I guess this is a soulmate AU? I've had this idea since I heard You Will Be Found for the first time. I have no explanation for it. Everyone is connected to someone else. It doesn't matter who it is, but when either of them are in danger, the other will know immediately and be able to find them. But in this society, they have basically split people up into two schools. Those likely to get hurt, and those likely to protect. It's stupid, but hey. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Anywho. Enjoy! -May <3

Jeremy was feeling self-conscious. This came from the fact that he was in a school full of people that society had labeled "weak."

Now, this wasn't exactly true. They had all taken the test when they were ten, the age most children began showing signs of either side. That is, the strong or the weak.

"Not weak," the adults would say, smiling sympathetically. "Just gentle."

Jeremy had stiffened his entire test, unable to dodge any of the test projectiles, and unable to reach the test dummy he was sent to protect at the end of the hallway.

When he was brought home, he ran into his room in frustration, refusing to leave until the next morning when he was feeling starved.

His mother had heard small sniffling coming through the door, though she decided to leave the topic be as Jeremy would never dare to admit he had cried.

"Hey, Jere bear," she had said softly as he came down the stairs. She wrapped him in a hug. "Want some breakfast?"

His mother had told him not to worry about his label. "Plenty of boys are in your same boat," she promised.

This didn't make Jeremy feel any better, but he knew she had meant well, so he didn't say anything.

Most days, Jeremy could live with it. He just went through the motions, going on with his life. But today, Jeremy was feeling particularly worried as he walked down the hallway to his homeroom, keeping his eyes down to avoid any eye contact.

If anyone had asked Jeremy why he was so afraid, being in a school full of "gentle" people, Jeremy would have laughed bitterly.

No one took into account that if you take people who were previously at the bottom of the power chain to a separate environment, most of them will do whatever it takes to grab the "top spot."

Yes, there were bullies at the school for "gentle" people. And most frighteningly of all, a lot of them were female.

Jeremy was not one to stereotype. He knew plenty of girls that had gotten accepted into the other school. In fact, his mom had been one of them.

But it seemed society hadn't picked up on the fact that most girls usually developed their personalities later than your typical boy did.

Girls could become vicious in later years, and this terrified Jeremy.

Usually, his school's female to male ratio was drastically outnumbered. This meant he was growing up around people who could easily change their personalities overnight. In many ways, this school was more dangerous than the alternative.

Because of this, Jeremy kept to himself mostly. However, he stuck out like a sore thumb in a sea of girls.

He managed to overhear a conversation as he slipped past a group of them.

"I'm not some 'damsel in distress,' I shouldn't even be at this school. They don't ever give the girls a fair chance to prove themselves in that stupid test. Oh, look, it's that kid. Unlike me, he got his chance...."

Jeremy began walking faster, his eyes shooting to the floor once again as he quickly slipped into his classroom.

__________________

Michael Mell couldn't care less about his label. He had heard it all before, how he should be ready to feel his soulmate in pain, how he was the protector and should always be ready to answer the call for help.

He sighed as he shoved a couple books into his backpack before swinging it over his shoulders. All day he had been feeling a tugging in the back of his mind. In most of his classes, he could hardly pay attention. He felt... worried? But it couldn't be worry, there was nothing to worry about.

"Yo, Michael, heading home?" A voice pulled him out of his trance. He looked up to see a familiar, letter jacket-clad jock run up to him, smiling.

"Yeah, dude, was just about to leave," he responded.

Jake grinned. "You walked to school, right? I'll walk home with you."

"Cool, sure thing." Michael began walking to the entrance of the school, zoning out on Jake's rambling about who his soulmate might be.

He felt a headache coming on as he and Jake began the walk home. Rubbing his temples slightly, he nodded and smiled, only having heard a couple words of what Jake had been saying.

"You okay, Michael? You don't look too good," Jake commented.

"Gee thanks," Michael said, chuckling. "I just... have this raging headache all of a sudden." He yelped in sudden surprise, a sharp pain exploding in his head.

"Is it... a call?" Jake asked carefully.

"Unless it's a world-record migraine, I think... so." Michael gritted his teeth as he said this, having trouble even talking. He cracked his eyes open to see an alleyway across the street. "O-Over there... most likely," he stuttered out.

Despite the pain in his head, he found himself walking to the edge of the sidewalk, watching for an opening to run across the street. When it came, he sprinted, every step down making his head pound. He turned into the alleyway, voices filling his ears.

"-ee? He can't even defend himself! So pathetic, he clearly fills his roll nicely."

Michael's eyes narrowed. He didn't like the sound of this.

"I don't belong at this school, and I'll prove it," the voice continued provokingly.

All Michael heard was the sound of a kick and a couple winded coughs. This was enough to send rage coursing through him as he ran the rest of the way and turned the corner to see three girls huddled around a figure he couldn't see.

"HEY!" he yelled angrily. "Get away from them!"

The girl standing in the middle whirled around. She made a slight "tch" sound before standing her ground and grinning.

"Looks like we've got an audience, huh?" The other two girls moved slightly to reveal a lanky boy, huddled and very much disheveled.

Michael inhaled sharply, feeling the headache disappear completely. Him, huh...? he thought.

"Great," the girl from earlier continued. "Now I've got a witness to get a proper transfer." She sneered, lifting her leg to deliver another kick.

Michael rushed over and grabbed her leg to stop it, causing the girl to yell in alarm.

"You really think beating up someone weaker than you is courageous?" he asked quietly in her ear.

Before she knew what was happening, he had hit her in multiple places. She didn't feel anything; instead, she fell to the ground, her limbs growing weak as she gasped for breath.

Michael turned to the other two. He raised one of his eyebrows curiously, as if challenging them; however, they quickly shook their heads and ran the other way.

Michael returned his gaze to the boy huddled against the wall. He smiled sadly. He seemed to have passed out. Michael scooped him up in his arms, revealing a nasty blow to his head.

Michael frowned, making a note to take him to the hospital as soon as he could. But first...

"You know... our school isn't just about being strong, right?"

The girl on the ground turned her head, giving no response.

"I hit your pressure points," he mentioned, answering the question she seemed to be asking with her eyes. "It just makes your limbs weak for a little while. I'm sorry for that."

She gave no answer still, but Michael saw the anger subside from her expression slightly.

"Just... next time, don't do something so... reckless. If you had been caught by anyone else, the outcome could have been worse for you... I'm gonna go and get him to the hospital, but... good luck." He gave her a small smile before quickly making his way out of the alleyway, hoping he had made the right decision.

He stared down at the boy in his arms. His heart fluttered momentarily. He had never quite been attracted to girls, so he wasn't always looking forward to meeting his soulmate. But looking down at him...

"MICHAEL! IS EVERYTHING- oh SHIT IS THAT KID OKAY?" Jake yelled from across the street.

Michael chuckled. "Yeah, he'll be okay. I'm gonna go take him to the hospital, just to see if he's alright. You can go ahead on home, thanks for waiting!"

Jake nodded, grinning. "Good luck, Romeo," he laughed as he began to walk away. Michael blushed, remembering how he confided in Jake about his attractions, but he was happy Jake had been so accepting.

Shaking his head to get himself out of his thoughts, he made his way to the nearest hospital, hoping nothing too severe had happened to his soulmate.

__________________

"He should be just fine," the doctor told Michael, smiling softly. "You were very thoughtful to have brought him here."

"Of course! He's..."

"Ahah, your soulmate?" the doctor asked, winking. "I was in the same boat at your age." The doctor glanced over to a man working at the front desk. The man waved, and the doctor smiled.

"Thank you, sir," Michael replied, smiling happily. "C-Can I see him?"

"Yes of course, we just need to finish up the paperwork, and he'll be free to go."

Michael hopped up excitedly, turning into the hallway to reach the mysterious boy's room.

As he opened the door, the boy glanced up at him, and Michael felt a sudden rush of heat flow across his face. He was cute.

"Hey," Michael breathed out.

"A-Are you...? The one who saved me?" the boy questioned.

"Oh, uh, I guess?" Michael responded, almost forgetting how to speak.

The boy seemed to be experiencing the same thing. "Th-Thank you! I'm... Jeremy," he said, introducing himself.

"I'm Michael." Jeremy smiled at this.

"Are you... by any chance... m-my..." Jeremy began, feeling a blush creep to his cheeks. "Never mind it's..."

"I'm your soulmate," Michael replied before he knew what he was saying.

Relief flooded through Jeremy. "I didn't think... I had one..." he commented truthfully, covering his mouth in embarrassment, though he couldn't hide his smile.

"Is it... bad? That I'm a guy?"

"NO! I-I mean..."

The two sat in silence for a moment before they both burst into embarrassed giggles.

The door opened behind Michael suddenly. "Mr. Heere, you're free to go," the doctor from before told them, winking at Michael as the boy's blush returned.

"W-Well? Shall we go?" Michael asked, grinning sheepishly as he offered Jeremy his hand.

Jeremy grabbed it happily. "Mhm!"

Y'all this was so much fun to write actually. I hope it was enjoyable to read ahaha. It's longer than I thought it would be?? In all honesty?

But yep! That's been an idea in my head for like... months? Goodness, feels good to get it out.

Hope you all enjoyed, and I hope you have a LOVELY DAY! <3 -May