DRAKE'S P.O.V

Finally, lunch.

I got out of my seat, stretching out my arms ever so slightly. "Hmm.." I slung my bag over my shoulder, heading out of the classroom. The halls were packed, and I don't think I'd wanna spend lunch in the cafeteria. Cafeteria's are always gross. I headed towards the door that lead to the field. There were sports equipment, and a few people out there either playing with the equipment or just lounging around. I turned the corner, to an area with benches and the sort. It seemed more quiet, but emphasis on seemed.

I looked over the area, and there seemed to be a group..an unusually slightly large group...and Grayson? What was he doing with those guys? Not gonna lie, it looks pretty shady. My curious side won over, so I decided to go check it out.

The people that appeared to be surrounding Grayson were all wearing matching jackets. A gang? This didn't seem right. Grayson didn't seem like the type to join people that seemed so shady and low. I hope he's alright.. I eventually got close enough to hear what they were saying.

"You need to learn how to stay out of our way, you got it?" Said a guy with light blue hair, darker strands of blue streaking through it. He seemed to be the leader, being in front of everyone else. "We don't like dorks like you, I thought you'd understand that by now." He sneered. Grayson looked a little taken aback for a moment, then his face hardened as he stood up to him.

"I-I have the right to go where ever I like, I won't let you tell me what to do." Grayson replied in a defensive tone, but his voice wavered and he seemed afraid of the other boy. The blue haired guy laughed a little. "You aren't very convincing." He took a menacing step forward, and Grayson flinched. "Oh? Are you scared of me now?"

"L-Leave me alone! You know I'm not scared, I..I.." Grayson seemed at a loss as to what to say in return. I stepped closer, and then I spoke. "Leave him alone."

The group of people turned to look at me. "Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it if we don't?" The leader of the group challenged, suddenly taking Grayson by the shoulders and holding him tightly. Grayson let out a small gasp, flinching at this. "Don't even think about it." I replied, glaring at him. "This doesn't make you look great, it actually makes you look like an asshole."

The leader stiffened, and his confidence seemed to falter for a bit as his eyes filled with anxiety. The others looked a little worried at this. "Come on man, don't let this guy tell you who you are." One of them whispered. Then the leader's gaze returned to normal, and he nodded to acknowledge the words. He glared at me in a fierce way that kind of scared me, but I didn't let it show.

 "You think you can tell me what's what? I practically rule this school, and this one here is just one of the many people that are dumb enough to think they can tell me what to do, even after all he knows about what I can do." He shook Grayson a little, and I narrowed my eyes at him. "Let him go before I decide to do some real damage here." I threatened.

The leader looked at me with analyzing eyes, and then he let go of Grayson. He pushed him back, and walked over to me with clenched fists. I braced myself, ready for some sort of punch or something. But then he spoke, dangerously close. "Just know that next time, you and that dork aren't being let go so easily." He growled, and then he walked off, and the rest of his gang followed him.

I looked at Grayson, and he seemed to have a distant and sad look in his eyes as he watched them leave. I walked over to him, and gently put a hand on his shoulder. This seemed to snap him back into reality and he looked up at me. "..Are you okay?" I quietly asked in a concerned tone. "Did he hurt you?"

"Physically, no. Emotionally, yes." He admitted, brushing some hair out of his face. "Sorry..I didn't want anyone to find us. But I guess I'm lucky you came anyways." He sighed. "No, don't apologize. I'm just glad your okay." I reassured him. He smiled a little.

"Come on, let's go sit down." He offered. "Okay." I agreed, following him to one of the benches. I sat down and he sat down next to me. He looked at me and gave me an odd look. "Did you even go and get lunch? Do you even have one?" He asked. Dammit. I thought.

I gave a sheepish look, feeling a little embarrassed. "No." I admitted. Grayson smiled and then laughed a little. "I suspected you would be on top of things for your first day!" He replied in a teasing tone. I smiled and shrugged. "Whoops. I guess not." "Here, you can have half of my sandwich if you want." He offered.

"Thanks." I nodded, and he handed me the sandwich. This reminded me of how hungry I really was, and it was gone shortly. Grayson laughed a little at this, and began eating. Soon, he was finished and we were just talking.

"So, uh..sorry, I've been meaning to ask, but..what's that guy's name? The guy with the blue hair." I asked, feeling a little bad for asking when Grayson's more cheerful expression kinda faded. "Oh, him." He sighed a little.

"He's the leader of the Empire, everyone calls him The Emperor, but his real name is Kendric." Grayson explained. "He won't appreciate you calling him that, though." He added in a warning tone. "Only Empire members can call him by his real name. Only a few people outside of The Empire know his name."

This got my attention. "So..how do you know his name?" "Well.." He clenched his fists a little. "..when I was in my Freshman and Junior years, I was in The Empire. Back in Freshman year, things weren't so bad. It was just a little group me and him came up with a while back. We've known each other since Middle School." He continued on. "In Junior year he decided to use the respect everyone had for him against everyone else that wasn't in the Empire. This kinda lead to him getting used to it and everyone being totally afraid of him, so I left." He sounded a little wistful as he added. "He was devastated and upset with me."

"Wow..and he treats you like that? That's not cool, if you ask me." I replied with a slightly concerned tone. "I've grown to live with it, it happens often and at this point it feels like he's a total stranger." He said in a sad tone.

"Well, if he tries to bother you like that again, you can come and tell me if you want." I offered, hoping that he'd accept. I didn't want Grayson to be in any trouble or anything. Grayson smiled a little. "Sure."

"Great, I'm glad."

--TIME SKIP THRU AFTERNOON CLASSES BECAUSE IM LAZY--

I opened the door, and headed outside. I knew Collin and Armen might take their time, so I decided to hang around the entrance to wait for them. I pulled out my phone and browsed a little bit on social media, letting out a sigh. Classes were so easy, but pretty boring. Eventually, I heard two pairs of footsteps approaching me. I looked up, and saw Collin and Armen. "Hi Drake!" Armen said with a smile. "Hi. You ready to go home?" Collin inquired.

"Yeah."

//THE END

//shit dude its been like forever since i updated this fanfic so have this quick thing