Quick recap:
Mudz and 2d have been getting very close, with 2d developing weird emotions that he refuses to acknowledge. They stroll through life acting like a couple, especially when there's no one to see, yet sometimes things slip out...

Here's what happened last chapter as demonstrated by GalliumGalaxy

The New Year's Eve, a magical and special moment for most. Some people see it as a time to prove themselves to their loved ones by making unspoken promises with a New Years kiss; just like 2d and Murdoc, holding each other in a warm embrace under the lively and sizzling fireworks.

Others, prefer to spend their time with friends or family, some alone. Just about a month ago, Russel was convinced that he'd spend New Year's Eve alone. His family were nice and social people, but shared a different point of view to Russel; he felt that none of them could ever understand him on a spiritual level. It wasn't easy to move all the way from America to England, especially after what happened. Russel decided to distance himself from people, not trusting anyone, this way he wouldn't get hurt again. He hated the fact that life just went on...

He still remembered that rainy night... just him and his pals... hanging out... then... then it happened... From there Russel's memory wavered in and out, his mind blocking out the painful memories, but he could never truly forget... the events still haunted him... nothing was the same after that night, and Russel believed that he could never return to normal, never be happy again...

Yet there he was, sitting in the window of their new apartment, watching the fireworks with his new friend.

His salvation appeared in the form of a plate of spaghetti, placed in front of him on the canteen table as a short girl sat opposite him.

"Noodle." That's how she introduced herself. She joined school in the last few weeks before Christmas break, and seemed to be the only one who saw past Russel's tough appearance and noticed the sad soul that just needed a friend.

Noodle was Japanese, with mid-length black hair that looked purple from certain angles. She was a year under Russel, 2d and Murdoc, but that didn't stop her from befriending Russel. Cursed with memory issues and communicating in only broken English, Noodle was often avoided by her classmates who weren't ready to put up with her. Despite this, she was always cheerful and smiling, which Russel thought was very important.

Noodle was a smart girl, she understood most of the English language, the only problem was trying to speak it. However, this didn't stop the two from having many fun conversations.

Noodle was different from all the other kids, she was more understanding, and Russel found that it was easier to open up to her. With Murdoc and the blue haired boy gone during the last two weeks (because of 2d's fever) of school, Noodle and Russel found it easier to get closer. They talked about many things; their home countries, mutual interests in music. They didn't worry about people hearing them. Being new in school, neither of them were aware that the walls have ears, and information travels fast...

Once school was over, the two spent the entire Christmas break together, but now it was time to go back to school.

- - -

Russel and Noodle walked to school together, laughing and sniggering when remembering New Year's Eve. The sneaky Noodle brought a bottle of saké, which she explained to be the Japanese rice wine, to celebrate. Of course, Russel declined and questioned where she got this from. He told her that she was too young to drink and put the bottle away. Now, here's an important fact, Russel's mom had a very specific hobby; collecting stray cats and finding them homes. She was a really nice woman. However, before the cats found their homes they had to stay in her apartment, meaning that on the night of New Year's Eve there were about three cats in the house. When the fireworks started exploding they all went haywire, accidentally knocking over the bottle of saké, which no one noticed. Once everything calmed down, the cats found the spilt drink and, well, let's just say that barely anyone got any sleep that night...

Noodle and Russel had each other, they didn't need anyone else in this darn school. All the kids appeared too normal to befriend, not to mention the weird hierarchy and fear spread all over school, all because of that guy, Murdoc. Russel almost forgot about how much of a bother he was, until he appeared again.

"Hey Russ." Murdoc smirked, coming up to the two and stopping them in their tracks. "Long time no see."

"Go away. We don't have time for this. We've got to get to lesson." Russel glared at him, hoping that he'd get bored and walk away. Noodle looked up at Russel and then at Murdoc, confused. This caught Murdoc's attention. There seemed to be a glimmer of something evil in his eyes as he turned to her.

"Who's this?" His smirk widened, trying to imitate a smile. "You've befriended little Noodle I see." They both stared at him in shock. Noodle wanted to say something but was quickly cut off by Russel.

"How do you know her name?" He demanded, to which Murdoc chuckled darkly.

"Oh Russ..." He shook his head lightly as if the other male just said a great joke. "I'm the king of this school, I know everything."

Noodle was taken aback by this, the older boy scared her a bit. He was overly confident and didn't look like the type of guy who thought before he acted.

Who the fuck is this guy?! A chill run down Russel's spine, they weren't safe.

"So Noodle," Murdoc spoke again, turning to the younger girl, which slightly alarmed Russel. "I heard you're pretty good at playing guitar." Murdoc's voice sounded a bit nicer, trying to get to Noodle without having to threaten her. This happened quite often lately... Since Murdoc started caring about 2d, he'd use less force when trying to get what he wanted. "What would you think about joining my ba-"

"NOT HER TOO!" Russel burst out, wide eyed. "We're leaving!" He grabbed Noodle by the arm and guided her away from Murdoc in a rather rushed manner. To Russel, Noodle was beginning to be like a sister figure, he couldn't let her go through the same harassment which Murdoc served him last year. It might have been easier to just join the band, true, but seeing the state of the blue haired boy... Russel concluded that being near Murdoc for too long was dangerous.

- - -

They needed a place to stay, a place without teachers or students and, most importantly, without Murdoc. Noodle and Russel needed their own little spot in which they could spend their lunches without being disturbed. They went to the canteen from time to time, but other than that, they just needed to be alone.

There was one place that fitted what they wanted. A secluded area of school with working radiators and complete privacy. Russel heard rumours about that place being haunted, which just got Noodle more excited. She was a brave girl and yearned for adventure. Russel wasn't as excited by the idea of ghosts as by the idea of some peace and quiet. He definitely wasn't afraid, and felt that if something happened he could easily protect Noodle.

At the start of lunch the two made their way to the staircase and sat down in one corner, immediately starting to talk. They were the only source of sound for the first two minutes, and then they heard other voices, but the moment Russel and Noodle stopped talking to hear better, the voices stopped.

Noodle looked at Russel excitedly, convinced that the voices were made by the promised ghosts. Russel just looked at her and shook his head, he was sure that they just heard a passing conversation of two students who were walking to the canteen. There was just one problem with his theory: footsteps.

Approaching them were two pairs of footsteps. Russel and Noodle looked at the corner from behind which anything could emerge at any given moment. What was it? A ghost like Noodle claimed? Was Russel correct about it being just a student or teacher?

"Well well well." It was worse. "Who do we have here?" Smug and smirking, Murdoc stood in the hallway in front of them. Behind him cowered a shy bluenette, looking at the two from behind Murdoc's shoulder. 2d was fumbling with his fingers and had a static face expression. Why did people always had to get in the way of him spending time with Murdoc?

Of course, they didn't. 2d and Murdoc were barely ever interrupted during lunches, but in moments like these 2d could easily recall all those times, and for him there were too many. Despite the two spending nearly the entire Christmas break together, 2d still wanted to spend more time with Murdoc.

"Oh come on!" Frustration was seeping through Russel's voice. "Fuck off, will you? Give us some peace!" Noodle stayed quiet, observing. She didn't know what to do, and Russel could clearly handle the situation better than her since he knew what he was up against. Noodle wondered if Murdoc was really as much of a threat as Russel made him out to be, and who was that mysterious blue haired boy? He looked nervous, which Noodle and Russel both assumed was because of Murdoc. They were so very wrong.

"No can do." Murdoc stepped closer into the area, immediately followed by 2d who was now looking at the floor, intimidated by Noodle's staring. "This is our spot." Murdoc headed to their usual corner, thinking about how lucky Noodle and Russel were to not sit there, otherwise Murdoc would have been forced to pick a fight to physically move them. Russel rolled his completely white eyes, which also intimidated 2d.

Murdoc waited for 2d to sit down in the very corner and then sat down beside him. The two pairs were sitting opposite each other. The atmosphere seemed slightly tense.

"So how about we talk about the band?"

I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry. My personal life shouldn't have influenced my updating schedule, I'm sorry.

My life is currently a mess of education and social life, and in all this I failed to fit Wattpad in.

I'm so so sorry and I'll do my best to update as often as possible again.

Have a doggo meme as a peace treaty ✌️