*Steven's P.O.V*

School- was my least favorite thing. I went to this hell-hole, did my best to focus on becoming 'educated'...then tried not to get my head slammed into the dirty water of a toilet.

Fun. I know. It's not that I wasn't smart, or attractive. Guys are just jerks. I've been told I'm funny, so- I've got that going on for me...

     Being a seventeen, scrawny, big-lipped kid isn't easy- hell, it isn't fun, either...
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     Walking through the crowded hallway. I kept my head low, holding onto the straps of my book bag. People laughed and goofed around, Jocks tossing footballs back and forth- Girls giggling and waving to boys on the other side of the hall. Freshmen being chased around by juniors...yep- welcome to my life.

I brushed my dark brown curly hair from my eyes as I did my best to not get slammed into, as jocks ran by. Finally making my way to my locker- I quietly gathered my books and sighed. Closing the door I turned to head to home room- only to be interrupted by Mark Lockland. The most popular guy at this crummy school.

I cursed under my breath looking down, shutting my eyes "What do you want Mark." I mumbled.

Mark only laughed, slamming his hand against my Locker door, he grabbed me by the collar of my shirt- pinning my to the metal surface.

"You know, Stevie-" he joked, snorting as he spoke. "I felt like something just wasn't right- then I realized, it's because I haven't kicked your worthless âss in at least a full day!" A group of kids that had gathered around and began to snicker.

"Beat the crap outta him, Marky-boy!" A bystander laughed.

"Yeah Mark! And get him away from my locker! I don't need any bookworm cooties!" A girl yelled and giggled with her friends.

"Then you'll turn into a nobody like him, Maggie!" A boy joked and responded.

"Like who?" Someone laughed hysterically earning snickers and giggles form the crowd.

I sighed and lowered my head, letting my hair cover my eyes. "Just leave me alone, Mark."

'Oh's' and 'ooh's' escaped the crowd as I spoke.

Mark raised his brows "What'd you say to me, bookworm? Leave you alone? I ain't leaving you alone, until you get what's coming to you." He hissed and smirked.

Raising a fist, he slammed it against my cheek bone roughly- before bringing his fist back again- slamming it into my left eye.

The crowd cheered and laughed.

Mark dropped me Onto the ground, flexing and laughing as girls came to his sides- he left being followed by his friends.

I lay on the floor in a crippled heap. Tears stinging my now bruised, eye.

Trembling, I touched my finger tips to the swollen appendage cringing in pain.

I weakly gathered my books, and continued to class. Hoping to at least not get another bruise until fifth period.
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     As I approached fourth period, Science, I caught sight of Mark and a few of his friends surrounded by girls.

"Here I am, getting ready to make the final pass- some Lakers guy thinks he can tackle me? Nah, I spun around him, running as fast as I can, I'm so close to the end zone- I can feel it. As I'm only inches away, I-"

"Trip over my own to feet, getting up to see a disgusting sight- only to realize it's the face I'm now stuck to live with, for the rest of my life." A girl mumbled under her breath, causing Mark to pause.

Mark snapped his head in the direction of the girl- the girls and guys around the room laughed lowly.

Standing, Mark approached her. "What'd you say?" He asked fiercely.

Without looking up, she sighed "You heard me."

Mark growled and slammed his hands down on her desk. "Listen here you little-"

Standing up, the girl slammed her own hands down on top of his- keeping his palms down. She stood inches from his face while she spoke fiercely "No. You listen to me- I'm tired of you acting like you own this school. Mr. I-can-do-whatever-i-want-because-my-daddy-is-rich-and-my-mommy-is-a-prostitute. Get it through your thick skull, and realize you don't." She ripped her hands away form his and grabbed her books, plopping down in the seat next to me.

Mark remained speechless. He growled lowly and returned to his seat, eyeing the brave girl as well as me.

I ignored all the surprises looks everyone gave her. I watched her with a stupid smile as I moved a bit closer. "That was- that was pretty amazing...I'm Steven." I mumbled shyly.

"And I'm too busy- oh my god." She mumbles before gasping, catching sight of me. "Your face." She watched with wide eyes, giving me the chance to admire her facial features.

Beautiful blue eyes filled with concern watched me, long perfectly curled blonde hair resting against her shoulders- bits of feckless peppered along her nose and upper cheeks. Her lips soft and pink. She was lovely.

I blinked and gave her my attention as she waved her hand in front of me "Helloooooo."

"S-sorry. What?" I blushed.

She sighed softly "I asked what happened. You look awful." She frowned slightly.

I looked down and frowned myself. "Doesn't matter. I'm fine.."

"Mark. He did that didn't he." She whispered, taking my face gently in her palms.

I blushed a deeper shade of red and met eyes with her as she examined me.

Blushing a bit herself, she pulled away form me and returned to taking notes.

We didn't speak the entire class period. I kept stealing glances at her, watching as she twirled her hair- or chewed on her lip.

It was adorable. I looked up in surprise seeing Mr.Lenore approach me with a raised brow "Well, Mr.Tyler. Are you going to answer my question, or just stare after Delilah?"

I blushed and looked away "Please repeat the question sir.." I mumbled.

The class laughed, I distinctively heard Mark and his friends chuckling- the cracking of knuckles coming from Mark himself.

"I asked if your were ready to pick your science fair partner?" He held a brown lunch sack out to me.

I nodded slowly and reached my hand into the bag- picking out a thin piece of paper.

I read the name once. Twice. And at least three-hundred times. The name Delilah Faughster was neatly printed before me.

"Well, who'd you get doofus." A boy cupped his mouth and barked into my ear- earning laughs from others.

I flinched and moved away from the boy. "Delilah F-Faughster." I spoke quietly.

Mr.Lenore nodded in approval and waved his hands towards the girl beside me. "Delilah, Steven will be your partner- is that alright?"

She nodded slowly and shrugged "It's alright."

"Awe, poor girl. I'd kill my self if I were you." Maggie, the girl from the hallway, joked and giggled.

Delilah shook her head and turned towards Maggie "Shut it Maggie- it's not my fault you shoved a bleached tampon to far up your 'not so private, private.'"

Giggles and snorts erupted from the class- Maggie scowled, her face becoming red.

I laughed a bit and watched Delilah in wonder.

The moment the bell rang, we left- reporting to lunch.

I stopped at my locker to drop my books off when I felt myself being slammed into my locker.

Mark laughed "you know, I don't like being made fun of- and, your little girlfriend did a good job of that today."

"She's not my girlfriend!" I blushed and childishly snapped.

Mark chuckled and rolled his eyes "Oh shut up." He hissed and punched my jaw violently.

I felt my ears ring as my head slammed back against my locker.

Just as Mark raised his fist again, I heard a girl shout. "Enough Mark! Leave him alone."

Delilah gave a deadly glare, standing with her hands balled up by her sides. "I said- leave him, alone." She repeated through clenched teeth.

Mark dropped me against the floor and turned towards her, cornering her against the water fountains. "What'd you say you little bitch? "

His hand reached out and grabbed a fist full of her blonde curls, jerking her head back until her throat was completely exposed.

"I suggest you shut it or I'll Rip out your throat." He chuckled.

I just about had enough of it. "Let her go." I weakly stood and growled.

Mark faced me and laughed hysterically "Oh? Why Should I? What're you-" he was cut off by the sound of my fist slamming as hard as it could into his face.

He stood silently, before falling over like a chopped down tree.

The hallway was silent. People watched me with wide eyes- they were just as surprised as I was.

I flexed my pained hand, before looking up to Delilah. I offered her my good hand.

"Are you alright?" I asked politely.

She watched me in surprise, before taking my hand.

I helped her step over Mark, picking up her books. "These are yours, aren't they?"

She smiled shyly and nodded "Yeah... Thank you- Steven." She mumbled.

I smiled- my heart hammering in my chest as I walked her to the cafeteria. leaving the entire tenth grade wide eyed.
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Heyyyyy. How was this chapter? Yay? Nah? Blah? Haha let me know what you think! Awe. Fetus Steven is adorable. <3

~xPsychedelic_Vaderx