I had lost emotionally speaking, to the friend I had lost, having betrayed us all and much more. Yeah, concentrating on hockey, giving my best to it, training harder after that, sweating in the gym, lifting heavy weights while listening to music helped, not to mention the fact I normally discussed about many things with dad and with my brother, and sometimes, even with Julie, my father's new wife who was a very supportive and emphatic person, deeply and sincerely loving us all. A feeling us three completely reciprocated.

However, sometimes there still were situations that triggered my issue with anger, making me see red and almost hear my blood howl in my head, boiling in my veins melting the usual ice coating them. I felt a sort of pressure inside of me that could not be contained, that had to be released and my skin prickled at that, feeling it too tight on me. It pushed to get out of me, and I rationally knew it had to be controlled and dispersed if possible, which obviously it wasn't always easy. Just like a short while ago. In those moments, I had to be alone and vent it out, because I knew my triggered mood would have the best and the last thing I wanted was to bark something unpleasant at Travis I would later regret, something he would not understand and made him think of me as of some jerk.

But shit, what I saw on his face really got me, especially realizing it came as reaction the way that asshole of Collins was glaring at him. I really wanted to slam his head against somewhere in that moment and I was tempted by the idea of going there and have a fight with him, but I controlled it and let it go. My dad was right, and it definitely was not the solution.

Yet, once more I saw the same expression Travis had last week, when he bumped against me and thought Collins and I would team up against him. He looked positively freaked out, as if he were a rabbit caught in a cage with two wolves and seeing it again... because yeah, I saw it again. That look, that pale and scared expression. It was there on his face for a moment and then gone, but I didn't miss it, and I heard how his breathing changed, the sudden release of it as he understood everything was fine, they imperceptible quivering of his body, the more noticeable shaking of his voice. Why did he react like that? I got it, he was sort of afraid Collins would decide to get at him for last week, if a person like Travis could be easily scared of course, but there was something more. It wasn't just because of that and he understood in school he was relatively safe. Yet, he had freaked out a moment and the way our eyes stared at each other's spoke volumes.

That had me so mad and furious that my own body trembled for the strength of my anger and I knew I had to get away from him, before letting him see this side of me, before letting my rage unfairly get at him. Moreover, something else stirred my temper and it was related to Travis, at the fact I instinctively longed to talk to him, making an unusual effort. And a moment ago, I just didn't want to beat Collins up for being a plain and useless piece of trash, but also because of Travis, how he made him feel. I felt the need to help him and that was the most incomprehensible thing for someone like me.

Why did I care so much about him? Why I wanted to shield him by the frightful emotions Collins seemed to have stirred in him? Why the fuck? Argh...I felt like punching something, so I walked faster, because too many people were around me and there was no need to give a show.

I didn't even know Travis; I didn't know shit about him, aside his obvious love for rock music and rather confident personality, and yeah, his quite eye-catching dressing style. What else did I know? Nothing more. Not a damn shit. I growled loudly, not giving a flying fuck about what people might have thought of me at that moment, as I caught a couple of students eyeing me worried.

Argh, the entire situation was beyond annoyance. It was maddening and I had to let it out, so I found a rather empty corridor and took it out on a door. I punched it with all my mighty and fury, not hurting one bit. I groaned annoyed as I noticed I had left a dent on it, though. Ah whatever. Nobody saw me and even if somebody did, would they have the guts to say something at me? I highly doubted it and if they wished, I could pay for the damn door. I went to punch it once more, but I stopped. I already broke a locker and somehow, the principal of our school said nothing much about it, so I should avoid also damaging a door.

Honestly, I was really going to beat the living crap out of that bunch of dipshits, especially Collins. It was the second time a caught him watching Travis with a vicious and filthy look, and it sickened me, it enraged me. It also worried me, because his eyes followed his steps with a twisted light in them, which I didn't like one bit.

Fuck. What the heck was wrong with me? I was literally fuming with anger. That wasn't a normal attitude for me, that wasn't a normal reaction, considering Travis was a nobody for me. A nobody who attracted my attention and curiosity, tingling my instincts and luring them to make some conversation, to hear his voice and learn what he liked, what music he listened to and more. If Collins was going to harm him in any way...I repressed a growl and marched to my class.

I swear, I was really going to punch and kick that bastard's ass, and then apologize to Adam, the football team's captain, for making him lose a couple of players. But I had a feeling he wouldn't really cry about that, as I believed he could care less about that. Adam knew that bunch was troublesome, but unfortunately, he had not been able to kick them out of the team, because their families poured a lot of money in donations to the school and the football team. I shook my head to chase my emotions away, realizing only one person was now able to help me calm down.

I had to find River.

My friend better be already in class and punctual, which he always was, for I dearly needed his soothing and calming presence, his patient and emphatic way of listening to me, of understanding me with one look. Derek and the others were going to get their share later on, because I knew it would not be easy to completely mask it in front of them. They were aware of my anger management issues and could feel when something bothered me more than necessary; even Hayden could see it, by the way I aggressively attacked the ice with the blades, by how I crushed against opponents, by my brooding silence at lunch or in class. He didn't notice at first, but he grew accustomed and in the years of our friendship, we got to know each other more and more.

As I stepped in the classroom, my eyes immediately looked for River and he was there, sitting at his usual seat, leaning against the back of the chair while messing with his phone, a smug air on his face and smile that gave me the idea of a cat about to eat a canary. His purposely slightly messed, but styled brown hair was perfect as usual, his clothes chosen after careful consideration, nothing on him was out of place and no matter girls knew he was gay, they couldn't help admiring him and hoping for a change, but it was never going to happen. I softly smiled as I saw him, because he was quite a narcissist, but in a good way.

I had no doubts that Travis and River would get along just fine, understanding each other at first...I rolled my eyes, because my thoughts kept focused on that guy.

"River," I called, walking to his desk and sitting beside him.

"Sasha, how are you doing?" His striking blue eyes smiled at me kindly and openly, but he knotted his eyebrows immediately, his stare studying my expression. Alright, I guess at the moment my face didn't look its best and I still felt anger boiling inside of me. "Are you OK? What happened to you?" He asked with real concern and I couldn't help it, letting out a low, very eloquent groan, which gave him an even better idea about my state of mind. What was the point in lying to my best friend? Simply a waste of time, just like with the others, especially with Derek, another one quick at getting something was out of place. I sat more comfortable on the chair, with my knees wide apart.

"Nothing really happened in a way, River. I am OK, don't worry, but let's say something it's dangerously annoying me, and I don't quite understand it myself, which is ridiculous," I snarled out irritated, dropping my head back to stare at the ceiling a moment, because I really had to calm down and in a way, my friend was already helping by simply inquiring how I felt.

River didn't say or ask for anything extra, simply starting to stroke my very short hair and that relaxed me a bit. No one else was allowed to take such confidence or liberty with me, for a punch or a curse would follow at once, but with River was completely different.

He kept touching my hair and I looked at him, seeing his keen eyes studying my face, his mind quickly working.

"That's quite strange for you. Are you sure nothing really happened?" He asked again, his glance now concentrated on mine, a playful smile on his lips, meaning he probably had sort of figured out part of my annoyance, possibly having it heard from Derek.

I wasn't sure myself if something had really happened or not. What could have happened? What was it, meeting Travis in person?

"Why are you asking me that, smartass?" I avoided replying his question by making another one myself. He scowled at me and then punched my arm. "Ouch," I joked, massaging where he hit me, and he rolled his eyes teasingly.

"As if, Sasha, you barely felt it. In fact, you felt nothing, right? The usual Mighty Sasha, weren't you once called like that?" Yeah, I was called like that and I just nodded, saying nothing. "Sorry, I should have not brought that up," he apologized, seeing my expression growing colder and I felt like a jerk.

"No need for that shit with me, River. I'm sorry for behaving like this, but when it comes to him, you know that..." he stopped me by shaking his head.

"I know and there is no need to explain. Each of us has their own way to cope with delicate matters and it wasn't easy." He could say that, because literally the four of us reacted to that in four very different manners. My friend leaned closer, his face now more set on the teasing mood. "Now, tell me what happened because you cannot fool me. You have been sort of restless the entire week and I didn't miss how you eye-murdered John Collins and yes, I very well know he is a gigantic jerk deserving your loathing. Something else related to him must have occurred to piss you off this much, because let's be frank, Sasha, you stand very few people in general and you always minded him, but never as you do this week."

He had seen through me completely and I masked my surprise quickly. Shit. Sometimes I nearly forgot how sharp River was, how his mind quickly picked up at things other people usually ignored and didn't notice, at how his brain worked faster than most of the people I knew. A true smartass, that's what he was.

"And let's not leave behind the fact Dee told me about that little incident from last Monday."

"Figure it," I grunted, rolling my eyes and cracking my fingers. "What did he tell you?" I should have expected this.

"He told me about how you were set to beat Collins up, but that luckily you got stopped by an apparently 'very sexy rocker-dude', if I remember his correct words." I chuckled thinking about Derek and his description of Travis, for it was rather accurate.

"I guess that was quite right," I simply commented, giving him a one-sided smile.

"So, was the guy mentioned really sexy and hot as Derek said?" Of course, he had to ask that, given I hadn't bothered to say anything about the specific issue.

"River, give me a break," I grunted out, "between you and Derek I'll go crazy." It was much better not to answer that question, because I really didn't want to go there. That would lead to other questions and troubles, and further annoyance. As I said, the description was accurate enough and end of it.

"So?" However, he continued, wanting to pull the truth out of me.

"So, what?" He arched his eyebrows as to say you-know-what-smartass and I smirked, earning a light slap on my arm.

"Dee told me that this guy, Travis if am I correct, has quite a tempting body, and in fact, I believe I know about who he is talking," he said, winking mischievously and I damn well knew he was doing that to provoke me. And what got me was that he succeeded in it, but I managed to keep my usual poker-face, as I shrugged at the comment. Nevertheless, something inside of me irked my temper and I didn't understand why, which led me to get even more pissed.

"I bet you would like him," I said coldly, and he smiled, ready to strike. The professor stepped inside the class and after we greeted her, she began her lesson, but I wasn't exactly paying attention, still bothered by my own stupid comment and River's reaction.

"Uhm, how interesting," he teased with very quiet voice, "you might be actually right, if we are talking about the same person."

"What do you mean?" I growled under my breath and his smile deepened in a wicked way. Now I wanted to punch him, I mean not for real for I'd never hurt a friend, but his words triggered me, until I understood how he calmed me down with that, immediately feeling better. Thus, I let it go to avoid getting into deeper waters with him. He knew how to get you easily and it wasn't even funny sometimes.

"Mr. Lebedev, Mr. Kelley? Are you granting us with your presence?" Professor Mrs. Smith sarcastically asked to us and I refrained from saying something back.

"Of course, Mrs. Smith, we bestow the entire class with our presence and utmost attention, because we would never miss a word of your very interesting lesson," River replied for both of us, flashing his flirting and to-die-for smile. I coughed to cover a quick laugh as I saw how our professor looked at him, pretty much dazed for a moment. River could be such a showoff from time to time. So, I lightly punched his side, while I didn't say anything to Mrs. Smith, simply casting my usual cold and fierce stare. Her eyes narrowing as she noticed my expression and then, brushed it away wavering her hand in the air.

"Very well then," she only said, resuming with the lesson.

My friend always had his way with his looks and smiles, as I had my way with my glares and physical presence. What about Derek, Dima and Hayden? Dee was a cheerful and blunt bastard, quite the pest sometimes, so people gave in to him, plus he was very smart, smart enough to avoid getting on professors' bad side. On the other hand, Dima was a complete hopeless case and some professors gave up with him realizing there wasn't much to do to recover his case. Hayden was very quiet, so he attracted little attention in a way, and he was too polite to speak back against a professor, regard Dima completely lacked, often gifting us with priceless and very hilarious moments.

River and I exchanged another look, and I knew more was about to come during lunch break. What a damn pity today we had no practice, because I could really use some; but weightlifting was a good alternative and I could challenge my current limit and possibly break it. Yeah, that would definitely help.

TRAVIS POV:

I walked to class in a daze that was more a mess than that. I didn't exactly notice students or classmates around me, and I hoped nobody spoke to me, because I had a feeling, I would have not heard them either. What happened a few minutes ago at the locker had completely let me speechless and confused. Hell, confused didn't quite describe it, for I was completely clueless and felt stupid.

Was Aleksandr mad at me? There was no logic explanation for that, but I couldn't understand why he had behaved in such way with me, what happened all of a sudden. After that episode, I walked to my first lesson and sat in the last row, trying to pay attention to history of art, mostly miserably failing at that, as images of Aleksandr Lebedev kept jumping in my mind and crowding my thoughts. Great, just fantastically great.

Was every Monday going to start like that? The idea freaked me out and made me consider perhaps starting some routine to break the jinx and charm myself against that. I could cast a spell or were some stones or salt or whatever the hell, or I could...I shook my head quickly. I could just get my crap together and stop with the nonsense. It had been a mere coincidence and if anything, talking to him alone, even if for a few minutes only, made me very happy; I looked forward to seeing him again and I couldn't wait for the class we had together.

He was sinfully handsome, and this didn't make justice to how hot and mind-screwing he looked. I brushed my hair away from my forehead, like to brush away his picture from my eyes, but it fell back, as he visited my thoughts, generating imagines not exactly appropriate to entertain during a class; I crossed my leg to hide my rising problem. I began to play with my tongue piercing and flicked through my phone, for class was rather boring. I already went through all of this in my previous school and I wondered, wasn't this one supposed to be some badass elite high school?

"Mr. Henderson?" A voice called my name, pulling me back to reality, so I looked up at the source of the voice, meeting a suspicious spectacled gaze.

"Yes, Professor Garcia?" I asked politely and with a note of sensual elegance. I was terrific at this and I enjoyed using it when needed. All my classmates turned toward me in an awe and in pure curiosity.

Again, so much for wanting to be invisible and a shadow like Kuroko.

"What do you think of this?" She didn't say what she meant was on purpose, expecting to catch me unprepared, but way to go Ms. Garcia, you had to try way harder. I knew she enquired about a picture from Gustav Klimt, as the back of my brain heard her talking about it a few minutes ago. I told her what I already learnt in my previous school, adding my personal view and opinion.

I was gifted with a great, very fortunate skill: I could often multitask, which all considered is something almost impossible to find in a guy, but what could I say? It was me, after all, fantastic and handsome Travis. Alright, I was being a tiny bit cocky, but I really could multitask, something that came very much at hand in school or other situations, sparing me from embarrassing moments. After I spoke, I didn't miss to my great satisfaction the fact I left the entire class hanging there with wide eyes and a look of disbelieve. Then, it twitched my pride and I stared back at the class. What? What did they think about me? That because I dressed out of ordinary, with black nail polish, a touch of perfectly style make-up and bleached hair I automatically was a small-brained idiot? Well, bite me. It was the professor who broke the stupor, before I could say something.

"Very well, Mr. Henderson, I hope to hear more from your rather interesting point of view," she said, not really knowing what to tell as I noticed how she adjusted the necklace she wore, clearing her throat before speaking. I had a feeling she didn't exactly like me, thus I guess she was wishing to catch me red-handed, which obviously amused me and made me smile at her.

"Anytime, Professor Garcia," I replied with a smooth tone of voice, my smile saying it all.

After this small parenthesis, I returned to my own world until the bell rang, signaling me to go to my next class, and then the next, where I would see Aleksandr. And right as I pretended to be on the phone chatting with someone, who in truth was nobody, the super and sinfully, horniness-alert guy stepped in the room, seeing how girls dreamily looked at him. However, he spared no attention to anyone, aside his friend, a guy with whom I had class the following hour. Aleksandr walked to his seat, which was opposite to mine and two rows down, and I discreetly followed each of his steps and moves.

Hell, he was so handsome and hot I had to force myself looking away, but as I went to do so, he searched for me and our eyes met for a brief moment. I think my heart stopped beating in that instant, especially when he acknowledged me with a quick nod and sort of smile. It wasn't a real smile, it was the thing he did very well and sexily on the one side of his mouth, a mouth I imagined being wrapped around...Travis, stop it, you horny dog. Down Travis. I reciprocated with a quick yet very flirty smile and played with my piercing, which he probably noticed, considered how he shot me another second look, more intense than before, and then sat beside his friend. I was left admiring his back and shoulders, fantasizing to my heart content, thinking of every possible position I would love to try with him.

I never thought he would do that, and it made me happier than I was ready to admit. It also messed me up a little bit, because when we looked at each other, there was something in his face, in his pure-ice eyes and I was left wanting for more, desiring to talk to him. However, he kept quiet during the entire class and when he left, once more he searched for me. There was no sort of smile or nod, just his stare on me. And then, he left the class. I commanded my thoughts to calm down, because I no longer was the Travis of years or even months ago. No. I had grown up and become wiser, hopefully, eerily aware of the consequence of burning fire.

I left the class afterward but no longer saw him in the corridor, while I unfortunately had the displeasure of seeing someone else. The peanut-size-brain named John Collins, whose glare still bothered me and possibly followed me, suffering a very uncomfortable feeling in the back of my neck. My pace quickened and I decided to play the extra careful card, somehow confusing among the other students. I gracefully walked the corridor like a shadow, and yes, I was graceful and that had been said to me countless times. Luckily enough, I didn't have any class with him or his jock friends, and I really mentally thanked everyone and everything I could think of. I believed anyway that some of them were a year below me. I sure wasn't complaining, but hell, I doubtlessly felt sorry for whoever had to stand them for another year and put up with their shit.

I sat down in the last row of seats, at my usual place, and then observed two very attractive guys walking in. One in particular was very alluring and handsome in a different way than Aleksandr; he had that self-confident and charming air around him, and he looked like someone good at controlling and attracting other people's attention and desire, and he clearly enjoyed that. I wasn't sure about his name somehow, for I heard his surname only, Kelley. What a pity. I liked his dressing style and I knew he liked mine, since I caught him checking me out last week, giving me a rather fascinating smile when our eyes met. No doubts about the fact we were teammates. The other guy, the one with whom I shared the previous class, was huge almost like a bear and had short wavy black hair. He was as big as Aleksandr, but had a far more tamed and warmer aura, giving me the impression of being very calm and easygoing, while Aleksandr was purely wild and fierce – such a turn on for me – and definitely wasn't that easygoing.

If I was right his name was Hayden and he wasn't the smartest guy I ever met, considered sometimes he didn't have the answer to rather easy questions the professor asked; on the other hand, the attractive guy with the eyes and smile of a cat surely was very smart and very good at smoothing things down. The first time I saw them, my mind and eyes had registered both of them.

The guy whose surname was Kelley, the one with cat-like and enthralling blue eyes, shot me a curious look and then smiled deliberately openly. Hmm, that was new and rather interesting in a way. Yet, no shivers travelled down my spine and my heart kept beating normally. He was extremely handsome and hell, yes, he was hot, but not in the way Aleksandr Lebedev was, which once more threw me in quite the confusion. I anyway answered in kind, with a cocky and ambiguous smile, while I ran fingers in my hair, and I think he enjoyed I replied and played to his game.

Soon enough lunch time arrived and as usual I went to the library, where I sat down at a table alone, eating my lunch with my I-pod' company and reading something I was really enjoying.

I was into "The catcher in the rye" and I had to say it was an awesome and damn cool book. I was so absorbed in what I was reading, completely immersed in the world of Holden, of his phonies people in New York and quite ridiculous discussion over ducks and fish, with My Chemical Romance music in my ear, that everything else blurred away and disappeared.

Therefore, when someone touched my shoulder and called for my name, I jumped on my chair and almost fell from it, swearing under my breath. How very graceful of me, right? I removed one earphone and looked at who the hell scared me like that, exactly like it happened this morning with Aleksandr. Was the lets-scary-Travis-day taking place today and nobody gave me notice of it? I hoped it wasn't one of those peanut-sized-brain idiots.

When I turned around, my worries disappeared in an instant. There was a very cute guy possibly shorter than me with a concerned and shy expression, wearing clothes that gave him a typical skater-boy look, with deep chocolate eyes and an uncertain smile on his lips. The jeans were a bit baggy, but somehow, they looked very good on him and he was such a cutie! And then, my brain clicked. I knew him.

"It's you, the cutie from last Monday," I blurted out at first, my eyes quickly observing him and then lingering on his face.

He blushed terribly mumbling something about the way I called him, but he also sort of smiled, and the guy really had gorgeous child-like dark chocolate eyes, very bright and indicating a shy yet very sweet personality. Thin dark-hazel eyebrows emphasized his kind look and the shade of his eyes. His hair was a longish short, sort of tousled and messy, probably because he wore a hat and because it was slightly curly, and he didn't know how to properly style it. He definitely was shorter than my 5' 8, and with his clothes I was not sure whether he had slender muscles or not. Impossible to judge with those lose jeans and long-sleeved hoodie. I always liked observing people's bodies, and I realized sometimes it made some uncomfortable, so I learned to do it less openly and more discreetly. But right then, I really could not avoid it.

All in all, he was adorable. In a kitten-like way and his expression immediately made me smile.

"Yes, that's me, again," he timidly replied, his voice slightly shaking and very quiet. He kept silent for a while and I decided to try making him feel more at ease, for he was in clear distress. It's true I wanted to stay alone and enjoy my book, but there was no need to act like a jerk and I never met such a shy person.

"Sit down here with me," I said, indicating the chair beside me and he did that. "What can I do for you?"

His eyes travelled the library and then fixed on my face, and he blushed again. Err, was something strange on me? Or was it because I was tremendously attractive? I quietly chuckled at my own thoughts and sense of humor, for I wondered what people would say if they heard what went on in my mind.

"I...I am really s-sorry to disturb you during lunch break, but for the entire past week I looked for you in school. It...it was impossible to find you." He stuttered a bit on some words, out of shyness and distress, but he spoke the words very fast.

"No worries, really, you are not disturbing me," I assured him, smiling warmly and friendly. "What is it?" I was really curious to know why he searched for me so much.

He took a deep breath and then stopped those dark chocolate eyes on mine, which indicated he wasn't a scared cat. Nope, only very and cutely shy.

"I wanted to...to thank you, for uhm what you did for me last week. Nobody in this school had ever stood for me or helped in that way, so I-I really wanted to find you and talk to you."

He was a sweet and adorable cutie, and his sincerity and kindness impressed me very much. He went out of his way to search for me and he mastered his shyness to come to me. That counted as a good deal of points in my book.

"That's very sweet of you. Thank you...?" I sort of asked, wanting now to know his name. Only good vibes came from him and I felt comfortable around him, even if we just met and spoke.

"Oh, yeah, right. Uhm, sorry I didn't introduce myself at first. I am Jasper," he said still blushing and slightly stuttering nervously. He stretched out his hand to me and I took it to shake it. His skin was soft and cool, it felt nice, but again no shiver down my spine and definitely, no thoughts crowding my mind when it came to Aleksandr flashed around. Yeah, he was really good looking, but not in that way.

"Travis, Travis Henderson," I replied, smiling more openly, wanting to encourage him to be more relaxed and not so nervous. I wasn't going to bite him...well maybe, because he was someone you wanted to bite to see whether he tasted as sweet as he behaved.

"Uhm, sorry, it's Jasper Lucas." He finally smiled more relaxed and carefree and he looked even more cute.

Once he eased down his rather anxious mood, we did talk for a bit. Well, not exactly. We whispered or spoke very quietly, for we were in a library after all and I didn't want to be kicked out. Jasper was a year younger than me and loved to skateboard with his friends, and he confessed with a sad expression that he had no friends in this school, because all his friends went to another institute. His parents forced him into this one and apparently, they gave me the idea of the being the like of my father. That wasn't nice one bit and very sad, for it was obvious he was probably too shy to make new friends or perhaps, he never found people with whom to feel comfortable enough. Something I very much understood.

I grew a soft spot for Jasper at the very first, because he didn't approach me desperate to befriend me, but simply to thank me for what I did. I appreciated a sincere and grateful person, for I met very few in my life, and another point in favor to Jasper was that he looked genuine, a real good kid with a good, gentle heart. This was why I decided to enquire why John Collins was behaving like a gigantic asshole with him.

"Why that jockass was bullying you?" He cringed at that question and so, I understood I hit a nerve. What was that? Did he have some problems? I would gladly kick people's ass for him.

"Uhm, you see..." he was terribly nervous, and I kind of felt sorry for asking him that. But hell, just spit it out! Did I look like some blockhead that would judge? I doubted that. He took another very long and deep breath, which began to worry me. What was wrong? "Iamgay." It came out as one word.

I watched at his thorn and stressed expression, and I decided I could no longer hold my laugh and it just went out spontaneously, gaining a dark glare from a couple of students not so far from us. Oh whatever, kiss my sexy ass, for all I cared.

"You are what?" I asked lowering my voice and chuckling, really not wanting to appear like an idiot.

"Gay. Out of closet gay, well sort of," he managed to say quickly, looking down at the table and I felt like hugging him. I understood then what his problem was and with me, he had nothing to worry about. Hell, absolutely nothing.

"Well, Jasper, welcome to the club," I said with an amused yet kind tone of voice, feeling my lips tilting up as I witnessed the way his face changed expression, his eyes darting up to me at once.

His jaw dropped down as his mouth opened, and he stared at me in awe and astonishment. OK, I could understand he didn't see that coming and it shocked him. Well, of course. I wasn't skipping around like a pink unicorn or giggling all the time; I always kept my elegant and sensual manly demeanor, which explained why I had many girls dreaming about me. But hell, I was out of the freaking closet loud and proud, and I believed I looked gay enough, for I honestly didn't give a flying fuck about what people thought about that.

"You...?" He asked almost not believing it.

I gave him a duh-isn't-that-obvious look and then unlocked my phone.

"What's your number, Jasper?"

I decided I would make a due exception with him, because he seemed quiet enough and probably not wanting to be at the center of the attention for obvious reasons, and I had no doubts he was a sweet and genuine person, someone you would like to have as friend around. Also, if it wasn't clear, he was damn cute and adorable.

Author's chit-chat:

Now tell me please, isn't our Jasper super cute and adorable? I would love him as friend because I like quiet and sweet persons like him, which are very rare to find, in my experience at least.

What about our Aleksandr? Are you now better understanding his true issues? Dealing with that isn't easy and we can see he still struggles, for you don't overcome such complicated matter in just a snap of fingers.

For the old readers, as you can see, I have deepened their backgrounds and showed more about Travis's family, also, I gave you more comic moments between Sasha and his friends ^^

Stay tuned for more chapters to come!

Lots of Love, Magic, Hugs & Meows,
-TheWitchAndTheCat-