“Can you four show him to his classes?”

Saluting in a very casual and not at all fun way, the seeming lead in the beanie started with a spine shivering smile “We’ve got it, just get back to work alright, headmaster.”

Yen Sid gave a look that Ven couldn’t quite discern before heading off. Another one gone, and with that, four that he couldn’t really get a read on. They looked mad to say the least. Or displeased even.

They--

“Alright, runt, let’s get this over with.” The main one rudely remarked just as he was looking at their appearances. Wait was that rude? Terra called him runt all the time, but they always played about afterwards. This boy didn’t seem too friendly in that regard.

Pointing a thumb at himself, said teen introduced himself. “The name’s Seifer. And these guys are Rai, Vivi, and Fuu so don’t disobey them or we’ll find you.”

“You’ll find me?” Ven asked but was easily ignored as the girl coined as Fuu remarked simply

“Find you.”

“We’re also the disciplinary committee y’know.” The third and more muscular looking one, Rai, spoke up.

“I in fact did not know that.”

“Hurry up!” Seifer called out, motioning for the group as a whole to follow, which his half easily did as told. “We’re getting out of early classes for this.”

“But isn’t that bad?” Ventus asked only to be ignored. This definitely wasn’t the best feeling. What else could he do though? He was left with them by everyone so they couldn’t be all bad. They were supposed to be the leads of the school, so maybe they were just harsh because they had to be to keep chaos from running amok.

That helped him hurry along behind them, sticking just a bit too close to Fuu. She smelled nice, like blueberry soap. Or no, maybe he was imagining that because of her hair colour and general colour scheme. She looked like blueberries bathed in soft cream.

She was so heavenly. So beautiful. He wondered if he could get her number.

“Hold on, Romeo.” A harsh and stern voice scolded from close by. Where it came from, he couldn’t discern, it kinda echoed in his mind. No one else was around. Ventus did look however, this way and that for the source to no avail. Maybe he was just hearing things. Not so unheard of. He heard things constantly with his ailment after all.

Just as he was about to give up on the search that left him stalling and falling back from his guides, a small black and white, fuzzy cat head popped out of his satchel.

“Matir!” The boy beamed, giving her a loving pat and caress on the head and a bit of chin pets. She adored those. He knew. She couldn’t help but adore the pets despite what she said. Or rather, what he "thought" she said. She only talked to him after all, so it was easy for everyone to chalk it up to him being crazy and hallucinating as usual. He knew she was real though. She taught him a different language that he couldn't search, and told him they were both guardians from a world so long ago there was no number for it. Of course it wasn't a life he could remember. Reincarnation maybe?

That aside, such an outburst garnered the attention of those leading him. And boy did they not look happy. Their eyes were immediately on him, giving him enough time to shove his beloved cat’s head back down into the bag. Of course she had some complaints on the matter, but it would probably be bad to get caught with a cat at school. He didn’t want her to get confiscated.

Could they even do that?

“Have you been paying attention at all?” Another scolding, this time from Seifer. It was...scary to say the least, and Ventus couldn’t help but find comfort in the way he allowed his fingers to caress his hidden cat’s head. It gave him the courage he needed to carry on.

“Then what have we told you so far?” It was harsh to say the least. Again, scary. But what have they told him? He didn’t remember hearing anything. What did they even pass?

Looking around showed that he actually knew where he was. Score for having Lea give him a tour when Yen Sid was off handling things elsewhere. Those many days sitting around Terra and Aqua’s school for babysitting paid off.

“Uh...you said that that was the science lab and this was the science hall in general. Back there is the library. And then the hall that way was the band and history section, and--” Ven pointed along to each, about to carry on only to be stopped.

“Alright, so you were paying attention.” He didn’t seem too pleased by that. Did he want Ven to fail? Why was he so grumbly about it?

“You pass.” The woman of his dreams remarked dully and coldly, yet he still felt overwhelming joy from it.

The one that looked like Kenny from South Park or R.J. from Paranatural came up to him and gave him a fist bump for his efforts. Their name was Vivi right? Whatever it was, Ven happily obliged, following through with a small explosion while Vivi opened their own hand and gave one that fell on deaf ears. Did...did he actually say anything or was it so low that his hearing aids weren’t picking it up? He couldn’t see their mouth passed their face mask so it was hard to say.

“Hey, Vivi was it? You know what would be sweet? If you had a LED like light up jack o' lantern face mask.”

Vivi lit up, at least they perked up anyway. Seemingly so. Couldn’t exactly see their face to properly tell, but what did give it away was how the covered individual grabbed ahold of Ven’s hand with both of their own and nodded with quite a bit of fervor. Honestly, it was amazing their hood stayed up. That was enough to tell the blond teen to smile ever so brightly though. Now if only he could get the rest of the tough crowd to appreciate him.

Speaking of them, they actually didn’t look too displeased. At least not at him. Who were they scowling at? A glance over showed someone that looked rather alike to him though they had brown hair and green eyes instead of blond and blue. Were they really that similar then? But he knew that guy! They were childhood friends! Or well no, not really. They’d known eachother online for a few years and he knew that because they’d idiotically shared pictures and addresses and all that like the bad and naughty little children they were. What could he say? He was young and naive at the time. It was just exciting to meet people. And what’s Roxas gonna do? Kill him?

Waving wide and tall, Ventus called “Hey, Rox-”

Or he tried anyway. Just as the words were leaving his mouth, it was covered by a hand, Seifer’s hand to be exact. Just as quickly, he was dragged to be shielded by the group. What happened with Roxas then, he wasn’t quite sure, but he did hear Fuu give the command of

“Keep moving.”

“I’m going, I’m going. You don’t need to harass me.” Oh there he was. Maybe he jumped the gun on figuring Roxas was gone already.

Wrote him off too quick.

He didn’t sound too happy though. And what’d he mean by harass him? Would they do that? That wasn’t very nice. At least if it wasn’t playful like what Terra did with him anyway. Something told him it wouldn’t be by the way Roxas reacted.

He was released then, mouth uncovered and sight unheeded. Roxas actually was gone this time. A shame, but he supposed he could just message him later. Maybe ask for his schedule. That’s what students did right?

“Roxas, what a waste of space he and his friends are.” Seifer practically spat. Weird, he could almost see the venom dripping from his tone. Ven’s head even tilted to watch it fall like purple malic. Maybe he was just imagining things though.

“You don’t like Roxas?” Ven piped up. “But he’s really fun! I wanted to meet his friends and now I finally get to!” However he can find them anyway. “Can you help me look for them if you know them.”

“I’m not going to help you find trash!”

Dampening and lowering in stance, Ven bowed his head and uttered out a pathetic

“But I said Roxas and his friends, not trash.”

“They are trash.” Seifer reiterated, causing the short blond teen to frown.

“But they’re my friends.”

“Yeah and you’re our friend now so you don’t need them.” The student prez insisted. That sounded sketchy, but wait, they were friends?

“We’re friends?”

“Yup, just stick with us and we’ll take care of ya, y’know.” Rai chimed in while Vivi seemed giddy for Ven’s attention. Fuu was...hard to read to say the least, but so majestic. And Seifer just looked expectant and confident.

Was he not allowed to be with Roxas and his friends then? That...actually hurt. Just bringing his hand up to shake Seifer’s made him so anxious. So afraid. Was this a mistake?

After the agreement was officially made between the two, Ven couldn’t help but be a bit confused on what just happened. Was this how all friends were made? That couldn’t be right. Maybe it was a joke that he couldn’t talk to Roxas anymore. Maybe they were friends and it was just a weird thing between them. He’d have to ask Roxas later. It just didn’t make sense.

“Oh yeah, you can keep your cat now that you’re with us” The lead pointed off to the bag. “And you won’t have to worry about people calling you a freak schizoid as long as you’re with us either.”

What? Was he kidding? He couldn’t tell. There was no way he could be serious about that though right?

“You’re kidding right?” Ven voiced allowed, brows furrowed and the bag of cat held protectively against him. “How do you even know about all that?”

Grinning a toothy and now rather evil smile, Seifer replied “You’re cat was moving in your bag and popped out for one thing. And for another, a teacher ratted you out. We even know you’re prone to violence like the stereotypical shizoid you are.” He paused if only to take in the shocked expression of the boy he scolded. “What? Do the voices in your head tell you to harm people? What an excuse that is.”

What is this? Why was he saying this? What’d he do wrong? Why did he even know all this?

Why?

Why?

Why?

Seifer stepped back then, confidence overwhelming a now clear and massive ego. “Stick with us, and you won’t have to hear comments like that, got it? We’re here to help you so think of us as your saviours and not tormentors. You’d be miserable if you sat with the losers. Scorned by all.”

“Scorned by all.” The temptress repeated as usual. Ven was starting to realize there wasn’t much else to her than that. He couldn’t help but be enthralled by her still.

“Got it?” He insisted once more, leaving Ven to gulp his anxieties down and look up to the other. It was shaky, but he nodded. “Great. Glad to have a new ally then.” Holding a hand out, he stated “Now let’s see your schedule so we can get you to class since apparently you never even needed a tour. We sure didn’t teach you anything about the layout, but we’ll have to teach you who to avoid again later since you clearly weren’t listening.”

That’s what they were talking about? They never talked about the school itself? God he should’ve paid attention. Maybe then he wouldn’t have gotten stuck with them. But really, how bad can it be?

But right, his schedule. He shouldn’t forget about that already. It would be bad to piss Seifer off apparently. Just the thought left him trembling and biting into his lip as is. He’d be biting on his fingers if they weren’t busy sifting past a cat. Matir certainly made it difficult to look, but eventually he dug it up and a bit hesitant, handed it over.

“Ooh, you lucked out today. You had health with Elrena first.”

“Yikes.” Rai remarked. Did these guys do anything but follow Seifer’s lead? He was starting to think not. That was...unnerving. And rather disappointing.

“Dilan for art, not bad but not great. Even for science, get ready to be dissected yourself.” He carried on looking through the list. Get dissected himself though? That’s upsetting. Maybe he could ditch that class. “History with Lea is a cake walk since he’s usually telling random stories so blow off class. Luxord actually cares about his math class so watch for that. English with Aeleus and unfortunately home ec with Lauriam.” Seifer paused a moment to smirk. “Be sure to make us something good for lunch.” His attention returned then to the list. “And last but not least, gym with Braig. Wish you luck surviving that one.”

He really couldn’t get a reading on this group. Were they threatening him, or helping him? Ven couldn’t be sure. Maybe he just didn’t know enough about others to tell? Maybe he’d ask one of his friends later. Oracle should be up right about now. He could hide in the bathroom and call her maybe. Or text his group chat even. Oracle might be easier though. She was pretty good at responding after all. Then again, she was also in his chat.

Before he knew it, he was receiving a harsh pat on the back that set shivers down his spine. A small jolt even. It brought Ven’s attention to Rai, the culprit.

“Remember, stick with us and you’ll be fine, y’know.”

Fuu stepped up then. “Now get to class.” She practically ordered. Harsh, but it still warmed his heart to no end. It felt like butterflies filled his stomach, leaving him a bit dazed and therefore shoved from the group that now went on their own way, much more vocal with one another now that they were just amongst themselves. It was a little rude to say the least. Nevertheless, he yearned to be part of the crew one day. To be truly accepted. Maybe if he wasn’t an outsider he’d be able to befriend not just them, but Roxas too and bring them all together. That was such a warming thought, it left him giddy.

But right, class. But wait, where to first? He looked down to see.

“...”

Ah, Seifer still had his schedule. Welp, guess he needed a new one. Easy peasy as Zidane would say. And what do you know, it was just that simple. And no one was mad at him for being by himself, not after he explained anyway. Yen Sid did furrow his brows at the explanation of being abandoned. Something about having to look into it, but he gave Ven a new schedule all while disregarding the hungry and meowing cat in his bag.

“Don’t ask.” Ven tried, schedule now in hand. “I guess she snuck in to sleep while I was playing games.”

Just as the headmaster opened his mouth to speak, maybe request the cat stay with him in the office and out of trouble, Ventus already moved off to escape from the small enclosed area, the cat still in the bag.