"I'm aware I've said it a million times," I begin, tapping my foot against the chair Christophe is sat on. He swivels around, paying attention to me. "But Pip is really acting different."

"You 'ave said it a million times." Christophe rolls his eyes, but I can read his emotions. Just like me, he's concerned. "But I agree with you. 'E is acting strange. I cannot be ze only one who saw what 'appened with 'is eye."

"You aren't Chris." He glares at me for shortening his name and I beam at him. "One was the normal blue I've come to adore,"

Christophe cuts me off. "Fag."

I chuckle. "I'm aware I'm a bundle of sticks, you don't need to remind me. Anyway, let's not go off topic and discuss sticks. The other was red."

The brunette nods. "A shocking, crimson rouge."

"I don't believe that it's possible for someone's eye to change colour like that." I contemplate, aware that I've studied what the human body is capable of enough to know this doesn't just happen. "There has to be something behind it. Some sort of disease?"

"Non." Christophe states, arms crossed and eyes clouded with thought. "Not a disease. A demon."

A demon? This is the explanation Christophe comes up with?

To be completely honest, I shouldn't be surprised. I've been best friends with Christophe (even if he hates to admit it) since we were eight and met due to the silly 'La Resistance' organisation Stan and his friends made. I know him, inside and out. It's really no far fetched for him to come up with an idea such as this, but it's still a lot to wrap my head around.

How could a demon get to Pip?

"Christophe," I begin, my voice gentle. "I am aware where you stand when it comes to God, but really? A demon?"

"Oui." He says simply, standing up from the office chair and sitting beside me on his bed. "You'll probably assault me for zis."

I raise an eyebrow as Christophe puts a hand on my shoulder. "If you do attempt to 'it me, I will 'ave to use brute force against you."

"I'm not going to hit you." I assure him, and he sighs in relief, taking his hand from my shoulder.

"Thank fuck. Zis was getting too gay for me."

"Oh ha ha." I shake my head, and Christophe grins at me. "Anyway, tell me why you think Pip has a demon."

"Well..." he trails off, then speaks up again. "I knew you would never play with a Ouija Board, and I didn't want to do it alone. I zen realised I have no other copains, so I invited Pip as he 'ad been attempting to befriend me."

"Christophe," I begin with a sigh. "You invited Pip to use a Ouija Board with you?"

"Oui." He smiles sheepishly, and I shake my head. "We did actually make contact, and zis is why I zink he is possessed."

I sigh once more. "Well, we cannot attempt to 'exorcise' Pip until we have real proof."

"Zat will be easy." Christophe stands from his bed, stretching. "All we 'ave to do is see how 'e reacts to your stupid cross." He jabs at my chest where the cross lays, and I brush his hand away.

"You're suggesting we press the cross against his skin?"

Chris' eyes light up at my suggestion.

"Non." He laughs. "But now I'm suggesting it. I thought we'd just dangle the cross near 'is face."

"Can we do that instead?" I ask, hopeful. Christophe shakes his head.

"Nope!" He claps his eyes together, an exited glint in his eyes. "This way is better! Tomorrow, I will 'ave to wear a dreaded cross and get close to Pip."

I decide to butt in. "Why can't I get close to Pip?"

Christophe answers simply; he rolls his eyes, then says one thing, "fag."

****

When we get to school the next morning, we're both wearing crosses. Christophe tugs at the chain in distaste, the metal cross and his dog tag clinking together as he does so.

"I feel disgusting." He mumbles.

"That's because you are disgusting." I tell him, scouting the corridors for any sign of Pip. We're close to his locker, so there's a chance he could walk down this corridor. It's busy, as people are collecting their belongings before class, and we're going to wait until the bell rings to put our plan into action.

"Basic, British, blond bitch." Christophe curses, and I laugh. His use of alliteration always amuses me.

When the bell finally rings, Pip strides down the corridor. His eyes are wild, his hair a mess, clothes creased. It's as if he's just had a fight with someone. Like we predicted, Pip approaches his locker.

Christophe then infiltrates. He charges towards Pip, pushing his into the locker just as Pip attempts to put in his combination. They slam into the lockers with a crash, a gasp erupting from Pip. With hands placed firmly at either side of his head, Pip turns around to face Christophe.

I hear a phrase in French as I swiftly walk over to the two, and then it happens. Glittering in the light, Christophe's dog tag and cross swing forward. Being heavier than the thin metal of the dog tag, the cross darts forward first. Due to the height difference, the metal connects with Pip's cheek.

That's when Pip screams.

My heart aches at hearing Pip scream, but it's what we needed to hear. The skin of his cheek bubbles disgustingly and I grimace. Then it burns, flashing red then fading to a thin, pink scar. Then Pip begins to struggle. He jerks violently, thrashing beneath Christophe and trying his best to stay out of the swinging cross's aim.

"Gregory!" Christophe calls me over as he attempts to restrain the blond. I rush over quickly, gripping Pip's wrist and slamming it against the lockers. I have to tell myself again and again that it's not Pip as I help Christophe restrain him.

"Stop struggling you wretched demon!" I shout, glaring at Pip.

This only caused him to struggle more. His hand breaks free of Christophe's  hold, and violently whacks against his jaw. The brunette's head whips to the side from the impact, but he manages to get his grip back. He slams Pip's wrist into the locker violently, causing the whole set of them to shake. You can hear books from inside falling from shelves.

A laugh then erupts from Pip. Anyone would expect a sinister and dark laugh, yet its light and full of humour.

"You can't do anything in school!" Pip exclaims, laughing even more as he ceases to struggle. Christophe growls, and reaches from the cross around his neck.

Then he gets struck again. Pip breaks his hand free again, only causing me to tighten my grip on Pip. However, he doesn't hit Christophe with the free hand. Instead, he kicks him harshly in the shin. With a groan of pain, the Frenchman managed to remain standing.

"I'm not going to let you scar Pip's pure face." He hisses, and Christophe takes hold of Pip once more.

I glare Pip. "He's not pure while your inside him!" I hiss. This only causes the demon to laugh, and I have to fight the urge to reach for my own cross as anger floods through my veins.

"This is definitely not the time for a sex joke," he begins, giggling. "But he'll be in pure bliss one I get inside him."

Without even thinking, I lash out. Striking Pip across the cheek, he doesn't even flinch. Guilt than assaults me, eating away as a mark in the shape of my hand slowly forms on Pip's left cheek. The hit opens up the pink scar from the cross, and a thin line of blood trickles from the wound.

Pip only shakes his head. "Abusive relationships." He mutters, then sighs. "Well, I'm bored!"

As if it was nothing, Pip shakes us both off of him. He pushed me off with such force, I fall to the floor. He chuckles, a simple 'oops' escaping his lips as he walks away.

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Mock exams are shit